People usually talk about aphids like they are already explained. Tiny green bugs. Bad for the roses. Spray them, squish them, move on. That is not wrong. It is just a very small version of the story.
Hemiptera
Learn the real difference between bugs and insects, including what makes a “true bug” unique and why not all insects qualify as bugs.
Guides
Centrodontini
Centrodontini is a tribe of treehoppers within the subfamily Centrotinae, family Membracidae, established by Deitz in 1975. Members of this tribe are characterized by distinctive pronotal morphology and are part of the diverse membracid fauna. The tribe contains multiple genera distributed primarily in the Old World tropics. Treehoppers in this group are associated with woody host plants and exhibit the enlarged pronotum typical of the family.
Centrodontus
Centrodontus is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, tribe Centrodontini, established by Goding in 1892. Members of this genus possess the enlarged pronotum characteristic of treehoppers, which extends backward over the thorax and often develops into distinctive projections. The genus is part of the diverse New World treehopper fauna, with species distributed primarily in the Americas. Centrodontus species, like other membracids, feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Ceraleptus
leaf-footed bugs
Ceraleptus is a genus of true bugs in the family Coreidae, commonly known as leaf-footed bugs. The genus was established by Costa in 1847 and contains nine described species distributed across parts of Europe, North Africa, and western North America. Members of this genus are classified within the subfamily Pseudophloeinae. The genus is represented by approximately 2,500 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate documentation of its species in the field.
Ceraleptus pacificus
Ceraleptus pacificus is a leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, first described by Barber in 1914. The species is distributed across western North America and Central America. As a member of the true bugs (Hemiptera), it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of the order.
Ceratagallia arida
Aceratagallia arida is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, originally described as Ceratagallia arida by Oman in 1933. The species has been transferred to the genus Aceratagallia, though it is still frequently referenced by its original name in literature and databases. It is recorded from western North America including Alberta, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Texas.
Ceratagallia californica
Ceratagallia californica is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Baker in 1898. The species has undergone taxonomic revision, with some authorities placing it in the genus Aceratagallia. Distribution records indicate occurrence in western North America from British Columbia to California and eastward to Colorado and Utah. Like other leafhoppers, it is a phloem-feeding insect associated with vascular plants.
Ceratagallia clino
Ceratagallia clino is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae. The genus Ceratagallia belongs to the tribe Cicadellini, a group of leafhoppers characterized by their association with host plants and often distinctive morphological features. Members of this genus are native to the Nearctic region. As with many leafhoppers, detailed species-level biological information for C. clino remains limited in published literature.
Ceratagallia curta
Ceratagallia curta is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Oman in 1933. It is currently treated as a synonym of Aceratagallia curta in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in generic placement within the Megophthalminae subfamily. Distribution records indicate occurrence in Arizona, USA and Mexico.
Ceratagallia grisea
Ceratagallia grisea is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Megophthalminae, described by Oman in 1935. As a member of the genus Ceratagallia, it belongs to a group of small, often inconspicuous leafhoppers associated with diverse plant hosts. The species epithet 'grisea' (Latin for 'gray') likely refers to its coloration. Distribution records indicate occurrence in Arizona, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in available sources.
Ceratagallia harrisi
Ceratagallia harrisi is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae. The genus Ceratagallia belongs to a group of small, plant-feeding insects commonly known as leafhoppers. Little specific information is documented about this particular species in the provided sources.
Ceratagallia humilis alvarana
Ceratagallia humilis alvarana is a subspecies of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 1998. It belongs to the tribe Agalliini within the subfamily Megophthalminae. The subspecies epithet "alvarana" suggests an association with alvar habitat—limestone plains with thin soil cover—though this ecological connection has not been explicitly documented in the provided sources. The taxonomic status of this subspecies is accepted in the Catalogue of Life, though GBIF lists it as a synonym under the genus Aceratagallia.
