Broad-headed++Bug

=Broad-headed Bugs (Alydidae)=

Fig 1. //Alydus eurinus// standing on a leaf.

Taxonomy

 * Kingdom: Animalia
 * Phylum: Arthropoda
 * Class: Insecta
 * Order: Hemiptera
 * Suborder: Heteroptera
 * Superfamily: Coreoidea
 * Family: Alydidae

Description
Commonly known as broad-headed bugs, these insects belong to the Order of Hemiptera (1). The Order Hemiptera originated from //hemi// which means half and //ptera// which means wings. This explains that the anterior portion of the front wings appear to be thickened compared to the distal portions which appear as membranous (1). Hemiptera can be distinguished based on the presence of sucking-piercing mouthparts (1). In the Order of Hemiptera the mandibles and maxillae have evolved into piercing stylets which are contained in a sheath that comes from the labium, also known as a rostrum (1). In almost all of Hemipterans this derived mouthpart is used to consume plant sap (1).

//A. eurinus// is classified under the suborder Heteroptera (true bugs) which can be identified by the mouth being attached to the front of the head. //A. eurinus// belongs to the family Alydidae (broad-headed bugs). They are known as broad-headed bugs due to the fact that their head is as broad as and almost as long as the pronotum. Alydidae can also be characterized by strong odors which they produce when being handled. These are known as defensive pheromones and are present in the adult and larval stage (2). Alydidae habitats consists of vegetation along roadsides and in wooded areas. Alydidae contains approximately 42 genera and 250 species (3).



Fig 2. A broad-headed bug under the Order of Hemiptera and Family Alydidae.

Wiki page created by Rachman, C.

Sites of Interest
[|Duke Entomology] [|BugGuide]

Photos
Figure 1. Photo taken for Oklahoma Biological Survey. []

Figure 2. Photo taken by "MZEPHOTOS". []