Photos of the week: pyjama bugs on wild carrot

Graphosoma interruptum (pyjama bug) on Daucus carota (wild carrot) Brena Baja, La Palma island
Pyjama bug on wild carrot

These really are bugs in the technical sense: they’re insects in the order Hemiptera, which are called “true bugs”, or “Chinche” in Spanish. These particular ones are pyjamas bugs (because of the stripes, I presume) Graphosoma interruptum. They’re about 12mm long.



Graphosoma interruptum (pyjama bug) on Daucus carota (wild carrot) Brena Baja, La Palma island
Pyjama bug on wild carrot

They’re all on wild carrot, Daucus carota. Most of the plants around here are going to seed now.

Graphosoma interruptum (pyjama bug) on Daucus carota (wild carrot) Brena Baja, La Palma island
Pyjama bug on wild carrot

I even found one pair mating. at least I think that’s what they’re doing.

Mating Graphosoma interruptum (pyjama bug) on Daucus carota (wild carrot) Brena Baja, La Palma island
Mating pyjama bugs on wild carrot

Posted by sheila

Sheila came to La Palma with a six month contract and has stayed 24 years so far. She used to work as a software engineer at the observatory, but now she's a writer and Starlight guide.

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