Ceratagallia inconspicua
Ceratagallia inconspicua is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Baker in 1898. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Aceratagallia inconspicua in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revision in this genus. It has been recorded from the southwestern United States including Arizona, California, and Nevada. As a member of the leafhopper family Cicadellidae, it belongs to a group known for plant-feeding habits and potential role as vectors of plant pathogens, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Ceratagallia nana
Ceratagallia nana is a small leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Oman in 1933. It belongs to a genus of minute leafhoppers within the tribe Agalliini. The species is currently considered a synonym of Aceratagallia nana in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revision in this group. Distribution records indicate occurrence in Arizona.
Ceratagallia nubila
Ceratagallia nubila is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Oman in 1939. It belongs to the tribe Agalliini, a group of small sap-feeding insects commonly found on vegetation. The species has been recorded from Arizona, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Ceratagallia obscura
Ceratagallia obscura is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Aceratagallia obscura. The species has been recorded from western North America including Arizona, California, Oregon, and Ontario, Canada. Very little specific biological information is available for this taxon.
Ceratagallia rossi
Ceratagallia rossi is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, tribe Agalliini. The genus Ceratagallia comprises small, compact leafhoppers with distinctive morphological features. Species in this genus are associated with various host plants and are part of the diverse Neotropical leafhopper fauna.
Ceratagallia siccifolia compressa
Ceratagallia siccifolia compressa is a subspecies of leafhopper described by Hamilton in 1998. As a member of family Cicadellidae, it is a true bug in the order Hemiptera. Leafhoppers in this genus are typically associated with herbaceous plant hosts.
Ceratagallia vulgaris
Ceratagallia vulgaris is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Oman in 1933. The species has undergone taxonomic revision, with some sources treating it as Aceratagallia vulgaris. It is a true bug (Hemiptera) with piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of the order. Distribution records indicate presence in multiple U.S. states including Colorado, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, and Wyoming.
Ceratocapsidea
Ceratocapsidea is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Henry in 2015. The genus belongs to the subfamily Orthotylinae, a diverse group of small, often cryptic plant bugs. Ceratocapsidea was erected to accommodate species previously placed in related genera, particularly Ceratocapsus, based on distinct morphological features. The genus is relatively small and poorly known, with few documented observations.
Ceratocapsus
Ceratocapsus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, containing more than 130 described species. Members of this genus are typical visitors to blacklights at night, suggesting nocturnal activity patterns. As mirid plant bugs, they possess piercing-sucking mouthparts characteristic of the family. The genus was established by Reuter in 1876.
Ceratocapsus apicalis
Ceratocapsus apicalis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1925. It is a small, soft-bodied true bug found in North America, with confirmed records from Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico. The species belongs to a diverse genus of mirid plant bugs that are typically associated with vegetation.
Ceratocapsus barbatus
Ceratocapsus barbatus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1927. It is known from the eastern United States, with records from Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. As a member of the genus Ceratocapsus, it belongs to a group of mirid bugs characterized by distinctive modifications to the pronotum and scutellum.
Ceratocapsus bifurcus
Ceratocapsus bifurcus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1927. It belongs to a genus of small, often dark-colored mirids found primarily in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with vegetation and may be attracted to lights at night. The specific epithet "bifurcus" suggests a forked or divided structure, possibly referring to male genitalia or another diagnostic morphological feature.
Ceratocapsus fuscosignatus
Ceratocapsus fuscosignatus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1927. It is recorded from Florida, USA. As a member of the genus Ceratocapsus, it belongs to a group of mirid plant bugs that are frequently encountered at lights at night. The genus is diverse and species are often difficult to distinguish without detailed examination.
Ceratocapsus lutescens
Ceratocapsus lutescens is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Reuter in 1876. Like other members of the genus Ceratocapsus, it is a small true bug with piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species has been recorded from Texas and is known to be attracted to blacklights at night. Information on its biology and host associations remains limited.
Ceratocapsus modestus
Ceratocapsus modestus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, a diverse group of true bugs commonly known as mirids or capsid bugs. The species was described by Uhler in 1887. Like other members of the genus Ceratocapsus, it is a small, soft-bodied insect with the characteristic piercing-sucking mouthparts of the Hemiptera. The species has been documented across the eastern and central United States.
