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Field and Swamp: Animals and Their Habitats

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True Bugs (suborder Heteroptera, order Hemiptera, infraclass Neoptera, subclass Pterygota, class Insecta, subphylum Hexapoda, phylum Arthropoda, kingdom Animalia)
       

True Bugs are full of surprises.  Those strange "half-wings" (half hardened like the beetles' wing covers and half membrane) don't seem to be wings at first glance.  They are among the most accessible of insects, once you keep an eye out for them!  They also happen to be agriculturally important, some as helpful predators, some as crop pests: some true bugs, in fact,  are used to control others.  What makes True Bugs distinctive are 1) a versatile (piercing, injecting digestive enzymes, sucking) beak attached to a small head and 2) forewings that are half hardened (as are beetles' wing covers), and half membrane, the material best for flying.  True Bugs overwinter as adults here, hiding under fallen leaves.  But they often make their appearance late in the year on warm days, often on black surfaces, especially when leaves are raked.

Immature True Bugs are called "nymphs" because they experience incomplete metamorphosis.  This means that they don't become pupae: one molt changes a nymph into an adult.  However, nymphs go through a lot of very different stages called instars before they become adults. 

True Bugs aren't dangerous unless handled.  Like all animals with natural weapons, they will fight back if attacked and flight isn't an option.  I've never smelled a stink bug or been stabbed by the beak of an assassin bug, but I've heard complaints about these experiences.

The validity of all classifications were checked against the contents of the Integrated Taxonomic Information System.

Stink Bugs (family Pentatomidae, superfamily Pentatomoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

Stink Bugs are economically important as a group, some as mostly beneficial predators and others as crop pests.  Below are photos of adults of nine species.  Note the shoulder-like "pronotum" and the large triangular scutellum (the Latin word for "shield"), which characterize adults of this family.  To see other photos, and get more detailed information on these species, go to Stink Bugs.

To see some Stink Bug predation (on Colorado Potato Beetle larvae) photos, see Mike Tetzlaff's page.

Spined Soldier Bug (Podisus maculiventris [Say, 1832]), Durham, 6/18/05.  This is an especially important predator.  Notice how the membranous parts of the wings overlap at the rear, just behind the triangle-shaped "scutellum" in the front.  According to Podisus Online, this bug has proved its effectiveness in controlling the Southern Green Stink Bug, as well as the Colorado Potato Beetle and several Noctuidae family moth caterpillars. Florida Predatory Stink Bug (Euthyrhynchus floridanus [Linnaeus, 1767), Durham, 10/29/05.  I found this bug scurrying along a tree branch and had to put it on the ground temporarily to photograph it. Green Stink Bug (Acrosternum hilare [Say, 1832]), Durham, 11/30/05. I retrieved this bug by raking leaves.  This is a major soybean pest. Rough (Tree?)Stink Bug (Brochymena genus; arborea [Say, 1825] is apparently the most common species), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 11/14/07.  The membranous portion of the wings looks like the Mississippi River delta, IMHO. Stink bug (Mormidea lugens [Fabricius, 1775), Duke Forest, Korstian Division, Orange County, NC, 6/11/06.  This little critter was about ¼ inch long.  ID based on BugGuide's Mormidea lugens page.

 

Brown Stink Bug (Euschistus servus [Say, 1832]), Durham, 10/18/06.  This is a notorious soybean pest.  But since soybeans aren't grown anywhere around here, seeing one around here (in my neighborhood, in this case) is a rare treat. Brown Stink Bug (Euschistus servus [Say, 1832]), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 4/25/07 Brown Stink Bug, Durham, NC, 5/29/08 Stink bug (Euschistus ictericus), Durham, NC, 8/21/06.  Seen on cattail in my neighborhood swamp.  ID thanks to v belov. Stink bug (Menecles insertus [Say, 1832]), Durham, 2/9/06.   Thanks to Eric Eaton for ID.  These bugs are relatively common here in the Research Triangle area.  But their relative unimportance agriculturally has made them a very obscure species. Mystery stink bug, with parasitic mite attached, Caldwell County, NC, just off Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 296.

