Texas mountain laurel, also called a Mescal bean plant, is a wild evergreen plant that is native to Mexico and the U.S. states just north of the border. The Mountain Laurel Mirid feeds on the leaves of this plant, disfiguring them. Many of these bugs may be found on the same plant, but their collective feeding efforts are not considered a threat to the plant’s life.
The plant is evergreen but the bug is only active from early to late spring. It is bright red over most of its body. Black wings overlap and are exposed over the lower part of the abdomen. Some individuals may have an upside down black triangle by the head. A black line may run from the tip of the triangle down the center of the body. Legs and antennae are black. Look for this bug in hill country, where its host plant grows.
General Characteristics Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns.
Colors: red; black
