True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies

Order Hemiptera

The True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Order Hemiptera) includes 7,349 species across 120 families and 1,727 genera in our directory.

About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies

Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.

Economic Impact

The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.

Ecological Role

Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.

Families in Hemiptera (120)

Species in Hemiptera (7,349)

Phytocoris difformis

Miridae

Identification: Det. Salvador Vitanza, 2023 Males and females are attracted to light. ( 3 )

Phytocoris diversus

Miridae

Identification: Blatchley's key : 1) Scutellum reddish-yellow each side of middle, its median line and apex distinctly paler; 2) Clavus and inner half of corium reddish or reddish-brown; 3) Cuneus with inner half rosaceous; and 4) Femora with distinc

Phytocoris electilis

Miridae

Identification: distinguished from other species ofthe plenus group by the pale green general coloration, with large fuscous spot on inner apical angle of corium, and the short first antennal segment (see couplet 1 in key) with middle third uniformly

Phytocoris empirensis

Miridae

Identification: Very similar in appearance to Ph. relativus (J.T. Botz observation), but distinguished by lack of dark, bristlelike setae in front of the base of the left genital tubercle. Det. Jason Botz, 2023 Types: described from two spmns taken i

Phytocoris eurekae

Miridae

Identification: To distinguish from other species in the interspersus group: "Hemelytra with scattered, dark brown, simple setae particularly at apex of clavus and on corium between anal ridge and radial vein; second antennal segment uniformly browni

Phytocoris exemplus

Miridae

Identification: 1) Pronotal disk with black spots on basal margin; and 2) Apical area of corium with strong fuscous marks. Belongs to Group III of Knight's eastern species.

Phytocoris eximius

Miridae

Identification: Apical half of corium and bordering the claval vein distinctly olive green . (As penipecten ) (emphasis added) - male, female Dets. Brad Barnd, 2024 - from spmns Very similar to P. buenoi and may not be reliably separable without look

Phytocoris fuscipennis

Miridae

Identification: body size and general coloration is quite variable, ranging from small, almost uniformly pale yellow specimens to large individuals that are extensively darkened with fuscous Type Locality: described from 28 males collected in Cochise

Phytocoris geniculatus

Miridae

Identification: Cuneus and areolar veins tinged or marked with red distinguished from other species of the rostratus group by the pale green general coloration with red markings on the cuneus and areolar veins Type Locality: Described from 32 specime

Phytocoris heidemanni 0

Phytocoris heidemanni

Miridae

Identification: Recognized by the large body size; grayish brown general coloration; strongly convex scutellum, abruptly deflexed distally; long first antennal segment Type Locality: described from Pecos, New Mexico, 23 June, 0. Heidemann.

Phytocoris hettenshawi

Miridae

Types: described from 16 spmns coll'ed near the Hettenshaw Valley, Van Duzen Rd., Trinity Co., Calif., 4 July-15 August, 1943, 1949-1951, ex. Arctostaphylos sp., B. P. Bliven

Phytocoris hopi

Miridae

Identification: Among the species in the P. hopi group, distinguished by "antennal segment I fuscous with pale spots, ratio of length of segment to posterior width of pronotum from 1.00:1 to 1.35:1 for males and 1.55:1 to 1.80:1 for females; rostrum

Phytocoris infuscatus

Miridae

Identification: Pronotal disk with base and lateral margins dark fusco-reddish; scutellum yellow, a red mark at either side on apical half but without vittae at middle of base. (last couplet)

Phytocoris inops

Miridae

Identification: Pale annuli on front tibiae narrower than dark annuli; veins of hemelytral membrane marked or tinged with red • a much confused sp. , Phytocoris inops is extremely variable in size, body proportions, and extent of dark markings on the

Phytocoris kiowa

Miridae

Identification: External characters to separate this species from others in the interspersus group (from Stonedahl, 1988): "Hemelytra pale yellow, moderately to extensively mottled with red or reddish orange; vestiture of hemelytra without dark brown

Phytocoris lineatus

Miridae

Identification: "Distinguished from other brown or grayish brown species of the rostratus group by... ratio of eye length to width of vertex less than or equal to 1.10:1 for males; pronotal disk with pale line medially; genital capsule of male with w

Phytocoris listi

Miridae

Identification: Knight noted that this species is "suggestive of carnosulus Van D., but distinguished by the longer and more horizontal head, also by the first antennal segment which is not equal to width of head." This would apply to several species

Phytocoris longipennis

Miridae

Length about 7 mm. Phytocoris species have a distinctive appearance due to the long hind femora and long 1st antennal segment. In Phytocoris longipennis the distribution of black on the pronotum is not sharply defined and the upperside is diffusely m

Phytocoris luteolus

Miridae

Identification: The key features of P. leteolus are: 1) the wing membrane never has many minute spots; 2) the length of A1 is greater than the width of the head; 3) the antennae are yellow; 4) the pronotum never has distinct four orange stripes or sp

Phytocoris maricopae

Miridae

Identification: From Stonedahl, omitting references to figures: "Recognized by the brownish general coloration; fuscous propleuron with apical third and median line pale; length of antennal segment I subequal to posterior width of pronotum; and by th

Phytocoris mcivor

Miridae

Identification: See description (mainly male characters).

