Alydus eurinus

(Say, 1825)

broad-headed bug

Alydus eurinus is a of ( Alydidae) native to North America. The species exhibits distinctive -mimicry as nymphs and spider wasp-mimicry as . It possesses chemical defenses from metathoracic and is capable of stridulation using specialized structures on the forewings and legs. Two are recognized: A. e. eurinus and A. e. obesus.

Alydus eurinus by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.

Alydus eurinus by (c) Thomas Koffel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Koffel. Used under a CC-BY license.

Alydus eurinus. asters (cropped) by Beatriz Moisset. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Alydus eurinus: /ˈælɪdəs juːˈraɪnəs/

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Identification

Distinguished from Alydus pilosulus by rounded (not angular) pronotum corners. Distinguished from Lygaeidae by dark wings with many longitudinal (Lygaeidae have different wing venation). Absence of pale markings on sides separates it from some .

Images

Distribution

North America; specifically recorded from the United States including Vermont, and throughout the Nearctic region.

Diet

Primarily feeds on legumes. Observed on flowering plants such as goldenrod (Solidago) later in season. Known to feed on carrion, including dead toads.

Life Cycle

Nymphs are flightless and resemble ants. emerge with fully developed wings.

Behavior

Nymphs exhibit -mimicry as primary defense. exhibit spider wasp-mimicry. Both sexes produce stridulation using forewing ridges (stridulitrum) and femoral nodes (plectrum); sound is theorized to be low intensity with varied notes rather than single tone.

Ecological Role

Herbivore feeding on legumes; opportunistic carrion feeder. Chemical defense compounds (butyric and hexanoic acids) may influence local -prey dynamics.

Similar Taxa

Alydus pilosulusSimilar distinguished by angular (not rounded) pronotum corners
Lygaeidae (family)Morphologically similar distinguished by different wing venation patterns

More Details

Chemical defense

Releases butyric and hexanoic acids from metathoracic . Nymphs and both possess defensive chemicals, but nymphal mixture is weaker than adult .

Subspecies

Two recognized: Alydus eurinus eurinus (Say, 1825) and Alydus eurinus obesus Fracker, 1918.

Stridulatory apparatus

Stridulitrum ridges on forewing are longest at midsection of ; plectrum nodes are distributed along and across the .