Bug Identifier
Flat bug
Community identification

Flat bug

Aradidae

Order & Family
Hemiptera, Aradidae
Size
3-11 mm (0.12-0.43 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Under bark of dead or living trees, in crevices, or under rocks and logs in forested areas.

Diet & Feeding

Fungi, especially those growing on wood. They use their specialized mouthparts to pierce fungal hyphae and extract nutrients.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and highly camouflaged bugs, often found in aggregations under bark. They are typically slow-moving and rely on their cryptic coloration to avoid predators. Some species are wingless.

Risks & Benefits

Generally considered beneficial or neutral to humans and the ecosystem. They play a role in decomposition by feeding on fungi in decaying wood. They are not known to bite humans or cause damage to healthy plants.