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Diversity of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea) in the Brazilian Pampa and the Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract and Figures
Biological surveys represent important contributions to the knowledge of species diversity, conservation, taxonomy, and biogeography. Few surveys of stink bugs and allied groups (Pentatomoidea) were produced in Brazil, especially regarding the Brazilian Pampa, an overlooked biome. Here, a list of Pentatomoidea species of the Brazilian Pampa is presented for the first time, composed of seven families and 152 species. The results of five years of sampling in the Parque Estadual de Itapuã (PEI) are also presented. A total of 693 individuals were sampled, representing 41 species, 29 genera, and five families of Pentatomoidea. Pentatomidae presented a higher richness (28 species), followed by Cydnidae, Scutelleridae, Dinidoridae, and Megarididae. The most abundant species collected in the PEI was Brachystetus geniculatus (Fabricius) sampled in Bromelia balansae Mez (32.76%), followed by Oebalus poecilus (Dallas) found in Persicaria hydropiper (Linnaeus) (11.99%), Pallantia macula (Dallas) collected in B. balansae (10.92%), Dinidor saucius Stål (8.57%) in Smilax cf. campestris Griseb., and Caonabo pseudoscylax (Bergroth) (5.35%) found in Homolepis glutinosa (Sw.) Zuloaga & Soderstrom. This is the first time that a list of species is presented for the Brazilian Pampa and Parque Estadual de Itapuã, providing a baseline to develop further studies with Pentatomoidea in the biome.
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... 45%). The occurrence of fewer, more abundant species and many less abundant ones seems to be a trend in faunal inventories of Pentatomidae (e.g., Campos et al., 2009;Bianchi et al., 2014;Dellapé et al., 2015a;Firmino et al., 2017;Brugnera et al., 2023). However, only further investigations focused on this trend can suggest why some species are rare, since the rarity of insect species can be the result of multiple factors (Novotný & Basset, 2000). ...
The Boraceia Biological Station (BBS) is located in the Salesópolis municipality, State of São Paulo, and represents an important natural protected area of the Atlantic Rain Forest in one of Brazil’s most urbanized states. In this work, an inventory for the BBS was compiled, using specimens deposited in the Zoology Museum of the University of São Paulo and through consultation of bibliography. We list 36 species of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) collected over 80 years. Six species were recorded for the first time in the State of São Paulo. The inventory represents the first one comparing the diversity of species from BBS with the recorded diversity of the Atlantic Rain Forest. We also present a preliminary checklist of pentatomids of the Atlantic Rain Forest and highlight the importance of preserving natural areas in the Atlantic Rain Forest.
... This species is considered rare in entomological collections, and little is known about its biology apart from an observation recently made in a wheat crop (Panizzi et al. 2021). Previous records indicate that C. truncaticornis is distributed in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul) and Argentina (Misiones), with its range extending along the south of the pampa grasslands of Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), Argentina (Buenos Aires), and Uruguay (Cerro Largo) (Barcellos & Grazia 1998;Brugnera et al. 2023). Our findings suggest that C. copeocoris can form large populations, and its rarity in entomological collections can be attributed to sampling bias, probably due to its unknown ecological niche. ...
The insect drift is a natural phenomenon characterized by the passive movement of insects through air or water currents, which influences their dispersal. The phenomenon of insect drift in ocean beaches represents one of the best-known cases. One of the prominent insect group associated with ocean beach drifts is the Heteroptera, commonly known as true bugs, stink bugs, and water bugs. In this brief communication, we present the diversity of stink bugs (Pentatomoidea) obtained from a rapid survey on an insect drift event at Campeche Beach, Florianópolis, Brazil. The survey was conducted on December 02, 2021, along a transect of ~550 meters in the shoreline. A total of 363 individuals were collected. From these, 35 species, 29 genera, and three families were identified. Two species represent undescribed taxa. We found several species that can be considered rare in entomological collections, such as Copeocoris truncaticornis (Stål, 1865) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), Capivacius bufo Distant, 1883 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), Curatia denticornis Stål, 1864 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and Tibilis subconspersa Stål, 1860 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), as well as economically important species such as Diceraeus furcatus (Fabricius, 1775) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), Thyanta perdidor (Fabricius, 1794) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood, 1837) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Our results underscore the significance of beach drift events, as they provide valuable opportunities to investigate the hidden diversity within particular taxa, bringing new data while unveiling unknown species. Moreover, the presence of two undescribed species reinforces the importance of researching and documenting drift phenomena for taxonomic purposes, shedding light on insect migration and dispersion patterns.
Polychromatism is the presence of different colors or color patterns in a population. It is observed in many animal
groups, abundantly in insects. Tetyra is a genus of Scutelleridae (jewel and shield bugs) containing five valid
species distributed in the Americas. The three Nearctic species Tetyra antillarum (type species), T. bipunctata, and
T. robusta, share more morphological traits among them than with the Neotropical species, Tetyra pinguis, Tetyra
poecila, Tetyra farcta, previously considered a junior synonym but here revalidated, and six undescribed species.
Here, we tested the monophyly of the genus under parsimony criteria, using 64 morphological characters (13
polychromatic characters) with equal and implied weighting schemes. We also evaluate the phylogenetic use of
polychromatic characters using two supplementary analyses. The ingroup species formed a monophyletic group
split in two well-defined clades, supported by more than ten characters each. One of them includes the three
Nearctic species and the other nine Neotropical species. The last clade was supported by twelve character states,
with six synapomorphies (mostly from polychromatic characters). Kernegaster gen. nov. is described for the
Neotropical species based on genital traits and general morphology with six new species: Kernegaster chapadanus
sp. nov., Kernegaster diminutus sp. nov., Kernegaster fulvescens sp. nov., Kernegaster igneus sp. nov., Kernegaster
multimaculatus sp. nov., and Kernegaster rosafloresae sp. nov.
