Pretty [Interesting] Bug

Photo of a true bug, ventral and dorsal aspects
I photographed this true bug in 2007, about eleven and a half years ago, but the beauty of it is that the insect as a species has not changed.  This is one of the things I appreciate about wild life photography, whether minuscule or marvelous, that the images are timeless.  People change, landscapes change, and buildings change - but wildlife images are as useful today as they were in the past.  If you didn't know the photo was from last decade, you couldn't tell.
The term "bug" gets way overused in the English language.  The above insect is a "true bug" and belongs to the order Hemiptera.  These include things like stink bugs, water striders, and assassin bugs.  All true bugs have piercing and sucking mouth parts. Other insects, such as lady bugs, are not true bugs at all.  If you look closely at the ventral (belly) view of the juvenile bug you can see the needle like appendage projecting from its head.  Many true bugs are pests, such as stink bugs, which attack plants.  Others, such as assassin bugs and water striders are carnivorous in nature, catching and feeding on prey.  Many of these are actually beneficial to man, helping to curb harmful insect populations.
I am always on the look out for any organism which I have never encountered.  I haven't seen too many of these colourful true bugs and was glad to be able to photograph it.  I cannot speak to its specific nature, but was certainly intrigued by its appearance.  It is a juvenile; it has not developed its wings yet and was not able to fly.  Adults have a peculiar wing pattern called a scutellum which has not appeared yet on this little one.
As with all things, knowledge helps you appreciate what is in your universe.  Maybe you have learned something here that has made a difference to your view of the world.  All insects, good, neutral, or bad, are fascinating and marvelous examples of life.  Next time a cool insect crosses you path, take a moment to value how incredible it is.

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