Rhopalidae
Guides
Arhyssus barberi
Arhyssus barberi is a species of scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae, described by Harris in 1942. It belongs to a genus of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) commonly known as rhopalid bugs. Members of the genus Arhyssus are typically associated with herbaceous vegetation. The species has been recorded in western North America, including British Columbia.
Arhyssus confusus
Arhyssus confusus is a species of scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae, described by Chopra in 1968. The genus Arhyssus belongs to the tribe Niesthreini within the subfamily Rhopalinae. Distribution records indicate presence in Arizona and broader North American and Middle American regions. This species is a true bug in the order Hemiptera, characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of the suborder Heteroptera.
Arhyssus crassus
Arhyssus crassus is a species of scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae, described by Harris in 1942. The genus Arhyssus belongs to the tribe Niesthreini within the subfamily Rhopalinae. Records indicate this species occurs in British Columbia and North America broadly, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in the available literature. As with other members of Rhopalidae, this species likely feeds on plant material, but direct observations of its biology are sparse.
Arhyssus nigristernum
Arhyssus nigristernum is a species of scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae. It is distributed across North America, with confirmed records from Ontario and Québec in Canada. As a member of the Rhopalidae, it lacks the scent glands typical of many true bugs. The species was first described by Signoret in 1859.
Arhyssus scutatus
Arhyssus scutatus is a species of scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae, first described by Stål in 1859. The species is distributed across North America. As a member of the Rhopalidae, it belongs to a family characterized by the absence of scent glands, distinguishing them from other coreoid bugs.
Aufeius
scentless plant bugs
Aufeius is a genus of scentless plant bugs in the family Rhopalidae, established by Stål in 1870. The genus contains a single described species, Aufeius impressicollis. Members of this genus lack the scent glands typical of many true bugs. The genus is part of the tribe Harmostini within the subfamily Rhopalinae.
Aufeius impressicollis
Aufeius impressicollis is a species of scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae. It belongs to the tribe Harmostini within the subfamily Rhopalinae. The species was described by Stål in 1870 and occurs from southern Canada through Mexico to Central America. It is one of relatively few documented species in the genus Aufeius.
Boisea rubrolineata
Western Boxelder Bug
Boisea rubrolineata, the western boxelder bug, is a scentless plant bug native to western North America, ranging west of the Continental Divide. This species is a specialist herbivore primarily associated with boxelder maple (Acer negundo), feeding on both pollen from staminate trees and seeds from pistillate trees. Distinguished from its eastern counterpart B. trivittata by prominent red veins on the corium, it exhibits complex semiochemical-mediated behaviors including aggregation and host foraging. The species undergoes incomplete metamorphosis and seeks sheltered overwintering sites in autumn, often becoming a nuisance pest when entering human structures.
Boisea trivittata
eastern boxelder bug, box bug, maple bug, adobe bug
Boisea trivittata, commonly known as the eastern boxelder bug, is a North American true bug in the family Rhopalidae. Despite being classified as 'scentless plant bugs,' this species produces defensive monoterpene hydrocarbons that deter predators. Adults are approximately 12-13 mm long with dark brown or black coloration marked by distinctive red wing veins and abdominal markings. The species undergoes incomplete metamorphosis, with bright red nymphs maturing to winged adults before winter. It is primarily associated with boxelder trees (Acer negundo), though it also occurs on other maples and ash trees.
Harmostes
scentless plant bugs
Harmostes is a genus of scentless plant bugs in the family Rhopalidae, established by Burmeister in 1835. The genus comprises approximately 32 species distributed from Canada to southern South America, with seven species documented in the United States. Members of this genus are distinguished by their lack of scent glands, a characteristic that separates them from related true bugs. They serve as prey for solitary wasps in the genus Dryudella, which paralyze them as provisions for their offspring.
Harmostes dorsalis
Harmostes dorsalis is a species of scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae. It is found across Central America, North America, and South America. The species was first described by Burmeister in 1835.
Harmostes reflexulus
scentless plant bug
Harmostes reflexulus is a small scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae. Adults reach up to 8.3 mm in length. The species has been documented feeding on petioles and flowers of herbaceous plants in field habitats. It serves as prey for solitary wasps in the genus Dryudella. Its distribution spans the Caribbean, Central America, and North America including the western United States.
Harmostini
Harmostini is a tribe of scentless plant bugs within the family Rhopalidae. It comprises at least two genera—Aufeius and Harmostes—and approximately eight described species. Members are classified in the suborder Heteroptera (true bugs) and are part of the diverse Coreoidea superfamily.