Phytocoris miniatus

Miridae

Identification: From Stonedahl: "Distinguished from other species of the juniperanus group by... corium marked or tinged with red; scutellum mottled with red, but without distinct median line [distinguishing it from P. acaceae ]; first antennal segme

Phytocoris minituberculatus

Miridae

Identification: Propleuron pale with two transverse fuscous lines medially (last couplet) Det. Jason Botz, 2020 Females of this species have the wing membrane abbreviated and just covering the apex of the abdomen.

Phytocoris navajo

Miridae

Identification: Within the interspersus species group, this species is distinguished by yellowish ground color with reddish to brown flecks (no green coloration) and the end of the second antennomere darkened.

Phytocoris neglectus

Miridae

Identification: 1) Brownish general coloration; 2) Dorsal surface without dark scalelike setae; 3) Antennae brown or dark brown; 4) A1 > (head width); 5) A2 without medial pale ring; 6) Propleura fuscous, apical 1/3 pale; 7) Front tibiae with 3 dark

Phytocoris nigricollis

Miridae

Identification: See Knight pp. 636-638 for description, and pp. 631-632 for the key where this species falls out. Pronotal disk uniformly deep black, narrow basal margin pale ; scutellum yellowish, with an oblique black mark each side of median line

Phytocoris pallidicornis

Miridae

Identification: thickened and uniformly yellowish A1 and red markings on the scutellum. lasiomerus group

Phytocoris piceicola 0

Phytocoris piceicola

Miridae

Identification: Pale and dark annuli on front tibiae similar in width; similar to fraterculus , distinguished by the paler grayish yellow general color, dorsum lightly marked with brown; antennomere 2 yellowish brown; membrane veins tinged with red;

Phytocoris planituberis

Miridae

Identification: From Stonedahl, omitting references to figures: " Phytocoris planituberis is very similar to validus but differs by the longer first antennal segment; large flattened tubercle above base of left paramere; and more elongate sclerotized

Phytocoris plenus

Miridae

Identification: From Stonedahl: "Distinguished from other members of the plenus group by the following combination of characters: antennal segment I longer than width of head across eyes; front tibiae annulated, with apical annulus fuscous; sclerotiz

Phytocoris politus

Miridae

Identification: "Distinguished from other species of the fraterculus group by the dark reddish brown coloration, fuscous band on the posterior submargin of the pronotal disk, absence of pale annuli on the front tibiae, and structure of the male genit

Phytocoris praealtus

Miridae

Identification: "Distinguished from other species of the P. fraterculus group by the large size, dark brown general coloration, long first antennal segment, greatly inflated scutellum, and structure of the male genitalia."

Phytocoris puella

Miridae

Identification: 1) Membrane marbled, uniformly dark brown or uniformly light colored; 2) A1 > (head width); 3) Antennae pale; 4) pronotum, scutellum, and hemelytra nearly uniformly reddish; and 5) Calli pale. Type Locality: New York ( Belfarge )

Phytocoris pulchellus

Miridae

Identification: Pronotal disk brown or dark yellowish brown, sometimes lightly tinged with red, posterior submargin without tumid points; antennal segment I slightly narrower medially Type Locality: Santa Rita Mts., Arizona, alt. 4500 ft., September

Phytocoris ramosus

Miridae

Identification: Brownish yellow general coloration; ratio of length of antennal segment I to width of head across eyes 0.65:1 to 0.85:1; front tibiae without dark annuli Det. J. Botz, 2020 described from seven specimens collected on creosote ( Larrea

Phytocoris reuteri

Miridae

Length 6mm. Outer margin of forewing convex; upperside markings blackish-brown on reddish ground, collar dirty-white to rufous (from above), border of stink gland narrowly pale. A2 brownish-black, usually with two conspicuous wide white rings (≈2xA2

Phytocoris rileyi

Miridae

Identification: "Belonging to the hopi group and distinguished by the combination of the relatively large size, the overall pale-beige coloration of the hemelytra with dark brown stripes on lateral margins of the head and pronotum, the white medial l

