Species Chelinidea vittiger - Cactus Coreid

Chelinidea vittiger Uhler 1863

Latin 'stripe-bearing'

Adults 12-15 mm(1)

Conspicuous dorsal, yellow stripe on the head, nearly solid yellow pronotum, and yellow veins of the forewing. General appearance is similar to the better known squash bugs (Anasa spp.) which lack the extensive yellow pronotum and the yellowish veins of the corium and clavus that starkly contrast with the generally dark hemelytra. This contrast is less apparent in other forms and species of Chelinidea. Other notable yellowish areas of specimens from Florida are the entire venter, basal half of costal margin of corium, and exposed margin of the abdomen. Florida specimens have the antennae, most of head, legs, and hemelytra dark brown to blackish. The membrane of the forewing often has a greenish cast and is generally darker than the leathery basal portion. A black transverse bar is nearly always present at the base of the pronotum. The antennae have a slightly dilated appearance which, on close inspection, reveal 3-sided (prism- shaped) 2nd and 3rd segments (also present in older nymphs). An overall feature of Chelinidea is the glabrous (hairless) appearance.

VA-FL to AB-OR-CA; n. Mexico(2) (Only sp. in genus east of TX)

prickly pear cacti, Opuntia spp.

First eggs of the season are deposited in March, longitudinally on the underside of prickly pear spines. The egg laying period in each generation extends over two to three months, the rate of nymphal development varies considerably, and adults are long lived (nine to 12 months).

Fact sheet by Mead & Herring(3)