Keltonia tuckeri
This record describes Keltonia tuckeri (species). Recorded family: Miridae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
1) Hemelytral spots coalescing to form a conspurcate brown cloud or solid dark area through middle of corium and apex of clavus; 2) Dorsum dull yellow; 3) Femora pale, with small brown spots; and 4) Cuneus, embolium, and corium with distinct, brown setigerous spots. Type Locality: Texas
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Heteroptera
- Superfamily
- Miroidea
- Family
- Miridae (Plant Bugs)
- Subfamily
- Phylinae
- Tribe
- Phylini
- Genus
- Keltonia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Composites (Asteraceae) including Ambrosia spp., Chrysopsis villosa , Heterotheca subaxilaris , etc.
Geographic Range
e. US to CO / Mex. to Venezuela - Map , most common in Texas
Diet and Behavior
Life History
In NC, 3 generations occur in a year.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Elbert S. Tucker was F. H. Snow's student and museum assistant at the University of Kansas during the early years of the last century (Hyder,1953). He was also employed as a special field agent by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and amassed considerable material from Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana and Texas. (Henry and Wheeler, 1979)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Keltonia tuckeri. 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 Keltonia tuckeri (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by WonGun Kim; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , antarctica
Frequently Asked Questions About Keltonia tuckeri
What is Keltonia tuckeri?
Keltonia tuckeri is a species in the family Miridae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Keltonia tuckeri?
3.00-3.40 mm (male) 2.88-3.36 mm (female)
How do you identify Keltonia tuckeri?
1) Hemelytral spots coalescing to form a conspurcate brown cloud or solid dark area through middle of corium and apex of clavus; 2) Dorsum dull yellow; 3) Femora pale, with small brown spots; and 4) Cuneus, embolium, and corium with distinct, brown setigerous spots.
Where is Keltonia tuckeri found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Composites (Asteraceae) including Ambrosia spp., Chrysopsis villosa , Heterotheca subaxilaris , etc. |
| Range | e. US to CO / Mex. to Venezuela - Map , most common in Texas |
What is the life cycle of a Keltonia tuckeri?
In NC, 3 generations occur in a year.