House Bugs

Ahryssus species

Hemiptera: Rhopalidae

Ahryssus spp. bugs are "in home

invasive pests" of the true bug

family Rhopalidae. These “scentless

plant bugs” have a strong odor and

over winter in structures of all sorts

especially houses. The try to exit the

house in the early spring when the

greening of the surrounding environment

occurs.

After feeding on plants and reproducing,

The new generation of adults migrates to

structures. To enter hibernation quarters. Over

wintering adults seek moisture on sunny days

and move in and out of their protective site.

While they are harmless, the sheer numbers of

them over a period of weeks causes anxiety by

home occupiers. And they get into beds, etc.

I get more calls on these bugs in the spring

and late summer than other Arthropods. Thomas

Henry identified 3 species collected in the

Garfield County Washington, Courthouse, in March.

They are A. barberi Harris, A. crassus Harris,

and A. scutatus (Stal).