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Human-biting potential of the predatory flower bug Orius majusculus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

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Abstract

The targeted biting of, and feeding on, humans by Orius majusculus, a flower bug predating on arthropods, is reported. Although the observed incidents certainly do not represent the normal feeding behaviour of the bug species, O. majusculus should be kept in mind as one option when insect bites during summer time are to be analysed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Ursula Göllner-Scheiding, Museum of Natural History, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity at the Humboldt University Berlin, for confirming the species status of collected O. majusculus specimens, and Brigitte Dannenfeld for excellent technical laboratory assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Friedrich–Loeffler-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit, Greifswald—Insel Riems, Germany

    Helge Kampen

  2. Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Müncheberg, Germany

    Doreen Werner

  3. Friedrich–Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald—Insel Riems, Germany

    Helge Kampen

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  1. Helge Kampen
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  2. Doreen Werner
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Correspondence to Helge Kampen.

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Kampen, H., Werner, D. Human-biting potential of the predatory flower bug Orius majusculus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). Parasitol Res 108, 1579–1581 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2231-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2231-1

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