The Emesinae, or thread-legged bugs, are a subfamily of the Reduviidae. They are conspicuously different from the other reduviids by their very slender body form. They are stalking, predatory insects that can be collected on palm fronds, cliffs, spider webbing, or near lights at night. They walk on their mid and hind legs; the front pair is raptorial. Some groups specialize on spiders. Very little is known about emesines except that many species are found in the tropics. Pedro Wygodzinsky wrote the most recent revision of this group.
Triatoma melanica is a hematophagous insect, a Chagas disease vector, included in the Triatominae group. It occurs in the north of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, and is found almost exclusively in silvatic environment. However, sporadically it may also invade houses. T. melanica was originally described as Triatoma brasiliensis melanica Neiva & Lent, 1941. Recently, it was redescribed with a new specific status, due to its distinct morphology, genetics, and biogeographic characteristics.
Ghilianella is a genus of true bug in the subfamily Emesinae. Fifty-eight species have been described, with a distribution from Guatemala to Brazil. The linear form of the species in this genus allow the young larvae to be carried about by the mother or perhaps the father. The larvae of the young can curl around the parent's thorax.
Ghilianella phasma is a species of assassin bug in the subfamily Emesinae. It is found on the Indian subcontinent and in Myanmar. There is some debate about whether this species may belong in the genus Schidium. William Lucas Distant placed the species in Ghilianella but Ernst Evald Bergroth and Pedro Wygodzinsky moved it to Schidium. In his 1990 work of the Reduviidae of the world, Moldonado doubted the Schidium placement.
Ploiaria is a cosmopolitan genus of thread-legged bugs (Emesinae). There are presently about 130 described species.
The Harpactorinae are a large subfamily of the Reduviidae. About 300 genera and 2,000 species worldwide have been described. Some of the species of the genera Zelus, Pselliopus, Sinea, and Apiomerus are of interest as biological pest control agents.
Stenolemus is a genus of thread-legged bug (Emesinae). Species of this genus are noted for preying on spiders.
Ploiariolini is a tribe of thread-legged bugs, comprising 16 genera and 142 described species. Ploiariolini has a worldwide distribution.
Emesopsis is a genus of tropical bugs (Heteroptera) from the family Reduviidae. There are at least 22 described species, of which one, E. nubila, also occurs in southern Europe.
Chinemesa is a little-known genus of thread-legged bug (Emesinae) apparently endemic to Borneo. Only four species have been described and the three described by Wygodzinsky in 1966 have not been observed since.
Polauchenia is a genus of thread-legged bug (Emesinae). Only five species have been described.
Phasmatocoris is a little-known genus of thread-legged bug (Emesinae). Fourteen species have been described, including 3 from Colombia.
Onychomesa is a little-known genus of thread-legged bug in the subfamily Emesinae. Three species have been described, one from India, Japan, and Taiwan.
The Ectrichodiinae are a subfamily of assassin bugs (Reduviidae) known for specializing on millipedes as prey. The group comprises more than 600 species in about 115 genera, making it a fairly large subfamily. The bugs are also known for their aposematic coloration, often brightly colored metallic blue, red, or yellow.
Emesa is a small genus of thread-legged bug (Emesinae). Only four species have been described.
Agriocleptus is a small genus of assassin bugs.
Amauroclopius ornatus is an assassin bug that is thought to prey upon bees. A. ornatus is associated with the cativo tree of Colombia.
Cosmoclopius is a genus of South American assassin bugs, in the subfamily Harpactorinae.
The Reduviinae are a subfamily of the reduviid assassin bugs. Many members of the subfamily are nocturnal and their lifecycles are generally poorly known. This subfamily is suspected not to be monophyletic.
Stenolemoides is a genus of thread-legged bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are at least three described species in Stenolemoides.