Aradus

Aradus is a genus of true bugs in the family Aradidae, commonly known as flat bugs or bark bugs. The genus comprises numerous species distributed worldwide, particularly in temperate forests. Members inhabit the microhabitats beneath tree bark, especially on dead or dying trees and in decaying logs, where they feed mainly on fungi and occasionally on lichens growing on the bark.

Morphology and identification: Aradus species are highly dorsoventrally flattened, with elongated bodies that blend with bark textures. Many species are wingless or have reduced wings; when present, wings are short and held flat. Coloration is typically brown or gray, providing camouflage.

Ecology and behavior: They are slow-moving, cryptic insects that spend most of their lives under bark. They feed by rasping fungal hyphae and fruiting bodies. They are often found in sheltered crevices and may become active mainly at night or in damp conditions.

Life cycle: Aradus undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. Eggs are laid in crevices under bark or in wood; nymphs pass through several instars before reaching adulthood. The life cycle is tied to the availability of suitable fungal growth.

Distribution and significance: The genus is cosmopolitan but most diverse in temperate regions. Aradus species are indicators of forest health, particularly of deadwood ecosystems, and can be used in studies of forest biodiversity and habitat structure.