First cases of exclusive paternal care in stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

We describe paternal care in two pentatomid bugs, Lopadusa (Lopadusa) augur Stål, 1860 and Edessa nigropunctata Berg, 1884. Field and laboratory observations showed that males remain with their eggs and early hatched nymphs, while females abandon the eggs after oviposition. Guarding males defensive behaviors towards their clutches were similar to those described for guarding females of pentatomids. Since there is no detailed information on the internal phylogeny of Pentatomidae, it is not possible to make a robust inference on whether paternal care in L. augur and E. nigropunctata has arisen independently or not. If the latter, the two new cases of paternal care we describe here represent the fifth event of independent evolution of this rare behavioral trait in Heteroptera.

Indirect effect of neem oil on Podisus nigrispinus (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae): biology and predatory capacity

This study evaluated the effects on the development and predatory capacity of Podisus nigrispinus fed on Spodoptera frugiperda that have ingested different concentrations of neem oil. The predatory capacity of Podisus nigrispinus was assessed, separating nymphs (fourth instar) and adults (males and females). The treatments consisted of S. frugiperda larvae reared in neem oil aqueous solutions (0.077, 0.359 and 0.599%), deltamethrin EC 25 (0.100%) and control arranged in a completely randomized design, with ten replicates. Insects were offered three larval densities (one, three and six), in the third or fourth instars. The predated larvae were examined at 24 and 48 hours after the beginning of the experiment. Biological parameters of Podisus nigrispinus were evaluated in groups of ten second-instar nymphs transferred to pots, in five replicates. Insects were offered 2-6 third and/or fourth-instar larvae reared in the same neem oil concentrations in a completely randomized design. The following parameters were evaluated: duration of each nymph stage (days), nymph mortality (%), weight of fifth-instar nymphs (mg), sex ratio, weight of males and females (mg) and longevity of unfed adults (days). The predatory capacity of nymphs and adults of Podisus nigrispinus was influenced by the neem oil at the concentrations of 0.359% and 0.599% in the highest density. The concentration of 0.359% lengthened the nymphal stage and the concentration of 0.599% reduced the weight of males.

Ciclo de vida y aspectos poblacionales de Edessa aff. aulacosterna Stal, 1872 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) chinche del fruto del camu camu (Myrtaceae) en zona de restinga, Ucayali, Perú

El camu camu es uno de los frutales nativos con gran potencial económico para la agroindustria y agro exportación. Edessa es una de las plagas del camu camu que provoca sequedad en los brotes, y en los frutos una mancha decolorada con círculos concéntricos bien marcados y un punto central al alimentarse. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el ciclo biológico bajo condiciones de laboratorio y la fluctuación poblacional de Edessa aff. aulacosterna "Chinche del fruto del camu camu" durante enero a noviembre del 2004 en el cultivo de camu camu, en parcelas en desarrollo y producción ubicadas en áreas de restinga inundables en Pucallpa, Ucayali, Perú. Se colectaron huevos, ninfas y adultos procedentes del distrito de Yarinacocha, Pucallpa, Ucayali, Perú para iniciar la crianza artificial. El tiempo de duración del huevo al I estadio ninfal fue 5,1 días. Se encontró un 94,6% de eclosión de los huevos, variando entre 12 hasta 14 huevos por postura. El tiempo transcurrido desde el huevo hasta II estadío fue de 37,3 días y del III al V estadío ninfal fue de 81,9 días. El porcentaje de mortalidad del primer estadio ninfal a adulto fue de 98,1%. Los adultos colectados se localizaron preferentemente sobre las ramas y el tallo de la planta, mientras que las ninfas se encontraron en los brotes tiernos. Con relación a su fluctuación poblacional, solo se registró posturas a lo largo del año en parcelas en producción. No se encontraron diferencias entre ninfas I a V, y adultos de Edessa aff. aulacosterna, entre plantaciones en producción y desarrollo de camu camu. Solo se encontró diferencias entre la época seca y lluviosa en las ninfas de III a V estadio en las plantas de camu camu en desarrollo. Edessa aff. aulacosterna presentó mayormente una distribución contagiosa. El adecuado conocimiento de la bioecología nos permite mejorar la estrategia de control de esta plaga.

Stink bugs (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) and an unique host plant in the Brazilian subtropics

Stink bugs are seed/fruit sucking insects feeding on an array of host plants. Among them, an exotic tree called privet, Ligustrum lucidum Ait. (Oleaceae), is very common in the urban areas of the Brazilian subtropics, where it is utilized as food source and shelter for over a decem species of bugs, year round. The species composition, their performance and abundance on this host, and possible causes for this association are discussed and illustrated.

Um novo gênero de ochlerini do sul do Brasil (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Discocephalinae)

The new monotypic genus Ocellatocoris and its type species Ocellatocorisdasys, sp. nov. are described from Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Novas espécies de Acrosternum subgênero Chinavia (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Pentatomini)

Four new species of Acrosternum from Brazil are described: Acrosternum (Chinavia)immaculatum(Pará, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais), A.(C.) panizzii (Paraná), A. (C.) pontagrossensis(Paraná)and A. (C.) rideri (Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Distrito Federal, Minas Gerais). The external and internal genitalia of both sexes, except of A. (C.) pontagrossensis are studied. A key for the identification of all known species of the genus is included.

