Meet Bridgey's Midgey, the most alien-looking domed bug accidentally discovered in Australia by a tour guide: 'It looks INCREDIBLY interesting.'

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Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Mar 7, 2026 10:00 AM EST

We believe in aliens. They were discovered in 2020, and they're not from space - they're native to Australia.

We're talking about the most bizarre bugs we've ever seen, obviously. If the Bridgey's Midgey ever reminded us of something, it's… an alien. If you insisted we describe it, we'd say it's part firefly, part dragonfly, part old TV antenna from the '80s. And all that in the size of a tenth of your fingernail. If that's not the description of an alien, we don't know what is (because, honestly, "green man, big eyes" is so last century).

So if you woke up this morning feeling the urge to go and discover, come with us on an online adventure of the Australian wildlife - where everything strange is normal, and everything unhinged is like another Tuesday. But really, the Aussie wilderness is so weird it's no wonder all the peculiar animal discoveries happen downunder. It just seems that all we need to do as humans is look hard enough.

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  • 01
    Bridgey's Midgey (Genus Oecharis): this strange little species of lace bug was discovered just 5 years ago, and it has a unique dome- like structure on its back
    via SixteenSeveredHands
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10612020992
    via SixteenSeveredHands
  • 03
    SixteenSevered Hands OP This species has only been documented at the Cairns Botanic Gardens in Australia, where it was discovered by a photographer/tour guide named Bridgette Gower back in 2020.
    via SixteenSeveredHands
  • 04
    Aussie MACRO PHOTOS
    via @bridgettegower | Aussie Macro Photos
  • 05
    The bizarre-looking insect is also known as "Bridgey's midgey," and it's recognized as an undescribed species of lace bug from the genus Oecharis.
    via SixteenSeveredHands
  • 06
    Aussie MACRO PHOTOS
    via @bridgettegower | Aussie Macro Photos
  • 07
    The distinctive "cyst" on the insect's back is actually part of the pronotum (the plate that covers the dorsal side of its body)
    via SixteenSeveredHands
  • 08
    Aussie MACRO PHOTOS
    via @bridgettegower | Aussie Macro Photos
  • 09
    and it's formed by two separate structures that meet along the midline of the thorax; these two structures part whenever the insect needs to use its wings, which are folded beneath the dome.
    via SixteenSeveredHands
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    Aussie MACRO PHOTOS
    via @bridgettegower | Aussie Macro Photos
  • 11
    The entire pronotum is also covered in dark, lacy patterns and translucent cells that make the "cyst" seem even more exaggerated.
    via SixteenSeveredHands
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    Aussie MACRO PHOTOS
    via @bridgettegower | Aussie Macro Photos
  • 13
    The adults of this species measure roughly 3mm long. Entomologists have also documented and collected the nymphs, which have flat, shiny bodies that are completely black.
    via SixteenSeveredHands
  • 14
    Aussie MACRO PHOTOS
    via @bridgettegower | Aussie Macro Photos
  • 15
    Lace bugs (family Tingidae) are tiny insects that feed on plant fluids, and their common name is derived from the fact that they often have delicate and extremely intricate structures on their wings and pronotum.
    via SixteenSeveredHands
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    Aussie MACRO PHOTOS
    via @bridgettegower | Aussie Macro Photos
  • 17
    NemertesMeros Wait the dome is two motile structures derived from the dorsal plate? That's super interesting! Makes me think of all that research in insect wing evolution and tree hopper head gear
    via NemertesMeros
  • 18
    Lepke2011 Ah, Australia. Home to all things nightmarish.
    via Lepke2011

  • Australia has a reputation for producing creatures that look like evolution decided to experiment after midnight.

    Take the funnel-web spider, armed with impressively potent venom, or the saltwater crocodile, which is less “river lizard” and more “armored prehistoric authority figure”. The box jellyfish drifts through northern waters with tentacles capable of delivering extremely powerful venom. Even the platypus - objectively adorable - is technically a venomous, egg-laying mammal with a duck bill and electroreception.

    The reason for this apparent biological fever dream is isolation. Australia split from other landmasses millions of years ago, allowing species to evolve independently, filling ecological niches in unusual ways. Venom became a common evolutionary strategy because it’s energy-efficient for hunting and defense. Many species labeled “terrifying” are actually shy and avoid humans whenever possible.

    In reality, these animals aren’t malicious - they’re just highly specialized survivors shaped by a unique environment. Australia isn’t a horror movie - it’s a masterclass in evolutionary creativity.

  • 19
    sadness255 Definitely one of those bug enemies that explode in video games (look great)
    via sadness255
  • 20
    EyeofEnder ...imagine flying Banelings. Or Glyphid Detonators.
    via EyeofEnder

  • If you didn’t know what they are, the Baneling from StarCraft and the Glyphid Detonator from Deep Rock Galactic are fictional video game alien creatures designed around one very specific life choice: explosive enthusiasm.

    Both resemble oversized, insect-like beings with swollen, glowing back cysts that signal imminent detonation. The Baneling is a mutated form of a larger alien species, engineered to sacrifice itself by rupturing a fluid-filled sac of corrosive bio-acid. The Detonator, meanwhile, is a massive subterranean arthropod-like monster with bulbous, bioluminescent pustules along its back, packed with volatile material.

    Visually, those back cysts mimic real-world biological warning signals - bright coloration in nature often advertises toxicity or danger. Think poison dart frogs, but with considerably worse boundaries. The swollen sacs also resemble parasitic infections or fungal growths seen in insects, which is likely intentional: our brains instinctively label “inflamed glowing lump” as bad news.

    They’re dangerous, unsettling, and biologically inspired… just thankfully not real.

  • 21
    Poco_Cuffs What purpose does the dome serve?
    via Poco_Cuffs
  • 22
    pichael289 That's where it puts the princess while it drains her life force.
    via pichael289
  • 23
    Poco_Cuffs When you stagger it in the bossfight the cage opens for a sec and the princess gives you heals
    via Poco_Cuffs
  • 24
    Polebag Eggbag Midgey makes me think it's a wee bitey b rd.
    via PolebagEggbag
  • 25
    emergold_dragon istg mother nature be planting cr p when were not looking
    via emergold_dragon
  • 26
    Weaponized-Potato "Bridgey's Midgey"is probably the Aussiest way to name it.
    via Weaponized-Potato
  • 27
    SporkoBug I assume the dome/cyst on its back doesn't hinder it's flight capabilities, since the wings are folded underneath and well, still seem to pose a purpose.
    via SporkoBug
  • 28
    Maybe the dome could carry the larval stage before they get to Nymphs? Which i assume is the little thing below it on the second photo.
    via SporkoBug
  • 29
    It looks INCREDIBLY interesting; I am just horribly curious on why the dome.
    via SporkoBug

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insects pictures bugs did you know animal photos australia interesting amazing animals Aliens
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