Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Bugs (Heteroptera) » Minute Pirate Bugs (Anthocoridae)

Family Anthocoridae - Minute Pirate Bugs

Minute Pirate Bug for California in April - Probably Orius tristicolor - Orius tristicolor

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

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

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Family Anthocoridae (Minute Pirate Bugs)

Numbers

89 spp. in 23 genera north of Mexico(1)

Habitat

many are common on flowers and trees, some live under bark or in mammal/bird nests(1)

Food

small arthropods

Remarks

Some sp. are used as biocontrol agents. Some may be a nuisance: they are known for their irritating bites, mostly after landing on one's naked arm or neck.

Internet References

Anthocorids as beneficial predators (University of Wisconsin)

Anthocorids as nuisance (Iowa State University)

Works Cited

1.	American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico By Ross H. Arnett

Contributed by Jim McClarin on 4 October, 2005 - 5:55pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset, Ron M., v belov
Last updated 18 December, 2009 - 8:40am

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