Shield Bug
Scientific Name: alcaeus varicornis
Other Common Names: Ground Beetle
Species documented in 1837 by Westwood.
Description
This shield bug (or stink bug) is one of only four
species found in Australia. They have a mottled brown body, and legs and antennae are a mottled
dark brown. Their body is uniformly punctate. They can range from around 6 to 15 mm in size.
Reproduction/Lifecycle
Habitat
This species has been noted to favour plants such as the Acacia longifolia
sophorae, Acacia stenophylla and Exocarpos aphyllus (Cassis & Gross, 2002).
It
is found in northern New South Wales (Nandewarand Queensland.
Diet
Miscellaneous
Found in:
NSW,QLD,
References/Bibliography:
Cassis, G. and G. F.
Gross. 2002. Hemiptera: Heteroptera (Pentatomomorpha). In: Houston, W. W. K. and A. Wells
(eds.), Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 27.3B. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, Australia.
xiv + 737 pp.
Cassis, G. Betts, E. Elliot, M. 2002. Alcaeus, Australian
Museum. Available from:
<http://www.faunanet.gov.au/faunakeys/heteroptera/stinkbugs/html/alcaeus.htm> [Accessed
3rd February 2007]
10th September 2003, Nandewar Invertebrate Survey, Australian
Museum. Available from
<http://www.amonline.net.au/centres/cbcr/pdf/nandewar_appendices.pdf> [Accessed 3rd
February 2007]
