Bugs

(Aphididae) This family includes about 600 genera having slightly less than 5,000 species spread all over the world. However, most are to be found in the temperate areas of the world. The The adults are small – their length is only a few millimeters. They can be with or without wings. They puncture and suck sap from plants. It is known that Aphids play an important role in transmitting viral diseases when feeding on plants. They cause heavy economic losses when feeding on agricultural crops. When they feed on plants, they excrete a liquid called honeydew honey used by ants as food.

(Reduviidae) It is a global family of bugs that includes slightly less than 6,900 species distributed into more than 980 genera. Almost all species of this family are predators. They usually seize their prey using their forelegs. Adults and young stages of this family are found in the various environments provided their prey is available. For example, in garbage, in dead or living plants, under stones or in trees. Some species live in caves. Species of this family hide and pounce on their prey in a sudden move. Prey are diversified. Some species suck blood of vertebrates, including rodents and birds.

(Alydidae) This family includes about 250 species distributed in 40 genera globally. Most of those species are tropical and sub-tropical living on leguminous plants, whereas others are restricted to herbal plants. The insects of this family are mainly herbivorous. However, they sometimes appear on carrion. Some species mimic some species of the Hymenoptera order such as ants. Some tropical members gather together during the summer.

(Cicadidae) This family includes more than 3,000 species and the adults are sometimes big. They exist all over the world including tropical wetlands. This family is of the Hemiptera order and it is still not exactly understood. It is recognized by the noise produced by the males. Since the advent of acoustics studies, the number of new species of this family has been increasing. Undoubtedly, there are still 2,000 to 3,000 new species all over the world that need to be described. Depending on the species, larvae spend from 2 to 17 years inside the soil before changing into adults that live no more than a few weeks for reproduction. Larvae and adults feed on sap and sometimes cause damage to plants.

(Pyrrhocoridae) This family includes 340 species distributed into more than 30 genera found in all main regions of the world. However, it is more commonly found in tropical and semi- tropical regions. The adults and developing stages of this family are found in the same environments. They are herbivorous species feeding mostly on seeds and fruits. Cases of predation in this family seem to be rare but they have been observed at least once in each species.

(Psyllidae) This family has less than 150 genera including around 1,500 species found throughout the world. Small in size, no more than a fraction of millimeter, this family feeds on sap of plants using a special stylet. Members of this family are usually associated to one species of a plant or a few related plants. Their feeding can lead to the death of the plant. Due to the growing importance of psyllid-spread diseases, “International Psyllid Genome Consortium”, Texas, USA, has been established to combat this epidemic. In Qatar, a new species of psyllids was classified in Mesaieed City. It was found on Usnea that is common on the small sand dunes in Sealine area. However, this new species, called Calliardia Ummsaidensis, doesn’t cause noticeable damage to plants.

(Lygaeidae) This family was important when it included several thousands of species. It has been recently divided into several distinct families. Now it includes slightly more than 100 genera having about 1,000 species spread all over the world. They are more diverse in tropical areas. Most species suck plant or seed sap by means of a stylet and some species are agricultural pests having great economic impact. Other species are predators of smaller Arthropoda species and they feed on the blood of vertebrates. Some adults look like ants whereas others have bright colours to warn predatory animals about their toxicity.

(Miridae) This family is the most important family of the Bug order as it includes about 10,400 species distributed into 1300 genera existing in all regions. Some species are predatory whereas some are herbivorous. The herbivorous species are often connected with plant genera or families. They mainly eat young leaves, flowers and fruits and sometimes pollen of some species. The predatory species can be associated with some specific species of prey that are sometimes pest for crops such as mealybug. In this case, these predators are a valuable aid to agriculture.

(Rhopalidae) This family has slightly less than 210 species distributed into more than 20 genera. Adults and young stages exist in the same environments and they are herbivorous. Depending on the species, this family sucks sap of trees or various plants in the herbaceous layer. Other species feed on grains and fruits. While the adults of some species sometimes gather in large numbers, they are not really known to be harmful to agriculture.