How to Draw a Harlequin Bug

In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Harlequin Bug in 6 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.

The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.

Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.

At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Harlequin Bug.

Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.

How to Draw a Harlequin Bug - Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: To start, draw the head and antennas. Draw a rounded triangle. Add two small circles for the eyes and two lines for the antennas.

Step 2: Draw the body. Draw a curved line to separate the head from the body, and then draw the three different secions of the body

Step 3: Add detail to the body. Take each section one at a time and copy the design.

Step 4: Draw the front legs, which are thin and short.

Step 5: The middle legs are located right at the neck of the body.

Step 6: Finally draw the back legs, the same as the front legs.

Interesting Facts about the Harlequin Bug

The harlequin bug is found in Europe and Asia. It is red and black in color. Harlequin bugs can grow 11 to 12 millimeters in length. They have wings and long, powerful legs. These bugs feed on plant juices, especially milkweed. The harlequin bug’s coloration is a deterrent against predators. This bug also stores toxins from its plant food which makes it unpalatable to predators.

Did you know?

  • The harlequin bug is also known as a black-and-red bug.
  • The harlequin bug is in the Class Insecta and the Oder Hemiptera.
  • This species is in the Family Lygaeidae.
  • Harlequin bugs have three life stages: egg, nymph (young form of the insect), and adult.
  • Eggs are barral-shaped and white with black bands.
  • Females lay their eggs in clusters arranged in rows of six on the underside of leaf.
  • Adults overwinter in sheltered locations of plant debris.

Lesson plan note: Draw a large picture of the harlequin bug. Make copies and distribute to each child. Have the children use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to color their bug. Write the name of each child on the back of their bug. Then, hang each harlequin bug on the bulletin board for everyone to see.

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