Minute pirate bugs
family of suborder “True Bugs“
1 family, 2 species
Anthocoridae are small insects with elongated oval bodies, often patterned in black and white. They have a beak used to inject prey with digestive enzymes. They resemble soft bugs Miridae but differ by their possession of two ocelli. They can be found in various habitats and are often predacious, feeding on small soft-bodied arthropods. They are beneficial as biological control agents and can be used in greenhouses against pests. They can bite humans, but do not feed on human blood or inject venom.
Hierarchy
species of family “Minute pirate bugs“
1 species
Description#
Anthocoridae are 1.5–5 mm long and have soft, elongated oval, flat bodies, often patterned in black and white. The head is extended forward and the antennae are longer than the head and visible from above. They possess a piercing and sucking three-segmented beak or labium used to inject prey with digestive enzymes and consume food. In general appearance, they resemble soft bugs Miridae, but Anthocoridae differ by their possession of two ocelli as adults. Anthocorids possess two pairs of wings with hemelytra and membranous hindwings.Many species are referred to as insidious flower bugs or pirate bugs. The scientific name is a combination of the Greek words anthos “flower” and koris “bug”.
Habitat and behaviour#
Many species can be found in cryptic habitats such as galls, but can also be present in open surface environments. They can often be found in many agricultural crops. They can feed on plant material, but mostly feed on other small soft-bodied arthropods. Anthocorids are often predacious both as nymphs and adults. They are beneficial as biological control agents. Orius insidiosus, the “insidious flower bug”, for example, feeds on the eggs of the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea). Orius insidiosus is often released in greenhouses against mites and thrips.Eggs are laid in plant material and hatch in approximately 3 to 5 days. Nymphs require at least 20 days to progress through five instars. Adults live for approximately 35 days. These small insects can bite humans, however, they do not feed on human blood or inject venom or saliva. Reactions to bites in individuals can range from no effect to minor swelling and irritation.
Systematics#
There are two subfamilies and at least 8 tribes:
References#
== External links ==
Anthocoridae are small insects with elongated oval bodies, often patterned in black and white. They have a beak used to inject prey with digestive enzymes. They resemble soft bugs Miridae but differ by their possession of two ocelli. They can be found in various habitats and are often predacious, feeding on small soft-bodied arthropods. They are beneficial as biological control agents and can be used in greenhouses against pests. They can bite humans, but do not feed on human blood or inject venom.
Ancestry Graph
Further Information
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