January 7, 2009

Window bug belly shot


This shield bug was on my window the other day, giving me a nice
view of its underside. (Don't mind the window dirt.)

The dark line you see running from its head to between its legs is the
mouth, a modified sucking "beak" that pokes down into plants to suck
out the juices. Some other true bugs use their mouthparts to suck out
the juices of other bugs.