This is the first report of Antiteuchus tripterus (Fabricius, 1787) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) damaging Araucaria angusti-folia (Bertol.) Kuntze, 1898 (Pinales: Araucariaceae) plants in Brazil. This bug, native to the neotropical region, damaged this plant on fragments of mixed rain forest in Bueno Brandão, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Araucaria angustifolia, native and with ecological and economic values, was widely used in the lumber market and, therefore, threatened with extinction. Nymphs and adults of A. tripterus were observed in March and April with a population reduction until June 2022. The bio-ecology and damage caused by A. tripterus on A. angustifolia are not known.
The presence of the stridulatory structures has been empirically used as a diagnostic character for Pachycorinae, but it is also present in Hoteinae and two genera of Odontotarsinae. The stridulitrum is present mostly on sternites V–VI in Scutelleridae, associated with a plectrum on the hind tibiae. These structures have been recently analysed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM); however, only 9 of the 27 Pachycorinae genera were examined; moreover, the tibial plectra were not examined. In this work, we investigated the stridulatory device of 26 genera of Pachycorinae. The morphology of these structures was examined and described under light stereomicroscope and SEM. We report two patterns of stridulitrum: (1) smooth carinae, found in 24 genera; (2) coarse carinae, composed of many small teeth similar in size, found in 3 genera. Two main patterns were found regarding the tibial plectra: (1) rounded tubercles that were conspicuous in 3 genera and inconspicuous in 23 genera; (2) flat tubercles found in 2 genera. Our results demonstrate that the stridulatory devices have taxonomic significance within Pachycorinae and should be considered in further studies.
Knowledge on biodiversity is fundamental for conservation strategies. The Brazilian Pampa region, located in subtropical southern Brazil, is neglected in terms of conservation, and knowledge of its biodiversity is fragmented. We aim to answer the question: how many, and which, species occur in the Brazilian Pampa? In a collaborative effort, we built species lists for plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi that occur in the Brazilian Pampa. We included information on distribution patterns, main habitat types, and conservation status. Our study resulted in referenced lists totaling 12,503 species (12,854 taxa, when considering infraspecific taxonomic categories [or units]). Vascular plants amount to 3,642 species (including 165 Pteridophytes), while algae have 2,046 species (2,378 taxa) and bryophytes 316 species (318 taxa). Fungi (incl. lichenized fungi) contains 1,141 species (1,144 taxa). Animals total 5,358 species (5,372 taxa). Among the latter, vertebrates comprise 1,136 species, while invertebrates are represented by 4,222 species. Our data indicate that, according to current knowledge, the Pampa holds approximately 9% of the Brazilian biodiversity in an area of little more than 2% of Brazil’s total land. The proportion of species restricted to the Brazilian Pampa is low (with few groups as exceptions), as it is part of a larger grassland ecoregion and in a transitional climatic setting. Our study yielded considerably higher species numbers than previously known for many species groups; for some, it provides the first published compilation. Further efforts are needed to increase knowledge in the Pampa and other regions of Brazil. Considering the strategic importance of biodiversity and its conservation, appropriate government policies are needed to fund studies on biodiversity, create accessible and constantly updated biodiversity databases, and consider biodiversity in school curricula and other outreach activities.
Hypoxys Amyot & Serville, 1843 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Edessinae), for a long time considered a synonym or subgenus of Edessa Fabricius, 1803, was recently revised and reinstated to the generic rank. This genus comprises 17 described species divided in four species groups: H. quadridens, H. oxyacanthus, H. triangularis, and H. balteatus species group. Also, there is a large number of new species yet to be described. The H. balteatus species group is diagnosed by: pronotum with posterior stripe smoky brown to black with black punctures within, sometimes these punctures are surrounded by small dark spots; punctures of the pronotal disc smaller and paler than those of the posterior stripe; anterolateral margin of pronotum yellow; anterior half of scutellum with punctures large, sparse, and also on dark spots; connexivum uniformly green, without dark spots; thorax ventrally with two pairs of brown to black rounded spots; apex of pseudosutures with black to brown round spots. This species group included so far only H. balteatus (Walker, 1868). Here we describe and assign 15 new species to this group: H. amyoti sp. nov. (Suriname: Powakka; French Guiana), H. aspilogaster sp. nov. (Brazil: Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro), H. belenensis sp. nov. (Brazil: Pará), H. bergrothi sp. nov. (Venezuela: Amazonas; French Guiana: Saint-Elie), H. breddini sp. nov. (Bolivia: Santa Cruz and San Carlos), H. caquetensis sp. nov. (Colombia: Caquetá), H. favachae sp. nov. (Suriname: Sipaliwini; Brazil: Amapá and Pará), H. gaucho sp. nov. (Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul), H. hyalinofasciatus sp. nov. (Ecuador: Sucumbíos), H. immaculatus sp. nov. (Bolivia: Beni), H. nigroantennatus sp. nov. (French Guiana: Roura), H. santarensis sp. nov. (Brazil: Pará), H. servillei sp. nov. (Brazil: Mato Grosso and Goiás), H. stysi sp. nov. (Suriname: Coronie, Sipaliwini; French Guiana: Cayenne), and H. venustus sp. nov. (Bolivia: Cochabamba). Descriptions, measurements, photos of dorsal and ventral view of each species, and of external genitalia of both sexes, an identification key, and distributional maps are presented.
