Explanation of Names
Amphiareus obscuriceps (Poppius 1909)
Identification
It looks similar to Lasiochilus dorsally but tends to be more glossy across the hemelytra, and in Lasiochilus the dorsal hairs appear to be more erect and abundant. (comment by Steve Paiero)
Yellow-brown coloration, with the head and pronotum noticeably darker
Corium smooth, impunctate.
Ostiolar channel directed backwards with an anteriorly curved carina.
Clavus with raised, tri-lobed setal bases; setal bases on apical part of scutellum multi-lobed.
Male parameres sickle-shaped.
Range
Native to Asia, recently introduced to NA (has spread across the eastern half of the US* & e Canada)
(1) and Europe
(2)
_____________
*at least to c.TX (taken at my porch lights). =v=
Habitat
suburban/urban areas and woodlands; associated with dead-leaf habitats in the trees or on the ground; also brush piles, squirrel nests, and old tent caterpillar nests
(1)Season
year-round; adults may overwinter
(1)Food
small arthropods, probably including psocids, thrips, etc.
(1)Remarks
Earliest record in NA: MD 1983
(1)See Also
our other species,
A. constrictus, has a more uniform yellowish-brown coloration
(1)
