Plinthisus brevipennis
This record describes Plinthisus brevipennis (species). Recorded family: Rhyparochromidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
easily distinguished from the native western congeners by its size and the width of the fore femur, which in P. brevipennis is equal to, or greater than, the width of the vertex earliest record in our area: WA 1964
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Heteroptera
- Superfamily
- Lygaeoidea
- Family
- Rhyparochromidae (Dirt-colored Seed Bugs)
- Subfamily
- Plinthisinae
- Genus
- Plinthisus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to, and widespread in Europe, adventive in NA; established in the Pacific Northwest (BC‒OR) & ON
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Plinthisus (Plinthisus) brevipennis (Latreille 1807)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Plinthisus brevipennis. 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 Plinthisus brevipennis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Loh; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Plinthisus brevipennis
What is Plinthisus brevipennis?
Plinthisus brevipennis is a species in the family Rhyparochromidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Plinthisus brevipennis?
♂ 2.5‒3.0 mm, ♀ 3.0‒3.2 mm
How do you identify Plinthisus brevipennis?
easily distinguished from the native western congeners by its size and the width of the fore femur, which in P. brevipennis is equal to, or greater than, the width of the vertex
Where is Plinthisus brevipennis found?
Range: native to, and widespread in Europe, adventive in NA; established in the Pacific Northwest (BC‒OR) & ON