Subfamily Harpactorinae

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · Works Cited

Orange/Black bug with antennae - Arilus cristatus

Leafhopper Assassin Bug - Zelus renardii

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

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

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Infraorder Cimicomorpha

Family Reduviidae (Assassin Bugs)

Subfamily Harpactorinae

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Apiomerus used to be treated in a separate subfamily, Apiomerinae(1)

Explanation of Names

Harpactorinae Amyot & Serville 1843; type genus: Harpactor (C. & S. America)

Numbers

Second largest subfamily in our area, with ~50 spp. in 13 genera(1), and world's largest subfamily, with >2,000 spp. in almost 300 genera(2)

Size

Some of the smallest members to some of the largest, 5‒40 mm

Identification

One of the two subfamilies (other Stenopodainae) with a quadrate cell in the corium. The second antennal segment is equal to or shorter than the first.

Range

Worldwide, incl. most of NA (some range into so. Canada & AK)

Habitat

Most are found on foliage or in fields. Many are associated with flowers. Few are arboreal. Not as strongly associated with lights at night as other subfamilies.

Food

Generalist predators often on pollinators or other prey associated with habitat (many specialize on insect larvae(2)). Most appear to ambush their prey.

Life Cycle

Univoltine or bivoltine, depending on species.

Remarks

the most commonly found assassin bugs

Works Cited

1.	American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico Ross H. Arnett. 2000. CRC Press.

2.	Biodiversity of the Heteroptera Henry T.J. 2009. In: Foottit R.G., Adler P.H., eds. Insect biodiversity: Science and society. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell: 223−263.

Contributed by v belov on 2 March, 2010 - 5:31pm
Additional contributions by drswanny
Last updated 6 October, 2023 - 2:28pm

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