Euschistus politus
This record describes Euschistus politus (species). Recorded family: Pentatomidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
- Carpocorini
- Genus
- Euschistus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
prefers drier habitats --might be a misstatement: according to Don Thomas (pers comm., 15.vii.2015), this species is associated with aquatic plants and is found in swamps, often hit hard by mosquito abatement programs (which explains the relative rarity of the bug)
Geographic Range
e. NA (QC‒ON‒MN to GA‒AL‒OK)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Euschistus politus Uhler 1897
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Euschistus politus. 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 Euschistus politus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov