Parthenicus wheeleri
This record describes Parthenicus wheeleri (species). Recorded family: Miridae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
I am sure that this bug is Parthenicus wheeleri in Orthotylinae. According to Henry , P. wheeleri is distinguished by the the pale testaceous dorsum (figs. 11, 12), occasionally with a few small red speckles on the head, pronotum, and hemelytra, especially in females, contrasted by the brown first antennal segment, scutellum, and hind femur; the lack of spots at the bases of the tibial spines on the front and middle legs and frequently on the hind legs (or with only very faint reddish spots on some basal spines), etc. It is distributed in Texas and Oklahoma. The linked paper shows the key, description, and photos of Parthenicus species, and you may confirm my new suggestion. … WonGun Kim, 12 December, 2008 Type: Oklahoma: Dewey Co.: 0.2 km W of jct. Rt. 270/281, 6.8 km SE of Oakwood, 21 May 2001, A.G. Wheeler, Jr., Eragrostis curvula Schrad. (Poaceae)
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
- Orthotylinae
- Tribe
- Orthotylini
- Genus
- Parthenicus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
TX-OK - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Weeping lovegrass, Eragrostis curvula (Schrad) Nees (Poeaceae); sand lovegrass, E. trichodes (Nutt.) Wood; Lindheimer’s muhly, Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Hitchc. (Poaceae); seep muhly, M. reverchonii Vasey and Schribn. (Poaceae).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Parthenicus wheeleri Henry, 2007
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Parthenicus wheeleri. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parthenicus wheeleri
What is Parthenicus wheeleri?
Parthenicus wheeleri is a species in the family Miridae, within the order Hemiptera.
How do you identify Parthenicus wheeleri?
I am sure that this bug is Parthenicus wheeleri in Orthotylinae. According to Henry , P. wheeleri is distinguished by the the pale testaceous dorsum (figs. 11, 12), occasionally with a few small red speckles on the head, pronotum, and hemelytra, especially in females, contrasted by the brown first antennal segment, scutellum, and hind femur; the lack of spots at the bases of the tibial spines on the front and middle legs and frequently on the hind legs (or with only very faint reddish spots on some basal spines), etc. It is distributed in Texas and Oklahoma. The linked paper shows the key, description, and photos of Parthenicus species, and you may confirm my new suggestion. … WonGun Kim, 12 December, 2008
Where is Parthenicus wheeleri found?
Range: TX-OK - Map
What does Parthenicus wheeleri eat?
The diet of the Parthenicus wheeleri includes Weeping lovegrass, Eragrostis curvula (Schrad) Nees (Poeaceae); sand lovegrass, E. trichodes (Nutt.) Wood; Lindheimer’s muhly, Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Hitchc. (Poaceae); seep muhly, M. reverchonii Vasey and Schribn. (Poaceae)..