Diagnosis and Specialized Morphology

Emesinae are sometimes referred to as thread-legged bugs. Species of this subfamily are characterized by:
1) elongate, slender body
2) thread-like legs
3) absence of fossula spongiosa
4) pretarsal claws of front legs often asymmetrical
5) foreacetabulum opens anteriorly

Taxonomic History

Wygodzinsky (1966) produced a monographic revision of the subfamily and recognized six tribes (86 genera): Collartidini, Leistarchini, Emesini, Ploiariini, Deliastini, and Metapterini. Wygodzinsky considered the Emesinae as the sister group of the Saicinae.

Natural History/Biology

Emesinae diversity is highest in the tropics and on Pacific islands (Schuh & Slater 1995).

References

Schuh, R.T., Slater, J.A. 1995. True Bugs of the World (Hemiptera: Heteroptera): Classification and Natural History. Comstock Pub. Associates, Ithaca. 336 pp.

Wygodzinsky, P. 1966. A monograph of the Emesinae (Reduviidae, Hemiptera). Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 133: 1-614.