Cimicomorpha
Guides
Acalypta parvula
moss lacebug
Acalypta parvula is a species of lace bug in the family Tingidae, commonly known as the moss lacebug. It is a small true bug with a widespread distribution spanning Africa, Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species was originally described as Tingis parvula by Fallén in 1807. Records from the Azores (Faial, Flores, Pico, São Miguel, Terceira) indicate established populations on Atlantic islands.
Agaveocoris barberi
Agaveocoris barberi is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, subfamily Phylinae. It was originally described by Knight and later transferred to the genus Agaveocoris by Henry & Menard in 2020. The species is associated with agave plants and has a limited distribution in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Aguayomiris pallipes
Aguayomiris pallipes is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Maldonado in 1986. It belongs to the subfamily Cimicomorpha within the order Hemiptera. The genus Aguayomiris is part of the diverse mirid fauna of the Neotropical region.
Anthocoris antevolens
minute pirate bug
Anthocoris antevolens is a species of minute pirate bug in the family Anthocoridae, native to North America. Research has documented significant geographic variation in mating behavior among populations from British Columbia, Washington, and California, with asymmetric compatibility patterns in interpopulation crosses. Like other Anthocoris species, it is presumed to be a predatory true bug, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Apiomerus californicus
California Bee Assassin
Apiomerus californicus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Berniker and Szerlip in 2011. It belongs to the Apiomerini tribe, commonly known as bee assassins, which are specialized predators of bees and other pollinators. The species is found in western North America, particularly in California and surrounding regions.
Apiomerus montanus
Mountain Bee Assassin
Apiomerus montanus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as the Mountain Bee Assassin. It belongs to a genus of exclusively New World predatory insects often called 'bee killers' for their habit of ambushing flower-visiting insects. The species was formally described in 2011 during a revision of the crassipes and pictipes species groups of Apiomerus. Like other members of its genus, it is an ambush predator that captures prey using its raptorial forelegs and subdues them with a venomous proboscis.
Atomoscelis
Atomoscelis is a genus of true bugs in the family Miridae, established by Reuter in 1875. As a member of the plant bug family, species in this genus are likely associated with vegetation, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus is part of the diverse Cimicomorpha infraorder, which includes many predatory and plant-feeding heteropterans. Records indicate at least some species occur in North America, but comprehensive taxonomic revision is lacking.
Atrachelus
Atrachelus is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae, comprising at least two described species: A. cinereus and A. mucosus. The genus is found in the Americas and belongs to the subfamily Harpactorinae, a diverse group of predatory true bugs. Species in this genus share the general characteristics of harpactorine assassin bugs but specific diagnostic features remain poorly documented in available literature.
Atrachelus cinereus cinereus
Atrachelus cinereus cinereus is a subspecies of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Fabricius in 1798. It belongs to the subfamily Harpactorinae, a diverse group of predatory true bugs. The genus Atrachelus is part of the Harpactorini tribe, which contains numerous species distributed across the Americas. This subspecies has a broad geographic range spanning North, Central, and South America as well as the Caribbean.
Autumnimiris
Autumnimiris is a genus of plant bugs (family Miridae) established by Schwartz in 1989. The genus comprises approximately six described species distributed in North America. These mirids are part of the diverse Cimicomorpha infraorder, which includes many predatory and plant-feeding true bugs.
Barce aberrans
Barce aberrans is a species of thread-legged assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Emesinae. It was described by McAtee and Malloch in 1925 and is native to North America. As a member of the Metapterini tribe, it belongs to a group of reduviids characterized by slender, elongated bodies and raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species is part of the diverse emesine fauna of North America, though detailed biological information remains limited in published literature.
Bisulcopsallus pallidus
Bisulcopsallus pallidus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Schuh in 2006. The genus Bisulcopsallus belongs to the diverse family of true bugs known for their plant-feeding habits. This species is known from Arizona, USA, though detailed biological information remains limited in published literature. As a member of Miridae, it likely exhibits typical characteristics of the family including small size, membranous wings with distinct venation, and piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted for feeding on plant fluids.
Bolteria
Bolteria is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae containing approximately 18 described species. The genus was established by Uhler in 1887 and is distributed in North America, with species recorded from the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Canada. Species-level identification relies on examination of male genitalia. Host plant associations have been documented for some species, though specific hosts are not widely published.
Calocoris texanus
Calocoris texanus is a species of true bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1942. It belongs to the genus Calocoris, a group of plant bugs within the suborder Heteroptera. The species is known from the Nearctic region, with confirmed records from Texas.
Chaetofoveolocoris
Chaetofoveolocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Knight in 1968. The genus contains at least two described species: C. hirsutus (Knight, 1968) and C. parsoni (Schwartz, 1989). As members of Miridae, these insects are small, soft-bodied true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Very little specific information is available about the biology or ecology of this genus.
Clivinema
Hairy Mirids
Clivinema is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Reuter in 1876. Members of this genus are commonly known as Hairy Mirids, a name reflecting a presumably distinctive setation. The genus is part of the diverse mirid fauna within the infraorder Cimicomorpha. As with many mirid genera, detailed biological information remains limited in published literature.
