Sapindaceae-specialist
Guides
Serinethinae
soapberry bugs
Serinethinae is a subfamily of true bugs (Hemiptera: Rhopalidae) comprising approximately 65 species across three genera: Jadera, Leptocoris, and Boisea. These insects are seed specialists on plants in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), including maples, balloon vines, and soapberry trees. They have become a classic study system for rapid evolutionary adaptation, particularly documented in response to introduced host plants. The subfamily exhibits bright coloration and has undergone adaptive radiation correlated with their host plant relationships.