Animals Kingdom (Animalia)

• Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

• Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

• Insects (Class Insecta)

• Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

• True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and Allies (Order Hemiptera)

• True Bugs (Subrder Heteroptera)

The Chelinidea tabulata, commonly known as the Prickly Pear Bug, is native to the United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. This species inhabits desert and grassland environments, and feeds primarily on Prickly Pear Cactus. It uses its mouth to suck juices from the cactus plant.