Ctenotrachelus shermani
Ctenotrachelus shermani is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Stenopodainae. It is a predatory true bug found across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, North America, and South America. The species was described by Barber in 1929. Observations suggest it is established and active in tropical and subtropical regions.
Curalium
Curalium is a genus of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) established in 2008 as the sole member of the family Curaliidae. The genus contains a single described species, Curalium cronini, known only from male specimens collected in the southeastern United States. Its distinctive physical and genetic characteristics warranted placement in a new family, representing a rare example of a higher-level taxonomic discovery in the 21st century.
Deraeocoris histrio
Deraeocoris histrio is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. It is native to North America, with documented records from Arkansas, Texas, and the Carolinas. As a member of the genus Deraeocoris, it belongs to a group of predatory plant bugs that feed on other insects. Specific ecological details for this species remain limited in available literature.
Derephysia
lace bugs
Derephysia is a genus of lace bugs in the family Tingidae, established by Spinola in 1837. The genus comprises more than 20 described species. Like all lace bugs, members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive reticulated, lace-like pronotum and forewings. The genus is placed in the infraorder Cimicomorpha within the true bugs.
Derophthalma
Derophthalma is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, first described by Berg in 1883. It belongs to the infraorder Cimicomorpha within the true bugs (Heteroptera). The genus is known from the Neotropical region, with records primarily from South America. Species in this genus are small to medium-sized mirids with characteristic head morphology that distinguishes them from related genera.
Diaditus pictipes
Diaditus pictipes is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Champion in 1898. It belongs to the subfamily Stenopodainae, a group of predatory true bugs characterized by raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species has been recorded from the Caribbean, Central America, and North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Dichaetocoris
Dichaetocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Knight in 1968. Members of this genus belong to the suborder Heteroptera, the true bugs, and are part of the diverse mirid fauna of North America. The genus is characterized by distinctive structural features of the male genitalia, particularly the form of the parameres. Species within Dichaetocoris are generally small, delicate mirids associated with herbaceous vegetation.
Dichrooscytus longirostris
Dichrooscytus longirostris is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Kelton in 1972. It is one of nine new Dichrooscytus species described from North America in the same publication. The species is characterized by its elongated rostrum, as indicated by its specific epithet. Like other members of the genus, it is a small, soft-bodied true bug associated with vegetation.
Dufouriellini
Dufouriellini is a tribe of minute pirate bugs (family Anthocoridae) comprising approximately 7 genera and 15 described species. The tribe was established by Van Duzee in 1916 and is classified within the subfamily Lyctocorinae. Members are small predatory heteropterans found in diverse habitats. Genera include Alofa, Amphiareus, Brachysteles, Buchananiella, Cardiastethus, Dufouriellus, and Physopleurella.
Emesaya
Emesaya is a genus of thread-legged assassin bugs (Reduviidae: Emesinae) described by McAtee & Malloch in 1925. Members of this genus are characterized by their elongated, slender bodies and raptorial forelegs adapted for predation. The genus includes at least one well-studied species, Emesaya brevipennis, for which life history data has been documented through laboratory rearing.
Empicoris winnemana
thread-legged bug
Empicoris winnemana is a species of thread-legged assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, described by McAtee & Malloch in 1925. It is native to North America. Like other members of the genus Empicoris, it is characterized by exceptionally slender, elongated legs adapted for predation on small insects. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited observational records.
Eusolenophora divisa
Eusolenophora divisa is a species of minute pirate bug in the family Lasiochilidae. It was originally described by Champion in 1900 under the genus Lasiochilus, and is now recognized as a synonym of Lasiochilus divisus. Records indicate presence in the Caribbean, Middle America, and North America.
Eustictus
Eustictus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Reuter in 1909. The genus contains more than 30 described species. Members are classified within the suborder Heteroptera and infraorder Cimicomorpha. As mirids, they are part of a large family of true bugs commonly associated with vegetation.
Exaeretini
Exaeretini is a tribe of plant bugs within the family Miridae, comprising more than 20 genera. Members of this tribe are small to medium-sized true bugs with the characteristic hemelytra of mirids. The tribe is part of the diverse Miridae family, one of the largest families of true bugs. Little is known about the biology of most Exaeretini species.
Galeatus
Galeatus is a genus of lace bugs in the family Tingidae, comprising approximately 18 described species. These true bugs are characterized by their distinctive reticulated, lace-like forewings and flattened body form typical of the family. The genus was established by Curtis in 1833 and is classified within the infraorder Cimicomorpha. Species in this genus are found across parts of Europe and Asia based on available distribution records.
Gardena
thread-legged bug
Gardena is a genus of thread-legged assassin bugs in the subfamily Emesinae, tribe Emesini. It is the second-largest genus in its tribe, with 46 described species. Members of this genus are characterized by their elongated, slender bodies and raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The genus was established by Dohrn in 1859.
Gargaphia condensa
Gargaphia condensa is a species of lace bug (family Tingidae) described by Gibson in 1919. It occurs in North America. Like other members of the genus Gargaphia, it is likely associated with host plants, though specific host records for this species are not well documented.
