Tingidae

Lace bug under the SEM

Web bugs or grid bugs ( Tingidae ) are a family of bugs (Heteroptera ). They are found worldwide with over 2000 species, of which 190 species and subspecies are represented in Europe. In Germany and Austria are currently 75 species are known, belonging to the subfamily of Tinginae exception. The characteristic feature of these insects is the net-like structure of their body top which has these animals entered the German name.

Outer shape

Web bugs reach body lengths of between two and five millimeters. Some tropical representatives reach a maximum of eight millimeters. The adults are flat and characterized by a netzadrige structure of the forewing ( Hemielytren ) and keeled pronotum ( pronotum ). The margin of the pronotum is often widened and folded over. At its front edge of hood -shaped formations ( = neck bubbles) are often present, which may be so large that they hide the head. At the posterior margin of the pronotum is pulled in more developed forms in a long extension which covers the tag ( scutellum ). You see the Report bugs ( Piesmidae ) similar but belonging to a different lineage. Your wing membranes are very difficult to detect under the network structure. The architecture and the number of meshes and bars as well as the construction of the sensor are important specifications relevant characteristics of the various species in this family.

The simple eyes ( ocelli ) are regressed. Through its well-developed wings, most species are capable of flight; but there are in addition also flightless short -winged species.

The larvae fall by more or less long, sometimes branched spines on. The characteristic lattice-like structure is not yet visible in them. The larvae as well as the Imagines excrete through their body surface waxes and the effect of being dusted with flour.

Way of life

The animals feed on purely phytophagous. Many are closely tied to only one or a few plant species or families (mono-to oligophagous ). They are not very active movement and keep mainly on the undersides of leaves and on the flowers of their host plants. There they often hide between hair, spines or slit-like depressions. They show no concern for striking flight behavior. Flying Animals are rarely observed.

The eggs are deep sunk from the females by means of the ovipositor in plant tissue, usually on the underside of host plant leaves, rarely on other parts of plants or on the leaf surface.

Web bugs and man

Web bugs can occur as a cultural pests in appearance, often with a tendency to mass outbreaks. In Central Europe, they are of less importance in this respect. For example, the Birnblattwanze ( Stephanitis pyri ) is considered pest in fruit trees. It also occur Gallenbildner, such as species of the genus Copium. In the tropics, however, the bugs occur in a much greater extent than pests in appearance.

Types (selection)

  • Rhododendron lace bug ( Stephanitis rhododendri )
  • Andromeda lace bug ( Stephanitis takeyai )
  • Almond lace bug (mono Steira unico tata )
  • Sycamore lace bug ( Corythucha ciliata )

Credentials

  • Template: Internet resource / maintenance / access date is not in the ISO FormatTingidae. Fauna Europaea, accessed on 15.11.2006.
  • E. Security Guard, A. Melber & J. Deckert: bedbugs. Volume 1: revision of the bugs Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland, Goecke & Evers, pressing, 2006 ISBN 3-931374-49-1.
  • E. Guard: watch bugs - get to know. J. Neumann - Neudamm, Melsungen, 1989, ISBN 3-7888-0554-4
Scutellum (insect anatomy) Piesmatidae
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