These heteropteran--true bug--eggs were found on the underside of a lantana leaf. I counted 23 hatched of the total 92 eggs, or 25%. The hatchlings are bright red and shield-shaped like a stink bug. My guess is these are Bagrada hilaris, the recently reported (summer 2008) harlequin bug from Africa. These bugs are known to feed on crucifers (cabbage family), which lantana is not; however in Africa they are found on a wide variety of other plants as well.
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