           
Rice Stink Bug (Oebalus pugnax [Fabricius, 1775]), Durham, 6/27/09.  This bug attacks rice and sorghum, but lives as a nymph on wild grasses, including marsh vegetation, as shown here. Rice Stink Bug, Durham, NC, 4/25/08 Stink bug (Banasa calva [Stal, 1860]), Durham, 3/2/06, 9:28 pm.  ID based on Marshall (2006), p. 112.            

Stink Bug nymphs

Green Stink Bug (Acrosternum hilare) nymph,  Little Scaly Mountain, Macon County, NC, 8/11/05.  Apparently an early instar, i.e., stage of development in the immature insect, demarcated by a molt. Green Stink Bug nymph, Boone, Watauga County, 8/31/05.  ID according to Iowa State University's Entomology Image Gallery website.  This is apparently an early instar (2nd or 3rd), but later than the one on the left.  Order a product with this picture on it at our online store. Green Stink Bug nymph, Daniel Boone Gardens, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/9/06.  One of the middle instars, apparently. Green Stink Bug nymph, Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/31/05.   ID according to the University of Kentucky Critter Files.  According to information at University of Missouri (at Columbia)Extension's stink bug (as soybean pest) page,  i.e., "pale, yellow-green color with black markings," this is probably a fourth or later instar.

 

Florida Predatory Stink Bug nymph, Durham, NC, 6/10/09 Florida Predatory Stink Bug 5th instar nymphs (note the separate scutella and wing pads), Fort Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 8/27/03.  These bugs appear to be attacking or scavenging a cockroach.  ID based on IFAS document EENY-157. Stink bug nymph, Boone, NC, 8/4/08.  Seen in woods on Community Trail. Stinkbug nymph, Durham, NC, 6/11/09 Spined Soldier Bug nymph.  Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/31/05.  ID done referring to the University of Kentucky Critter Files.  According to Featured Creatures website of University of Florida and the Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, it's a fifth (and final) instar nymph.

 

 
Stink bug (Menecletes insertus) nymph, Durham, NC, 5/16/08 Maybe a Brown Stinkbug nymph, Cypress Gardens, Berkeley County, SC, 10/13/07

Acanthosomatid Bugs (Acanthosomatidae family,superfamily Pentatomoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

   
Pentatomoid bug (Elasmucha genus, Acanthosomatinae sufamily, Acanthosomatidae family), with parasitic mite attached.  Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 296), Caldwell County, NC, 8/5/08    

Shield-backed Bugs (family Scutelleridae, superfamily Pentatomoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

The large scutellum of the adult bug takes up its entire back.  At first glance, though, it looks as though it lacks one altogether!

Shield-backed bug (Homaemus parvulus), Durham, NC, 7/27/08.  About 5 mm long. Shield-backed Bug, Durham, NC, 5/7/08

Burrower Bugs (family Cydnidae, superfamily Pentatomoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

These bugs burrow underground and live on plant roots, but apparently climb up on plants, too.  Their numbers are apparently not great enough for them to be considered pests.

Burrower Bug (Pangaeus bilieatus), Durham, 8/24/07.  This bug was about 5 mm long. Mating White-lined Burrower Bugs (Sehira cinctus), Daniel Boone Gardens, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/5/08. White-lined Burrower Bug  Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, Wake County, NC, 3/17/06.  About ¼ inch long.  Not sure why a member of this family would be high up on a plant.  Thanks to Eric Eaton for ID.  This picture was included in Wezi G. Mhango's Field Guide Contribution for CSS 360, a Crop and Soil Science course at Michigan State University.   This guide explains the role of True Bugs in soil ecology. White-lined Burrower Bug nymph, (Sehira cinctus), Durham, 5/18/05

Ebony Bugs (family Thyreocoridae, superfamily Pentatomoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

         
Ebony Bug, Durham, NC, 6/8/09          

Flat Bugs (family Aradidae, superfamily Aradoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

   
Flat bug, probably Aradus genus (see Aradus photo, Cedar Creek Natural History Area website), Durham, NC, 4/23/08. Thanks to John R. Maxwell for family ID.    

