| Helopeltis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Helopeltis antonii | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Heteroptera |
| Family: | Miridae |
| Tribe: | Dicyphini |
| Genus: | Helopeltis Signoret, 1858 |
| Species | |
The genus Helopeltis, also sometimes known as mosquito bugs, is a group of heteropterans in the family Miridae (capsid bugs) and tribe Dicyphini. They include pests of various crops, including cacao, cashew, cotton and tea. Now in a different subgenus, or placed in its own genus. A number of Afropeltis species are pests in Africa.
Mosquito bugs have a characteristic spine on the scutellum, which is a diagnostic feature.[1] Classification in the field is based on morphological characteristics, with considerable variations in colouration between insects of the same species (although for example, H. theivora is characteristically green and H. antonii red-brown).
- ^ Stonedahl GM (1991) Oriental species of Helopeltis (Heteroptera: Miridae): a review of economic literature and guide to identification. Bulletin of Entomological Research 81: 465–490