The use of predatory Hemiptera (Pentatomidae: Asopinae) in agroecosystems has increased considerably in the last decades. All Asopinae representatives are obligate predatory stink bugs but they are classified as zoophytophagous because they feed on prey and occasionally feed on plants. They prey on wide variety of insects including the agricultural pests Coleoptera, Diptera, and Lepidoptera. Despite the predatory potential of Asopinae, their use and establishment in the agroecosystems have some restrictions, yet. Here, the aim is to review the advances in biology, feeding strategies, and biological control for using Asopinae species with zoophytophagous-predatory habits (SZP) in the agroecosystems. We discuss four different approaches that can improve the worldwide effectiveness and popularization of SZPs representatives as biocontrol agents in crops,(i) feeding strategies, ingestion, and digestion;(ii) diets for survival during prey shortage;(iii) adaptation of species for biological control in crops; (iv) use of Asopinae in integrated pest management programs.
A checklist of 5 subfamilies, 108 genera, and 246 species of stinks bugs (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) from Colombia is provided. Three genera [Andrallus Bergroth, Placocoris Mayr, and Pseudobebaeus Distant], and eight species [Arocera spectabilis (Drury), Andrallus spinidens (Fabricius), Banasa excavata Thomas, Banasa saileri Thomas, Banasa varians Stål, Chinavia scutellata (Distant), Pelidnocoris haglundi Ruckes, and Pseudobebaeus truncatus (Fallou)] are recorded for the first time from Colombia. Images of dorsal external habitus for all genera that occur in Colombia are offered. This is the first time a comprehensive list of the stink bugs from Colombia is presented, providing a baseline to develop further studies in this group of true bugs.
We provide a map and shapefile of the 57 biogeographic provinces of the Neotropical region. Recognition of these provinces is based on their endemic species, but their delimitation on the map is based on ecoregions combining climatic, geological, and biotic criteria. These provinces belong to the Antillean, Brazilian and Chacoan subregions, and the Mexican and South American transition zones. We provide a vector file of the biogeographical regionalization by converting the map into a polygon shapefile and a raster file with all provinces.
Pentatomidae is one of the largest families within the Heteroptera and contains many species of economic importance, either by being plant pests or by their usefulness as biological control agents. The family is subdivided into as many as ten subfamilies; however, the monophyly of this taxon and phylogenetic relationships within the family have remained unstudied. In this paper, molecular data from mitochondrial [COI (564 bp), 16S RNA (592 bp)] and nuclear genes [28S RNA (646 bp), 18S RNA (1759 bp)] concatenated into a single matrix of 3589 bp, with a sampling of 160 taxa, were used to test the monophyly of the family and relationships based on Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) analyses. Both approaches yielded very similar topologies. The most striking result recovered in both analyses is the rejection of the monophyly of Pentatomidae as currently recognized, since Cyrtocorinae do not show a sister relationship with the clade composed of (Serbana + Pentatomidae sensu stricto) in any of the analyses. We corroborate Serbaninae as the sister lineage to all remaining Pentatomidae sensu stricto, and not as a member of Phloeidae as previously hypothesized. The monophyly of Podopinae and Pentatominae, and some of their respective tribes, is rejected. We discuss the current classification of this family and highlight the necessity of a reinterpretation based on the results herein obtained pointing out some of their morphological features. Additionally, cyrtocorids are defined as an independent lineage and upgraded to Cyrtocoridae stat. rev.
The E. ovina group of species is proposed here to include Edessa ovina Dallas, 1851 from Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina (new records) and Guyana; E. impura Bergroth, 1891 from Brazil and Argentina (new record); E. sahlbergii Stål, 1872 restricted to Brazil; and E. graziae sp. nov. from Brazil and Argentina. The E. ovina group can be identified by the apex of the second pair of wings narrowing distally and by a tumid area on the ventral surface of the pygophore (male genitalia) projected posteriorly. Descriptions, measurements, and illustrations of the metasternal process, external and internal genitalia of male and female are provided. A map with the distribution of the species is presented. The holotype of Edessa ovina is designated here. Edessa argali Breddin, 1903 is considered a junior synonym of E. impura. Females of E. ovina and E. impura, and male of E. sahlbergii are described for the first time.
Pentatomidae is one of the largest families within Heteroptera, and it is represented in all zoogeographical regions, although the tropical and subtropical faunas are the most diverse. The field trips carried out in recent years in several localities in Argentina allow to update the distribution of stink bugs in the country. In this contribution, the genera Cataulax Spinola and Grazia Rolston, and the species Acledra breviscutata Breddin, Banasa peruana Thomas, Banasa dolabrata Thomas, Cataulax froeschneri Grazia, Campos & Becker, Grazia tincta (Distant), Mayrinia variegata (Distant), Mitripus acutus (Dallas), and Tylospilus peruvianus (Horváth), are recorded for the first time from Argentina. The characters used for the identification of these genera and species are provided. In addition, the geographic distribution of other 27 pentatomid species is expanded and new records of host plants are reported for Alveostethus pseudopolitus (Ruckes), Antiteuchus mixtus (Fabricius) and Pellaea stictica (Dallas)
Pentatomidae is the third largest family of true bugs, comprising over 40 tribes. Few tribes have been studied in a phylogenetic context, and none of them have been examined using molecular data. Moreover, little is known about the evolution of key morphological characters widely used in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies at multiple levels. Here, we conduct a phylogenetic study of the tribe Chlorocorini (Pentatominae) combining 69 morphological characters and five DNA loci. We use the inferred phylogeny to reconstruct the evolution of key morphological characters such as the spined humeral angles of the pronotum, a dorsal projection on the apices of the femora and characters of male genitalia. We provide solid evidence that the tribe as currently recognized is not monophyletic based both on DNA and morphological data. The genera Arvelius Spinola and Eludocoris Thomas were consistently placed outside of the Chlorocorini, whereas the remaining genera were found to form a monophyletic group. We also show that nearly all morphological diagnostic characters for the tribe are homoplastic. The only exception is the development of the hypandrium, which contrary to expectations for genital traits, showed the slowest evolutionary rates. In contrast, the most rapidly evolving trait is the length of the ostiolar ruga, which may be attributed to selection favouring anti‐predatory behaviour and other functions of its associated scent glands. Lastly, we also provide a preliminary glimpse of the main phylogenetic relationships within the Pentatomidae, which indicates that most of the included subfamilies and tribes are not monophyletic. Our results suggest that the current subfamily‐level classification of Pentatomidae is not adequate to reflect its evolutionary history, and we urge for a more complete phylogeny of the family.
