Closterotomus

Fieber, 1858

Closterotomus is a of () in the Mirinae, established by Fieber in 1858. The genus contains at least 34 distributed across the Palearctic and North America. Several species are agricultural pests, notably C. trivialis on olive and citrus in Mediterranean regions and C. norvegicus (potato ) on lucerne, clover, and potato. Members are , feeding primarily on flowers, , and unripe fruit.

Closterotomus by (c) Silversyrpher, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Closterotomus fulvomaculatus by (c) Peter Preus, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Peter Preus. Used under a CC-BY license.

Closterotomus fulvomaculatus by (c) Donald Hobern, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Closterotomus: //ˌklɒstɛˈrəʊtəməs//

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

Identification

of C. norvegicus can be distinguished from similar by two dark spots on the ; lygus bugs possess a colored triangular where the attach. are green, becoming reddish- in adulthood in C. norvegicus. Size ranges 6–8 mm in C. norvegicus.

Images

Habitat

Agricultural landscapes including olive orchards, citrus orchards, lucerne fields, and associated weedy vegetation. Non- plants include Mercurialis annua, Urtica spp., Parietaria spp., and Sinapis alba, which serve as .

Distribution

Palearctic region and North America. Specific records from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Vermont, USA. C. trivialis documented in Crete and mainland Greece; C. norvegicus to Europe, to New Zealand and California, USA.

Seasonality

C. trivialis active from January through May in Crete, with nymphal appearing mid-January and first recorded early March. Adult timing varies by , with 13-day lag observed between citrus and olive orchard .

Diet

, feeding on sap from flowers, , and unripe fruit. Documented include Olea europaea (olive), Citrus sinensis (sweet orange), Mercurialis annua, Urtica spp., Parietaria spp., Sinapis alba, potato, carrot, clover, and cannabis. Nutritional suitability varies by host; Mercurialis annua, Sinapis alba, and Citrus sinensis support better development and longevity than Urtica urens, Parietaria diffusa, or Olea europaea.

Host Associations

Olea europaea - Koroneiki ; lower suitability, higher mortality
Citrus sinensis - Washington Navel ; supports good longevity
Mercurialis annua - non- strongly preferred, optimal (3.30°C)
Urtica urens - non- development fails at 15°C and 20°C, higher mortality
Parietaria diffusa - non- less suitable, highest (10.7°C)
Sinapis alba - non- supports good survival and longevity

Life Cycle

development with , , and stages. Nymphal development temperature-dependent; optimal at 24°C where effects on development rate are minimal. At suboptimal temperatures (15, 20, 27°C), host plant significantly affects development duration. Lower temperature varies by host: 3.30°C on Mercurialis annua to 10.7°C on Parietaria diffusa.

Lygus spp.Same (), similar size and general appearance; distinguished by having colored triangular versus Closterotomus having two prothoracic spots
Calocoris spp.Closely related ; C. trivialis historically classified as Calocoris trivialis, indicating taxonomic proximity and similar

More Details

Genomic Resources

sequence available for Closterotomus trivialis (Wellcome Open Research, 2025).

Taxonomic History

C. trivialis previously placed in Calocoris, reflecting ongoing refinement of .

Parasitoid Associations

C. norvegicus at least eight in Europe, dominated by Peristenus closterotomae (), with mean rate of 24% (maximum 77%).