Stilt Bugs (family Berytidae, superfamily Lygaeoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

Stilt Bugs, Durham, NC, 7/1/07.  You can see the beak on the left one in the large image.  They showed up in the little marsh near a power line cut in my neighborhood.  They touched each other and seemed to be communicating. Stilt Bug, Penny's Bend, 10/15/05 Stilt Bug, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06 Stilt Bug, Durham, NC, 8/30/06

Chinch Bugs (family Blissidae, superfamily Lygaeoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

   
Chinch bug (Blissus leucopterus).  Cypress Gardens, Berkeley County, SC, 10/13/07.  Very tiny (2 or 3 mm long): it looked like a fly at first.    

Seed Bugs (Family Lygaeidae, superfamily Lygaeoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

Milkweed Bugs are similar to Monarch Butterflies in that they use the poisons from the milkweed plant as a defense against predator and warn of this danger to them with their coloring.

Eric Eaton informs me that this family has recently been broken down into nine new families.

Large Milkweed Bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus, subfamily Lygaeinae)

 
Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus [Dallas, 1852]) on a milkweed pod, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, 10/4/07.  Note the fuzzy surface of the pod.  

Large Milkweed Bug .  NC Arboretum, Asheville, NC, 7/8/05.   It appears to have lost its right forewing and the left one is unusually pale. Large Milkweed Bug, apparently a nymph.  Fort Fisher, New Hanover County, NC, 6/22/06 Large Milkweed Bug nymphs, NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, 11/26/05 Large Milkweed Bug nymphs, NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 8/11/04

Small Milkweed Bugs (Lygaeus kalmii, subfamily Lygaeinae)

Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii [Stal, 1874]), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 3/2/08. Small Milkweed Bug, NC Botanical Garden, 8/17/06. Same Small Milkweed Bug, NC Botanical Garden, 8/17/06.

White-crossed Seed Bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus, subfamily Lygaeinae)

White-crossed Seed Bug (Neacoryphus bicrucis [Say, 1825], subfamily Lygaeinae), Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 5/23/06

Pachygronthidae family, superfamily Lygaeoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

         
Bug (Oedancala crassimana, Pachygronthridae family), Durham, NC, 7/29/07.  This bug was about 8 mm long.  Found in a power line cut near a small marsh in my neighborhood.          

Largid Bugs (family Largidae, superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

Largus succinctus [Linnaeus, 1763], Goose Creek State Park, Beaufort County, NC, 11/6/07.  ID with reference to Texas Cooperative Extension/Texas A&M University System.
         
         

Squash Bugs and Leaffooted Bugs (family Coreidae, superfamily Coreoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

These are very large insects, often reaching two inches in length including antennae.  They are mostly crop pests.  They overwinter in my area and make frequent appearances on warm days late in the year. 

Adults

Adult Squash Bug, also called the Orange-tipped Leaffooted Bug (Acanthocephala terminalis), Durham, 7/4/05. Squash Bug, Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 6/4/06 A species of adult Leaffooted Bug (Leptoglossus phyllopus [Linnaeus, 1767]), Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, NC, 6/9/06.  Here you can see the characteristic light dorsal double dash.  ID based on Featured Creatures information. Leaffooted Bug (Leptoglossus phyllopolus), Durham, 10/18/06 Leaffooted Bug (Leptoglossus oppositus [Say, 1832]),  Asheboro, Randolph County, NC, 11/13/05.  This is the predominant Leptoglossus species where I live.