Brazil has a monitoring system to track annual forest conversion in the Amazon and most recently to monitor the Cerrado biome. However, there is still a gap of annual land use and land cover (LULC) information in all Brazilian biomes in the country. Existing countrywide efforts to map land use and land cover lack regularly updates and high spatial resolution time-series data to better understand historical land use and land cover dynamics, and the subsequent impacts in the country biomes. In this study, we described a novel approach and the results achieved by a multi-disciplinary network called MapBiomas to reconstruct annual land use and land cover information between 1985 and 2017 for Brazil, based on random forest applied to Landsat archive using Google Earth Engine. We mapped five major classes: forest, non-forest natural formation, farming, non-vegetated areas, and water. These classes were broken into two sub-classification levels leading to the most comprehensive and detailed mapping for the country at a 30 m pixel resolution. The average overall accuracy of the land use and land cover time-series, based on a stratified random sample of 75,000 pixel locations, was 89% ranging from 73 to 95% in the biomes. The 33 years of LULC change data series revealed that Brazil lost 71 Mha of natural vegetation, mostly to cattle ranching and agriculture activities. Pasture expanded by 46% from 1985 to 2017, and agriculture by 172%, mostly replacing old pasture fields. We also identified that 86 Mha of the converted native vegetation was undergoing some level of regrowth. Several applications of the MapBiomas dataset are underway, suggesting that reconstructing historical land use and land cover change maps is useful for advancing the science and to guide social, economic and environmental policy decision-making processes in Brazil.
The genus Chinavia Orian has a great diversity of species, being distributed in the Nearctic, Neotropical and Afrotropical regions (Rolston 1983; Schwertner & Grazia 2007, Grazia & Schwertner 2017). The genus is included in the subfamily Pentatominae, tribe Nezarini, whose individuals retain their green coloration after death, average size between 9 and 19 mm, and considered polyphagous (Rolston 1983; Schwertner et al. 2002; Rider 2020). Some species of Chinavia are recorded as important crop pests in different countries (e.g. Matesco et al. 2007; Herbert & Toews 2012), and those species are better known regarding distribution, ecology and other biological aspects. However, the great majority of species is known only for the adult morphology, and there are still problems concerning the correct identification of the species due to their wide distribution.
The fate of humans and insects intertwine, especially through the medium of plants. Global environmental change, including land transformation and contamination, is causing concerning insect diversity loss, articulated in the companion review Scientists' warning to humanity on insect extinctions. Yet, despite a sound philosophical foundation, recognized ethical values, and scientific evidence, globally we are performing poorly at instigating effective insect conservation. As insects are a major component of the tapestry of life, insect conservation would do well to integrate better with overall biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. This also involves popularizing insects, especially through use of iconic species, through more media coverage, and more inclusive education. Insect conservationists need to liaise better with decision makers, stakeholders, and land managers, especially at the conceptually familiar scale of the landscape. Enough evidence is now available, and synthesized here, which illustrates that multiple strategies work at local levels towards saving insects. We now need to expand these locally-crafted strategies globally. Tangible actions include ensuring maintenance of biotic complexity, especially through improving temporal and spatial heterogeneity, functional connectivity, and metapopulation dynamics, while maintaining unique habitats, across landscape mosaics, as well as instigating better communication. Key is to have more expansive sustainable agriculture and forestry, improved regulation and prevention of environmental risks, and greater recognition of protected areas alongside agro-ecology in novel landscapes. Future-proofing insect diversity is now critical, with the benefits far reaching, including continued provision of valuable ecosystem services and the conservation of a rich and impressive component of Earth's biodiversity.
Effective scientific efforts and conservation actions transcend political boundaries, encompassing entire ecological units. We compiled a vascular plant species list for the Río de la Plata grassland ecoregion, one of the largest continuous grassland ecosystems, in the Americas. Our list is based on existing regional plant lists, online databases and published literature, is taxonomically verified and is complemented by additional information on species distribution in the three countries (Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay) and on the origin of the species. We compiled 4864 accepted species names belonging to 194 families. About eight percent of the species are endemic; naturalized non-native species comprise slightly > 10% of the dataset. This dataset will be useful in supporting conservation planning in the region and scientific efforts in understanding species distribution patterns and processes.
