Campyloneura virgula

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Cimicomorpha
Superfamily: Miroidea
Family: Miridae
Subfamily: Bryocorinae
Tribe: Dicyphini
Genus: Campyloneura
Species: virgula

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Campyloneura virgula: /ˌkæmpɪloʊˈnjʊərə ˈvɜrgjʊlə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Campyloneura virgula 142866426 by Victor Heng. Used under a CC0 license.

Campyloneura virgula 142299901 by Michel Langeveld. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Campyloneura virgula-pjt by Pjt56. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Campyloneura virgula 140613089 by Victor Heng. Used under a CC0 license.

Campyloneura virgula 149399723 by Michel Langeveld. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Campyloneura virgula 140871839 by Michel Langeveld. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Campyloneura virgula is a species of predatory bug in the Miridae family, notable for its unique reproductive strategy of parthenogenesis and being adventive in North America. It primarily preys on small arthropods and can occasionally bite humans. It is found in various deciduous habitats and has a distinct appearance characterized by its coloration and markings.

Physical Characteristics

Campyloneura virgula can reach a length of 4–5 millimeters (0.16–0.20 in). Adults have pale translucent hemelytra, a red stripe on the edge of a pale green pronotum, a yellow scutellum, a black head, long red-banded antennae and bright yellow cuneus that are tipped with dark red. Legs are pale yellow. Nymphs are yellow, with a red stripe on the edge of the pronotum.

Identification Tips

Look for the distinctive pale green pronotum with a red stripe, long red-banded antennae, and yellow cuneus tipped with dark red. Size is a good indicator, being 4–5 mm in length.

Habitat

Numerous deciduous trees and shrubs including alder (Alnus), poplar (Populus), nettles (Urtica), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), and plum (Prunus).

Distribution

Widespread in the Nearctic realm, in Europe, and in the Mediterranean area up to Turkestan. It has been introduced in the United States of America (earliest record in California in 1944).

Diet

Predatory; hunts small insects such as aphids and red mites.

Life Cycle

Adults overwinter, with nymphs appearing in May. Flight time for adults is from June to October.

Reproduction

Primarily reproduces through parthenogenesis, with males being extremely rare across most of its range, except in Sicily and North Africa where normal sexual reproduction occurs.

Ecosystem Role

Predatory bug that controls populations of small insects like aphids and red mites.

Health Concerns

Occasionally bites humans.

Evolution

This species is the only one in the genus Campyloneura, which was established by Fieber in 1861.