Jadera
soapberry bugs, red-shouldered bugs, golden rain tree bugs
Jadera is a genus of scentless plant bugs in the family Rhopalidae, commonly known as soapberry bugs or red-shouldered bugs. The genus comprises 19 species restricted to the Americas, ranging from southern Canada through Argentina. Members are specialized seed-feeders on plants in the family Sapindaceae, particularly balloon vines (Cardiospermum) and golden rain trees (Koelreuteria). Jadera haematoloma is the most extensively studied species, serving as a classic model for rapid evolutionary adaptation to invasive host plants.
Jadera haematoloma
red-shouldered bug, goldenrain-tree bug, soapberry bug
Jadera haematoloma is a true bug in the family Rhopalidae, commonly known as the red-shouldered bug, goldenrain-tree bug, or soapberry bug. It feeds on seeds of plants in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae) and has become a classic model organism for studying rapid evolutionary adaptation to novel hosts. The species is notable for documented cases of contemporary evolution, including changes in beak length and life history traits following host shifts to introduced plants. It is frequently mistaken for boxelder bugs (Boisea spp.) due to similar coloration and habits.
Jadera hinnulea
Jadera hinnulea is a species of soapberry bug in the family Rhopalidae, described by Göllner-Scheiding in 1979. It belongs to a genus of true bugs that feed on seeds of plants in the family Sapindaceae. The species occurs in Central America and North America, though detailed ecological studies specific to this species appear limited in the available literature. Most research on Jadera ecology has focused on the more widespread Jadera haematoloma.
Liorhyssus
scentless plant bugs
Liorhyssus is a genus of scentless plant bugs in the family Rhopalidae, subfamily Rhopalinae. The genus contains at least 12 described species distributed across multiple continents. The most widely studied species, Liorhyssus hyalinus, has emerged as an agricultural pest of quinoa when the crop is cultivated outside its native Andean region, particularly in coastal Peru. Members of this genus feed on developing seeds and grains using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Liorhyssus hyalinus
Hyaline Grass Bug
Liorhyssus hyalinus is a small scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae, widely distributed across multiple continents. Adults measure 6.5–7.5 mm and are active year-round in suitable climates. The species is a documented pest of quinoa cultivation in South America, particularly at lower elevations outside the crop's Andean origin, and has been recorded feeding on developing grains of maize and sorghum. Laboratory studies indicate optimal development and reproduction occur at 30°C, with five nymphal instars and thermal requirements of 68.6 degree-days for egg development and 114.8 degree-days for nymphal development.
Niesthrea
scentless plant bugs, hibiscus scentless plant bugs
Niesthrea is a genus of scentless plant bugs in the family Rhopalidae, tribe Niesthreini. The genus comprises approximately 20 described species distributed primarily in the New World, from the United States through Central and South America. Species in this genus are associated with plants in the family Malvaceae, with some species serving as important biological control agents against agricultural weeds such as velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti). The best-studied species, Niesthrea louisianica, exhibits striking orange, black, and white coloration and has been extensively investigated for its potential in integrated pest management programs.
Niesthrea louisianica
Hibiscus Scentless Plant Bug
Niesthrea louisianica is a small scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae, measuring 6.5-8.5 mm in body length. It is native to North America, ranging from New York to Florida and west to California, with populations also present in Hawaii. The species is a specialist feeder on plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), including Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), cotton, okra, and velvetleaf. It has been investigated as a biological control agent for the agricultural weed velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), capable of reducing viable seed production by 98-99% through feeding damage to reproductive structures.
Niesthrea sidae
Niesthrea sidae is a species of scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae, native to the New World. It is one of approximately 20 recognized species in the genus Niesthrea, which was taxonomically revised in 2019 with six new species described. The species occurs across broad geographic regions including the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae).
Niesthreini
Niesthreini is a tribe of scentless plant bugs within the family Rhopalidae, established by Chopra in 1967. The tribe comprises at least two genera—Arhyssus and Niesthrea—with approximately 17 described species. Members of this tribe are true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) belonging to the superfamily Coreoidea. The tribe is well-represented in citizen science observations, with over 9,600 records documented on iNaturalist.
Stictopleurus plutonius
Stictopleurus plutonius is a species of true bug in the family Rhopalidae, described by Baker in 1908. It belongs to a genus of scentless plant bugs found in temperate regions. Records indicate it occurs in western North America, specifically in British Columbia. Very few observations exist, with only two records documented on iNaturalist.
Stictopleurus punctiventris
Stictopleurus punctiventris is a scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae, found in North and Central America. It belongs to a family characterized by the absence of scent glands common in other true bugs. The species has been documented through 151 iNaturalist observations and is accepted in major taxonomic catalogs.