Aradidae

Definition

A family of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) characterized by strongly dorsoventrally flattened bodies and cryptic habits. Members are commonly called flat bugs and are typically found under bark, in leaf litter, or in association with fungi and decaying wood. The family is placed in the superfamily Aradoidea and infraorder Pentatomomorpha, with nine recognized subfamilies including Aradinae and Mezirinae.

Etymology

From the type genus Aradus, coined by Spinola in 1837.

Example

Aradus crenatus, a widespread Nearctic species, is frequently collected under the bark of dead conifers where it feeds on fungal hyphae.

Synonyms

• Flat bugs

Related Terms

• Heteroptera
• Pentatomomorpha
• Aradoidea
• cryptic
• mycophagy
• dorsoventral flattening

Usage Notes

The common name 'flat bugs' refers specifically to the extreme body compression seen in this family, distinguishing them from other dorsoventrally flattened Heteroptera such as some Reduviidae. Aradidae are of minimal economic importance and are rarely encountered except by specialists sampling microhabitats. The family is taxonomically stable but subfamily-level classification has undergone revision; older literature may use different circumscriptions.