Other Common Names
Big-footed or Big-legged Plant Bug
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Acanthocephala LaPorte, 1833
A. confraterna was synonymized with
A. terminalis(1) Explanation of Names
Greek
akanth- 'thorn/spine' +
kephale 'head' (refers to the spine on the front of the head).
Acanthocephala is also a taxon of parasitic worms (Spiny-headed Worms) recently classified with
rotifers (Rotifera).
Identification
Large, dark brown to black;
tylus laterally flattened and prominently pointed.
Any Acanthocephala found north of NC-OK must be A. terminalis.
Key to all our spp. except for
A. thomasi is
here.
Note: In states other than AZ, CA, FL, GA, and TX there are only three species to choose from. They may be eliminated easily if compared in this order: A. declivis has a distinctive right-angled hind leg flange and broad pronotum, A. femorata has uniformly red antennae, and A. terminalis has red-tipped antennae.
Range
in our area, e. NA & so. US as follows:
(2) A. declivis NC-FL-AZ;
A. femorata NC-FL-TX-OK;
A. terminalis se. Canada to FL west to CO-TX;
A. thomasi TX-CA
Habitat
Deciduous forests, fields, etc.
Remarks
Orange antennae and dark body could be mimicry of a Pompilid wasp, but the bugs exude a foul-smelling liquid, so it may be Mullerian mimicry.
See Also
Leptoglossus (metatibial expansion generally shorter and often wider)
