Chelinidea tabulata
(Burmeister, 1835)
Prickly Pear Bug
Chelinidea tabulata is a leaf-footed bug in the Coreidae. It feeds and develops almost exclusively on prickly pear cacti (Opuntia spp.), with its distribution coinciding with that of its plants. The occurs across North, Central, and South America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Chelinidea tabulata: //ˌkɛlɪˈnɪdiə ˌtæbjʊˈleɪtə//
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Habitat
Associated with prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.) , including glades, prairies, sand and gravel washes, and rangelands.
Distribution
North America, Central America, and South America. Documented from Mexico, California, and Colorado in the United States.
Diet
Feeds and develops almost exclusively on pads, fruits, and young growth of prickly pear cacti (Opuntia spp.).
Host Associations
- Opuntia humifusa - planteastern prickly pear
- Opuntia cespitosa - planteastern prickly pear
- Opuntia - plant-wide association
Ecological Role
Acts as a minor component in a pest complex that can limit prickly pear cactus from aggressively overtaking rangelands.
Human Relevance
Considered either beneficial or pest depending on context. Viewed positively when limiting prickly pear spread on rangelands; viewed negatively when prickly pear is used as emergency forage or when fruits and spineless pads are harvested for produce.
Similar Taxa
- Chelinidea vittigerAlso a cactus-feeding leaf-footed bug in the same , with similar associations and appearance. C. vittiger occurs across the U.S. and northern Mexico.