Poplar Gall Bug

Anthocoris minki

This record describes Anthocoris minki (species). Recorded family: Anthocoridae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.

Identification and Appearance

Feature	Description
Additional details	Ground colour reddish-brown.
Antennae	Antennae reddish brown with spots and at least the basal half of ant2 lighter, and also frequently the base of ant3 and ant4.
Pronotum	Pronotum brownish, darkened in its basal region; scutellum darker, black. Hemelytra with very short yellowish pubescence; dull clavus, shiny exocoria, shiny endocoria behind, progressively duller in front. Shiny cuneus, the outer edges of which are reddish or brown.
Legs	Legs yellowish to russet, the tibiae sometimes partially darkened. Paramere of male with a small anteapical tooth, the proximal edge of this tooth extending outside the arc of the inner edge. Extremely difficult to identify unless found within Poplar galls. Ideally confirmed by dissection of male paramere. On Poplar trees, especially Lombardy Poplar, Populus nigra var. Italica . Larvae and adults predate Pemphigus aphids which cause spiral petiole galls on Poplar. The Anthocoris larvae develop within the galls.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Anthocoridae
Genus: Anthocoris

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

On Poplar trees, especially Lombardy Poplar,

Seasonal Activity

Summer, as Poplar galls mature.

Diet and Behavior

Life History

Larvae and adults predate

Additional species information

Recorded status

Status in Britain not known.

About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group

Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Anthocoris minki. 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.

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