Rhopalidae
Encyclopedia
Rhopalidae, or scentless plant bugs are a family
of true bugs. In older literature, the family is sometimes called "Corizidae". They differ from the related coreids
in lacking well-developed scent gland
s. They are usually light-colored and smaller than the coreids. Some are very similar to the orsilline lygaeids, but can be distinguished by the numerous veins in the membrane of the hemelytra
. They live principally on weeds, but a few (including the box elder bug) are arboreal. All are plant feeders. Currently 18 genera and over 200 species of rhopalids are known.
The box elder bug, Boisea trivittata, is a common and widely distributed North American species in this group. It is blackish with red markings and 11–14 mm long. It often enters houses and other sheltered places in the fall, sometimes in considerable numbers. It feeds on box elder
and occasionally other trees..
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
of true bugs. In older literature, the family is sometimes called "Corizidae". They differ from the related coreids
Coreidae
Coreidae are a large family of predominantly herbivorous insects that belong in the hemipteran suborder Heteroptera. There are more than 1,800 species in over 250 genera. They vary in size from 7 to 45 mm, making the larger species some of the biggest heteropterans. The body shape of coreids...
in lacking well-developed scent gland
Scent gland
Scent glands are found in the genital area of most mammals and in various other parts of the body, such as the underarms of humans and the preorbital glands of deer and muskox. They produce a semi-viscous fluid which contains pheromones. These odor-messengers indicate information such as status,...
s. They are usually light-colored and smaller than the coreids. Some are very similar to the orsilline lygaeids, but can be distinguished by the numerous veins in the membrane of the hemelytra
Insect wing
Insects are the only group of invertebrates known to have evolved flight. Insects possess some remarkable flight characteristics and abilities, still far superior to attempts by humans to replicate their capabilities. Even our understanding of the aerodynamics of flexible, flapping wings and how...
. They live principally on weeds, but a few (including the box elder bug) are arboreal. All are plant feeders. Currently 18 genera and over 200 species of rhopalids are known.
The box elder bug, Boisea trivittata, is a common and widely distributed North American species in this group. It is blackish with red markings and 11–14 mm long. It often enters houses and other sheltered places in the fall, sometimes in considerable numbers. It feeds on box elder
Acer negundo
Acer negundo is a species of maple native to North America. Box Elder, Boxelder Maple, and Maple Ash are its most common names in the United States...
and occasionally other trees..