Squash Bug and/or Leaffooted Bug Nymphs

There are many instars, and probably at least two species represented in these photos.  However, they are probably all members of the Leptoglossus genus, to judge from their antennae colors.

Leaffooted Bug nymphs, Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill access, Durham County, NC, 6/15/06.  Very early instars. Even more Leaffooted Bug nymphs!  Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/31/07 Leaffooted Bug  nymph, Durham, 6/6/05.  This bug appeared on my car for no apparent reason.  An early instar. Leaffooted Bug nymph, Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, 6/23/05 Leaffooted Bug nymph, 7/14/06.  Much smaller than adults: only about a half inch long.  I found this one in the street and moved it to a plant on my lawn.

Leaffooted Bug nymph, Durham, 7/4/06, on a Scuppernong grape vine.  A later instar: wing pads are still very small. Later-instar Leaffooted Bug nymph, Durham, NC, 8/1/08.  Wing pads are small. Leaffooted bug nymph, late instar Late-instar Leaffooted Bug nymph, Durham, NC, 8/16/08.  Wing pads are fairly large. Leaffooted Bug (Leptoglossus genus) nymph, Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, Wake County, NC, 9/15/06.  This late-instar nymph was about 3/4 inch long.
           

Scentless Plant Bugs (family Rhopalidae, superfamily Coreoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

Rhopalinae subfamily 

Rhopalid bug (maybe Niesthrea genus, Durham, NC, 8/24/07.  Found in the same power line cut. Rhopalid bug (Niesthrea genus, Niesthreini tribe), Durham, 6/17/06 Rhopalid bug (Harmostes reflexulus, Harmostini tribe), Penny's Bend, Durham, NC, 5/24/08

Serinethinae subfamily 

Boxelder Bug (Boisea trivittata), Durham, NC, 11/18/07 Boxelder Bug, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 7/31/06.  This bug apparently had been attacked, and had lost its right wings. Boxelder Bug nymph (taken on city path leading to Old Salem) Boxelder Bug nymph, Durham, NC, 5/6/09 Boxelder Bug nymph, Durham, NC, 5/15/09

         
Red-shouldered Bug  nymph (Jadera haematoloma), Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, NC, 6/9/06.  Adult Red-shouldered Bug, Raulston Arboretum, 6/9/06.  Maybe a nymph of the same species as that on the left, found in the same small area in the Asian plants section.  ID made referring to Georgia state Boxelder Bugs factsheet.          

Broad-headed Bugs (family Alydidae, superfamily Coreoidea, infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

Broad-headed Bug, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/21/06 Broad-headed Bug, Durham, NC, 10/27/07 Broad-headed Bug, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06

Assassin Bugs  (family Reduviidae, superfamily Reduvoidea, infraorder Cimicomorpha)

Assassin bugs (Reduviidae family) are reputed to have inflict pain on humans with their beaks if mishandled by them.  They are not known to be dangerous in the US.  However, in tropical areas of the New World those of the Triatoma genus are known to transmit Chagas Disease to humans.

Harpactorinae subfamily

Wheel Bugs (Arilus cristatus [Linnaeus, 1763])

These are relatively large predaceous insects that eat a wide range of other insects, including moths, beetles, and stink bugs.   Unlike other species of Assassin Bugs, e.g., genus Sinea, these bugs do not have spines on their legs.  For more information on this species go to the University of Florida/State of Florida's Featured Creatures Wheel Bug page.

Wheel Bug, Durham, 11/20/07 Wheel Bug, Durham, NC, 11/1/07 with Bumblebee prey.  Note the bug's long red beak. Wheel Bug, Durham, 11/2/05.  This head shot shows the long, red beak.  The long antennae, also red, are mostly truncated in this picture.

Wheel Bug Nymphs

IDs of nymphs with red abdomens based on a BugGuide Wheel Bug nymph page.   There are some differences:  Some antennae are orange-tipped, while others alternate orange and black, so IDs are uncertain.  Nymphs in the first row are early instars; the second, late instars.