Edessa is the largest genus of Edessinae and comprises five subgenera: Edessa, Aceratodes, Dorypleura, Hypoxys and Pygoda. Systematics of Edessa is very confusing due to several factors, among them, large number of species and vague diagnosis to the subgenera. In this work we continue revising Edessa elevating Pygoda to genus level based in morphological characters: pronotal angles short and acute. Abdominal segment VII developed posteriorly and at least 1.5 longer than wide at the base. Males with pygophore large in relation to body size when compared with other edessines. Phallus large, constricted distally and showing a remarkable ventral development. Females with capsula seminalis large in comparison with other edessines. Distal part of the ductus receptaculi sclerotized. Pars intermedialis with sclerotized part bigger than membranous part. This genus comprises nine species: the type species Pygoda polyta, four species originally described in Edessa—E. irrorata, E. thoracica, E. expolita and E. civilis, and four new species—P. amianta, P. variegata, P. poecila and P. ramosa. Diagnosis, illustration of the internal genitalia from males and females, photographs of the external genitalia from both sexes, body in dorsal and ventral view, and distribution map are provided. A key to the species of Pygoda is also provided. The lectotypes of Edessa irrorata, Pentatoma polyta, Edessa nervosa, Edessa civilis and Edessa thoracica are here designated.
The Heteroptera (Hemiptera) of Argentina are catalogued. A total of 686 genera and 2030 species are listed together with their synonyms. References are given to the original descriptions and the subsequent taxonomic position, and the geographic distribution is included.
Oebalus poecilus (Dallas 1851) is one of the stink bug species of great economic importance for rice producers in Brazil of irrigated, flood and upland cropping systems. These pentatomids are known as stink bugs of panicles, because both nymphs and adults feed mainly on panicles. Stink bug attacks result in pecky (spots) seeds, lower mass, germinative reduction and deformed grains. Bearing these factors in mind, the aim of this study was to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative losses in commercial cultivars of upland rice (Cambará variety), submitted to different population levels of stink bugs of panicles, O. poecilus, at different reproductive growth stages. The results show that in upland rice (Cambará variety), the rice grains are susceptible to quantitative (number and weight) and qualitative (pecky, atrophy, chalky and broken grains) damage during all panicle development. However, when the insects feed during anthesis/caryopsis and milky stage cause significantly greater percentage of empty grains (up to 83%) than when they feed of grains during later phases of panicle development. This characteristic was also observed for the reduction in grain weight. This information may benefit producers and other researchers, allowing them to focus on the monitoring efforts of O. poecilus in most susceptible phases of the attack of this insect. This will enable decision-making about what control measures should be taken, and when, in order to control stink bugs of panicles.
Index terms:
Oryza sativa; stink bug of panicles; damage level; integrated pest management.
Features: • Presents a brief history of past classifications, a summary of present classification, and speculation on how the classification may evolve in the future • Includes keys for the identification of families and subfamilies of the Pentatomoidea and for the tribes in the Pentatomidae • Explains transmission of plant pathogens and concepts of pathology and heteropteran feeding for the non-specialist • Provides an extensive literature review of transmission by stink bugs of viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan organisms that cause diseases of plants • Discusses the diversity of microbial symbionts in the Pentatomidae and related species, showing how microorganisms underpin the evolution of this insect group • Reviews semiochemicals (pheromones, kairomones, allomones) of the Pentatomoidea and their vital role in the life histories of pest and beneficial species and their exploitation by natural enemies of true bugs • Covers past, current, and future control options for insects, with a focus on stink bugs and
Phylogenetic analyses of the 13 species of the subgenus Lycipta based on morphological characters were performed under equal and implied weighting, following the method of Mirande (2009). Species from Dichelops, Ladeaschistus, Proxys, Spinalanx, Euschistus (Euschistus) and Euschistus (Mitripus) were included as outgroups, and the tree rooted on Carpocoris. Sixty-five morphological characters were coded in the data matrix. The cladistic analyses did not recover the monophyly of the subgenus Lycipta. A clade was supported based on characters of the pygophore and female ectodermal ducts strengthening a new definition of Euschistus (Lycipta). One species, Euschistus monrosi, was excluded from the subgenus and transferred to the nominal subgenus. Euschistus (Lycipta) species are distributed in two Neotropical subregions: Brazilian (Pará, Rondônia and Yungas provinces) and Chacoan (Pampean, Atlantic, Parana and Araucaria Forests and Puna provinces). Biogeographical analyses of spatial vicariance were performed employing different sets of parameters and allowed to identify five disjunctions nodes.
Anthropogenic conversion of natural habitats is the greatest threat to biodiversity and one of the primary reasons for establishing protected areas (PAs). Here we show that PA establishment outpaced habitat conversion between 1993 and 2009 across all biomes and the majority (n = 567, 71.4%) of ecoregions globally. However, high historic rates of conversion meant that 447 (56.2%) ecoregions still exhibit a high ratio of conversion to protection, and of these, 127 (15.9%) experienced further increases in this ratio between 1993–2009. We identify 41 ‘crisis ecoregions’ in 45 countries where recent habitat conversion is severe and PA coverage remains extremely low. While the recent growth in PAs is a notable conservation achievement, international conventions and associated finance mechanisms should prioritise areas where habitat is being lost rapidly relative to protection, such as the crisis ecoregions identified here. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Species of Dinidoridae in Brazil are currently known only from five localities, which has been attributed in the literature to the lack of field collections. We report the first record of Dinidor mactabilis (Perty, 1833) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, also representing the first record of the family Dinidoridae in São Paulo. A female of Dinidor mactabilis was collected in a fragment of the Atlantic Forest close to the Billings Reservoir, in the municipality of São Bernardo do Campo, extending its known distribution in southeastern Brazil by at least 200 km.
