Heteroptera

Guides

  • Corixidea major

    jumping soil bug

    Corixidea major is a species of jumping soil bug in the family Schizopteridae, first described by McAtee and Malloch in 1925. It belongs to the infraorder Dipsocoromorpha, a group of small predatory true bugs. The species is known from North America. Like other schizopterids, it is associated with soil and leaf litter habitats.

  • Corixoidea

    water boatmen, pygmy water boatmen

    Corixoidea is a superfamily of aquatic true bugs (Nepomorpha) containing two families: Corixidae (water boatmen) and Micronectidae (pygmy water boatmen). Members are exclusively aquatic, inhabiting ponds, slow-moving streams, and other freshwater bodies. The superfamily is distinguished by adaptations for underwater life including modified antennae with mechanoreceptive and chemoreceptive sensilla, and diverse feeding strategies ranging from detritivory to predation. Corixidae is the larger family with approximately 500 species worldwide, while Micronectidae contains smaller-bodied species with distinct antennal morphology supporting its family-level recognition.

  • Corythucha juglandis

    Walnut Lace Bug

    Corythucha juglandis, the walnut lace bug, is a univoltine or bivoltine lace bug (Hemiptera: Tingidae) native to North America and specialized on walnut (Juglans) host plants. Adults overwinter in leaf litter and become active in April or May, synchronizing with host leaf phenology. The species aggregates on the undersides of leaflets for feeding and reproduction. Both adults and nymphs are gregarious. It has been studied in Ontario, Québec, Canada, and southern Illinois, USA, with some geographic variation in voltinism reported.

  • Crophius schwarzi

    Crophius schwarzi is a species of true bug in the family Oxycarenidae, described by Van Duzee in 1910. It is found in North America, with records from the United States. The genus Crophius belongs to the lygaeoid family Oxycarenidae, a group of small heteropteran bugs. Very little specific information is available about the biology or ecology of this particular species.

  • Cryphula

    dirt-colored seed bugs

    Cryphula is a genus of dirt-colored seed bugs (family Rhyparochromidae) comprising approximately 14 described species distributed in the Americas. The genus was established by Stål in 1874. Species in this genus have been documented in association with decomposing plant material, particularly dead Heliconia inflorescences and leaves.

  • Ctenotrachelus

    Ctenotrachelus is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae, established by Stål in 1868. The genus comprises more than 20 described species and is classified within the subfamily Stenopodainae. Members of this genus are predatory true bugs that share the general characteristics of reduviid assassin bugs, including raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The genus has been documented in the Americas, with specific collection records from Florida, USA.

  • 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.

  • Cydamus abditus

    Cydamus abditus is a species of broad-headed bug in the family Alydidae, described by Van Duzee in 1925. It belongs to the subfamily Micrelytrinae and tribe Micrelytrini. The species is known from Arizona in the southwestern United States, with limited published information available regarding its biology and ecology. As with other members of the genus Cydamus, it is likely associated with herbaceous vegetation in arid and semi-arid habitats.

  • Cydamus borealis

    Cydamus borealis is a species of broad-headed bug in the family Alydidae, described by Distant in 1881. It belongs to the subfamily Micrelytrinae and tribe Micrelytrini. The species has been recorded from Central America and North America, with specific distribution records from Guatemala and Texas.

  • Cydninae

    burrower bugs, burrowing bugs

    Cydninae is the largest and most diverse subfamily of burrower bugs (family Cydnidae), comprising approximately 11 genera and at least 40 described species worldwide. Members are characterized by their subterranean lifestyle and burrowing adaptations. The subfamily includes two recognized tribes, Cydnini and Geotomini. Several species are considered agricultural pests due to their feeding habits on crop plants and seeds.

  • Cydnoides

    ebony bugs

    Cydnoides is a genus of small, dark-colored true bugs in the family Thyreocoridae, commonly known as ebony bugs. The genus contains five described species distributed in North America. These insects are characterized by their compact, oval body shape and predominantly black or dark coloration. The genus was established by Malloch in 1919.

  • Cydnus

    Cydnus is a genus of burrower bugs (Hemiptera: Cydnidae) in the tribe Cydnini, subfamily Cydninae. The genus was established by Fabricius in 1803 and is characterized by morphological features including pegs on head margins, hair-like setae on pronotum lateral margins, an anterior submarginal impressed line on the pronotum, and a triangular scutellum broader than long. The fossil genus Eocenocydnus shows affinity to Cydnus based on shared morphological traits.

  • Cymidae

    Cymidae is a family of true bugs within the infraorder Pentatomomorpha. The family comprises approximately 60 described species distributed across 12 genera, organized into two subfamilies: Cyminae and Ontiscinae. Members are classified within the superfamily Lygaeoidea. The family includes two fossil genera: †Cephalocoris and †Procymus.

  • Cymoninus

    Cymoninus is a genus of true bugs in the family Ninidae, established by Breddin in 1907. The genus comprises at least four described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Members of this genus are small, seed-feeding heteropterans within the superfamily Lygaeoidea. The family Ninidae is relatively poorly studied compared to other lygaeoid families.

