Helopeltis

The <a href="/facts/Genus_(biology)/m8EFjSms">genus</a> Helopeltis, also sometimes known as mosquito bugs, is a group of <a href="/facts/Heteroptera/S6wGuwrx">heteropterans</a> in the family <a href="/facts/Miridae/TNkTIWfp">Miridae</a> (capsid bugs) and tribe <a href="/facts/Dicyphini/c52oWtar">Dicyphini</a>. They include <a href="/facts/Pest_(organism)/mXGHJ8s7">pests</a> of various crops, including <a href="/facts/Theobroma_cacao/3jj5bp6p">cacao</a>, <a href="/facts/Cashew/IkBvbPMW">cashew</a>, <a href="/facts/Cotton/efXRcjbn">cotton</a> and <a href="/facts/Tea/oDQhcyrc">tea</a>. Now in a different <a href="/facts/Subgenus/csbIQaGC">subgenus</a>, or placed in its own genus. A number of Afropeltis species are pests in Africa.
Mosquito bugs have a characteristic spine on the <a href="/facts/Scutellum_(insect_anatomy)/t8Gnkx91">scutellum</a>, which is a diagnostic feature. Classification in the field is based on morphological characteristics, with considerable variations in colouration between insects of the same species (although for example, H. theivora is characteristically green and H. antonii red-brown).

Helopeltis open-in-new

Helopeltis