Arilus cristatus

Arilus cristatus
Arilus cristatus captures a Japanese beetle ( Popillia japonica )
Systematics
Subordination : Bed bugs (heteroptera) Family : Predatory bugs (Reduviidae) Subfamily : Harpactorinae Tribe : Harpactorini Genre : Arilus Type : Arilus cristatus
Scientific name
Arilus cristatus
( Linnaeus , 1763)

Nymph of Arilus cristatus

Arilus cristatus is a species of bug from the family of predatory bugs (Reduviidae).

features

The gray to brown colored bugs are 28 to 36 millimeters long, the females being larger than their male counterparts. This makes them the largest predatory bugs in the United States. The bugs have a serrated semicircular crest on the pronotum, which makes the species distinctive in the USA. The nymphs have a red-colored abdomen.

distribution

The species occurs in the Nearctic . It is widespread in the United States (from the east coast to the west coast) but not common. In the south their distribution area extends to Central America (Mexico and Guatemala).

Way of life

The bugs are considered to be important beneficial insects . They predatorily feed on various arthropods , some of which are considered to be agricultural pests . Their prey includes butterfly larvae such as Megalopyge opercularis , aphids, bees and anal caterpillars. Furthermore, the bugs eat beetles and beetle larvae such as those of the Japanese beetle ( Popillia japonica ) and other types of bug such as Murgantia histrionica and the marbled stink bug ( Halyomorpha halys ). Arilus cristatus makes one generation per year. The eggs are laid in autumn. The nymphs hatch in spring. They take about 100 days to become an adult bug. Correspondingly, June and July are the most frequent sightings of the adults in Florida. When threatened, the bedbugs can inflict painful stings on people.

Natural enemies

At least three Hymenoptera as Eiparasitoide of arilus cristatus known: Anastatus reduvii , Ooencyrtus johnsoni and Ooencyrtus clisiocampae .

etymology

The name addition cristatus is derived from Latin and means “comb-bearing”. In English, the bugs are also called wheel bugs . Both names refer to the wheel-shaped crest of the pronotum.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i} Species Arilus cristatus - Wheel Bug . bugguide.net. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
2. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i} Featured Creatures: Arilus cristatus . University of Florida, IFAS, Entomology & Nematology. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
3. ^ David A. Rider: Predator Records - List of Predator Species . North Dakota State University, Fargo. Retrieved January 31, 2017.

Web links

Commons : Arilus cristatus  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Arilus cristatus in the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)