  • Cymus bellus

    Cymus bellus is a species of true bug in the family Cymidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1909. It belongs to the suborder Heteroptera within the order Hemiptera. The species is known from the United States based on historical collection records.

  • Cymus discors

    Cymus discors is a species of true bug in the family Cymidae, first described by Horváth in 1908. The species is known to occur in North America, with documented records from the United States. It belongs to a family of small, seed-feeding bugs commonly associated with grasses and sedges.

  • Cymus nigrofemoralis

    Cymus nigrofemoralis is a species of seed bug in the family Cymidae, described by Hamid in 1975. It is one of approximately 30 species in the genus Cymus, which are small, delicate true bugs associated with moist habitats. The species is known from the United States, though detailed biological information remains limited. Cymids are generally found in damp environments where they feed on seeds and plant material.

  • Cymus robustus

    Cymus robustus is a species of true bug in the family Cymidae, described by Barber in 1924. It belongs to the order Hemiptera, suborder Heteroptera. The species is known from North America, with distribution records from the United States.

  • Cyphopelta

    Cyphopelta is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Van Duzee in 1910. The genus contains a single described species, Cyphopelta modesta. As a member of the Miridae, it belongs to the diverse group of true bugs characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts.

  • Cyrtopeltocoris

    Cyrtopeltocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Reuter in 1876. The genus contains 11 described species, primarily distributed in North America with one species (C. cubanus) known from Cuba. Most species were described by H. H. Knight during the mid-20th century, with several species named after southwestern U.S. localities (Ajo, Arizona, Huachuca) and Oklahoma. The genus belongs to the diverse mirid subfamily Cimicomorpha.

  • Daleapidea albescens

    Daleapidea albescens is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Van Duzee in 1918. It is a small, poorly known hemipteran with a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The species belongs to a genus with few described members, and like other mirids, it likely feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. Available records suggest it inhabits arid and semi-arid regions of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.

  • Darmistus

    Darmistus is a genus of broad-headed bugs in the family Alydidae, established by Stål in 1860. The genus contains at least three described species: D. crassicornis, D. duncani, and D. subvittatus. As members of the Alydidae, these insects are characterized by their distinctive head shape and are part of the diverse true bug fauna of the Americas.

  • Delochilocoris caliginosus

    dirt-colored seed bug

    Delochilocoris caliginosus is a species of true bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, commonly known as dirt-colored seed bugs. The species was described by Distant in 1882. It belongs to a family characterized by ground-dwelling habits and seed-feeding ecology. Available records for this species are sparse, with only three observations documented on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.

  • Delochilocoris illuminatus

    Delochilocoris illuminatus is a seed bug species in the family Rhyparochromidae, first described by Distant in 1893. The species occurs in North and Middle America, with documented records from the United States, Mexico, and Guatemala. As a member of the Gonianotini tribe, it belongs to a group of small, ground-dwelling seed bugs. Published literature on this species is limited, with most information derived from taxonomic catalogs and specimen records rather than detailed biological studies.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Dictyonota fuliginosa

    broom lacebug

    Dictyonota fuliginosa is a Palearctic lace bug in the family Tingidae that has established populations in North America. The species is native to Europe and Northern Asia and has been documented with new distribution records across North American regions. It is commonly known as the broom lacebug and belongs to a family characterized by their distinctive reticulated, lace-like forewings.

  • 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.

  • Eccritotarsini

    Eccritotarsini is a tribe of plant bugs within the family Miridae, subfamily Bryocorinae. It is the most species-rich tribe in Bryocorinae, with approximately 650 described species in 112 genera worldwide. The tribe is predominantly distributed in the Neotropics, though significant faunas occur in the Oriental region including India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Members are predominantly phytophagous, with documented associations particularly with Araceae monocots in some genera. The tribe has been subject to recent taxonomic revision in multiple regions due to its high diversity and poorly resolved species boundaries.

  • Ecitovagus gibbus

    Ecitovagus gibbus is a species of true bug in the family Cyrtocoridae, a small group of pentatomoid insects endemic to the Neotropics. The family Cyrtocoridae contains only three genera and eleven species, characterized by distinctive morphological features including an expanded scutellum with a broad-based spine or hump, flattened head expansions, and scale-like setae. Ecitovagus gibbus was originally described from Brazil and has been recorded on the branches of Mimosa scabrella (Fabaceae).

  • Edessinae

    Edessinae is a subfamily of shield bugs (Pentatomidae) comprising approximately 10 genera and over 200 species, primarily distributed in the Neotropical region. The subfamily is characterized by distinctive morphological features of the male and female genitalia, including modified pygophores, gonocoxites, and internal reproductive structures. Recent taxonomic revisions have elevated several former subgenera of Edessa (Hypoxys, Pygoda) to genus level and established new genera including Grammedessa, Plagaedessa, Paraedessa, Odara, and Apheledessa. Species identification relies heavily on genitalic morphology due to frequent convergence in external body form.

