Sticky-plant
Guides
Hoplinus
stilt bugs
Hoplinus is a genus of stilt bugs (family Berytidae) comprising six described species. These insects are characterized by their elongated, slender bodies and exceptionally long legs that elevate them above plant surfaces. Research on Hoplinus echinatus has demonstrated their role as predators on sticky plants, where they navigate resinous surfaces to feed on trapped insect carrion and prey on herbivorous insects.
Hoplinus echinatus
Hoplinus echinatus is a stilt bug species in the family Berytidae, characterized by its elongated, slender body and long legs typical of the group. It has been documented as a predator associated with sticky plants in western North America, where it navigates resinous or hooked trichomes to feed on trapped insect carrion. The species occurs across a broad range of arid and semi-arid habitats from southwestern Canada through the western United States to northern Mexico. Its ecology links it to plant-based food webs where dead insects serve as a resource for predatory arthropods.