Anthocoridae is a family of bugs, commonly called minute pirate bugs or flower bugs. Worldwide there are 500 to 600 species.

Description Anthocoridae are 1.5–5 mm long and have soft, elongated oval, flat bodies, often patterned in black and white. The head is extended forward and the antennae are longer than the head and visible from above. They possess a piercing and sucking three-segmented beak or labium used to inject prey with digestive enzymes and consume food. In general appearance, they resemble common plant bugs (Miridae), but Anthocoridae differ by their possession of two ocelli as adults. Anthocorids possess two pairs of wings with hemelytra and membranous hindwings.E. Wachmann, A. Melber & J. Deckert: Wanzen. Band 1: Dipsocoromorpha, Nepomorpha, Gerromorpha, Leptopodomorpha, Cimicomorpha (Teil I), Neubearbeitung der Wanzen Deutschlands, Österreichs und der deutschsprachigen Schweiz, Goecke & Evers Keltern, 2006,

Many species are referred to as insidious flower bugs or pirate bugs. The scientific name is a combination of the Greek words anthos "flower" and koris "bug".

Habitat and behaviour Many species can be found in cryptic habitats such as galls, but can also be present in open surface environments. They can often be found in many agricultural crops. They can feed on plant material, but mostly feed on other small soft-bodied arthropods. Anthocorids are often predacious both as nymphs and adults. They are beneficial as biological control agents. Orius insidiosus, the "insidious flower bug", for example, feeds on the eggs of the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea). Orius insidiosus is often released in greenhouses against mites and thrips.

Eggs are laid in plant material and hatch in approximately 3 to 5 days. Nymphs require at least 20 days to progress through five instars. Adults live for approximately 35 days. These small insects can bite humans, however, they do not feed on human blood or inject venom or saliva. Reactions to bites in individuals can range from no effect to minor swelling and irritation.

Systematics There are two subfamilies and at least 8 tribes:BioLib.cz: flower bugs - Anthocoridae Fieber, 1837 (retrieved 8 April 2022)

Anthocorinae Auth. Fieber, 1837 tribe Almeidini Carayon, 1972 Almeida Distant, 1910 Australmeida Woodward, 1977 Lippomanus Distant, 1904 tribe Anthocorini Fieber, 1837 Selected genera: Acompocoris Reuter, 1875 i c g b Anthocoris Fallen, 1814 i c g b Coccivora McAtee & Malloch, 1925 i c g b Dufouriellus Kirkaldy, 1906 Elatophilus Reuter, 1884 i c g b Melanocoris Champion, 1900 i c g b Temnostethus Fieber, 1860 i c g b Tetraphleps Fieber, 1860 i c g b tribe Blaptopstethini Carayon, 1972 Blaptostethoides Carayon, 1972 Blaptostethus Fieber, 1860 tribe Dufouriellini Van Duzee, 1916 Selected genera: Amphiareus Distant, 1904 Brachysteles Mulsant & Rey, 1852 Buchananiella Reuter, 1884 Cardiastethus Fieber, 1860 tribe Oriini Carayon, 1955 Selected genera: Orius Wolff, 1811 i c g b tribe Scolopini Carayon, 1954 Selected genera: Calliodis Reuter, 1871 Scoloposcelis Fieber, 1864 tribe Xylocorini Carayon, 1972 (monotypic) Xylocoris Dufour, 1831 incertae sedis Cyrtosternum Fieber, 1860

Lasiochilinae Auth. Carayon, 1972 (sometimes placed at family level: "Lasiochilidae") tribe Lasiochilini Carayon, 1972 Lasiochilus Reuter, 1871 Plochiocoris Champion, 1900 genera incertae sedis

Unplaced genera Lilia White, 1879 Opisthypselus Reuter, 1908 4 fossil genera

Data sources: i = ITIS, c = Catalogue of Life, g = GBIF, b = Bugguide.netPéricart, J. 1996. Family Anthocoridae Fieber, 1836 flower bugs, minute pirate bugs, pp. 108–318. In Aukema, B. and C. Rieger, eds. Catalogue of the Heteroptera of the Palaearctic Region. Vol. 2. Cimicomorpha I. Netherlands Entomological Society, Amsterdam. 359 pp.

References

External links

Pirate bugs Pirate bugs (with pictures)