Genus Macrocephalus

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Season · Food · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Ambush Bug - Macrocephalus sp. - Macrocephalus

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

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

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Family Phymatidae (Ambush Bugs)

Genus Macrocephalus

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Lophoscutus Kormilev, in part?

Macrocephalus prehensilis = Lophoscutus prehensilis

Explanation of Names

Author of genus is Swederus, 1787 (listed as redescribed by Kormilev, 1951 in some sources?).

Numbers

Arnett, p. 265, lists 9 species (1).

Size

Macrocephalus cimicoides:9-11 mm, Macrocephalus prehensilis: 5-6 mm (2)

Identification

Scutellum is not short and triangular, as in Phymata, it is tear-drop shaped, and extends almost to tip of abdomen (2).

Range

Most species occur in southwest. Two in east Macrocephalus cimicoides (North Carolina, south to Florida, west to Texas, California) and Macrocephalus prehensilis (North Carolina to Florida, west to Kansas, Texas) (2).

Season

Likely spring and early summer. April-May (M. prehensilis, eastern North Carolina). May (M. cimicoides, North Carolina Sandhills). Noted in May in Texas (guide photo, likely M. prehensilis).

Food

Predatory on other insects

Print References

Arnett, p. 265--description (1).

Slater, p. 119, fig. 216--M. cimicoides (2)

Brimley, p. 71, lists M. cimicoides and M. prehensilis for North Carolina (3).

Internet References

North Carolina State University State Entomology lists Lophoscutus prehensilis = Macrocephalus prehensilis (12 specimens, including from that state)

Works Cited

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

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

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

Contributed by Cotinis on 16 June, 2006 - 12:11pm

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 © 2003-2008 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version