Western Tarnished Plant Bug
Lygus hesperus
This record describes Lygus hesperus (species). Recorded family: Miridae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Recognized by long A2 and A3, long labium, always reaching the base of the abdomen, dense, long hairs, dense punctation, sometimes overall reddish-cast, and usually red apex of the tibiae, especially the metatibia of otherwise pale females.
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
- Mirinae
- Tribe
- Mirini
- Genus
- Lygus (Lygus Bugs)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
agricultural and relatively low elevation regions
Geographic Range
w. NA (sBC-CA-wTX-wMT) to n. Mex. - Map
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Lygus hesperus Knight, 1917
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Lygus hesperus. 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 Western Tarnished Plant Bug (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by WonGun Kim; Additional contributions by Bbarnd , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Tarnished Plant Bug
What is Western Tarnished Plant Bug?
Western Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus hesperus) is a species in the family Miridae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Western Tarnished Plant Bug?
Body length: 4.25-4.99 mm (male), 4.33-5.24 (female) Corium length: 2.65-2.90 mm (male), 2.66-3.03 (female)
How do you identify Western Tarnished Plant Bug?
Recognized by long A2 and A3, long labium, always reaching the base of the abdomen, dense, long hairs, dense punctation, sometimes overall reddish-cast, and usually red apex of the tibiae, especially the metatibia of otherwise pale females.
Where is Western Tarnished Plant Bug found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | agricultural and relatively low elevation regions |
| Range | w. NA (sBC-CA-wTX-wMT) to n. Mex. - Map |