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True Bugs of Zihuatanejo

SUBORDER HETEROPTERA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-​True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and Allies (Order Hemiptera)

-True Bugs (Suborder Heteroptera)​

-Pentatomomorph Bugs (Infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

-Seed Bugs and Allies (Superfamily lygaeoidea)

-Family Lygaeidea​

-Subfamily Lygaeidae​

-Tribe Lygaeinae​

-Genus Melacoryphus

-Melacoryphus circumlitus


Melacoryphus circumlitus is a species of seed bug in the family Lygaeidae, known for its association with seeds and its role in plant and insect ecosystems. Members of the genus Melacoryphus are often characterized by their vibrant coloration and adaptations for seed-feeding. Striking black and red/orange patterns on the body, which may serve as aposematic (warning) coloration to deter predators.

Melacoryphus circumlitus

Melacoryphus circumlitus

Diet

  • Adults and nymphs: Primarily seed feeders, using their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract nutrients from seeds and developing plant material.

  • As with other members of Lygaeinae, feeding is generally concentrated on mature or developing seeds, rather than foliage.

Range

  • Melacoryphus circumlitus is a seed bug in the family Lygaeidae, subfamily Lygaeinae.

  • It occurs in North and Central America, with records from Mexico and the southern United States.

Habitat

  • Associated with warm, open and semi-open habitats, including tropical and subtropical vegetation, woodland edges, scrub and disturbed areas.

  • Adults may be encountered on seed-producing plants and among grasses and low vegetation.

  • They can also occur where fallen seeds accumulate.

Size

  • A relatively small to medium-sized seed bug, with an elongated, somewhat oval body.

  • The species generally has a dark reddish-brown to black colour pattern, characteristic of several Lygaeinae.

  • The hemelytral membranes are predominantly dark, an especially useful characteristic for distinguishing M. circumlitus from the similar M. nigrinervis.

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