Anthocoridae

Orius insidiosus in food intake

The flower bugs ( Anthocoridae ) are a family of bugs. Worldwide, about 600 species are described, of which 93 species and subspecies in Europe occur in Central Europe there are about 50 species.

Features

Flower bug maximum of 5 millimeters long and have soft, oblong, oval and flat bodies. Her head is slightly extended forward. On the front wings they have wings veins that separate no cells on the wing membrane. They are similar in appearance to the plant bugs ( Miridae ), of which they are but by the possession of two eyes point differ ( ocelli ). They are predators and are usually found on plants.

Way of life

The animals are found on leaves and flowers of shrubs and trees, with most species are predators and prey on aphids and other small, not strong chitinisierte insects.

Net effect

Flower bug, especially of the genus Orius are in the biological control of aphids ( Aphidina ), thrips ( Thysanoptera ), spider mites (Tetranychus spp.) And whiteflies ( whiteflies or Aleyrodoidea ) used in greenhouses.