Phthiacnemia picta
This record describes Phthiacnemia picta (species). Recorded family: Coreidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
lacks expanded rear tibia of most other Anisoscelini, orange pronotal pattern variable, legs piceous, the front and middle tibia often with a pale ring at apical third, adult dorsal abdomen vivid-steel blue.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Heteroptera
- Superfamily
- Coreoidea
- Family
- Coreidae (Leaf-footed Bugs)
- Subfamily
- Coreinae
- Tribe
- Anisoscelini
- Genus
- Phthiacnemia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
mostly Gulf coastal plain ( 5 )
Geographic Range
coastal se US (c.TX-FL-GA) to n. Argentina / W. Indies - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: Silver-leaf Nightshade ( Solanum elaeagnifolium ), and other Solanaceae such as tomatoes and Solanum nigrum also recorded from Passiflora - CSF
Life History
often feeds communially (BG data)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Phthiacnemia picta (Drury 1773)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Phthiacnemia picta. 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 Phthiacnemia picta (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Boris Büche; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , drswanny , v belov , KenW
Frequently Asked Questions About Phthiacnemia picta
What is Phthiacnemia picta?
Phthiacnemia picta is a species in the family Coreidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Phthiacnemia picta?
12-16 mm
How do you identify Phthiacnemia picta?
lacks expanded rear tibia of most other Anisoscelini, orange pronotal pattern variable, legs piceous, the front and middle tibia often with a pale ring at apical third, adult dorsal abdomen vivid-steel blue.
Where is Phthiacnemia picta found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | mostly Gulf coastal plain ( 5 ) |
| Range | coastal se US (c.TX-FL-GA) to n. Argentina / W. Indies - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) |
What does Phthiacnemia picta eat?
The diet of the Phthiacnemia picta includes hosts: Silver-leaf Nightshade ( Solanum elaeagnifolium ), and other Solanaceae such as tomatoes and Solanum nigrum also recorded from Passiflora - CSF.
What is the life cycle of a Phthiacnemia picta?
often feeds communially (BG data)