Carl W. Schaefer’s research while affiliated with University of Passo Fundo and other places

The broad-headed bugs (Alydidae) are divided into two subfamilies, Alydinae and Micrelytrinae, each divided into two tribes, Daclerini and Alydini, and Micrelytrini and Leptocorisini, respectively. The family has 53 genera and about 250 species; in the neotropics, there are 21 genera. Alydids are small (8-20 mm), slender, with a triangular head; nymphs of alydines mimic ants, the adults of some Micrelytrini also mimic ants. The most studied species in the neotropics is the alydine Neomegalotomus parvus (Westwood), usually associated with legumes, and may be a pest on soybean. Other common genera include Hyalymenus Amyot &Serville, Stenocoris Burmeister, Cydamus Stål, and Trachelium Herrich-Schäffer. Studies on taxonomy and bioecology on alydids of the Neotropics are needed.

We provide town data for the Pentatomidae in Connecticut. Although this state has been much collected, most sampling has been limited to only a few locations. Species newly recorded for Connecticut are: Halyomorpha halys (Stål), Hymenarcys nervosa (Say), Banasa euchlora Stål, B. sordida (Uhler), and Perillus bioculatus (Fabricius). Podisus neglectus (Westwood) may occur in the state. Other species found in neighboring states may eventually be found in Connecticut: Picromerus bidens (Linnaeus), Rhacognathus americanus Stål, Mcphersonarcys aequalis (Say), Thyanta custator custator (Fabricius), T. custator acerra McAtee, and Amaurochrous brevitylus (Barber and Sailer). We briefly analyze these data, recognizing some faunal elements. More collecting needs to be conducted in the state, so that distribution patterns outlined here can be more broadly understood, and so that species of potential conservation concern can be identified.

Melanacanthus margineguttatus Distant and Riptortus macleani Schaffner (both Alydinae) and Leptocorisa oratorio (F.) (Micrelytrinae: Leptocorisini) are recorded from Guam, the last for the first time. Melanacanthus and M. margineguttatus are redescribed; Melanacanthus is compared with other alydine genera; R. macleani and L. oratoria are compared with related species; and some biological notes from the literature are discussed.

Leptoglossus katiae Schaefer and Packauskas, n. sp., is described from northeastern Brazil. It belongs in the L. cinctus species group and is most similar to Leptoglossus cinctus (Herrich-Schaeffer), L. crassicornis (Dallas), and L. fasciatus (Westwood). It can be distinguished from these species, and from most other Leptoglossus species, by its small size (10.5–12.3 mm) and long rostrum (reaching onto the sixth abdominal sternum), as well as by other characters. Sexual dimorphism of the hind tibia and femur is discussed briefly.

Bactrophyamixia brailovskyi, new species (tribe Micrelytrini), is described from Province Puntarenas, Costa Rica. This species extends the range of the genus from southern México 1,200 km south and east, into Central America. Differences between this species and the three others in the genus are discussed; the similarities between Bactrophyamixia and related New World genera also are discussed; and the new species is figured.

Triatoma baratai Carcavallo & Jurberg, is a wild ( i.e., nonperidomestic) species found in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (Bodoquena region, county of Bonito), Brazil. Its eggs and nymphs are described here based on optical and scanning electron microscopy. The operculum and exochorion have pentagonal, hexagonal, and heptagonal cells, with small cracks and small random pits. Differences in the eggs and five nymphal instars of T. baratai allow them to be distinguished from the sympatric species Triatoma williami Galvão, Souza & Lima, and from six of the nine members of the Triatoma oliveirai complex. The most useful differentiating characters are in the color, shape of the abdomen, head, and total body length. Keys are provided to separate the eggs and nymphal instars of six of the nine members of the Triatoma oliveirai species complex.

For the first time, the eggs and all instars of a species of the Indian genus Linshcosteus are described using morphometrics and optical and scanning electron microscopy. Linshcosteus karupus Galvão, Patterson, Rocha & Jurberg, 2002 was recently described from near Kalakkadu, Tamil Nadu State, southern India. In addition, current knowledge and the importance of morphological studies of immature Triatominae are discussed.

Apidaurus, a neotropical alydine genus, is revised. Apidaurus conspersus Stål is redescribed and Apidaurus triguttatus Berg synonymized with it (new synonymy); Apidaurus longitylus Schaefer and Schaffner new species is described, and the two species are keyed. The fifth instar of A. conpsersus is briefly described. The genital capsule of Apidaurus is also described, and its homologies with structures of other alydine genital capsules are discussed. Apidaurus conspersus occurs from southern Texas into southern Brazil, and A. longitylus from French Guiana into Brazil; the two species overlap in Paraguay. The phylogenetic relationships of the genus, and of the two species, are discussed.

The biology of nymphs and adults of the Neotropical scentless bug Jadera choprai Göllner-Scheiding feeding on mature seeds of the balloon vine, Cardiospermum halicacabum (L.) (Sapindaceae), was studied in the laboratory. Most nymphs (>75%) successfully reached adulthood when feeding on this food. Nymphs reared individually had lower mortality (14.0%) and shorter developmental times (35.7 d) than did bugs reared in groups (23.3% and 39.9 d). All adult females oviposited when fed on seeds of balloon vine. Mean adult longevity was 86.0 d for males and 47.7 for females. Mean fecundity was ≈147 eggs per female, and ≈85% of the eggs hatched. Fresh body weight of females increased significantly during the first week of adult life; males, however, lost weight significantly during this period. Females lost weight during their second week posteclosion, but they regained the weight subsequently. However, males did not. Nymphs and adults (macropterous and brachypterous forms) of J. choprai are described and illustrated, as are their setal patterns.