Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00660
Mezira membranacea
Open this record in the interactive Atlas
About Mezira membranacea
Mezira membranacea is a member of Aradidae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Mezira membranacea (Mezira membranacea) is documented from Kauaʻi. Flat bugs are strongly flattened true bugs commonly associated with bark, dead wood and wood-decay fungi. On Kauaʻi, observations are most useful when they record tree/substrate, decay stage, fungi, under-bark microhabitat and voucher morphology. Where island-specific host, prey, breeding-site, abundance, or seasonal information is not yet firmly documented, those details should remain tied to direct specimens and field observations rather than inferred from populations elsewhere.
Mezira membranacea is an introduced flat bug documented on Kauaʻi, including beneath loose ʻōhiʻa bark. Nymphs and adults are flattened bark-associated forms.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Hawaii Biological Survey records Kauaʻi specimens from Nualolo Trail, Kōkeʻe and Lāwaʻi; ITIS treats the species as introduced in Hawaiʻi.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg; immature/nymphal stages; adult; no pupa.
Habitat
Under bark, dead wood, logs and fungal wood-decay microhabitats.
Food and ecological role
Many feed on fungal hyphae or associated fluids in decaying wood.
Reproduction
Egg-laying followed by nymphal stages in sheltered woody habitat.
Movement
Adults and nymphs crawl under bark; some adults can fly.
Ecosystem role
Fungus/decay-associated consumer.
Threats and impacts
Native specialists may depend on intact deadwood and fungal communities.
Monitoring
Record tree/substrate, decay stage, fungi, under-bark microhabitat and voucher morphology.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Mezira membranacea
- Family
- Aradidae
- Order
- Hemiptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Mezira membranacea is a member of Aradidae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.