"Fulvo-rufescens, capitis thoracisque disco, antennis pedibus et hemelytris nigris, his fascia obliqua ad apicem corii, albida, antice bi-emarginata; tarsis pallidis; abdomine supra fulvo-rufescenti maculis sex parvis nigris, per paria dispositis; thoracis angulis posticis prominulis; corpore subtus toto fulvo-rufescenti." (Latin)
Adults: The adults are elongate-ovoid shaped with 4-segmented antennae. They are primarily black in color, with red lining the dorsal posterior edges of the pronotum and the sides of the abdomen. A yellowish-white color lines the juncture between the tegmina and membranous part of the forewings. The distal antennae segment is white. The hind femurs of males are enlarged with several pairs of spines on the proximal-ventral side. Female femurs are much more slender, though small spines are still visible under close inspection.
Nymphs: Young nymphs are red and black. Fourth and fifth instar nymphs vary in color, from yellow to orange, red, or black. The variation in color appears to be a form of background matching; nymphs raised on lighter species of heliconia, such as H. latispatha, are more likely to be light in color than nymphs raised on darker species, such as H. mariae. Color variation in nymphs does not translate into variation in adult color, i.e. yellow nymphs and black nymphs will both molt into similar-looking adults (Miller & Hollander 2010). There is no evidence of these insects forming aggregations, though other members of this family do aggregate.
The generation time of L. tricolor is approximately 30 days. Eggs hatch after approximately 14 days. The first instar nymphs do not feed, but require access to water. This first instar is approximately two days, with the remaining nymphal instars from five to ten days long. The cuticle of new adults remains soft for at least two days after eclosion, and reproductive maturity can occur within ten days. Adults can live for up to 80 days or more.
The species of heliconia where nymphs grow and develop and the time of year can have significant effects on adult size; the size of adult male hind femurs, used as weapons in contests with other males (Miller & Emlen 2010b); and adult mating behaviors (Miller 2008). Females lay more eggs on Heliconia platystachys, the host plant where offspring are most likely to succeed in the middle of the wet season (Miller 2007).
The predators of juvenile L. tricolor are primarily invertebrates, including many species of spiders and ants. Adult predators include spiders and insectivorous birds (Miller & Hollander 2010).
Female pairs have been observed competing in a similar fashion, though only rarely.
In addition to male-male competition, as described above, mate choice also occurs. Either a male or a female will approach a member of the opposite sex. Next, the male will begin twitching his front legs up and down, similar to the initiation of a male-male competition. The male will touch a female with his front legs. At this point, females may remain motionless, kick the male away, or leave the area. If a female remains motionless, the male will climb upon the female and initiate copulation (Miller 2007).
Females nearly always feed while mating. Copulatory courtship is common in this species, where males stroke females and rock while mating (Miller 2008). Both females and males mate multiple times over their lifetimes.
Author: Christine W. Miller, University of Florida
Photographs: Christine W. Miller and J. Court Whelan, University of Florida;
Project Coordinator: Thomas R. Fasulo, University of Florida
Publication Number: EENY-511
Publication Date: November 2011
Copyright 2011 University of Florida
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Department of Entomology and Nematology
Division of Plant Industry
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adult
adult
nymphs with color variation
nymph molting to adult
adult and nymph
adults copulating