Plant-bugs
Guides
Orthotylinae
Orthotylinae is a large subfamily of plant bugs (Miridae) comprising at least 650 described species across at least 70 genera. Members are distributed globally, with particularly high diversity in Australia and the Palearctic region. The subfamily is traditionally diagnosed by the possession of lamellate, apically divergent parempodia—a distinctive morphological trait of the pretarsus. Multiple tribes are recognized, including Orthotylini, Halticini, Ceratocapsini, Coridromiini, Nichomachini, and Austromirini.
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.
Parapsallus
Parapsallus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Wagner in 1952. The genus contains at least one valid species, Parapsallus vitellinus, originally described by Scholtz in 1874. Records indicate presence in Scandinavia and Denmark. Like other mirids, members of this genus are small, soft-bodied true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Paraxenetus
Paraxenetus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Reuter in 1907. The genus contains approximately 17 described species. Members are true bugs (Hemiptera) in the suborder Heteroptera.
Parthenicus
Parthenicus is a genus of plant bugs (family Miridae) containing at least 70 described species. The genus is taxonomically established within the suborder Heteroptera. One documented species, P. weemsi, is a specialist herbivore on Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides).
Phylinae
phyline plant bugs
Phylinae is a large subfamily of plant bugs (Miridae) comprising approximately 400 genera and over 2000 species worldwide. The subfamily underwent significant taxonomic revision in 2013, reorganizing tribal classifications and establishing nine currently recognized tribes. Members exhibit diverse host plant associations, with many species specialized on particular plant families. The subfamily includes economically significant species, some of which are predators while others are phytophagous.
Phylini
Phylini is a tribe of plant bugs within the subfamily Phylinae (family Miridae, order Hemiptera). The tribe contains at least 440 described species distributed across three subtribes: Keltoniina, Oncotylina, and Phylina. Members are predominantly Holarctic in distribution, with significant representation in the Palearctic, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions. The type genus is Phylus. Several genera within Phylini have been subject to recent taxonomic revision, including Wallabicoris from Australia.
Phyllopidea
Phyllopidea is a genus of plant bugs (Miridae) established by Knight in 1919. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in North America. Members of this genus are small, soft-bodied true bugs within the suborder Heteroptera.
Phymatopsallus
Phymatopsallus is a genus of plant bugs (family Miridae, subfamily Phylinae) endemic to western North America. The genus was established by Knight in 1964. A 2006 revision significantly expanded understanding of the group, describing 9 new genera and 15 new species within the Phymatopsallus group. These are small, soft-bodied true bugs with the typical mirid morphology of slender bodies and hemelytra with distinct membranous apices.
Pilophorini
Pilophorini is a tribe of plant bugs (Miridae: Phylinae) comprising approximately 15 genera distributed across tropical and temperate regions. The group exhibits pronounced ant-mimicry (myrmecomorphy) in many species, particularly within the type genus Pilophorus. Phylogenetic analysis indicates a tropical Gondwanan origin with subsequent radiation into the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Members of this tribe show diverse feeding strategies, including herbivory on mistletoes (Loranthaceae, Santalales) and predatory behavior.
Pilophoropsidea
Pilophoropsidea is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Henry in 2015. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Phylinae, a diverse group of predominantly small, often cryptically colored bugs. The genus is characterized by morphological features related to the pilose (hairy) structure of the body, as suggested by its name. It is a relatively recently described taxon with limited published information available.
Pilophoropsis
Pilophoropsis is a genus of plant bugs (family Miridae) established by Poppius in 1914. The genus contains seven described species, with most described relatively recently (2015) and one dating to 1927. Species occur in North America, with records from the United States including Texas and California.
Pinalitus
Pinalitus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Kelton in 1955. The genus contains approximately six described species. At least one species, Pinalitus atomarius, is known to be phytophagous and associated with conifers, particularly silver fir (Abies alba).
Plagiognathus
Plagiognathus is a large genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, comprising over 120 described species. Members are commonly known as jumping tree bugs or plant bugs. The genus exhibits diverse host associations with various flowering plants, including agricultural crops and endemic wild species. Individual species show specialized relationships with particular host plants, though broader patterns across the genus remain incompletely documented.
Plesiodema
Plesiodema is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Reuter in 1875. Species in this genus are associated with coniferous habitats, particularly pine and spruce. The genus contains eight described species distributed across Europe and North America.
Porpomiris
Porpomiris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Berg in 1883. The genus contains at least three described species: Porpomiris campinensis, Porpomiris curtulus, and Porpomiris picturatus. One species, P. curtulus, has been documented as a specialist on switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), indicating the genus may include grass-associated species.
Prepops
Prepops is the largest genus in the tribe Restheniini (subfamily Mirinae, family Miridae), containing approximately 190–198 described species of plant bugs. The genus exhibits a predominantly Neotropical distribution with 86% of species occurring in this region, while about 11% extend into the Nearctic. Biogeographic analysis reveals high species richness in subtropical regions, with 23 identified areas of endemism spanning the Nearctic, Mexican Transition Zone, Caribbean, and South American subregions.
Proba
Proba is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Distant in 1884. These true bugs belong to the order Hemiptera and are part of the diverse mirid fauna. Members of this genus are small, soft-bodied insects with the characteristic piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of the order. The genus is documented in entomological collections and databases, with observations recorded in citizen science platforms.
Proboscidotylus
Proboscidotylus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Thomas J. Henry in 1995. As a member of the diverse Miridae family, it belongs to the suborder Heteroptera (true bugs) within the order Hemiptera. The genus is part of the infraorder Cimicomorpha, a group that includes many predatory and phytophagous bug lineages. Very few observations of this genus have been documented, with only 15 records on iNaturalist as of the source data.