We present here the taxonomic revision of Mecocephala Dallas, 1851 Dallas WS. 1851 Gray, JE ed. List of the specimens of hemipterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. London I; p. 390 https://wellcomecollection.org/works/vjc74qcr, 15 pls. [Google Scholar] and Paramecocephala Benvegnú, 1968 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae), updating the genitalic terminology. A differential diagnosis of each genus and all of its members is provided, and a new species of Paramecocephala is described from a female: P. helenae sp. nov. from Brazil. Photographs of type specimens and genitalia, species occurrence maps with new records, and an updated key for species of both genera are also provided.
https://urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6D63D5B2-55A2-4465-852F-EEDA37FEF12B
The Asopinae are known for their predatory behavior, differing from the phytophagous habits of most pentatomoids, feeding mostly on soft body insects such as larvae of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. For this reason, asopines have been studied as biological controllers in integrated pest management programs. Notwithstanding their clear relevance, the general knowledge about Asopinae has important gaps, especially regarding immature. Thus, the importance of studying eggs and nymphs of true bugs (Heteroptera) is evident, contributing to understand their classification, biology, and evolution. In this perspective, we conducted a research about immature of predatory stink bugs, highlighting critical features for identification. We present: (1) a literature overview about eggs and nymphs of predatory stink bugs guided by selected categories; (2) images of females laying eggs of ten species and nymphs of thirty-four species, obtained on websites with a citizen science approach; (3) a comparative morphology of immature of six species reared under laboratory conditions, which we examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. We found a remarkable morphological diversity of both eggs and nymphs of Asopinae, revealing key features to establish diagnoses for identification and potential characters to phylogenetics,
such as the aero-micropylar processes and chorion scultpturing of the eggs; and the coloration, labium and abdominal plates morphology of nymphs. The results show that little is known about Asopinae immature considering the diversity of the group; however, information obtained by citizen science initiatives, for instance, can improve this knowledge.
The taxonomic revision of ‘Hypatropis complex’, composed by Amauromelpia Fernandes & Grazia, Hypatropis Bergroth, Luridocimex Grazia, Fernandes & Schwertner, Stysiana Grazia, Fernandes & Schwertner, and Pedinonotus Fernandes & Grazia, updating the genitalic terminology, are presented here. The differential diagnosis of ‘Hypatropis complex’ and all of its members are provided. Photographs of the type-specimens and genitalia, species distributional map with new records, and a key to genera and species are also provided.
Currently, only 40% of Brazil’s Pampa still is covered by original vegetation; however, there is a clear underrepresentation of regional biodiversity in protected areas (PA). Herein, we assessed the extent to which 13 PAs for the Integral Protection in the Brazilian Pampa are effective in conserving samples of the natural attributes and biodiversity of the Pampa. Of all 13 PAs analysed, 11 showed human land uses (range: 0.8–39%) in the legally defined area. Only six PAs had natural land cover above 90%, and abandoned agricultural fields were present in most of the PAs. All buffer zones surrounding PAs for Integral Protection had human land uses. Half of the buffer zones had human-related uses in more than 40% of area. Agricultural mosaics were the most common land uses in the buffer zones. Our study shows that most Pampa PAs are not immune to anthropogenic pressures both inside and around them.
Dinidor jograziae sp. nov., is described. The new species can be recognized by the relatively shorter mandibular plates which do not come in contact with each other anterior to the clypeus, by the dark brown hemelytral membranes, with darker, reticulate veins, and by having a relatively large portion of the connexiva exposed. We provide high-resolution photographs of important characters such as the head, pronotum, and the male and female external genitalia. We also provide new locality records for D. saucius from southern and southeastern Brazil, including the Atlantic Rain Forest region in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and São Paulo.
Several stink bugs in the subfamily Pentatominae are crop pests or have the potential to damage plants of economic importance. In the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, where agriculture plays a major role in the economy, the knowledge about pest stink bugs is fragmented and, in some instances, outdated. This work provides a summary of Pentatominae species recorded in Rio Grande do Sul feeding on the four most important grain crops for the state, i.e. soybean, rice, maize, and wheat, plus canola, an emerging crop. This survey is enhanced with new records from scientific collections, a short diagnosis for each species, distribution maps, an identification key, and carefully illustrated to allow for species recognition in the field. With this work, we aim to reunite the scattered knowledge of the group in one single revision, and provide a useful tool for identifying the pest stink bugs of Rio Grande do Sul.
The Ochlerini (Discocephalinae) are endemic in the Neotropical region, and the tribe currently contains 38 genera and 149 species. The monotypic Macropygium Spinola, 1837 is the most widespread ochlerine genus in the Americas, ranging from Mexico to Argentina. Macropygium reticulare (Fabricius, 1803) is one of the few Ochlerini of phytosanitary importance, transmitting Phytomonas spp. in palm crops in South America. Nonetheless its wide distribution, and phytosanitary importance, the taxonomy of Macropygium has been neglected. Here we present a revision of Macropygium, revalidate three species, Macropygium spinolae Stål, 1860, REVISED STATUS (removed from the synonymy with M. reticulare), Macropygium bifidum (Westwood, 1837), NEW COMBINATION (removed from the synonymy with M. reticulare), and Macropygium subsulcatum (Amyot & Serville, 1843), REVISED STATUS (removed from the synonymy with M. reticulare). We remove Ochlerus guttipes Walker, 1867 from the synonymy with M. reticulare, and propose O. guttipes a new junior synonym of M. spinolae. Finally, we describe one new species, Macropygium graziae Silva & Campos, SP. NOv.. A key for the species of Macropygium is provided.
As a result of the frst phylogenetic analysis of the Mecocephala group, Hypanthracos Grazia & Campos, 1996 is included to the Mecocephala group; H. meridionalis is redescribed, and four new species in three new genera are described: the genus Chimerocoris gen.n. is proposed to accommodate C. luridus sp.n., the genus Liscocephala gen.n. is proposed to accommodate L. fumosa sp.n. and the genus Triunfus gen.n. is proposed to accommodate two new species: T. carvalhoi sp.n. and T. incarnatus sp.n. The new taxa are distributed in Brazil and Uruguay. In addition, Ogmocoris Mayr, 1864 is redescribed, a lectotype is designated, and the genitalia of both sexes for O. hypomelas (Burmeister) are described for the frst time. The standard terminology for the male genitalia of members of the Mecocephala group is proposed. Photographs, illustrations, and a distribution map are also provided for all the species.
