Leaf-Footed Bugs of Family Coreidae

Leaf-Footed Bugs of Family Coreidae Leaf-footed bugs (Family Coreidae) will grab your attention when several of these large insects gather on a tree or garden plant. Many members of this family have noticeable leaf-like extensions on their hind tibia, and this is the reason for their common name. Members of the family Coreidae tend to be fairly large in size, with the largest reaching almost 4 cm in length. North American species usually range from 2-3 cm. The leaf-footed bug has a tiny head relative to its body, with a four-segmented beak and four-segmented antennae. The pronotum is both wider and longer than the head. A leaf-footed bugs body is typically elongate and often dark in color, although tropical species can be quite colorful. The coreids forewings have many parallel veins, which you should be able to see if you look closely. The most commonly encountered North American leaf-footed bugs are probably those of the genus Leptoglossus. Eleven Leptoglossus species inhabit the U.S. and Canada, including the western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis) and the eastern leaf-footed bug (Leptoglossus phyllopus). Our largest coreid is the giant mesquite bug, Thasus acutangulus, and at up to 4 cm long, it lives up to its name. Classification Kingdom – AnimaliaPhylum – ArthropodaClass – InsectaOrder – HemipteraFamily - Coreidae Leaf-Footed Bugs Diet As a group, the leaf-footed bugs mostly feed on plants, often eating the seeds or fruit of the host. Some, like the squash bug, can do considerable damage to crops.   A few leaf-footed bugs may be predaceous. Leaf-Footed Bugs Life Cycle Like all true bugs, leaf-footed bugs undergo simple metamorphosis with three life stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The female usually deposits her eggs on the underside of foliage of the host plant. Flightless nymphs hatch and molt through several instars until reaching adulthood. Some leaf-footed bugs overwinter as adults. Certain coreids, most notably the golden egg bug (Phyllomorpha laciniata), demonstrate a form of parental care for their young. Instead of depositing eggs on a host plant, where the young could easily fall victim to predators or parasites, the female deposits her eggs on other adult leaf-footed bugs of her species. This may lessen mortality rates for her offspring. Special Behaviors and Defenses In some species, the male leaf-footed bugs establish and defend their territories from intrusion by other males. These coreids often have enlarged femora on the hind legs, sometimes with sharp spines, which they use as weapons in battles with other males. Leaf-footed bugs have scent glands on the thorax and will emit a strong odor when threatened or handled. Range and Distribution Over 1,800 species of leaf-footed bugs live throughout the world. Only about 80 species inhabit North America, mainly in the south. Sources Borror DeLongs Introduction to the Study of Insects, 7th edition, by Charles A. Triplehorn and Norman F. Johnson.Encyclopedia of Entomology, 2nd edition, edited by John L. Capinera.Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America, by Eric R. Eaton and Kenn  KaufmanFamily Coreidae – Leaf-Footed Bugs, Bugguide.net. Accessed online January 13, 2012.

Every Other

Every Other Every Other Every Other By Maeve Maddox Clarity of expression is the writer’s goal, but what is clear to the writer may not always be clear to the reader. Ambiguity is the enemy of clarity. ambiguity (noun): the capability of being understood in two or more ways. ambiguous (adjective): admitting more than one possible interpretation. nuance (noun): a subtle or slight variation or difference in meaning. Ambiguity is not always a bad thing in writing. In literature, for example, ambiguity and nuance contribute to the pleasure of the reader who enjoys an intellectual challenge. In a science text or instruction manual, on the other hand, ambiguity contributes to confusion and error. ESL learners, especially, have difficulty with expressions that can be interpreted in more than one way. Even native speakers are sometimes left wondering about the meaning of a common expression. â€Å"Every other† is one of these expressions. It can mean â€Å"each of several,† as in â€Å"The homeless have the same rights as every other citizen† (i.e., all other citizens). Or it can mean â€Å"every second one,† as in â€Å"Open Mike Every Other Saturday† (i.e., alternating Saturdays). Most native speakers would have no difficulty interpreting the following uses of â€Å"every other†: Your child will muddle through [a cold] like every other child.   The child’s father has visitation rights every other weekend. Why is every other politician trying to target Narenda Modi? Every particle of matter in the universe attracts every other particle. Even a native speaker, however, might have to think about the following: Every teacher in the group was asked to rate every other teacher for general teaching ability and skill in discipline. Employees will empty large trash bins on Fridays and small wastebaskets every other day. The writer’s intended audience dictates usage. If the writer’s audience can be expected to include readers of widely differing English comprehension, the use of even such a familiar idiom as â€Å"every other† must be scrutinized. Here are suggested revisions of the examples given above: Your child will muddle through [a cold] like all other children.   The child’s father has visitation rights on alternating weekends. Why are other politicians trying to target Narenda Modi? All particles of matter in the universe attract one another. Every teacher in the group was asked to rate each of the other teachers for general teaching ability and skill in discipline. Employees will empty large trash bins on Fridays and small wastebaskets on alternating days. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:When to Capitalize Animal and Plant NamesIn Search of a 4-Dot EllipsisList of 50 Compliments and Nice Things to Say!