Red “Man-Face” Bugs Found Invading Nongnuch

Published : July 06, 2010 :: 12:07:07 [ 2,108 views ]

A plague of “man-face” bugs have descended on Pattaya’s Nongnuch Botanical Gardens over the last few weeks. The bug is prevalent throughout northern Thailand, coming to Nongnuch to feed on the fruits of the Marong tree.

Pattaya, the 5^th of July 2010 [PDN]: The report of a veritable invasion of the Nongnuch Gardens by the bugs was made by visiting tourists, who consequently believe that the creatures bring good luck, due to the resemblance of a human face on their wings.

Following the discovery of several of the bugs, now known to be Catacanthus Incarnatus (Drury) or “man-face” bugs, Nongnuch gardeners investigated the scene reporting several hundreds of the insects had descended on the gardens to feed on the ripe Marong tree fruit.

Nongnuch Garden Sales & Marketing Manager Mr. Jiraphan Sodorn revealed that the bugs quite often came to the park to feed, with many breeding in the vegetation at certain times of the year.

Investigation of the insect found that they are a common species, prevalent in north and northeastern areas of Thailand. In some areas, they are considered a pest as they feed on the trees fruit before it is fully developed. They are not known to have any dangerous toxins and have evolved with a human face on their wings to ward of potential predators.

Thailand’s Museum of Agriculture reports that the first species of Catacanthus Incarnatus was caught in Thailand on the 6^th of December 1932.