Species Megalotomus quinquespinosus

Classification · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Broad-headed Bug - Megalotomus quinquespinosus

reddish plant bug - Megalotomus quinquespinosus

Bug ID Request - Megalotomus quinquespinosus

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

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

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Family Alydidae (Broad-headed Bugs)

Genus Megalotomus

Species quinquespinosus (Megalotomus quinquespinosus)

Size

14-16 mm

Identification

Large, reddish-brown to yellowish.Part of fourth antennal segment is yellow, contrasting with the dark outer part. Pronotal angles pointed.

Range

Much of North America, but perhaps absent from the deep South.

Habitat

Edges of deciduous woods

Season

May-November (North Carolina). July-September (Minnesota).

Food

Juices of plants, especially pea family. Reported from Baptisia, Ceanothus, oxytropis, Lupinus, Rhus, Desmodium, Lathyrus venosus, crops such as soybeans (1), (Insects of Cedar Creek).

Print References

Slater, p. 65, fig. 107 (1)

Brimley, p. 65 (2)

Internet References

Insects of Cedar Creek

North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists only M. quinquespinosus for that state, with 89 pinned.

Works Cited

1.	How to Know the True Bugs By Slater, James A., and Baranowski, Richard M.

2.	Insects of North Carolina By C.S. Brimley

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 14 March, 2004 - 8:31pm
Additional contributions by cotinis
Last updated 9 July, 2006 - 12:10pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2010 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version