Genera and Subgenera of the Lygus Complex (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Abstract

The classification of species of the Lygus complex has been somewhat unsatisfactory. Many species were assigned to the genus Lygus solely on the basis of superficial characters and many were transferred from one species group to another on the same inadequate basis. In the present paper the characters of the genera and subgenera of the complex are defined.Study of structures of the internal male and female genitalia revealed characters of considerable taxonomic value. These, taken in conjunction with external taxonomic characters, enable the species of the complex to be classified into 14 genera or subgenera. Among other things, the investigation showed that the economically important “lygus” bugs are not of the genus Lygus Hahn, but of the genus Liocoris Fieber.