Scentless-plant-bug
Guides
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 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.
Harmostes angustatus
Harmostes angustatus is a scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1918. It belongs to a genus characterized by reduced scent glands, distinguishing them from other true bugs. The species has been documented as prey for the solitary wasp Dryudella, representing a known predator-prey relationship in arid western North American habitats.
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.
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).
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.