Genus Lygaeus

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Remarks · Internet References

two-white-wing-dots bug - Lygaeus kalmii

Nymph of small milkweed bug? - Lygaeus kalmii

Eastern Version of Small Milkweed Bug - Lygaeus kalmii

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Family Lygaeidae (Seed Bugs)

Subfamily Lygaeinae

Genus Lygaeus

Explanation of Names

Lygaeus is apparently from Greek lygaios (λυγαιος)- "shadowy, murky, gloomy", itself from lyge (λυγη)- "twilight"

Author of genus is Fabricius, 1794.

Numbers

Nomina Nearctica lists 5 species: kalmii Stål 1874, reclivatus Say 1825, truculentus Stål 1862, trux Stål 1862, turcicus Fabricius 1803.

Remarks

Lygaeus is mostly shot as singletons or mating pairs whereas Oncopeltus is frequently shot in colonies, esp. the nymphs.

Internet References

Photos from Texas

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Lynette, Chuck Entz, Mike Quinn, v belov
Last updated 20 November, 2009 - 8:23am

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