While scouring the bordering-bricks in the front yard, I came across a Broad-headed Bug of the species
Esperanza texana (subfamily
Micrelytrinae, family
Alydidae). For the longest time I couldn't determine even the superfamily, much less the family or genus. I knew only that the bug belonged to the suborder
Heteroptera (True Bugs), and that it was related, at least distantly, to stink bugs and plant bugs. But at last I figured it out! That's a good feeling. I'm afraid my photos are quite as crisp as I'd like (and that may be why I had so much trouble identifying the bug), but you can still see some of the main features of the bug (antennae length & shape, body shape & color, leg color, etc.).
For a comparison of Broad-Headed Bugs to stink bugs, plant bugs, and seed bugs, consult this site:
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent425/library/compendium/heteroptera.html. Remember,
Esperanza texana belongs to the family
Alydidae. For helpful diagrams, scroll down to 15b on
Dichotomous Keys.
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| You'll see an earwig retreating across the bottom right of the photo. |
References:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/317523 (info & photos)
http://www.spiderwebsc.com/true_bugs/coreoidea/cor2.html (more photos)
http://eol.org/pages/548/overview (Encyclopedia of Life,
Alydidae)
http://www.austinbug.com/alydidae.html (Austin Bug Collection; info & photos)
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