FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
A native insect to the Pacific Northwest and Southwest region of North America, the bordered plant bug (Largus succinctus) is known by several names such as largus bug and red bug. This species of the Largidae family possesses contrasting colored edges to its hemelytra or forewings. They are also known as true bugs.
The bordered plant bug possesses a black or grayish-blue body with either an orange or red band that divides the thorax and abdomen. Their orange wings have orange edges with black spots and their legs are black while their joints are orange. The bordered plant bug (nymph) has a metallic blue body with a red dot in the center of its back.
Bordered plant bugs generally feed using their piercing-sucking mouthparts and they are found mainly on the ground. Their food mainly includes the liquid extracted from the tissues of plants and their feeding is primarily concentrated on fruit and flowers, the most nutritious parts of plants. In the garden, these true bugs generally attack strawberries, blueberries, and tomatoes.
The proliferation of these bugs is most common in the summertime as females generally lay eggs in the spring season and nymphs attain adulthood during the summer season. These bugs can be removed by using a shop vac or mason jar but chemical controls are not recommended.
For more relatable content, check out these Eastern Hercules beetle facts and wood tick facts for kids.
The bordered plant bug (Largus succinctus) is regarded as one of the most significant pests that possesses an orange or red band on its body. These bugs generally feed on food from the garden and their food mainly includes the liquid extracted from the tissues of plants. They are also known as true bugs.
Bordered plant bugs belong to the class of Insecta, the family of Largidae, and the Largus genus. These bugs damage strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, or anything else that is juicy in the garden!
The exact population of bordered plant bugs is not known as of now but these insects usually appear in large numbers. The number is so significant that a common bordered plant bug swarm can become a nuisance easily and they must be handled by any master gardener.
These insects are native to the Pacific Northwest and Southwest region of North America. These bugs are quite common in several regions of the United States such as California, Texas, Utah, South Dakota, Central Sierra, and many more.
The typical bordered plant bug habitat generally includes trees, shrubs, and the garden. In the summer season, these insects hover around plants and flowers in large numbers. These insects are also sometimes found around the house. In the summer months of June and July, these insects become quite active.
Very little information regarding the social behavior of these pests is available as of now but, like other pest species, these insects are generally social and prefer to live with other bordered plant bugs. You can find them around trees, plants, and flowers and adult bugs often meet during the breeding season. Nymphs often form groups that consist of around 100 individuals and large congregations are found in regions such as California, Arizona, South Dakota, Central Sierra, and Vancouver.
Several species of bugs generally live for around three to four weeks, while a number of bugs live up to 54-60 weeks. The bordered plant bugs live for between two to seven months.
Very little information regarding the reproduction pattern of the insect is available as of now but it is believed that this insect follows the same method as others. Adult females lay eggs in the spring season and their cluster of eggs is mainly found on the ground. A study has revealed that around 130 clusters are laid on the ground in this season.
Generally, eggs hatch in about 14 days, and the nymphs (young bugs) become adults during the summer season in June and July. Nymphs go through five stages and the nymphal stage generally lasts for around 100 days.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has not evaluated the status of this insect yet but populations of these pests seem to be stable as of now. The insect can easily be spotted around the garden, plants, and houses in North America.
This insect possesses a black or grayish-blue body with either an orange or red band that divides the thorax and abdomen. Its orange wings have orange edges with black spots, and its legs are black while its joints are orange. Bordered plant bug nymphs have a metallic blue body with a red dot in the center of their back. Bordered plant bugs generally feed using their piercing-sucking mouthparts.
These insects are more of a problem for humans rather than being seen as cute. Whilst you wouldn't want to see them feeding on strawberries in your garden, the metallic blue bodies of nymphs do seem to be quite attractive! This insect is generally regarded as a pest.
There is no information regarding the communication methods of bordered plant bugs available as of now but it is said that these bugs generally use similar methods as other insects while communicating. These insects use touch and sound to perceive their environment. Adults often come closer to each other in the breeding season.
The average length of a bordered plant bug is around 0.51-0.66 in (13-17 mm). This pest is bigger than a number of bugs such as the ambush bug and the lace bug.
The exact speed of bordered plant bugs is not known as of now but these insects appear to be opportunistic feeders who rely on flight to get to their food. They use their wings while feeding on fruits and plants. A large group of bugs is sufficient enough to damage a garden within hours and it becomes very difficult to carry out effective bordered plant bug control when faced with a large swarm.
The exact weight of the red-bordered plant bug is not known as of now.
There are no specific names given to male and female bugs of this species. Both male and female bugs are known as bordered plant bugs, and male and female adults are either black or grayish blue.
The babies of bordered plant bugs are called nymphs, they have a metallic blue body with a red dot in the center of their back. Nymphs go through five stages and the nymphal stage generally lasts for around 100 days.
This pest is generally a herbivore and they primarily feed on fruits, flowers, leaves, wood. These insects possess piercing-sucking mouthparts that help them to extract the liquid from plant tissues. They are often preyed upon by anteaters and common toads.
The proliferation of these bugs is most common in the summertime when they generally attack juicy fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, and many more. It is said that the attack of the adults can easily become out of control so they can easily damage a garden within a few hours. They are not particularly dangerous but they can be very harmful to gardens in North America. These bugs can be removed by using a shop vac or a mason jar but chemical controls are not recommended.
No, they are not considered as good pets.
Many bugs help in pollination and keep the soil they live in healthy.
The bordered plant bug possesses a black or greyish-blue body with either an orange or red band that divides the thorax and abdomen. Its orange wings have orange edges with black spots, and its legs are black while its joints are orange. The orange border gives it its name and differentiates it from the boxelder bug and other bug species.
The major difference between both is their eating habits. Bordered plant bugs generally extract the liquid of fruits while beetles feed on seeds and fungus.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other insects from our fungus beetle facts or elm seed bug facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Bordered plant bug coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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