Harmostes reflexulus

Small size (up to 8.3 mm) distinguishes it from larger rhopalid species. Identification to species level requires examination of genitalia or other specialized characters not detailed in general sources. The genus Harmostes can be separated from other Rhopalidae by the combination of small size, lack of scent glands, and characteristic body proportions.

Small bug reaching up to 8.3 mm in length. As a member of Rhopalidae, it lacks the scent glands typical of many true bugs. Specific coloration and body form details are not documented in available sources.

Fields with herbs and flowers. Most commonly found on herbaceous vegetation in open, disturbed habitats.

Caribbean Sea region, Central America, North America (including western United States and Canada: Alberta, British Columbia), and South America (Ecuador).

Feeds on petioles and flowers of herbaceous plants. Documented host plants include Senecio plattensis, Achillea millefolium, and Erigeron strigosus.

• Senecio plattensis - host plantfeeding on petioles and flowers
• Achillea millefolium - host plantfeeding on petioles and flowers
• Erigeron strigosus - host plantfeeding on petioles and flowers

Serves as prey for solitary wasps. Documented as prey for Dryudella wasps (family Crabronidae, subfamily Astatinae), which paralyze adults and nymphs to provision nest burrows.

• Other Harmostes speciesCongeneric species share small size and general appearance; require genitalic examination for reliable separation
• Other RhopalidaeLack of scent glands separates Rhopalidae from most other Heteroptera families, but species-level identification requires specialized characters

• Rhopalidae
• scentless plant bug
• herbivore
• prey item
• field habitat

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Bug Eric: Wasp Wednesday: Dryudella
• Harmostes reflexulus (Say) (Hemiptera: Rhopalidae): New Western U.S. Host Records, Analysis of Host-Plant Range, and Notes on Seasonality