Project Number: 1275-22000-232-07
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Oct 01, 2008
End Date: Sep 30, 2013

Objective:
To acquire true bugs for scientific research through fieldwork.

Approach:
True bug research and identification responsibilities require the use and study of specimens from all over the world, especially the tropics. Many true bugs, such as lygus bugs, cotton fleahopper, chinch bugs, and lace bugs, are serious pests of agricultural and ornamental plants, causing enormous losses annually. Numerous others, such as many plant bugs, assassin bugs, pirate bugs, and damsel bugs, are predatory and important in biological control programs. It is critical to have as many representatives of the known true bugs as possible for study. Conducting fieldwork in poorly known regions is the most important way for obtaining long series of specimens for comparative morphological study, possible DNA extraction, host plants, biogeographic information, and for discovering species new to science. This mutually beneficial, cooperative agreement will provide fresh material with associated host information for the ARS true bug research program and well-prepared, reference specimens for the Smithsonian Institution¿s U.S. National Collection of Insects.