SINGAPORE Alien species or lantern flies?

A netizen recently took to social media to ask for help identifying a strange insect on a tree. Online users in the post’s comments section did not disappoint, helping to identify the colourful species.

“I saw it by accident in the park today,” an online user wrote on Saturday (July 22), sharing a photo of two peculiar-looking insects on a tree with the Singapore Wildlife Sighting Facebook group. “Is this an alien species?”

Many took to the comments section of the post to join the conversation. While some played along with giving the insect humorous names, others identified it as a lantern bug.

“Alien cockroach with antenna,” said one, while another joked, “Name that pokemon!”

However, another identified the insect, saying, “Lychee lantern fly/bug. I’ve seen these on Lychee trees in Hong Kong. They appear seasonally there. Also heard they are very common in Thailand. Great to know they are found here too. What type of tree were they found on? Looks like a mango tree from your photos.”

“They are lantern bugs,” said another. “Very interesting looking insects. This one is possibly a Pyrops candelaria.”

“It’s very beautiful but still consider(ed) a pest,” a fourth wrote. “However, the risk is low as there (are not many) orchards in Singapore.”

Still, a handful of users expressed amazement over seeing this type of an insect for the first time. “OMG so pretty,” said one.

Many others followed suit and left messages in appreciation of the insect.