Gargaphia opacula
Uhler, 1893
Gargaphia opacula is a of in the , described by Uhler in 1893. Like other members of the Gargaphia, it is a small, flattened with the characteristic reticulated typical of lace bugs. The species has been recorded from several localities in western North America including California, Kansas, New Mexico, and Utah. As with many tingid species, detailed biological information remains limited in the available literature.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Gargaphia opacula: /ɡarˈɡa.fɪ.a oʊˈpa.kju.la/
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Identification
Distinguishable from other Gargaphia by subtle differences in the pattern of the and , as well as details of the paranotal expansions. Accurate identification to species level in this typically requires examination of minute morphological characters and comparison with or detailed descriptions. The species is not readily distinguishable from based on field observations alone.
Images
Appearance
Small, flattened with the characteristic lace-like reticulated pattern on the and typical of the . Members of Gargaphia exhibit expanded, flattened paranota ( extensions of the pronotum) that give the body a broad, shield-like appearance when viewed from above. Coloration and specific pattern details for G. opacula are not well documented in the available sources.
Distribution
Recorded from western North America: California, Kansas, New Mexico, and Utah based on 79 distribution records in GBIF.
Similar Taxa
- Gargaphia lunulataAnother member of the same with similar overall and appearance; both have expanded paranota and reticulated . G. lunulata has been documented feeding on Ricinus communis (castor ) in Argentina, but associations for G. opacula are not established.
- Other Gargaphia speciesNumerous share the characteristic expanded paranota and reticulated surface; -level identification requires careful examination of subtle morphological differences in patterns and body proportions.
- Corythaica cyathicollisA congeneric in the same with similar flattened body form and reticulated appearance, though Corythaica typically show different pronotal structure and are associated with Solanaceae rather than the hosts of Gargaphia.
More Details
Taxonomic Note
The Gargaphia is part of the , a group of small, flattened commonly known as due to their distinctive reticulated surface. The family contains many economically important that feed on a wide range of plants. However, specific biological and ecological data for G. opacula remains sparse in the published literature.
Data Limitations
No observations of this are recorded in iNaturalist, and no Wikipedia summary is available. The 79 GBIF records provide basic distributional information but do not include detailed biological or ecological data. The species appears to be infrequently encountered or underreported relative to some other members of the .