We present a taxonomic revision of Parahypatropis Grazia and Fernandes, 1996, with the description of two new species: Parahypatropis occultata sp. nov. and Parahypatropis similis sp. nov. The generic diagnosis of Parahypatropis is modified to accommodate the new species. Also, Prolatucoris mandibulatus gen. et sp. nov. is described. Comparative illustrations of genitalia, a distributional map of the described species, and a key to species of Parahypatropis are provided.
http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:92375BC6-CC64-4B72-B8E6-EF5B99A2A0E6
Some species of Podisus Herrich-Schäffer have a confuse taxonomic history with several modifications and loss of information over time. The genus has been considered a taxonomic dumping ground in Asopinae, and its current species composition is doubtful. After examining the type specimens of Telepta distincta Stål, Arma submarginata Walker, Arma monospila Walker, Arma fuscescens Dallas, Arma caliginosa Walker, Arma turbida Walker and Podisus mellipes Bergroth, we redescribe and revalidate A. fuscescens as Podisus fuscescens rev. stat., previously considered a junior synonym of Podisus sagitta (Fabricius). The taxonomic status, morphology and distribution of P. fuscescens and P. distinctus are updated and illustrated. Arma caliginosa, A. turbida and Podisus mellipes become synonyms of P. fuscescens. Additionally, Arma submarginata Walker is removed from its synonymy with Podisus ventralis (Dallas) and treated as a synonym of P. distinctus. Podisus signoreti Fallou is removed from its synonymy with P. distinctus and treated as species inquirenda.
Hypoxys is one of four subgenera of Edessa (Fabricius, 1787) together with Aceratodes (De Geer, 1773), Dorypleura (Lepeletier & Serville, 1825) and Edessa (Fabricius, 1787). This taxon has a very confusing taxonomy due to incorrect use of the names available, imprecise descriptions, and large number of very similar species. To illustrate the confusion, Hypoxys potentially includes a large number of species of Edessa, but actually contains only the type species, according to the most recent catalogue. The name E. quadridens Fabricius, 1803, type species of Hypoxys, was used for more than a century as a label to identify a large group of similar species. In this work we continue revising Edessa elevating Hypoxys to genus based on the following morphological characters: proximal part of costal margin black; evaporatorium with a deep notch on lateral margin; anterior arms of metasternal process acuminate; pygophore longer than wide and subrectangular or barrel-shaped in dorsal view; dorsal rim of pygophore well-projected, almost reaching posterolateral angles and finishing in a small lobe; and posterolateral angles of pygophore not developed. Hypoxys is being divided in four species groups to include 17 species transferred from Edessa. H. quadridens group comprises: Hypoxys quadridens (Fabricius, 1803) (type species), H. boerneri (Breddin, 1904) comb. nov., H. claricolor (Breddin, 1907) comb. nov., H. dolosus (Breddin, 1907) comb. nov., H. eburatulus (Breddin, 1907) comb. nov., H. necopinatus (Breddin, 1907) comb. nov., H. offuscatus (Breddin, 1907) comb. nov. and H. trabeculus (Breddin, 1907) comb. nov. H. triangularis group comprises: H. triangularis (Dallas, 1851) comb. nov. (type species), H. capito (Breddin, 1904) comb. nov. and H. subrastratus (Bergroth, 1891) comb. nov. H. oxyacanthus group comprises: H. oxyacanthus (Breddin, 1904) comb. nov. (type species), H. brachyacanthus (Breddin, 1904) comb. nov., H. infulatus (Breddin, 1904) comb. nov., H. leptacanthus (Breddin, 1904) comb. nov. and H. tragelaphus (Breddin, 1903) comb. nov. H. balteatus group comprises only H. balteatus (Walker, 1868) comb. nov. These groups of species will be useful to organize the new species of Hypoxys that will be described in upcoming papers. Descriptions, measurements, photos of genitalia of both sexes; photos in dorsal and ventral views of the species; and distribution maps are provided. Males of H. capito, H. claricolor, H. eburatulus, H. infulatus, and H. subrastratus are described for the first time. Female of H. necopinatus is described for the first time. Edessa jugalis is considered a junior synonym of H. quadridens; E. rimata a junior synonym of H. offuscatus; E. scabriventris and E. leprosula junior synonyms of H. triangularis; E. pachyacantha a junior synonym of H. tragelaphus; E. orba a junior synonym of E. oxyacanthus. A key to the species of Hypoxys is also provided.
The genus Euschistus Dallas includes 67 species restricted to the New World, and several species are registered on cultivated plants in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. In South America, most Euschistus species are completely overlooked due to the lack of information to allow accurate identification. Here, we redescribed Euschistus taurulus Berg, including for the first time, characterization of the internal and external genitalia of both sexes. We also report original information on bionomics, review and update information on geographical distribution and host plants records. Additionally, we provide DNA barcoding sequences for E. taurulus and three other morphologically similar key-agriculture pest species in South America: Euschistus heros (Fabricius), Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas), and Dichelops furcatus (Fabricius). We discuss means for correct identification of E. taurulus and its phylogenetic position within Euschistus and other similar stink bugs; the potential economic importance of the E. taurulus is also addressed.
The neotropical genus Poriptus Stål, 1861 is revised, based upon morphological characters. Poriptus tobago sp. nov. is described from the Caribbean. Illustrations and a key to species are provided.