Psallus
Psallus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, subfamily Phylinae, comprising over 160 described species. The genus is predominantly Palearctic in distribution, with some species demonstrating Holarctic ranges and several having been introduced to the Nearctic region. Species are generally small, often measuring under 4 mm, with many exhibiting reddish or orange coloration. Host plant associations have been documented for several species, primarily with woody plants including oaks (Quercus), willows (Salix), and birch (Betula).
Pseudoloxops
plant bugs
Pseudoloxops is a genus of plant bugs (Miridae) established by Kirkaldy in 1905. Recent integrative taxonomic research in French Polynesia has dramatically expanded knowledge of the genus, describing 17 new species from this region alone and bringing the total of endemic French Polynesian species to 20—representing one-third of all known Pseudoloxops species worldwide. The genus exhibits unusual host plant associations, including rare fern specialization in some species.
Pycnoderes
Pycnoderes is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, comprising more than 50 described species. Members are native primarily to the Americas, with some species such as P. quadrimaculatus expanding their range and demonstrating invasive potential. The genus includes species that feed on a variety of plants, including economically important crops.
Reuteroscopus
A genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, comprising over 50 described species distributed across North, Central, and South America. Members are small true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of the family. The genus was established by Kirkaldy in 1905 and represents a diverse lineage within the Cimicomorpha.
Roburocoris
Roburocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Weirauch in 2009. The genus belongs to the diverse and economically significant family of true bugs, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The limited number of observations (17 records on iNaturalist) suggests it is either rare, cryptic, or restricted to specific habitats. As a recently described genus, its species composition and ecological relationships require further study.
Scalponotatus
Scalponotatus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Kelton in 1969. The genus contains nine described species, most of which were described by Kelton in the same year. Species are distributed in North America, with some extending into Mexico. The genus is part of the diverse mirid fauna associated with vegetation.
Semiini
plant bugs
Semiini is a tribe of plant bugs within the subfamily Phylinae of the family Miridae (Hemiptera). The tribe comprises more than 30 genera distributed across multiple continents. Some members exhibit specialized host-plant associations, including the Australian genus Restiophylus, which is uniquely associated with the plant family Restionaceae. The tribe has been subject to taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis to clarify relationships within Phylinae.
Semium
Semium is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, tribe Semiini, subfamily Phylinae. The genus contains seven described species distributed across North America from Canada to Mexico. One species, Semium brailovskyi, has been documented in association with the host plant Euphorbia misera (Euphorbiaceae). The genus was established by Reuter in 1876.
Sericophanes
Sericophanes is a genus of plant bugs (Miridae) established by Reuter in 1876, containing more than 20 described species. These insects belong to the true bug order Hemiptera, characterized by their piercing-sucking mouthparts. The genus is part of the diverse mirid fauna, one of the largest families within Heteroptera.
Sixeonotus
Sixeonotus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Reuter in 1876. The genus contains more than 30 described species. Members of this genus are true bugs (Hemiptera) in the suborder Heteroptera. As with other Miridae, these insects are small to medium-sized plant bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Stenodema
grass bugs
Stenodema is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, tribe Stenodemini, distributed across the Palearctic, Oriental, and Nearctic regions. Species are commonly known as grass bugs due to their association with graminoid monocots. The genus includes both trans-Palearctic and trans-Holarctic species, with some exhibiting wide geographic ranges and potential cryptic diversity. Stenodema species have been studied using integrative taxonomic approaches combining morphological examination of genitalia with molecular phylogenetics.
Stenodemini
Stenodemini is a tribe of plant bugs (family Miridae) comprising approximately 18 genera and over 60 described species. Members are primarily associated with grasses and grassland habitats. The tribe includes economically and ecologically significant genera such as Stenodema, Leptopterna, Notostira, and Trigonotylus. Species within this tribe show complex feeding relationships with multiple grass host plants, with ecological separation often achieved through temporal partitioning and microhabitat specialization.
Stittocapsus
Stittocapsus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Knight in 1942. The genus contains at least three described species distributed in the Americas, including North and South America. As members of Miridae, these insects are likely small, soft-bodied true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Teratocoris
Teratocoris is a genus of plant bugs (family Miridae) first described by Fieber in 1858. Species occur in the Palaearctic and Nearctic biogeographic realms. The genus includes at least eleven described species, with Teratocoris antennatus designated as the type species. These mirid bugs are associated with wetland and grassland habitats.
Tupiocoris
Tupiocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae containing approximately nine described species. The genus includes both herbivorous and predatory species. Tupiocoris notatus is a Solanaceae-specializing herbivore with documented genome-level research on host plant transcriptional responses. Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus is a generalist predatory mirid studied as a potential biocontrol agent for tomato pests in Argentina. Species within this genus show divergent feeding strategies, with some functioning as herbivores and others as omnivorous predators.
Usingerella
Usingerella is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by China & Carvalho in 1952. The genus contains at least two described species: Usingerella bakeri (Knight, 1943) and Usingerella simplex (Reuter, 1909). As a member of Miridae, it belongs to the diverse group of true bugs characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts. The genus is poorly documented in literature, with limited information available beyond taxonomic descriptions.
Vanduzeephylus
Vanduzeephylus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Schuh and Schwartz in 2004. The genus belongs to the large and diverse family of true bugs commonly known as plant bugs or leaf bugs. As a relatively recently described genus, it is poorly documented in published literature and online databases.
Vesperocoris
Vesperocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae. It belongs to the suborder Heteroptera within the order Hemiptera. The genus contains species that are part of the diverse mirid fauna, commonly known as capsid bugs or leaf bugs. Members of this genus are true bugs characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts and hemelytra—forewings with leathery bases and membranous tips.