Numbers
127 spp. (of which 84
Aradus spp.) in 12 genera in our area, arranged in 5 subfamilies
(1)(2); >1900 spp. in 230 genera of 8 subfamilies worldwide
(3)
Overview of our fauna (* –taxa not yet in the guide)
Family ARADIDAE
Identification
Oval and very flat bugs found under or on bark. Abdomen extends beyond wings. Antennae and beak have four segments. Lack ocelli.
Key to genera and the commonest (mostly ne.) species is provided in
(4); to spp. of Canadian fauna, in
(5); to Florida species, by
Whelan et al.
Many nw. species imaged at
(6)Range
worldwide; most diverse in Australia
(3)Habitat
mostly under bark, on fallen logs & tree limbs, bracket fungi
Food
mycelia or fruiting bodies of wood-rotting fungi
(3)Life Cycle
many bark-dwelling spp. are gregarious
(3)Remarks
these bugs lack the straight piercing/sucking mouthparts, and instead the mouthparts are "stored" inside the head in a coiled fashion.
Print References
Kormilev, N.A. and R.C. Froeschner. 1987. Flat Bugs of the World. A synonymic List (Heteroptera: Aradidae). Entomography 5: 1-246.
(2)