  • Elasmucha lateralis

    Edge-striped Shield Bug

    Elasmucha lateralis is a shield bug in the family Acanthosomatidae, commonly known as the Edge-striped Shield Bug. It is native to North America, with distribution extending into Middle America. The species belongs to a genus noted for maternal care behaviors, though specific documentation of such behavior in E. lateralis is limited.

  • Elatophilus pullus

    minute pirate bug

    Elatophilus pullus is a species of minute pirate bug in the family Anthocoridae, first described by Kelton and Anderson in 1962. It belongs to the genus Elatophilus, which comprises predatory bugs associated with conifer habitats. The species is recorded from North America.

  • 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.

  • Enicocephalidae

    unique-headed bugs, gnat bugs

    Enicocephalidae, commonly known as unique-headed bugs or gnat bugs, is a family of approximately 300 species within the ancient and relictual infraorder Enicocephalomorpha. Members are small true bugs, typically around 4 mm in length, characterized by their elongated, constricted heads that give the family its common name. The family exhibits global distribution with greatest species richness in humid tropical and subtropical forests. Enicocephalidae are considered living fossils due to their evolutionarily conserved morphology. The family is classified into about 47 genera placed in five subfamilies, with notable polymorphism including winged males and wingless or short-winged females in many species.

  • Enicocephalomorpha

    unique-headed bugs

    Enicocephalomorpha is an infraorder of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) commonly known as unique-headed bugs. The group was formerly thought related to Reduviidae due to head structure similarities, but is now recognized as sufficiently distinct to constitute a separate infraorder and probably represents the sister group to the rest of Heteroptera. The infraorder contains the family Enicocephalidae, with genera such as Systelloderes and Xenicocephalus. Many species remain undescribed, particularly from tropical regions.

  • Ereminellus arizonensis

    Ereminellus arizonensis is a species of true bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, first described by Barber in 1932. It belongs to the tribe Myodochini within the subfamily Rhyparochrominae. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Middle America. As a member of the seed bug family Rhyparochromidae, it likely feeds on seeds, though specific dietary habits remain undocumented.

  • Eremocoris

    dirt-colored seed bugs

    Eremocoris is a genus of dirt-colored seed bugs in the family Rhyparochromidae. The genus contains approximately 43-45 described species with a cosmopolitan distribution spanning Palearctic, Oriental, Afrotropical, and Nearctic realms. Species in this genus are primarily ground-dwelling and associated with forested habitats.

  • Eremocoris opacus

    Eremocoris opacus is a species of seed bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, described by Van Duzee in 1921. It belongs to the tribe Drymini within the subfamily Rhyparochrominae. The species has been documented in the United States, though detailed biological information remains limited.

  • Eremocoris semicinctus

    Eremocoris semicinctus is a dirt-colored seed bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, described by Van Duzee in 1921. It belongs to a family of true bugs commonly associated with seeds and ground-dwelling habitats. The species is documented from the United States and occurs broadly in North America.

  • Euptychodera corrugata

    Euptychodera corrugata is a species of shield-backed bug in the family Scutelleridae, first described by Van Duzee in 1904. It belongs to a genus of true bugs characterized by greatly enlarged scutella that cover most of the abdomen and wings. The species has been documented in the western Nearctic region, particularly in California. Available records are sparse, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.

  • Euschistus biformis

    Euschistus biformis is a species of stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, first described by Stål in 1862. It belongs to the large genus Euschistus, commonly known as brown stink bugs. The species occurs in Central America and North America. As with other members of its genus, it is likely a plant-feeding species, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

  • Euschistus conspersus

    consperse stink bug

    Euschistus conspersus, the consperse stink bug, is a pentatomid stink bug native to North America and an agricultural pest of processing tomatoes in California. Research has characterized its seasonal pheromone trap response dynamics and established laboratory life history parameters. Females attracted to methyl (2E,4Z)-decadienoate pheromone traps are exclusively reproductively active with matured eggs, enabling phenology-based management strategies targeting susceptible nymphal stages.

  • Euschistus politus

    Euschistus politus is a brown stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, found in North America. In southern Illinois, it has been observed to have one generation per year, with adults overwintering and emerging in spring. Both nymphs and adults feed on developing seeds of various plants, including soybeans. The species develops through five nymphal instars before reaching adulthood.

  • 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.

  • Froeschneria piligera

    dirt-colored seed bug

    Froeschneria piligera is a dirt-colored seed bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, first described by Stål in 1862. The species belongs to the tribe Myodochini within the subfamily Rhyparochrominae. It has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean. The genus Froeschneria was established to honor the heteropterist Richard C. Froeschner.

  • Galgupha nitiduloides

    ebony bug

    Galgupha nitiduloides is a species of ebony bug in the family Thyreocoridae, a group of true bugs characterized by their compact, often shiny black bodies. The species occurs across Central America and North America, with three recognized subspecies showing geographic variation. As a member of the shield bug complex, it possesses the typical pentatomoid body plan but with the reduced scutellum and distinctive form characteristic of ebony bugs. Documentation of this species remains limited, with few observational records available.