Wheel Bug nymph, Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 5/23/06.  Wheel Bug nymph, Durham, 6/2/06.  This bug, not so well-fed, has its beak inserted in a flower.  Predatory insects also seek nectar as a rule. Wheel Bug nymph, Durham, 5/28/06, on pine needles on the edge of a power line cut near a little marsh in my neighborhood.  Apparently a very well-fed bug. Wheel Bug, Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 6/4/06 Wheel Bug nymph, Korstian Division, Duke Forest, Orange County, NC, 6/11/06 Very well-fed Wheel Bug nymph, Durham, NC, 5/10/08

 

Wheel Bug nymph (late instar) with prey, perhaps Flatid Planthopper nymphs.  Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC, 6/23/05. Wheel Bug nymph (late instar) with prey (apparently some kind of ladybug beetle larva), Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, 6/15/06. Wheel Bug nymph, late instar, Durham, NC, 6/13/09 Wheel Bug late-instar nymph, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 6/25/09

Zelus Genus Assassin Bugs

Milkweed Assassin Bug (Zelus longipes), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/11/09 Reduviid Bug (genus Zelus), Greenville, Pitt County, NC, 11/16/05.  I found this bug in a grassy field.  The very long antennae are truncated.  ID thanks to Eric Eaton. Same Reduviid bug, genus Zelus (with one antenna truncated).  Note the rather bumpy beak.  Assassin Bugs have segmented beaks. Reduviid Bug (genus Zelus), no River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, Durham County, NC, 5/19/06 Reduviid Bug (genus Zelus), Durham, NC,  5/25/07

Bee Assassins (Apiomerus crassipes)

Bee Assassin (Apiomerus crassipes [Fabricius, 1803], subfamily Apiomerinae), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 5/29/05.  ID based on U. of Florida's Stink Bug Trap page. Bee Assassin, Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Rd. access, Orange County, NC, 6/15/06

Pselliopus cinctus

Adult Pselliopus cinctus [Fabricius, 1776], subfamily Harpactorinae, Durham, 1/11/06.  This bug showed up on my garage door on an unseasonably warm day, when it was about 70°. Adult Pselliopus cinctus, Durham, 1/28/06.  This might be the same bug as the one on the left.  I found it in the same location and nudged it into the sun for the photo (although it quickly returned to the shade afterwards).  Who knows what this little orange carnivore had been eating? There were no insects in the vicinity.

Pselliopus cinctus nymphs

Note the similarity to the adults of this species just above.  Unlike adults, however, they lack wings.

Pselliopus cinctus nymph, Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, 6/23/05 Pselliopus cinctus nymph, Durham, 8/4/05

Spined Assassin Bugs (Sinea diadema, subfamily Harpactorinae)

These nymphs have spiky forelegs, which seems to be unusual for adult Assassin Bugs in this part of the country.  The  second and third nymphs from the left were similar in size (about ⅛ inch long), although their colors are different; the leftmost nymph was larger.   In the second picture, the insect's elongated head (with one prominent antenna) blocks part of the view of the right foreleg.   Thanks to Eric R. Eaton for ID.

Spined Assassin Bug nymph (Sinea diadema), Durham, NC, 6/17/07.  This bug was about 3 mm long. Spined Assassin Bug (Sinea diadema) nymph, Durham, NC, 5/28/09.   A very early instar, about 3 mm long. Spined Assassin Bug (Sinea diadema) nymph, Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, 6/23/05.  Also very tiny, and it's a good thing, too!

   
Spined Assassin Bug nymph, Durham, NC, 7/4/08.  A later instar. Spined Assassin Bug nymph, Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Rd. access, 8/17/08.  A later instar.  

Emesinae subfamily

Thread-legged Bug (Stenolemus genus, Emesini tribe, Emesinae subfamily), Durham, 8/11/06.  ID thanks to Lynette Schimming.  It looks as though it has forelegs on its head, but that's because most assassin bugs have tiny heads. This photo was taken at night.

