Scutelleridae
Guides
Acantholomidea porosa
Acantholomidea porosa is a shield bug species in the family Scutelleridae, first described by Germar in 1839 as Pachycoris porosus. The species has undergone taxonomic reclassification, currently placed in the genus Acantholomidea though historically treated under Camirus. It is a true bug (Hemiptera) distributed across the Americas with records from North, Middle, and South America.
Augocoris gomesii
Augocoris gomesii is a shield-backed bug in the family Scutelleridae, characterized by its enlarged scutellum that covers most of the abdomen and wings. The species is native to Middle America and is one of the more frequently observed members of its genus, with nearly 800 records on iNaturalist. Like other scutellerids, it possesses a distinctive rounded, shield-like body form. The species was described by Burmeister in 1835.
Camirus moestus
Camirus moestus is a species of shield-backed bug in the family Scutelleridae, first described by Stål in 1862. The species belongs to a family commonly known as shield-backed bugs or jewel bugs, characterized by their enlarged scutellum that covers most of the abdomen and wings. Records indicate presence in Middle America and North America, though detailed biological information appears limited in available sources.
Diolcus chrysorrhoeus
Gold-specked Scutellerid
Diolcus chrysorrhoeus is a shield-backed bug in the family Scutelleridae, commonly known as the Gold-specked Scutellerid. The species is characterized by its distinctive coloration and the enlarged scutellum that covers most of the abdomen and wings, a defining trait of its family. It occurs across North America and has been documented in hundreds of observations, indicating it is relatively conspicuous and recognizable.
Euptychodera
Euptychodera is a monotypic genus of shield-backed bugs in the family Scutelleridae, established by Bergroth in 1908. The genus contains a single described species, E. corrugata. Members of Scutelleridae are characterized by an enlarged scutellum that covers most of the abdomen and wings, giving them a distinctive shield-like appearance.
Euptychodera corrugata
Euptychodera corrugata is a species of shield-backed bug in the family Scutelleridae, first described by Van Duzee in 1904. It belongs to a genus of true bugs characterized by greatly enlarged scutella that cover most of the abdomen and wings. The species has been documented in the western Nearctic region, particularly in California. Available records are sparse, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Eurygaster alternata
shield-backed bug
Eurygaster alternata is a species of shield-backed bug in the family Scutelleridae, first described by Thomas Say in 1828. It belongs to a genus known for species with enlarged scutella that cover most of the abdomen and wings. The species is recorded from North America, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in available sources.
Eurygaster shoshone
Eurygaster shoshone is a species of shield-backed bug in the family Scutelleridae. It is found in North America.
Fokkeria producta
Fokkeria producta is a shield-backed bug in the family Scutelleridae, described by Van Duzee in 1904. This species belongs to a family commonly known as shield bugs or jewel bugs, recognized for their enlarged scutellum that covers most of the abdomen and wings. The genus Fokkeria is part of the diverse North American scutellerid fauna.
Homaemus
shield-backed bugs
Homaemus is a genus of shield-backed bugs in the family Scutelleridae, containing approximately five described species native to North America. Members of this genus are characterized by their enlarged scutellum that covers most of the abdomen and wings. At least one species, Homaemus proteus, has been documented feeding on ornamental species of Rudbeckia (Asteraceae).
Homaemus aeneifrons
Homaemus aeneifrons is a shield-backed bug in the family Scutelleridae, characterized by the enlarged scutellum that covers most of the abdomen and wings. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1824. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form and H. a. extensus. It occurs across Central and North America.
Homaemus variegatus
Homaemus variegatus is a species of shield-backed bug in the family Scutelleridae, first described by Van Duzee in 1914. The species belongs to a family commonly known as jewel bugs or shield-backed bugs, characterized by their enlarged scutellum that covers most of the abdomen and wings. Like other members of Scutelleridae, this species is likely phytophagous, feeding on plant sap. The genus Homaemus is native to North America, and this species has been recorded from this region based on available distribution data.
Pachycorinae
Pachycorinae is a subfamily of Scutelleridae (jewel bugs) comprising 27 genera and approximately 125 species, predominantly distributed in the Neotropical region. The subfamily is distinguished by the presence of stridulatory structures: an abdominal sternal stridulitrum located primarily on sternites V-VI, paired with a tibial plectrum on the hind tibiae. These sound-producing structures are present in immatures, males, and females, and exhibit morphological variation that carries taxonomic significance. Two main stridulitrum patterns occur: smooth carinae (24 genera) and coarse carinae with small teeth (3 genera); tibial plectra show either rounded tubercles or flat tubercles.
Phimodera
Phimodera is a genus of shield-backed bugs in the family Scutelleridae, established by Germar in 1839. It is the type genus of the tribe Phimoderini. Species have been documented from Africa, Europe, and North America, with confirmed records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The genus comprises relatively small, often cryptically colored shield bugs.
Scutellerinae
jewel bugs, metallic shield bugs, shield-backed bugs
Scutellerinae is a subfamily of shield-backed bugs in the family Scutelleridae, erected by William Elford Leach in 1815. Members are characterized by an enlarged scutellum that forms a continuous shield over the abdomen and wings. The subfamily includes two tribes: Scutellerini and Sphaerocorini. Some species are agricultural pests of small grains, while others are associated with coniferous hosts.
Sphyrocoris
Sphyrocoris is a genus of shield-backed bugs in the family Scutelleridae, established by Mayr in 1864. The genus contains at least two described species: Sphyrocoris obliquus and Sphyrocoris punctellus. Members of this genus exhibit the enlarged scutellum characteristic of the family, which covers most of the abdomen and wings.
Sphyrocoris obliquus
Sphyrocoris obliquus is a shield-backed bug in the family Scutelleridae, characterized by an enlarged scutellum that covers most of the abdomen and wings. The species exhibits a broad Neotropical distribution spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. It is one of the more frequently observed members of its genus, with over 700 documented observations on iNaturalist.
Stethaulax
Stethaulax is a genus of true bugs in the family Scutelleridae, commonly known as shield-backed bugs. The genus was established by Bergroth in 1891. At least one species, Stethaulax marmorata, has been studied in detail regarding its immature stages and life history. Members of this genus possess the enlarged scutellum characteristic of Scutelleridae, which covers most of the abdomen and wings.
Symphylus
Symphylus is a genus of shield-backed bugs in the family Scutelleridae (Hemiptera). The genus contains at least four described species distributed across the Neotropical region. Members of this genus are characterized by the enlarged scutellum that covers most of the abdomen and wings, a defining trait of the Scutelleridae family. The genus is seldom collected, with limited ecological and biological data available for most species.
Symphylus caribbeanus
Symphylus caribbeanus is a seldom-collected shield-backed bug (family Scutelleridae) described by Kirkaldy in 1909. It belongs to a family characterized by an enlarged scutellum that covers most or all of the abdomen and wings. The species has been documented in the Caribbean and North America, though detailed biological information remains limited due to its rarity in collections.
Vanduzeeina borealis
Vanduzeeina borealis is a shield-backed bug (family Scutelleridae) described by Van Duzee in 1925. It is one of relatively few documented species in the genus Vanduzeeina. The species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology, habitat preferences, and ecology remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.