Giant Agave Bug

Acanthocephala thomasi

Photo contributed by Jim Blaugh. Taken Oct. 17, 2004, near Agua Fria River and Bloody Basin, Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA.

Coreidae -- Leaf-footed Bug Family

These large, intimidating bugs are mostly harmless, although they can spew some pretty noxious odorant. They are true "BUGS" because they possess piercing-sucking mouthparts that they insert into plant tissues, especially developing fruits of century plants (Agave), to extract liquefied food. This species is common in Upper Sonoran Scrub and is also found on a variety of other plants such as mesquite.

More Information:

• Bugguide.net Univ. of Iowa
• Wikipedia
• Google Images
• Google Scholar Literature Search
• Book Reference: Insects of the Southwest by Floyd Werner and Carl Olson.