Scientific name

Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter

Taxonomic position

Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae

Diagnosis

Body outline elongate oval, light green with green membranous wings and black spotted thorax; legs green except for yellowish tibiae. Antenna four-segmented, with first antennal segment apically greenish yellow; second segment slightly longer than width of pronotal base.

Images

Adult  Adult  Adult Adult in dorsal view

Distribution

Widely distributed almost throughout the Oriental region.

Hosts / Biology

Cyrtorhinus lividipennis is partly plant-feeding and also predaceous on the eggs and nymphs of rice planthoppers and leafhoppers, particularly the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. The eggs are translucent white with an operculum and laid inside the plant tissue. A female mirid bug can produce 10-20 individuals. Development from egg to adult takes 2-3 weeks. Both the adults and nymphs suck the hopper eggs by inserting their mouth parts and collecting the egg liquid, causing the eggs to collapse.

References

  • Barrion, A.T. & Litsinger, J.A. 1994. Taxonomy of rice insect pests and their arthropod parasites and predators, pp. 13-362. In: Biology and management of rice insects. International Rice Research Institute, Manila (Philippines).
  • Reissig, W.H., Heinrichs, E.A., Litsinger, J.A., Moody, K., Fiedler, L., Mew, T.W. & Barrion, A.T. 1986. Illustrated guide to integrated pest management in rice in tropical Asia. International Rice Research Institute, Manila (Philippines). 411 p.
  • Shepard, B.M., Barrion, A.T. & Litsinger, J.A. 1987. Helpful insects, spiders, and pathogens. International Rice Research Institute, Manila (Philippines). 127 p.
  • Van Vreden, G. & Ahmadzabidi, A.L. 1986. Pests of rice and their natural enemies in peninsular Malaysia. Wageningen (Netherlands): Centre for Agricultural Publishing and Documentation (Pudoc). 230 p.