Phytocoris roseipennis

Miridae

Identification: Hemelytra tinged or marked with red; ratio oflength ofantennal segment I to posterior width of pronotum from 0.90:1 to 1.10:1 for males distinguished from other species of this group by the reddish tinge on the hemelytra, especially i

Phytocoris roseus

Miridae

Identification: Hemelytra tinged or marked with red, sometimes almost entirely reddened "...Distinguished from other plenus group species by the red tinge or marking on the hemelytra, long first antennal segment, fuscous second antennal segment with

Phytocoris rostratus 0

Phytocoris rostratus

Miridae

Identification: The wing membrane of the female is strongly abbreviated and reaches only slightly beyond the apex of the cuneus. Type Locality: Described from 68 spmns coll'ed in Nye Co. and Washoe Co., Nevada.

Phytocoris rubrimaculatus

Miridae

Identification: distinguished from other species of the cunealis group by the red or reddish orange mottled pattern on the pronotal disk and hemelytra Type Locality: Mt. Palomar, San Diego Co., California, 18 July 1963, R. L. Langston

Phytocoris rubroornatus

Miridae

Identification: Pronotal disk deep ruby red, narrowly pale between calli, posterior submargin with four broadly tumid points; antennal segment I uniform in thickness Type Locality: Williams, Coconino Co., Arizona, 15 August 1930, E. D. Ball.

Phytocoris rufoscriptus

Miridae

Identification: distinguished from other species of the cunealis group by the setose, fuscous spots along the posterior submargin of the pronotal disk dorsal surface mottled or reticulated with red as in rubrimaculatus , but the latter species lacks

Phytocoris seminotatus

Miridae

Identification: "Closely resembles hirsuticus but is distinguished by the pale yellowish brown general coloration, reddish brown markings on the hind femora, and structure of the male genitalia, particularly the narrow, erect left genital tubercle ..

Phytocoris simulatus

Miridae

Type Locality: described from 24 specimens taken in s. CO and n. NM

Phytocoris squamosus

Miridae

Identification: Antennal segment I densely set with long, pale setae on ventral surface; pronotal collar and calli tinged or marked with red or reddish brown

Phytocoris stellatus

Miridae

Identification: Recognized by the reddish orange to reddish brown hemelytra with red areolar veins; posterior lobe of pronotal disk mottled with reddish brown or fuscous, leaving at least limited areas pale; ratio of length of antennal segment I to w

Phytocoris stitti

Miridae

Identification: Legs clothed with short pale setae, length of setae rarely exceeding thickness of hind tibia (last couplet) Dets. Jason Botz, male & female Adults have been collected on Franseria deltoidea, F. dumosa, Grayia spinosa, Hymenoclea monog

Phytocoris strigosus

Miridae

Identification: Pronotal disk with pale median line, bordered with fuscous (last key couplet) pale yellow to brownish general coloration. Phytocoris strigosus is easily recognized by the large eyes and relatively narrow vertex (see couplet 5 in key);

Phytocoris tiliae

Miridae

Length 6 to 7 mm. Phytocoris species have a distinctive appearance due to the long hind femora and long 1st antennal segment. P. tiliae is an attractively marked greyish-green species, which has distinct black mottling on the wings. The ground colour

Phytocoris tricinctus 0

Phytocoris tricinctus

Miridae

Identification: last couplet in Stonedahl's key: Brown general coloration; abdomen without black longitudinal lines laterally Types: Described from 13 specimens collected in Pima and Pinal counties, Arizona. The male holotype and nine paratypes were

Phytocoris ulmi

Miridae

Length 6 to 8 mm. Phytocoris species have a distinctive appearance due to the long hind femora and long 1st antennal segment. The ground colour of P. ulmi is similar to P. varipes , but the upper surface is more uniform, lacking longitudinal markings

Phytocoris umbrosus

Miridae

Identification: "Similar to politus in size...and general coloration, but distinguished by the pale median annulus on the second antennal segment, front tibiae with distinct pale annuli, and arm of right paramere without dorsal knoblike process."

Phytocoris uniformis

Miridae

Identification: 1) Hemelytra translucent and uniformly colored with dusky brown; and 2) Femora reddish brown, with conspicuous white spots. Belongs to Group III of Knight's eastern species.

