Torpedo Bug
Siphanta acuta
This record describes Siphanta acuta (species). Recorded family: Flatidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
earliest NA record: CA 1983 ( 3 ) not considered a pest in CA; considered a pest of banana, citrus, coffee, guava, macadamia, and many ornamentals in HI
Wikipedia reference for Siphanta acuta: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siphanta_acuta.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Auchenorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Fulgoroidea
- Family
- Flatidae (Flatid Planthoppers)
- Subfamily
- Flatinae
- Tribe
- Siphantini
- Genus
- Siphanta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
established in CA ; native to Australia, adventive elsewhere (New Zealand, Hawaii, S. Africa)
Seasonal Activity
yr round in CA
Diet and Behavior
Life History
eggs are laid on stems or leaves in a dome-shaped masses of >100 eggs glued together and partially covered by a dark, semi-transparent cement produced by the female; eggs hatch in 10-20 days; 5 nymphal instars; adults live for ~2 months (Mau & Kessing 1993) Click on thumbnail to view the life cycle: Eggs:
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Siphanta acuta (Walker 1851)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Siphanta acuta. 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 Torpedo Bug (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , Wisconsin Oecanthinancy , v belov , Abigail Parker , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Torpedo Bug
What is Torpedo Bug?
Torpedo Bug (Siphanta acuta) is a species in the family Flatidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Torpedo Bug?
adult wingspan ~25 mm; nymph body to 5 mm (Mau & Kessing 1993)
Where is Torpedo Bug found?
Range: established in CA ; native to Australia, adventive elsewhere (New Zealand, Hawaii, S. Africa)
When is Torpedo Bug active?
Torpedo Bug: seasonal activity - yr round in CA.
What is the life cycle of a Torpedo Bug?
eggs are laid on stems or leaves in a dome-shaped masses of >100 eggs glued together and partially covered by a dark, semi-transparent cement produced by the female; eggs hatch in 10-20 days; 5 nymphal instars; adults live for ~2 months (Mau & Kessing 1993) Click on thumbnail to view the life cycle: Eggs: