Thorn bug
Umbonia crassicornis (Amyot and Serville) (Hemiptera: Membracidae)
Orientation to pest
The thorn bug Umbonia crassicornis (Amyot and Serville) is a sucking bug that is an occasional pest of ornamentals and fruit trees in southern Florida. Colonies of these insects may be very visible on the twigs of their hosts. Feeding may lead to defoliation or twig death in some species of plants. Also, thorn bugs produce honeydew, which leads to growth of sooty mold. Eggs are laid in bark of tender twigs and, most interestingly for insects, females show maternal care by actively tending their offspring. Young nymphs have three horns instead of the one seen on the adults. Colonies of insects are chemically defended against predators.
Hosts commonly attacked
Among plants that suffer important injury when infested with thorn bugs are species of Hibiscus, powder-puff (Calliandra), woman's tongue tree (Albizzia lebbek [L.] Benth.), and species of Acacia. Other hosts suitable for reproduction include wild tamarind (Lysiloma bahamensis), tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.), Casuarina sp., Crotalaria sp., rayado bundleflower (Desmanthus virgatus Benth.), bottle brush (Callistemon sp.), Jerusalem thorn (Parkinsonia aculeate L.), and dwarf date palm (Phoenix roebelenii O'Brien).
Distribution
This thorn bug is subtropical or tropical and found in Mexico, Central and South America. In the United States, it is found only in southern and central Florida.
Images of the thorn bug
| Figure 1. Adult of the thorn bug Umbonia crassicornis | Figure 2. Adults of this thorn bug are variable in terms of the shape and size of their horn |
Important biological control agents related to this pest species
No information is available on specialized natural enemies of this species.
Web links for information on the thorn bug
Articles
- Wood, T. K. 1976. Alarm behavior of brooding female Umbonia crassicornis (Homoptera: Membracidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 69: 340-344.-maternal behavior in species