Ceratocapsus nigrocephalus
Ceratocapsus nigrocephalus is a small plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1923. The specific epithet "nigrocephalus" refers to its dark or black head. Like other members of the genus Ceratocapsus, it belongs to a diverse group of mirid bugs commonly encountered at night near artificial light sources. The species is documented from the northeastern United States.
Ceratocapsus pilosulus
Ceratocapsus pilosulus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1930. It belongs to the large and diverse family of true bugs commonly known as plant bugs or mirid bugs. The species has been recorded from multiple localities in North America, including Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota in the United States, as well as Mato Grosso in Brazil.
Ceratocapsus pumilus
plant bug
Ceratocapsus pumilus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Uhler in 1887. It is found in North America, with records from the United States and Canada. As a member of the subfamily Orthotylinae, it belongs to a diverse group of mirid bugs that are commonly attracted to lights at night.
Ceratocapsus punctulatus
Ceratocapsus punctulatus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. The species was described by Reuter in 1876 and is currently considered a synonym of Ceratocapsus cubanus. Records indicate occurrence in Brazil and Cuba. As a member of the genus Ceratocapsus, it belongs to a group of mirid plant bugs commonly attracted to lights at night.
Ceratocapsus rubricornis
Ceratocapsus rubricornis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1927. It is one of several Ceratocapsus species known to occur in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is attracted to blacklights at night, suggesting nocturnal activity patterns. The species epithet 'rubricornis' refers to reddish coloration of the antennae or horns.
Ceratocapsus setosus
Ceratocapsus setosus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Reuter in 1909. It is a member of the diverse and widespread genus Ceratocapsus, which comprises numerous small predatory or plant-feeding mirid species. The specific epithet 'setosus' refers to the setose (bristly) condition typical of many species in this genus.
Ceratocapsus uniformis
Ceratocapsus uniformis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1927. It belongs to the diverse genus Ceratocapsus, which contains numerous species of small predatory and plant-feeding true bugs. The species is known from scattered records in the eastern and central United States. Like other mirid plant bugs, it is likely associated with vegetation where it feeds or preys on small arthropods.
Ceratocombidae
minute litter bugs
Ceratocombidae is a family of minute litter bugs in the order Hemiptera, classified within the infraorder Dipsocoromorpha and superfamily Dipsocoroidea. The family comprises at least three genera—Astemma, Ceratocombus, and Leptonannus—with approximately 20 described species. Members are small, cryptic insects associated with decomposing organic matter in forest habitats. Their diversity is greatest in the Indo-Pacific region, though species occur across North America, Europe, Madagascar, and the Oriental region.
Ceratocombus vagans
litter bug
Ceratocombus vagans is a species of minute true bug in the family Ceratocombidae, commonly known as litter bugs. The species has been described as one of the most generalized members of Hemiptera: Heteroptera, with predatory feeding habits that support the hypothesis that primitive heteropterans were predaceous. It occupies a wide geographic range across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Ceratopsallus croceus
Ceratopsallus croceus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Van Duzee in 1918. It belongs to the large and diverse family of true bugs known as plant bugs or mirid bugs. The genus Ceratopsallus is part of the suborder Heteroptera, which includes the 'true bugs' with their characteristic piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Cercopoidea
froghoppers, spittlebugs
The superfamily Cercopoidea comprises hemipteran insects commonly known as froghoppers or spittlebugs. Adults possess powerful hind legs enabling jumps up to 70 cm vertically and 100 times their body length. Nymphs are renowned for producing foam shelters ("cuckoo spit") from excreted xylem sap, within which they develop concealed from predators and environmental extremes. The group exhibits xylem-feeding, an unusual trait among sap-feeding insects requiring symbiotic bacteria to supplement nutrient-poor diet.
Cerococcidae
ornate pit scales, cerococcids, false pit scales
Cerococcidae is a family of scale insects (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) commonly known as ornate pit scales or false pit scales. The family comprises approximately 80 species in five genera: Antecerococcus, Asterococcus, Cerochiton, Cerococcus, and Solenophora. Adult females produce distinctive protective waxy tests that vary in color from creamy or brown to orange, yellow, red, pink, or white. The family exhibits sexual dimorphism in test morphology and instar development, with males possessing smaller, narrower tests than females.
