Genus Podisus (original) (raw)

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Infraorder Pentatomomorpha

Superfamily Pentatomoidea

Family Pentatomidae (Stink Bugs)

Subfamily Asopinae (Predatory Stink Bugs)

Genus Podisus

Other Common Names

Spined Soldier Bug

Explanation of Names

Podisus Herrich-Schaeffer 1851

Numbers

6 spp. in our area(1), 34 total(2)

Identification

keys to spp. in (2)(1)(3)

key to some nymphs in (4)

Range

primarily neotropical; in our area, 4 spp. are widespread, P. sagitta is restricted to s.FL & s.TX, and P. neglectus is strictly eastern(1)

Food

various arthropods, especially larval Lepidoptera & Coleoptera. Examples

Life Cycle

Eggs Eggs and first instar

4th instar light nymph 5th instar light nymph

4th instar dark nymph 5th instar dark nymph

Female laying eggs

Remarks

P. maculiventris (the most common species in se. US) is marketed as a pest control agent