Bug FAQBulrush Bug
Chilacis typhae · Order: Hemiptera · Family: Artheneidae
Also called: Cattail bug
The bulrush bug lives on greater reedmace and narrowleaf cattail, where adults pair on the seed heads from spring through autumn. It is native to Europe, northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The insects overwinter inside the seed heads of their host plants.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
Adults are found on the seed heads of greater reedmace and narrowleaf cattail.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
The bugs overwinter inside the seed heads of their host plants.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults can be seen pairing on seed heads from spring through autumn.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It occurs in Europe and northern Asia, and it is also present in North America.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 19 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: introduced in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are bulrush bugs most likely to be seen?
Adults are most commonly observed pairing on the seed heads from spring through autumn.
Source: Wikipedia
Where does the bulrush bug live?
It lives on greater reedmace and narrowleaf cattail, especially on their seed heads.
Source: Wikipedia
What region is the bulrush bug native to?
It is native to Europe, northern Asia (excluding China), and North America.
Source: Wikipedia
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilacis_typhae
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-28 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-28.