Ambush Bugs (subfamily Phymatinae, family Reduviidae, superfamily Reduvoidea, intraorder Cimicomorpha)

These are predaceous insects that station themselves on flowers in brushy areas to ambush smaller insects.   They often hide in sprays of goldenrod flowers, and can be retrieved during some summers by running one's hand through them.  Their camouflage is effective but not perfect, though! 

Ambush Bug (Phymata genus) Durham, 7/15/05, awaits a weevil on a Queen Anne's lace flower. Another view of the Ambush Bug on the left.  Durham, 7/15/05.  This bug was ~12 mm long. Ambush Bug, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/5/08 Ambush Bug, on goldenrod.  Cypress Gardens, Berkeley County, SC, 10/13/07. Ambush Bug, Little River Regional Park, Orange County, NC, 10/20/07

           
Ambush Bug, probably a nymph, about 2 mm long, Durham, NC, 6/30/08 Ambush Bug, Durham, NC, 8/23/08        

Plant Bugs (family Miridae, superfamily Miroidea, infraorder Cimicomorpha)

This herbivorous family comprises about 300 documented genera and about 10,000 species.   However, very few have agricultural importance in North Carolina.   The bugs shown below appeared in brush, wetlands and on undeveloped property and were small enough to be overlooked by most people (with the possible exception of Yucca Plant Bugs, which appear by the dozen on agave plants).   Identification of most of these insects below the family level is a special form of torture for all but specialists in this area.

Mirinae subfamily

Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris [Palisot, 1818]), Durham, NC, 5/29/08.  A very tiny bug, about 2 mm long.  These were fairly common in an unmowed meadow near a power line cut, often on daisies. Tarnished Plant Bug on Buttercup fruit, Durham, NC, 5/4/09 Tarnished Plant Bug on Spotted Jewelweed flower, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/6/08 Tarnished Plant Bug, Durham, NC, 7/17/08.  You can see part of the beak in this ventral view.


         
  Plant bug (Neurocolpus genus, tribe Mirini, subfamily Mirinae), about 3 mm long.  It landed on this leaf after flying.  The red is natural, not an artifact of using the flash: it was red in flight in the shade. Plant bug (Neurocolpus genus, Miridae family), Durham, NC, 6/29/09.  Found in local marsh.        

Bryocorinae subfamily

 
Yucca Plant Bug (Halticotoma valida), on agave plant at NC Botanical Garden, 11/21/07 Yucca Plant Bug nymph, Durham, NC, 6/17/09  

Lopidea genus, Orthotylini tribe, Orthotylinae subfamily?

Mirid bug nymph, Asheville, NC, 7/7/05.  A nymph, possibly of this family, with small wing pads.  Thanks to Eric Eaton for family ID. Mirid bug nymph, Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 5/5/06.  This bug was about ¼ inch long without the antennae. Thanks to Eric Eaton for ID. Mirid Bug (Lopidea genus) Mirid bug (Lopidea genus), North Carolina Museum of Art outdoor trail, Wake County, NC, 5/8/07

Phylinae subfamily (maybe)

Mirid Bug, Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, Wake  County, NC, 9/30/07, about 4 mm long.  Might be a member of subfamily Phylinae.

Other Miridae

       
  Mirid Bug? Duke Gardens, 10/20/07 Mirid Bug, Durham, 9/19/05.  This bug appeared in a marsh in my neighborhood.  Thanks to Eric Eaton for family ID.      

       
Mirid bug nymph, Durham, NC, 11/9/07.  Confirmed by Eric R. Eaton. Mystery True Bug nymph, Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, Wake County, NC, 10/28/07.  This 12 mm long insect was scurrying up a tree trunk.  The antennae suggest that it's a Miridae family nymph. Mirid Bug, Durham, NC, 5/23/09        

family Pachygronthridae,

Lace Bugs (family Tingidae, infraorder Cimicomorpha)