Melacoryphus lateralis

Classification

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Melacoryphus lateralis: //mɛləˈkɔrɪfəs læˈtɛrəlɪs//

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

Images

BUG (Melacoryphus lateralis) (8-6-10) Patagonia, AZ - 7-8mm long, in and around the house in large numbers copy (4880011547) by ALAN SCHMIERER. Used under a CC0 license.

Melacoryphus lateralis P1470247a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Black and red seed bug Melacoryphus lateralis Kern County 2016-06-01 by Junkyardsparkle. Used under a CC0 license.

Melacoryphus lateralis P1520170a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Melacoryphus lateralis P1090462b by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Melacoryphus lateralis P1110334a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Melacoryphus lateralis is a species of black-and-red seed bug notable for its striking appearance and propensity to appear in large numbers in late summer months in the deserts of western North America.

Physical Characteristics

Black and fringed with red and gray, resembling a dying ember.

Identification Tips

Distinguished by its black body with red and gray fringes, commonly referred to as the charcoal seed bug.

Habitat

Deserts of western North America.

Distribution

NA (BC-CA to SK-TX) and Central America, reported in large numbers, especially in July and August in AZ, NV, and other western states.

Diet

Feeds on seeds, primarily from plants in arid habitats.

Ecosystem Role

As a seed predator, it plays a role in the ecology of desert environments.