Predatory-mirid
Guides
Blepharidopterus angulatus
black-kneed capsid
Blepharidopterus angulatus is a predatory mirid bug native to the Palearctic region, with established populations in North America. It serves as a generalist predator of mites, aphids, and other soft-bodied arthropods on deciduous trees and shrubs. The species has been studied extensively for its potential as a biological control agent in orchards and its complex ecological relationships with parasitoids.
Cyrtorhinus
Cyrtorhinus is a genus of predatory plant bugs (family Miridae) containing at least three described species. The genus is best known for Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, an important biological control agent in rice agroecosystems that preys on eggs and nymphs of destructive planthoppers and leafhoppers. Members of this genus possess well-developed chemosensory systems that enable them to locate prey using plant volatile cues.
Deraeocoris aphidiphagus
Deraeocoris aphidiphagus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. The species epithet 'aphidiphagus' suggests a diet specializing on aphids. It has been documented in the eastern United States, with specific records from Georgia and West Virginia. As a member of the genus Deraeocoris, it likely functions as a predatory mirid, though direct behavioral observations remain limited.
Deraeocoris cochise
Deraeocoris cochise is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described in 1983 from Arizona. It belongs to a genus of predatory mirids commonly used in biological control. Very little is known about this specific species beyond its type locality and original description.
Deraeocoris nubilus
Deraeocoris nubilus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1921. Two subspecies are recognized: D. n. nubilus and D. n. obscuripes. The species is known from scattered localities in eastern and north-central United States, with records from Montana, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. As a member of the genus Deraeocoris, it is a predatory mirid associated with vegetation.
Hyaliodes vitripennis
Hyaliodes vitripennis is a predatory mirid plant bug native to North America. In Quebec apple orchards, it serves as one of the most important biological control agents of spider mites and aphids when integrated pest management practices are employed. The species is univoltine, with adults appearing in late July to early August and populations peaking shortly thereafter. Adults spend nearly all their time on the undersides of leaves.
Malacocoris chlorizans
delicate apple capsid
Malacocoris chlorizans is a small green plant bug in the family Miridae, commonly known as the delicate apple capsid. The species is predatory, feeding on mites and aphids in deciduous tree canopies, particularly hazel. Adults are active from spring through autumn. It is native to Europe and extends eastward to the Caspian Sea region.
Rhinocapsus vanduzeei
Azalea plant bug
Rhinocapsus vanduzeei, commonly known as the azalea plant bug, is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. It is native to North America, with documented records from Canada and several eastern U.S. states including Georgia, New York, and West Virginia. The species is known to feed on azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) as its primary host plant, but has also been observed consuming Lepidopteran eggs, whiteflies, and thrips, suggesting a mixed feeding strategy that includes both plant and animal prey.
Tytthus wheeleri
Tytthus wheeleri is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Henry in 2012. The species is distributed across the southeastern and central United States, with records from South Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, and Virginia. As a member of the genus Tytthus, it belongs to a group of small predatory mirids.