Lime Seed Bug
Oxycarenus lavaterae
This record describes Oxycarenus lavaterae (species). Recorded family: Oxycarenidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Oxycarenus lavaterae: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxycarenus_lavaterae.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Heteroptera
- Superfamily
- Lygaeoidea
- Family
- Oxycarenidae
- Genus
- Oxycarenus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to the Mediterranean Basin, adventive elsewhere (has spread across Europe during the last two decades; the BG submission represents the first evidence of its presence in NA)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: Malvaceae, incl. linden* _____________ *The former Tiliaceae have been sunk into Malvaceae
Life History
see Nedvěd et al. (2014)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Oxycarenus lavaterae (Fabricius 1787)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Oxycarenus lavaterae. 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 Lime Seed Bug (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Lime Seed Bug
How big is Lime Seed Bug?
4.8–6.0 mm ( Hebda & Olbrycht 2016 ), large for this family
Where is Lime Seed Bug found?
Range: native to the Mediterranean Basin, adventive elsewhere (has spread across Europe during the last two decades; the BG submission represents the first evidence of its presence in NA)
What does Lime Seed Bug eat?
The diet of the Lime Seed Bug includes hosts: Malvaceae, incl. linden* _____________ *The former Tiliaceae have been sunk into Malvaceae.
What is the life cycle of a Lime Seed Bug?
see Nedvěd et al. (2014)