Hunting for Harlequin Bugs

The harlequin bug is an insect that migrated north into America from Mexico sometime after the Civil War. These beautiful bugs can be found in various spots around southern California and we like to hunt for them when we are out on the nature trails. They are often found in coastal scrub areas setting up shop on bladderpod plants.



Harlequin bugs on a bladderpod plant

Where we've found harlequin bugs:

• Bolsa Chica Wetlands: Take the trail that starts at the interpretive center (3842 Warner Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647)
• Peter and Mary Muth/ Upper Newport Bay: Lots of bladderpods on the trails near the interpretive center (2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660)
• Crystal Cove State Park: Explore the Environmental Study Loop, an accessible trail loop with eight field stations where you can learn about science, conservation, and even contribute to research. One stop asks you to count the number of harlequin bugs you see on the nearby plants, write down your count, and drop it in the collection box.

While the harlequin bug prefers cabbage, mustard, collards, cauliflower, radish and other cruciferous vegetable plants, bladderpods seem to satisfy them here in the coastal areas. On the trail, keep your eye out for a bristly shrub with yellow flowers and hanging pods. We've spotted bladder pod plants with zero harlequin bugs on one bush, and on a neighboring shrub up to twenty-five bugs. So look around and see if the nearby shrubs are occupied if you don't spot them right away.

Bladderpod Image thanks to California Coastal Commission
 

The harlequin bug looks harmless enough, and they are quite pretty. You can even pick one up and observe it up close, but be gentle and return it to its home when you are done. These little guys are quite powerful though. They are considered pests and are capable of destroying entire crops. By sucking the sap from plants, the bug causes the host plant to dry out, wilt and die.

Not the best for local farmers, but always fun for little insect hunters.