I wanted a ladybug, and I got this

I've been wanting to photograph a ladybug for ages, and took this photo the other day of a bug of a very similar size, but the colours on this one are stunning. Does anyone know what this is? Taken at Glen Helen in Central Australia

[Sam]

Mmm I have no idea but he sure is a beauty!

[Rachel]

I'm not sure what this is. But lovely colours!

[Denise]

Very cool colors on this guy.

[Noela]

Its a very colourful bug!!!!

[sally agnew]

Very pretty markings. Is it a type of Harlequin Bug?:)

[Arthur Loosley]

Seems a very fair exchange. Lovely shot!

[alia_801]

It appears to be a ground shield bug (_Choerocoris paganus_)
Here's a bit more info: http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Ground+Shield+Bug

[Ethel]

Just beautiful. good that Alia identified it.

[Graham Thresher]

A great shot. Fav

[Hazel]

My goodness - how very unusual!

[Babs]

Magnificent colours.

[Milanie]

Really terrific detail on this bug - the colors are great

[Jule ♥]

No idea, but a great picture!

[robbynmarie]

Wow, such beautiful colors. Great find.

[*lynn]

great shot... fantastic colors and patterns on that bug!

[Denise fuller]

great close up shot

[Maggie]

A really interesting wee chap. Lovely macro and I love what looks like his 'cut along the line' ---- markings. Great detail.

[~*~ Jo ~*~]

Lovely close up

[Janiskay]

Looks to be some kind of beetle but nothing I am used to seeing.

[Sue Wilde]

It's awesome

[Gena Pegg]

Such a pretty bug...great colors.

[Danny Davies]

It's quite small Robyn. very colourful. try jewel beetle. probably wrong.
fav.

[Leah]

Amazing jewel colors!!! Great capture, Robyn!!!

[Taffy]

I've never seen anything like this -- such a cool looking bug.

[Kathy]

I'm going with alia and the Ground Shield Bug. Looks like the one she has (sorry if you're a he) a web site of. It's really a cool looking bug though and I love the pattern on it to!!! Fantastic details!! FAV

[Andrew]

very colourful.

[Marnie]

I don't have a clue, but the shot is very interesting and colourful.

[Robyn]

@alia_801 Thanks for the identification and the weblink Alia. I agree that it seems to be the Ground shield bug. I've never seen one before

[Robyn]

@gigiflower @888rachel @denisedaly @noela @hermann @wordpixman Thanks. Alia has identified it as a ground shield bug. It has lovely iridescent colours

[Robyn]

@ethelperry @thresheg @quietpurplehaze @onewing @milaniet @justaspark @robbynmarie @lynnz @denisefuller @snaphappi @ziggy77 @janiskay @swilde @eyesmile @dannydavies @lealady @taffy Thanks for the comments. Definitely the ground shield beetle as Alia identified

[Robyn]

@cashew @andrewkru @golftragic Thank you

[Christine]

cool

[Sheralee S]

They are beautiful aren't they? Love those colours.

[Robyn]

@birdgirlsmom @bella_ss Thank you

[Chris Johnson]

His red color is so awesome! Brilliant capture and your title cracked me up!