Temnostethus gracilis is a minute pirate bug in the Anthocoridae. It inhabits the bark of deciduous trees across a broad geographic range spanning Europe, the Palearctic, and North America. The is predatory, feeding on small arthropods including aphids, psyllids, barklice, and mites.
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Habitat
Found on bark of deciduous trees, including those densely covered with lichens and mosses as well as relatively smooth-barked such as European beech (Fagus sylvatica), common ash (Fraxinus excelsior), and European aspen (Populus tremula).
Distribution
Europe; Palearctic region extending to the Caucasus and Siberia (excluding China); North America; recorded from Belgium.
Diet
Predatory on aphids, Psylloidea (psyllids), (barklice), and mites; also preys on other small arthropods.
Host Associations
- Fagus sylvatica - deciduous tree bark
- Fraxinus excelsior - deciduous tree bark
- Populus tremula - deciduous tree bark
Ecological Role
of small arthropods on tree bark; likely contributes to regulation of phytophagous pest such as aphids and psyllids.
More Details
Taxonomic note
Authority sometimes given as Horváth, 1907. The name 'gracilis' (Latin for slender) is shared with numerous other insects across multiple orders, including grasshoppers (Trimerotropis gracilis, Stethophyma gracile), ants (Pseudomyrmex gracilis), and treehoppers (Enchenopa gracilis), but these are unrelated .