Sand Bug

Emblethis vicarius

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Pentatomomorpha
Superfamily: Lygaeoidea
Family: Rhyparochromidae
Subfamily: Rhyparochrominae
Tribe: Gonianotini
Genus: Emblethis
Species: vicarius

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Emblethis vicarius: //ɛmˈblɛθɪs vɪˈkɛːrɪʊs//

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Summary

Emblethis vicarius, known as the sand bug, is a species of dirt-colored seed bug in the family Rhyparochromidae that is found in sandy habitats and primarily feeds on organic matter such as cow droppings.

Physical Characteristics

6-7 mm in length, highly variable color with coarse dark punctures contrasting with pale yellowish or gray ground color; mix of yellow and blackish spots on a pale background gives a medium brown appearance; tips of hemelytra are clear or unspotted pale gray.

Identification Tips

Look for the overall medium brown appearance with contrasting yellow and black spots; check the clear tips of the hemelytra for identification.

Habitat

Open sandy habitats such as gravel pits, parking lots, sandy fields, roadsides, and beaches above the high tide line.

Distribution

North America to Alaska and New England; absent elsewhere in the eastern United States; also found in Mexico to South America.

Diet

Reported to feed on cow droppings.

Life Cycle

Two generations per year in northern regions; possibly year-round breeding in Florida.

Reproduction

Overwinters as an adult.

Predators

Parasitized by Phasia aldrichii (Townsend).

Similar Taxa

Emblethis arenarius
Gonianotus marginepunctatus
Emblethis griseus