Ceroplastes cirripediformis
barnacle scale, barnacle wax scale
Ceroplastes cirripediformis, commonly known as the barnacle scale or barnacle wax scale, is a soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccidae) recognized for its distinctive waxy covering that resembles a small barnacle. It is a destructive invasive pest with a broad host range spanning numerous plant families. The species has expanded its range globally through human-mediated transport and climate change, with established populations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Females reproduce parthenogenetically, producing up to a thousand eggs annually without observed males in wild populations.
Ceroplastes sinensis
Chinese Wax Scale
Ceroplastes sinensis is a cosmopolitan scale insect pest of commercial citrus and other woody plants. Native to Central or South America based on cladistic analysis, it has established populations across temperate regions including Australia, New Zealand, Mediterranean Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. The species produces a distinctive waxy covering and completes a single annual generation in temperate climates. It has become a significant agricultural pest, particularly in citrus groves, prompting development of integrated pest management sampling protocols and biological control efforts.
Cetexa
Cetexa is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, tribe Platymetopiini. It was established by Oman in 1949. The genus contains multiple species distributed primarily in the Americas. Leafhoppers in this genus are small, active insects that feed on plant sap.
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.
Chaetofoveolocoris hirsutus
Chaetofoveolocoris hirsutus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. It is a small, hirsute true bug with limited documented information. The species was described by Knight in 1928 and is known from scattered records in Central America and North America, specifically from Mexico (D.F.) and the southwestern United States (Arizona, Texas). As a member of Miridae, it likely feeds on plant fluids, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Chaetosiphon thomasi
American Hairy Rose Aphid
Chaetosiphon thomasi is an aphid species in the family Aphididae, commonly known as the American Hairy Rose Aphid. It was described by Hille Ris Lambers in 1953. The species belongs to a genus associated with feeding on Rosaceae plants, particularly roses and strawberries.
Chaitophorus nudus
Chaitophorus nudus is a species of aphid in the family Aphididae, described by Richards in 1966. It belongs to the genus Chaitophorus, a group of aphids commonly associated with woody plants in the family Salicaceae, particularly willows and poplars. As with other members of its genus, this species is likely a phloem-feeding specialist on its host plants. The species name 'nudus' (Latin for 'naked' or 'bare') may refer to morphological characteristics of the cuticle or reduced wax secretion.
Chaitophorus stevensis
Chaitophorus stevensis is a species of aphid in the family Aphididae, first described by Sanborn in 1904. It belongs to the subfamily Chaitophorinae, a group of aphids commonly associated with woody hosts, particularly willows and poplars (Salicaceae). The species is poorly documented in published literature, with minimal observational records available. It is one of numerous species within the genus Chaitophorus, which comprises primarily North American and Palearctic aphids specialized on Salicaceae.
Chaitophorus viminalis
Chaitophorus viminalis is a species of aphid in the family Aphididae, first described by Monell in 1879. It belongs to the subfamily Chaitophorinae, a group of aphids primarily associated with woody hosts in the family Salicaceae (willows and poplars). The species is documented in North American aphid fauna records and is characterized by its specialized association with willow hosts.
Chaitophorus viminicola
Chaitophorus viminicola is an aphid species in the subfamily Chaitophorinae, first described by Hille Ris Lambers in 1960. The specific epithet 'viminicola' refers to its association with willows (Salix viminalis and related species). It belongs to a genus specialized on Salicaceae, with most Chaitophorus species feeding on poplars and willows. Records indicate presence in the conterminous United States, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Chariesterus balli
leaf-footed bug
Chariesterus balli is a species of leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, described by Fracker in 1919. It belongs to the tribe Chariesterini within the subfamily Coreinae. The species is found in Central America and North America, with records from California and broader Middle American regions.
Chariesterus cuspidatus
Chariesterus cuspidatus is a species of leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, first described by Distant in 1892. It belongs to the tribe Chariesterini within the subfamily Coreinae. The species has been recorded from parts of North and Central America including Texas, northwestern Mexico, and Panama. Like other members of Coreidae, it is a true bug with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Available information about its biology and ecology remains limited.