HemipteraMiridae – Plant Bugs

Tytthus piceus

This record describes Tytthus piceus (species). Recorded family: Miridae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.

Identification and Appearance

Tytthus piceus - Tytthus piceus
Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth

Per Jason Botz, The one US species with a bulbous head, uniformly pale legs, and antennal segment I pale with a dark basal ring.

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
Phylinae
Tribe
Semiini
Genus
Tytthus

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

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Tytthus piceus (Osborn and Drake, 1915)

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

Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Tytthus piceus. 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.

Explore Hemiptera families and species →

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.