Plant-bugs
Guides
Agnocoris
Agnocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Reuter in 1875. The genus contains seven described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Members are small, soft-bodied true bugs with the characteristic hemelytra of mirids. The genus has been documented from Europe and North America based on specimen records.
Amblytylus
Amblytylus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Fieber in 1858. The genus contains at least two described species: Amblytylus albidus and Amblytylus nasutus. Members of this genus are classified within the suborder Heteroptera (true bugs) and are part of the diverse mirid fauna found in the Palearctic region.
Aoplonema
Aoplonema is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Knight in 1928. The genus contains three described species: A. nigrum, A. princeps, and A. rubrum. Two species were described by Forero in 2008, while A. princeps was originally described as Capsus princeps by Uhler in 1894. As members of Miridae, species in this genus are presumed to be phytophagous, though specific host plant associations remain undocumented.
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.
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.
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.
Bothynotus
Bothynotus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Fieber in 1864. The genus contains approximately 14 described species distributed across Europe and North America. Species have been described from the 19th century through 1985, with several additions by T. Henry in 1979. The genus is part of the diverse mirid fauna but remains relatively poorly studied compared to some larger mirid genera.
Brooksetta
Brooksetta is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Kelton in 1979. The genus contains approximately 13 described species, all native to North America. These insects are small, soft-bodied true bugs within the order Hemiptera. As members of Miridae, they possess piercing-sucking mouthparts characteristic of the family.
Bryocorinae
Bryocorinae is a subfamily of plant bugs (Miridae) characterized by extraordinary morphological heterogeneity despite relatively modest species diversity compared to other mirid subfamilies. Five tribes are currently recognized: Bryocorini, Dicyphini, Eccritotarsini, Felisacini, and Monaloniini. The subfamily exhibits diverse feeding strategies, with members ranging from predominantly phytophagous to predacious. Several species, particularly in the genus Macrolophus, are economically important as biological control agents. The subfamily has a global distribution with particular diversity in the Neotropics.
Bryocorini
Bryocorini is a tribe of plant bugs within the subfamily Bryocorinae of the family Miridae. Members are generally small, delicate mirids associated with mosses, liverworts, and other cryptogamic vegetation. The tribe is distinguished by morphological adaptations for life in moist, shaded microhabitats. Bryocorini represents one of the more specialized radiations within the Bryocorinae, with species often exhibiting reduced wings or brachyptery.
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.
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.
Chlamydatus
Chlamydatus is a genus of plant bugs (Miridae: Phylinae) established by Curtis in 1833, containing more than 30 described species. The genus is distributed across the Holarctic region, with records from Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) and North America. One species, Chlamydatus ruficornis, has been documented feeding on prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare) in Wyoming, USA.
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.
Conocephalocoris
Conocephalocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Knight in 1927. The genus belongs to the large and diverse family of true bugs known for their plant-feeding habits. Information on this genus is limited in available sources.
Coquillettia
Coquillettia is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Uhler in 1890. The genus comprises more than 30 described species. Members are true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) within the suborder characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts. As Miridae, they belong to the largest family of heteropteran insects, commonly known as capsid bugs or plant bugs.
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.
Deraeocorini
Deraeocorini is a tribe of predatory plant bugs within the family Miridae, containing at least 19 genera and over 340 described species. Members of this tribe are generally small, soft-bodied true bugs. The tribe is distributed across multiple continents, with documented species in regions including Indochina, Europe, and North America. Some species have been observed in specialized microhabitats such as leaf galls.
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.
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.
Dicyphus
Dicyphus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae containing at least 70 described species. Several species, including D. hesperus, D. hyalinipennis, and D. tamanini, are zoophytophagous predators used in biological control of crop pests. The genus exhibits considerable variation in feeding ecology, with some species being primarily phytophagous while others are important predators of whiteflies, thrips, and other horticultural pests.
Eurychilopterella
Eurychilopterella is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Reuter in 1909. The genus comprises nine described species distributed primarily in North and Central America, with most species described from Mexico. Species in this genus are small, soft-bodied true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of mirids. The genus was revised taxonomically in 1997, with several new species described from Mexican states.
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.
Fulvius
Fulvius is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, subfamily Cylapinae. The genus contains at least 90 described species distributed across all continents except Antarctica. Species in this genus are small, predatory or plant-feeding true bugs. The genus was established by Carl Stål in 1862.
Gracilimiris
Gracilimiris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Stonedahl & Henry in 1991. The genus contains at least three described species: G. litoralis, G. strigosus, and G. wheeleri. Members of this genus are little-known and poorly studied, with limited published information on their biology and ecology.
Guentherocoris
Guentherocoris is a genus of plant bugs (family Miridae) established by Schuh & Schwartz in 2004. The genus contains a single described species, G. atritibialis. As a member of the mirid family, it belongs to the diverse group of true bugs known for their plant-associated habits.
Hadronemidea
Hadronemidea is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Reuter in 1907. The genus contains two described species: Hadronemidea echinata (Gruetzmacher & Schaffner, 1977) and Hadronemidea esau Reuter, 1908. As members of Miridae, these are true bugs (Hemiptera) with piercing-sucking mouthparts. The genus is rarely encountered, with only eight observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Halticini
Halticini is a tribe of plant bugs within the family Miridae, subfamily Orthotylinae. The tribe has undergone generic reclassification based on phylogenetic analysis. Members are distributed globally, with notable diversity in Australia, the Caucasus Mountains, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Some genera exhibit striking morphological specializations, including myrmecomorphy and sexual dimorphism in antennae.
