Bagrada Bug
Bagrada hilaris
This record describes Bagrada hilaris (species). Recorded family: Pentatomidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
distinctive among NA Pentatomidae Det. Salvador Vitanza, 2017 May aggregate on non-hosts in the fall when bug populations are high and food is scarce. Avoiding cruciferous and other hosts at risk should be a serious consideration for community and home gardens where using some of the currently available management options is difficult.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Heteroptera
- Superfamily
- Pentatomoidea
- Family
- Pentatomidae (Stink Bugs)
- Subfamily
- Pentatominae
- Tribe
- Strachiini
- Genus
- Bagrada
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
adventive (since 2008) to sw.US (c.CA to CO‒TX) - Map ; native to s. & e.Africa, adventive elsewhere, incl. the Americas, the Mediterranean, S.Asia
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: members of the mustard, nightshade, mallow, legume, sunflower and grain families. May damage cruciferous crops, infests a various other crops and weeds (Palumbo & Natwick 2010)
Life History
Eggs laid in clusters on leaves or soil; four nymphal instars ; polyvoltine in s.CA
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister 1835)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Bagrada hilaris. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
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.
Ecological role of the group
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.
Economic and practical significance of the group
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.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Bagrada Bug (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , v belov , Harsi S. Parker
Frequently Asked Questions About Bagrada Bug
What is Bagrada Bug?
Bagrada Bug (Bagrada hilaris) is a species in the family Pentatomidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Bagrada Bug?
5‒7 mm
How do you identify Bagrada Bug?
distinctive among NA Pentatomidae Det. Salvador Vitanza, 2017
Where is Bagrada Bug found?
Range: adventive (since 2008) to sw.US (c.CA to CO‒TX) - Map ; native to s. & e.Africa, adventive elsewhere, incl. the Americas, the Mediterranean, S.Asia
What does Bagrada Bug eat?
The diet of the Bagrada Bug includes hosts: members of the mustard, nightshade, mallow, legume, sunflower and grain families. May damage cruciferous crops, infests a various other crops and weeds (Palumbo & Natwick 2010).
What is the life cycle of a Bagrada Bug?
Eggs laid in clusters on leaves or soil; four nymphal instars ; polyvoltine in s.CA