Phytocoris varipes

Miridae

Length 6 to 7 mm. The ground colour of P. varipes varies from pale pinkish brown to red-brown and there are longitudinal markings on the upper surface. The hairs on the 1st antennal segment are shorter than its width (see below). P. ulmi is similar,

Phytocoris vau

Miridae

Identification: striking species is readily recognized by the yellowish green hemelytra with the clavus, inner apical angle of corium, and inner margin and apex of cuneus deep ruby red to dark brownish red; legs and antennae also extensively reddened

Pied Shieldbug

Tritomegas bicolor

Cydnidae

Length 5.5-7.5 mm. A distinctively marked black and white shieldbug with a brown wing membrane. Like other members of this family, it is a ground-dwelling species, but may be found feeding on the aerial parts of the main host plants. The sexes can va

Piesma costata

Piesmatidae

Identification: the smallest piesmatid in our area (noticeably smaller than macropters of the common [i]Parapiesma cinereum, in which brachypters are unknown) brachptera and macropters known, the latter rare

Piesma maculatum

Piesmatidae

Length 2.0 to 3.0 mm. This species is distinguished from Parapiesma quadratum by the shape of the pronotum, which has clearly indented side margins. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID f

Pilophoropsidea camela

Miridae

Pilophoropsidea camela (Pilophoropsidea camela) is a species in the family Miridae, commonly known as plant bugs, belonging to the order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies). It is classified within the subfamily Orthotylinae, t

Pilophoropsis brachyptera

Miridae

Identification: Clavus with two transverse silver spots on apical half.

Pilophoropsis nicholi

Miridae

Identification: "Scutellum with silvery scalelike hairs; clavus with four transverse silver spots on apical half; (female) pronotum length scarcely equal to width at base." ( 3 )

Pilophoropsis texana 0

Pilophoropsis texana

Miridae

Identification: recognized by the band of silvery scale-like se- tae bordering the cuneal fracture and the male genitalia Type Locality: Esperanza Ranch, Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas

Pilophorus amoenus

Miridae

Identification: Pilophorus amoenus species group including amoenus , piceicola , and strobicola is recognized by the hemelytra with a uniform texture posteriad of the posterior band of scalelike setae, the A3 completely white , the flat vesica with a

Pilophorus brunneus

Miridae

Identification: Pilophorus clavatus species group including 17 species (4 eastern, 11 western, and 2 common) is recognized by the hemelytra posterior to the posterior band of scalelike setae being smooth, polished, and weakly shining laterad of the r

Pilophorus cembroides

Miridae

Identification: "Recognized among members of the exiguus group by its small size, campanulate pronotum, bicolored antennal segment 4, and the posterior band of scalelike setae not offset at the radial vein"

Pilophorus cinnamopterus

Miridae

Length 4-5mm. Forewings more reddish-brown than Pilophorus perplexus and is associated with Scots Pine rather than deciduous trees. https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Miridae/pilophorus_cinnamopterus.html No additional images available for th

Pilophorus clavatus

Miridae

Length 4.5 mm. Pilophorus species are rather ant-like bugs, which feed on aphids and have silvery bands on the forewings formed by pale hairs. In P. clavatus the posterior band is not continuous across the forewings and is displaced forwards in the c

Pilophorus clavicornis

Miridae

Identification: Pilophorus exiguus species group including 9 species (2 eastern, 6 western, and 1 central) is recognized by the hemelytra posteriad of the posterior band of setae smooth, polished and weakly shining laterad of radial vein and with a m

Pilophorus concolor

Miridae

Identification: Greatly enlarged second antennal segment; neat straight posterior band of setae on hemelytra; antennal segment 1 dark dorsally, pale ventrally, segment 2 deep red proximally and castaneous distally, segments 3 and 4 white proximally a

Pilophorus crassipes

Miridae

Identification: "AIII is black and texture across posterior of corium appears to be uniform" Det. M. D. Schwartz, 2010

Pilophorus furvus

Miridae

Identification: Pilophorus furvus species group including furvus , heidemanni and nasicus is recognized by the short, squat body form, the short second antennal segment, the discontinuous posterior band of scalelike setae on the hemelytra, the absenc

Pilophorus gracilis

Miridae

Identification: The only species often lacking white band.

Pilophorus juniperi

Miridae

Identification: Pilophorus juniperi species group including juniperi and laetus is recognized by the hemelytra with a uniform polished texture posteriad of the posterior band of scalelike setae, relatively small elongate body, the A2 clavate on the d

Pilophorus laetus

Miridae

Pilophorus perplexus

Miridae

Length 4.5 mm. Pilophorus species are rather active and ant-like bugs, which have silvery bands on the forewings formed by pale hairs. In both common species the posterior band is continuous across the forewings. However, P. perplexus has duller brow

Pilophorus piceicola

Miridae

Pilophorus strobicola

Miridae

Pilophorus walshii

Miridae

Pinalitus cervinus

Miridae

Length 4 mm. This genus contains several small plant bugs which are mainly associated with trees. The base of the 2nd antennal segment is always pale. P. cervinus is a very variable species which is usually pale golden-brown, but sometimes may be red

Pine Bark Adelgid

Pineus strobi

Adelgidae

It has been carried by the horticultural industry to areas beyond its geographic origin and it has become a pest of several species of pine.

