Nature’s calling: Sunflower seed bug
As with most other brightly coloured bugs, these guys should be touched at your own risk
Most seeds that have a hard shell are safe from insect pests, however, there are a few exceptions like the sunflower seed bug, agonoscelis versicolor.
The sunflower seed bug is widespread throughout much of Africa and contrary to their common name, they do not only feed on sunflower seeds. I often see these at Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve and also in my own garden on the Bluff where they seem to enjoy a wide variety of seeds. These bugs are shield shaped and only measure about one centimetre in length.
These bugs have a needle-like mouth part through which they inject digestive saliva which liquefies the seed, allowing the bug to suck it out of the shell. In some parts of Africa the sunflower seed bug can become a serious pest to some crops such as millet, however, it is not seen as a threat in South Africa.
As with most other brightly coloured bugs, these guys should be touched at your own risk. They have a powerful scent secreting gland situated in their abdomen which they use in self-defence.
If you would like to contact Warren to have some of your interesting insects, snakes or other wildlife identified, send him a WhatsApp message or call him on 072-211-0353. Visit his Facebook Page called, Warren’s Small World.
