Unknown Blue Bug on Jamaica Caper flower - Murgantia violascens

I unlinked the two images.

Since they are two seperate individuals on two seperate plants I didn't think they should be linked, but added a thumbnail. If you have a problem with this let me know and I'll undo it.

… Natalie Hernandez, 10 February, 2010 - 9:33pm

I have no problem with that.

You know what is best since this is new to me. Thanks

… Thomas Ford, 10 February, 2010 - 10:45pm

Murgantia violascens (Westwood) -- D.B. Thomas det.

neat new bug, guys!
dear Thomas (Ford, for the avoidance of doubt)--
thanx for this addition and pls keep an eye out for them suckers: we need more and better pix for the Guide. =v=

Moved from ID Request.

… v belov, 10 February, 2010 - 9:28am

Murgantia violascens

Wow. Thanks boys and girls. That was quick. I have a few other unknowns that are probably a lot easier. I will try to take better pictures. I have a Nikon Coolpix S4 but just cannot get the best out of it. I'll keep trying.

… Thomas Ford, 10 February, 2010 - 9:14pm

Some kind of Pentatomid - Stink Bugs

I'm not sure what, I've never seen a blue one like this, but it reminds me a lot of the Anchor Bug Stretrus anchorago.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/6434/bgimage

I don't think that's what it is, but same family. Hopefully someone else can ID it further.

… Natalie Hernandez, 9 February, 2010 - 5:45pm

Maybe it's just me,

but I find it very odd that this most distinctive critter has not yet been identified. I'm wondering if it might be an introduced/exotic species. (Another possibility, I suppose, is that the bugs of Key West are just not well represented in BugGuide.)

… Ken Wolgemuth, 9 February, 2010 - 7:59pm

Yeah I was thinking about that too.

I looked through pentatomidae and didn't really see anything like it but its a very distinct bug. So perhaps you're right and it is something exotic, or just one of the many key west mysteries :)

… Natalie Hernandez, 9 February, 2010 - 11:06pm

Anyone like #20?

http://www.sil.si.edu/imageGalaxy/imageGalaxy_enlarge.cfm?id_image=5903

… John R. Maxwell, 9 February, 2010 - 11:21pm

i think you nailed it, Max; will ask Don

i completely ignored this series -- went past it

… v belov, 10 February, 2010 - 6:16am

I think so

but I was playing it safe. There are four Murgantia species in our region, and I have no clue what the other two look like or their range.

… John R. Maxwell, 10 February, 2010 - 7:33am

Yes I do.

It does look a lot like the Harlequin Bug Murgantia histrionica but blue. So Murgantia munda could make sense. Any other information on it? Range or hostplants?

… Natalie Hernandez, 9 February, 2010 - 11:25pm

Well

If this one is saying that Murgantia varicolor = Murgantia munda, then this one says "DISTRIBUTION. Dominican Republic, United States (Florida),
México, Brazil." Listed hosts Forchammeria watsonii and Senna sp.
"REMARKS. This species is metallic purple in color with orange spots and ornate white lines on the dorsum."

… John R. Maxwell, 10 February, 2010 - 12:02am