Halticotoma
yucca plant bugs
Halticotoma is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae containing approximately six described species. The genus is best known for Halticotoma valida, commonly called the yucca plant bug, which has a specialized and exclusive association with Yucca host plants across western North America. Members of this genus are small, plant-feeding true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Henrylygus
Henrylygus is a small genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Schwartz & Foottit in 1998. The genus contains two described species: H. nubilus and H. ultranubilus. Both species were originally described under different genera (Lygus and Lygocoris respectively) and later transferred to Henrylygus. The genus belongs to the large and diverse mirid fauna of North America.
Herdoniini
Herdoniini is a tribe of plant bugs within the family Miridae, subfamily Mirinae. The tribe comprises approximately eight genera and more than thirty described species, though some sources cite fewer described species. Genera include Barberiella, Closterocoris, Cyphopelta, Dacerla, Heidemanniella, Mexicomiris, Paradacerla, and Paraxenetus. Members are small to medium-sized true bugs with the characteristic piercing-sucking mouthparts of the family.
Hesperolabops
cactus bugs
Hesperolabops is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Kirkaldy in 1902. The genus contains nine described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with several species associated with cactus hosts. The most well-known member is Hesperolabops gelastops, commonly called the cactus bug. Species in this genus are generally found in arid and semi-arid regions where their host plants occur.
Hoplomachidea
Hoplomachidea is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Reuter in 1909. The genus contains a single described species, H. consors. Members of this genus are classified within the suborder Heteroptera (true bugs) and the infraorder Cimicomorpha. As a mirid genus, it belongs to one of the largest families of true bugs, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Hyalochloria
Hyalochloria is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Reuter in 1907. Members of this genus are small, soft-bodied true bugs (Hemiptera) characterized by their pale green or yellowish coloration. The genus is relatively poorly documented, with limited published information on species diversity and biology.
Irbisia
black grass bugs
Irbisia is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, comprising more than 20 described species. Members are small, black insects measuring 5–8 mm in length. They are commonly known as black grass bugs due to their frequent occurrence in spring grasses. The genus was established by Reuter in 1875.
Lampethusa
Lampethusa is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Distant in 1884. The genus contains eight described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. These true bugs belong to the diverse mirid fauna, with members ranging from the Caribbean to South America.
Leptopterna
meadow plant bugs
Leptopterna is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae comprising at least nine described species. The genus includes the well-studied meadow plant bug, Leptopterna dolabrata, which has been sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project. Species in this genus are grass-feeding insects found primarily in moist meadow habitats across the Palearctic, with some species introduced to North America. Sexual dimorphism in wing development is pronounced: males are fully winged (macropterous) while females are typically short-winged (brachypterous).
Leucophoropterini
Leucophoropterini is a tribe of plant bugs within the family Miridae, subfamily Phylinae. The tribe contains over 100 species across more than 20 genera, with the majority distributed in eastern Asia and Australia. A single genus, Tuxedo, occurs in North America. Members are generally small, soft-bodied true bugs with phytophagous habits typical of the subfamily.
Lopidea
Scarlet Plant Bugs
Lopidea is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, containing more than 90 described species. The genus belongs to the subfamily Orthotylinae and has been studied as a model for understanding speciation patterns in insects. Species in this genus show evidence of both vicariance and host plant-associated speciation. They are commonly known as scarlet plant bugs, though coloration varies among species.
Malacocoris
Malacocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Fieber in 1858. The genus contains at least two described species: Malacocoris chlorizans and Malacocoris elongatus. Species are distributed across Europe and North America, with confirmed records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
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.
Megalopsallus
Megalopsallus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, subfamily Phylinae. The genus was established by Knight in 1927 and contains at least 30 described species. Species in this genus are small, soft-bodied insects with the characteristic hemelytra of true bugs. The genus is primarily distributed in western North America, where species inhabit various plant associations.
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.
Metriorrhynchomiris
plant bugs
Metriorrhynchomiris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, containing at least three described species. The genus is most well-documented through Metriorrhynchomiris dislocatus, a widespread North American species known for extreme color polymorphism. Members are associated with woodland habitats and diverse plant hosts.
Mirini
Mirini is a large tribe of plant bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae: Mirinae) containing over 180 genera distributed worldwide. The tribe includes economically significant genera such as Lygus, whose members are major agricultural pests of North American crops. Mirini species exhibit diverse ecological associations, including myrmecomorphic (ant-mimicking) forms and specialized relationships with particular host plants.
Nonlygus
Nonlygus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Schwartz and Foottit in 1998. The genus contains at least one described species, N. nubilatus. Like other mirids, members of this genus are true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Oligotylus
Oligotylus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, subfamily Phylinae, established by Van Duzee in 1916. Species in this genus are associated with coniferous host plants in western North America. The genus was revised by Schuh in 2000, who described ten new species and clarified its taxonomic boundaries relative to the related genus Lepidargyrus.
Orectoderus
Orectoderus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Uhler in 1876. The genus contains approximately 10 described species distributed in North America. Species are associated with woody plants, particularly willows and related Salicaceae.