Lygaeinae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Pentatomomorpha
Superfamily: Lygaeoidea
Family: Lygaeidae
Subfamily: Lygaeinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lygaeinae: //laɪˈdʒaɪɪnaɪ//

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

Images

Lygaeus kalmii P1200922a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Lygaeus kalmii kalmii by John Brew. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Arocatus melanocephalus Guerin by Not sure who did the illustration. Presumably Guérin & Péneau. Used under a Public domain license.

Lygaeus kalmii by Kaldari. Used under a CC0 license.

Biologia Centrali-Americana - Lygaeus truculentus by Bale & Danielsson; Bannwarth, Th.; Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company; Godman, Frederick Du Cane; Hanhart; Horman-Fisher, Maud; Knight, H.; Mintern Bros.; Purkiss, W.; Salvin, Osbert; Saunders, G. S.; Schlereth, M. v.; Sharp, M. A.; Taylor & Francis; Wilson, Edwin. Used under a Public domain license.

Arocatus melanocephalus (Lygaeidae) - (imago), Arnhem, the Netherlands by

This image is created by user B. Schoenmakers at Waarneming.nl, a source of nature observations in the Netherlands.
. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Summary

Lygaeinae is the most diverse subfamily of the family Lygaeidae, characterized by their aposematic coloration and association with tropical habitats. They are known for their ecological roles involving relationships with various plants and potential mimicry systems.

Physical Characteristics

Often have aposematic coloration.

Identification Tips

Look for species with distinctive color patterns that may indicate mimicry with other pentatomomorphs.

Habitat

Worldwide and throughout North America; most diverse in tropical regions.

Distribution

Approximately 45 species in 8 genera in the local area; ~550 species in 75 genera globally, with a high diversity in tropical environments.

Diet

Often associated with members of Asclepiadaceae and Apocyanaceae; some species may feed on cast seeds.