Microtechnites bractatus
| Microtechnites bractatus | ||||||||||||
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Microtechnites bractatus , brachypteres female |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Microtechnites bractatus | ||||||||||||
| ( Say , 1832) |
Microtechnites bractatus , syn. Halticus bractatus , is a species of bug from the subfamily Orthotylinae within the family of soft bugs (Miridae). In English, the species is called Garden Fleahopper ("garden flea hopper").
features
The male adults are always macropter (with fully developed wings), while the females are mostly brachypter (with receding wings). The slender males reach a body length of 1.9-2.1 mm, while the rounded female bugs have a length of 2.2 mm or 1.6 mm, depending on whether their wings are fully developed. The adult bugs have a black basic color. The corium of the forewings is covered with spots of silver-colored hairs. The otherwise black femora have a light brown apical tip. The posterior femora are thickened. The anterior and middle tibiae are light brown while the posterior tibiae are predominantly black in color. The tarsi are colored light brown. The predominantly light brown antennae , the length of which exceeds the body length of the bedbugs, are black at the base. The early nymphs are pale green in color. In the last stage, the nymphs are then light green.
Similar species
The female adult bugs are similar to those of Halticus intermedius , but are smaller and, in contrast to these, have no clavus .
Occurrence and habitat
The range of the species extends over the eastern part of North America. The species is native there. The occurrence extends in the north to New Brunswick and Ontario in Canada. In the south it extends over the Caribbean and Central America to Brazil. The species is also represented in Hawaii .
Way of life
The females usually lay their eggs on the leaves of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) and clover . The species overwinters as an egg. The larvae hatch in April . The nymphs go through five stages. Up to five generations are formed each year. The bugs suckle on the leaves of numerous types of vegetables such as beans, cabbage, tomatoes, celery and potatoes. The species of bug is considered a pest of garden plants, particularly in Florida, and to a lesser extent a pest of economically important crops.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Halticus bractatus in the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j John L. Capinera: Featured Creatures, Microtechnites bractatus . University of Florida, UF / IFAS. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- ↑ a b c d Species Microtechnites bractatus - Garden Fleahopper . bugguide.net. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
Web links
- Photos from Soybean Insects Guide, Iowa State University