Members of the subfamily Asopinae (common names: predatory stinkbugs or soldier bugs) are set apart from the other pentatomid subfamilies by their essentially predaceous feeding habits. Asopine first instars do not attack prey and only need moisture, mainly plant juices, to develop. Although for some predatory stinkbugs partial development on certain plant foods has been observed, nymphs from the second instar on require animal food to complete development. Further, nymphs and adults are often observed to take up plant juices or free water in addition to feeding on prey, suggesting that metabolic water or that from prey is insufficient for survival (Schumacher 1910, for more details see Section 3.2). Unlike phytophagous pentatomids, predatory stinkbugs are characterized by having a crassate rostrum. The first segment is markedly thickened and free, only the base being embedded between the bucculae. This enables a fully forward extension of the rostrum and thus facilitates feeding on active prey. The bucculae form a rostral groove that does not reach the posterior margin of the head. The rostrum generally extends beyond the coxae of the middle legs, but never surpasses the base of the venter. The scutellum is mostly much shorter than the abdomen, but in some genera it is enlarged, covering most of the abdominal dorsum. The anterior tibiae have a short, acute spine on the lower surface (Schouteden 1907; Schumacher 1910; Miller 1956; DeCoursey and Allen 1968; Thomas 1992, 1994). McDonald (1966) stated that the genitalia of the Asopinae have no unique characters, although the asopine males are unique in combining the presence of genital plates (parandria) with a thecal shield.
Canola (Brassicaceae: Brassica spp.) is an important feedstock for biodiesel production and a potential ingredient for use in the food industry. In different continents, various arthropod pests damage canola plants. Stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) are present in all zoogeographical regions, and many species are recognized by their economic importance as crop pests. Our aim was to describe the composition, structure, and diversity of the assemblage of stink bugs sampled on canola in southern Brazil. A total of 878 pentatomids were captured, belonging to 27 species. The dominant species were Euschistus heros (F.) (n = 439), Dichelops furcatus (F.) (n = 160), and Nezara viridula L. (n = 79). The species richness estimators indicated the samples correspond from 79.7 to 93.1% of the richness estimated. Comparing canola to other monocultures, the richness of Pentatomidae was much superior. Otherwise, when compared to studies conducted in native vegetation and urban fragments, the richness is similar, and sometimes higher. This relatively high number of associations brings out the vulnerability of the canola fields according to the expansion of its cultivated area. Nine species of Pentatomidae are recorded on canola for the first time in Brazil. The most abundant species reported here are often stressed as stink bugs of economic importance in agro-ecosystems. The economic importance of each species varies greatly depending on the plant attacked. Detailed studies are needed to evaluate the damage caused to canola by stink bugs.
Understanding how insects will respond both ecologically and evolutionarily to complex and interacting factors linked to global change is an important challenge that underpins our ability to produce better predictive models and to anticipate and manage ecosystem-scale disruption in the Anthropocene. Insects have the capacity to rapidly adapt to changing conditions via a variety of mechanisms which include both phenotypically plastic and evolutionary responses that interact in important ways. This short review comments on the current state of knowledge surrounding rapid evolution in insects and highlights conceptual and empirical gaps. Emphasis is placed on the need to consider direct and indirect community-level feedbacks via both ecological and evolutionary mechanisms when examining the consequences of global change, with particular focus on insects and their facultative and obligate symbionts.
In this chapter, we provide a taxonomic history for each family and subfamily (if applicable) and, in addition, for the tribes and generic groups within the Pentatomidae, that, perhaps, will give some perception of the taxonomic position of each group. We also discuss the systematic classification within each of these groups and provide general diagnoses and descriptions for all families within the Pentatomoidea and for the subfamilies, tribes, and generic groups within the Pentatomidae. We discuss potentially important characters and point out problems in the existing classification. It is our intention to provide information on the currently recognized or disputed taxa, their defining characters, and their relationships. We also have summarized some of the biological information for each group.
Cydninae is the largest subfamily among burrower bugs all around the world and for Brazil the genera Cyrtomenus, Dallasiellus, Ectinopus, Melanaethus, Onalips, Pangaeus, Prolobodes and Tominotus were reported with a total of 39 species, so far. Basing on the material of nine entomological collections, we updated the list to 47 species including new records and a new species, Tominotus ondulatus sp. nov. described from Restinga, Rio Grande do Sul. Distribution maps and photos of dorsal habits for several species are also provided.
Most pentatomids are phytophagous, many of which are economically important crop pests. The family may also be a potentially important group to monitor the health of neotropical forests. However, there is a lack of biological inventories of Pentatomidae, especially in forest remnants of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. This is the first systematic survey of pentatomids reported in three Atlantic forest fragments in northeastern Brazil. In total, 997 individuals belonging to 38 species were recorded, some of which are considered economically important pests. Singletons and doubletons represented 45.9% of all species collected. The most abundant genera were Mormidea Amyot & Serville, 1843; Stictochilus Bergroth, 1918; Xynocoris Garbelotto & Campos 2014; and Edessa F., 1803. Species richness differed among fragments, with a richness gradient correlated with decreased urbanization and increased fragment size. The species abundance distribution fitted the logseries function but not the lognormal, in accordance with what is found for other assemblages in southern Brazil. Species composition also changed, in association with changes in temperature (revealed by the canonical correspondence analysis [CCA]), among fragments. Murici is one of the last remaining dense forests with high plant diversity in the region, having higher pentatomid species richness and a distinctive fauna. This first diversity study for Pentatomidae in fragments of tropical Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil reveals richness comparable with those from subtropical southern Brazil, with some species in common as well.