Halticus
fleahoppers, jumping plant bugs
Halticus is a genus of fleahoppers in the family Miridae, containing at least 20 described species. Members are commonly known as jumping plant bugs due to their characteristic leaping behavior. Some species are economically significant agricultural pests, particularly of cotton and sweet potato, while at least one species has been identified as a putative vector of phytoplasma plant pathogens.
Keltonia
Keltonia is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, containing approximately 13 described species. The genus was established by Knight in 1966. At least one species, Keltonia robusta, has been documented as a specialist herbivore on woody mints (Lamiaceae).
Lasiochilus hirtellus
Lasiochilus hirtellus is a minute predatory bug in the family Lasiochilidae (formerly treated as Anthocoridae). The species was described from North America in 1926 and has been recorded from both North and Middle America. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a predator of small arthropods, though specific ecological studies remain limited.
Lineatopsallus
Lineatopsallus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Henry in 1991. The genus belongs to the suborder Heteroptera and is classified within the infraorder Cimicomorpha. Records from iNaturalist indicate at least 46 observations of this genus, though specific ecological and biological details remain limited in publicly available sources.
Macrotracheliella
Macrotracheliella is a genus of minute pirate bugs in the family Anthocoridae, established by Champion in 1900. The genus is currently considered taxonomically doubtful, with limited available information regarding its constituent species and biology. It belongs to the subfamily Anthocorinae, a group of predatory true bugs commonly found in diverse terrestrial habitats.
Maculamiris
Maculamiris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Weirauch in 2006. It belongs to the large and diverse family of mirid bugs, which are among the most species-rich families of true bugs. The genus name suggests a spotted or marked appearance (from Latin 'macula' meaning spot). Very few observations of this genus exist in public databases.
Megalocoleus
Megalocoleus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae. The genus contains approximately 18 described species. Members are true bugs (Hemiptera) characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts. The genus was established by Reuter in 1890.
Melymacra
Melymacra is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Schwartz in 2004. It belongs to the diverse infraorder Cimicomorpha within the true bugs (Heteroptera). The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published information on its species composition, biology, and ecology. Available records indicate extremely few observations, suggesting either genuine rarity, cryptic habits, or undercollection.
Nabidae
Damsel Bugs
Nabidae is a family of predatory true bugs known as damsel bugs, containing over 500 species in approximately 20 genera. These soft-bodied, elongate insects are terrestrial predators that use raptorial forelegs to capture and hold prey, similar to mantids. They are economically important in agriculture due to their predation on crop pests including aphids, lepidopteran eggs, and other small insects. Many species are attracted to lights at night, and some exhibit wing polymorphism with fully winged, short-winged, or wingless forms.
Nidicola
minute pirate bugs
Nidicola is a genus of minute pirate bugs (family Anthocoridae) established by Harris & Drake in 1941. Members of this genus are small predatory insects within the subfamily Lyctocorinae. The genus includes at least one described species, Nidicola jaegeri, from Southern California. These insects belong to a family known for biological control potential against agricultural pests.
Nidicola engys
Nidicola engys is a species of minute pirate bug in the family Anthocoridae, a group of predatory true bugs. The genus Nidicola is specialized for life in bird nests, with species adapted to this microhabitat. N. engys has been recorded from North America. Like other anthocorids, it likely preys on small arthropods within its nest habitat.
Oligotylus ceanothi
Oligotylus ceanothi is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Schuh in 2000. The species is associated with Ceanothus host plants, as indicated by its specific epithet. It occurs in western North America, with documented records from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Oligotylus, it is likely a phytophagous insect feeding on plant tissues.
Opisthacidius
Opisthacidius is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Reduviinae. It was established by Berg in 1879 and is native to South America. The genus comprises predatory true bugs that hunt other insects using raptorial forelegs and a piercing-sucking proboscis.
Opisthacidius mexicanus
Opisthacidius mexicanus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Reduviinae. It was described by Peláez in 1942 and is native to Mexico and Middle America. As a member of the Reduviidae, it is presumed to be a predatory insect, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Ornithocoris pallidus
Ornithocoris pallidus is a species of bed bug in the family Cimicidae, first described by Usinger in 1959. It belongs to the subfamily Haematosiphoninae, which comprises cimicids associated with birds and bats. The genus Ornithocoris is distinguished from other cimicid genera by its association with avian hosts. The species epithet 'pallidus' refers to its pale coloration. Distribution records indicate presence in North America and South America, though specific details regarding its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Pamillia
Pamillia is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Uhler in 1887. The genus contains approximately five described species distributed in North and Central America. Species include P. affinis, P. behrensii, P. nicaraguensis, P. nyctalis, and P. pilosella. As members of Miridae, these insects are small, soft-bodied true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Paracarniella
Paracarniella is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Henry and Ferreira in 2003. The genus belongs to the infraorder Cimicomorpha, a diverse group of predatory and plant-feeding true bugs. As a relatively recently described genus, it remains poorly documented in the literature. The genus contains species that are part of the Neotropical mirid fauna.