Cotton Harlequin Bug (Tectocoris diophthalmus)
No two Cotton Harlequin Bugs (Tectocoris diophthalmus) seem to wear quite the same outfit. This broad, shield-shaped Australian insect comes in vivid combinations of orange, red, blue, and metallic green that vary dramatically between individuals and regions - a walking lesson in natural variation.
Cotton Harlequin Bugs are found across eastern and northern Australia, where they feed on plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), including native hibiscus, kurrajong, and - to the frustration of farmers - cotton. They are shield bugs (Scutelleridae), with an enlarged scutellum that covers the wings like a rounded dome. Nymphs are often even more colourful than adults, and both stages are frequently found in clusters on their host plants, their bright colours serving as a collective warning to predators.
The extraordinary colour variation in this species has made it a subject of genetic and developmental research. Individuals from the same population can display strikingly different colour patterns - metallic blue and orange, red and green, or predominantly black - a level of polymorphism that is unusual even among shield bugs. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, but the result is one of the most visually diverse single species in the insect world - a natural demonstration that pattern and colour need not be fixed to be functional.
Bugs Series
Bugs gathers illustrations adapted from and inspired by founder Simon Tyler's book Bugs, published by Pavilion Children’s Books in 2017. The series celebrates the graphic elegance of insect life: armour-like exoskeletons, iridescent wings, compound eyes, and the ingenious mechanics of movement and camouflage. It’s a visual field guide reimagined—clean, bold forms and carefully tuned palettes that bring structure to the surface.
Each piece begins with the research-led drawings from the book and then goes further: refined linework, rebalanced composition, and subtle textural detailing designed for generous print sizes. The aim is clarity and presence — images that feel scientifically grounded yet striking on the wall. Printed with the same archival care as our other series, Bugs turns natural history into crisp, enduring graphic art.
Printing & Materials
Our Bugs series is produced in collaboration with specialist fine-art printing partners using museum-grade 250 gsm archival giclée paper.
Each print is made to order with exceptional precision and colour accuracy, using pigment-based inks for long-term stability and rich tonal depth.
Prints are carefully rolled in acid-free tissue and shipped in rigid cardboard tubes to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, ready for framing.
All materials and processes are chosen for their longevity, texture, and fidelity to the original artwork, reflecting our commitment to quality and craft.