Can anyone identify this bug? (forum)

Brendan starts with ...
Hello,
Great forum, now that we are doing our landscaping etc I will be referring here frequently to try and find some more great tips....

When we moved into our new house in Tarneit, and even before the house was built the section had a lot of these bugs on it. They appear to have bred and at one stage the fence had a few hundred of them all. They drive the cats mad on the windows!

Anyways they appear to suck the weeds (only plants in section so far...), and seem to mate by docking on the rear, so they walk round attached.....

I cant find any reference to them in any books, they are close to some beatles, but not close enough. Any thoughts?

Cheers
Brendan

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Time: 11th November 2009 12:20pm

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Tarneit
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Dekka says...
I think it might be an assassin bug, possibly 'Night Killer' assassin bug.
Feeds on other insects.

Time: 11th November 2009 3:24pm

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About the Author Dekka
Newcastle
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Phil@Tyalgum says...
Dindymus versicolor would be my guess - the Harlequin bug.They can mass in hundreds on some favoured plants, especially fond of soft fruits - mulberries, raspberries etc. The recommended treatment is spraying with soapy water which damages their protective shield. Young bugs look quite different in shape and color, kind of a pinkish red with no wings, still swarm together tho.
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Time: 11th November 2009 4:06pm

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About the Author TyalgumPhil
Murwillumbah
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Brendan says...
Thanks, that looks like them same species at least. The difference with these are the dots on the back that look like small holes (but aren't), I will take some more(in focus) photos... they certainly mass together. The little ones are different, more all red. Thankfully they are just eating weeds at the moment. Thanks for the comments.

Time: 11th November 2009 4:13pm

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Brendan says...
Sounds like I should cull them off a bit since am about to start doing vege garden.....soapy water, that I can do! Shower water hehehe.. Thanks again. The dots are present on the younger ones I see from some other photos.

Time: 11th November 2009 4:17pm

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Tarneit
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amanda says...
Hey Brendan - amazing looking bug - I have never seen one like that. Does it stink when u squish it?

Time: 13th November 2009 9:58am

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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