Pine Cone Bug

Gastrodes grossipes

Lygaeidae

A medium to large red-brown bug with a broad, flattened body, associated with Scots Pine. The head, front of the pronotum and scutellum are dark. The rear margin of the pronotum is pale, but side margins are only pale in the rear part. Gastrodes abie

Pine Tortoise Scale

Toumeyella parvicornis

Coccidae

Identification: Shoot or twig form: female convex and hemispherical, reddish-brown with black or dark markings. Needle form: female elongate, greenish.

Pine Woolly Aphid

Pineus pini

Adelgidae

The apterous female of Pineus pini , known as the 'sistens' is covered in white wax wool. Under the wax the sistens is dark brown to dark red, and almost spherical. The adult Pineus pini aptera has a body length of 1.0 to 1.2 mm. It is associated wit

Pintalia vibex

Cixiidae

Identification: this is the most laterally compressed Cixiid, one with a less obvious white stripe down the back than the more common P. delicata . (Dr Hamilton, 21.vii.2007)

Pinyon Needle Scale

Matsucoccus acalyptus

Matsucoccidae

Identification: Excellent article covering many details here: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/1045029

Pissonotus basalis

Delphacidae

Identification: "Two species have a black face and banded upper side, but only this one occurs in the New England states. The other, P. nitens, is found in the SE states around the Gulf." Andy Hamilton

Pissonotus dorsalis

Delphacidae

Identification: This species has a pale area on the abdomen[Dr. Andy Hamilton]

Pissonotus flabellatus

Delphacidae

Identification: very wide front legs are characteristic ( P. tesselatus from se. US also has wide legs)

Pissonotus guttatus

Delphacidae

Identification: The dark head contrasting with the red wings is distinctive, and the wing tips are marked with just white spots instead of a transverse bar.

Pissonotus piceus

Delphacidae

Identification: The way the white band across the wing tips is almost interrupted by a black spot is distinctive. [Dr. Andy Hamilton] Males are black, females brown

Pithanus maerkelii

Miridae

Length 4 to 5 mm. An unmistakable and rather ant-like bug which is almost always micropterous, although fully-winged females do occur infrequently. The connexivum, wing edges and 1st antennal segment are pale and the pronotum is swollen in the middle

Pittosporum Psyllid

Cacopsylla tobirae

Psyllidae

Identification: The dark spot on the postnotum appears to be consistent and the most noticeable character especially in lighter-colored adults, but refer to Miyatake for full description First detected in North America in 2007 in nursery shipments of

Plagiognathus albatus

Miridae

Identification: Coloration of dorsum white to orange, with some darker markings; dark A1 (fig. 15) like tinctus , but with scutellum often pale laterally and dark mesially. (Scutellum also sometimes entirely dark or entirely pale, fig. 5) - Fig. 5, -

Plagiognathus alboradialis

Miridae

Identification: Recognized by large size, elongate, slender body form, anterior pale portion of corium extending down radial vein , mostly pale costal vein and cuneus , and length of antennal segment 2 about 1.9 times width of head.

Plagiognathus arbustorum

Miridae

Length about 4 mm. Although the ground colour varies from pale olive-green to almost black, the head and front of the pronotum are usually dark, as are the 1st and 2nd antennal segments. The black line along the edge of the hind femur is absolutely d

Plagiognathus atricornis

Miridae

Identification: Recognized by the relatively small size and pale coloration, entirely black antennae with A2 1.4 times as long as the width of the head, the large dark eyes, and the narrow vertex being about one-third the total width of the head.

Plagiognathus blatchleyi

Miridae

Identification: Recognized by the relatively large size, heavy bodied appearance, pale background coloration of the dorsum, posterior lobe of the pronotum almost uniformly brown and anterior lobe pale or greenish (fig. 6), and the black antennae . So

Plagiognathus brevirostris

Miridae

Identification: Recognized by the large, heavy body, moderately shaggy vestiture, entirely black antennae, and the labium relatively short and not attaining the middle trochanters. Pattern of coloration of obscurus type, with base of corium pale and

Plagiognathus brunneus

Miridae

Identification: Dark A1-A2 (fig. 15), a shared character w obscurus , but distinguished from obscurus by silvery, slightly woolly appearance of dorsal vestiture and pale anterior area of corium often not extending posteriorly along clavus in males as