Revisão do gênero Runibia (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Pentatomini)

Runibia Stål, 1861 is redescribed, as well as the species R. dallasi Rider, 1998, R. decorata (Dallas, 1851), R. discoidea (Fabricius, 1787), R. euopta (Walker, 1867) and R. perspicua (Fabricius, 1798). A new species, R. caribeana, is described from Virgin Islands. Strachia alligata Walker, 1867, R. decorata var. alligata, and R. picturata Breddin, 1904 were considered junior synonyms of R. decorata. Lectotypes of R. dallasi, R. euopta and R. alligata were designated. Male and female genitalia for all species are described, except the phallus and ectodermal genital duct for R. dallasi. A key and a geographical distribution map are also provided.

Notas sobre Pseudevoplitus (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) e descrição de duas espécies novas

Two new species of the Neotropical genus Pseudevoplitus Ruckes,1958 are described, P. amazonicus Grazia & Greve, sp. nov. and P. roraimensis Grazia & Greve, sp. nov. both from the Brazilian Amazonia, with emphasis on genital characters. Additions to the generic description and a new key to the species are presented.

Estágios imaturos de Oebalus poecilus (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)

The immature stages of the rice bug Oebalus poecilus (Dallas, 1851) are described. The egg and the external morphological characters of the five nymphal stages were described and illustrated. The nymphs were exposed to two different photoperiods to induce seasonal forms to detect morphological differences.

Revision of Brachystethus (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Edessinae)

Brachystethus Laporte, 1832 is revised. Brachystethus coxalis Breddin, 1904, B. cribrus (Fabricius, 1781), B. geniculatus (Fabricius, 1787), B. improvisus Breddin, 1905, B. rubromaculatus Dallas, 1851, B. signoreti Stål, 1872, B. tricolor Bolívar, 1879, B. vexillum Breddin, 1903 and B. vicinus Signoret, 1851 are redescribed based on morphological characters, with emphasis on genitalia of both sexes. A new species, B. schuhi, from Guyana, is described, and B. discolor (Walker, 1867), incertae sedis, is removed from the genus. Illustrations and a key for species of Brachystethus are provided.

Variações morfológicas em Edessa rufomarginata e revalidação de E. albomarginata e E. marginalis (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Edessinae)

Based on the types of Edessa rufomarginata (De Geer, 1773) and its synonyms, on morphology of the paramere and coloration, seven patterns are described for E. rufomarginata. Pentatoma furcata Palisot de Beauvois, 1805, Cimex cruentus Fabricius, 1775, Aceratodes flavovirens Stål, 1855 and A. flavomarginatus Stål, 1855 are mantained as junior synonyms of E. rufomarginata. A. albomarginatus Stål, 1855 and A. marginalis Dallas, 1951 are removed from the synonymy of E. rufomarginata and are reinstated in Edessa. Aceratodes discolor Dallas, 1951 is removed from the synonymy of E. rufomarginata and is considered junior synonym of Edessa abdominalis Erichson, 1848.

Revision of Taurocerus (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Pentatomini)

Taurocerus Amyot & Serville, 1843 is revised based on morphology of male and female genitalia. Four species are recognized: T. edessoides (Spinola, 1837), T. achiles Stål, 1862, T. abruptus (Walker, 1867), and T. amazonensis sp. nov. Illustrations of male and female genitalia and a key for the species are provided.

Análise cladística e biogeografia de Ochlerini (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Discocephalinae)

Neste trabalho foi realizada uma análise cladística, utilizando 63 caracteres, dos 30 gêneros da tribo Neotropical Ochlerini Rolston, no intuito de testar seu monofiletismo e estabelecer uma hipótese de parentesco. Janeirona Distant, 1911 (Pentatomini) e as tribos Discocephalini e Halyini foram incluídas no grupo-interno para testar seu relacionamento com Ochlerini; Marghita Ruckes, 1964 e Stictochilus Bergroth, 1918 (Pentatomini) foram utilizados como grupos-externos. Os cladogramas de consenso estrito obtidos indicam que Ochlerini e Discocephalinae são grupos monofiléticos, mas Pentatominae, Halyini+Ochlerini, Pentatomini+Ochlerini, Ochlerus Spinola, 1837, Stalius Rolston, 1992 e Alitocoris Sailer, 1950 são grupos merofiléticos. Discocephalini e Ochlerini compartilham três sinapomorfias: primeiro segmento do rostro longo, alcançando o prosterno; metasterno carenado longitudinalmente; e superfície dorsal do segmento X do macho membranosa no terço basal. Ochlerini é sustentada por uma sinapomorfia, a superfície dorsal do terceiro artículo metatarsal das fêmeas aplainada. Uma análise biogeográfica a partir dos cladogramas de consenso mostrou padrões congruentes com eventos vicariantes propostos para a região Neotropical.

Morfologia e biologia dos imaturos de Euschistus hansi (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)

São descritos e ilustrados os estágios imaturos de Euschistus hansi Grazia, 1987, com ênfase nos caracteres morfológicos externos do ovo e dos cinco instares. Adultos e ninfas foram alimentados com ramos frescos e frutos maduros de "ligustro", Ligustrum lucidum Ait. (Oleaceae). As ninfas de E. hansi são comparadas com os imaturos já descritos de outras espécies neotropicais de Euschistus Dallas, 1851: E. heros (Fabricius, 1798), E. sulcacitus Rolston, 1971 e E. bifibulus (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805). Dados biológicos também são fornecidos.

Descrição de seis espécies de Chinavia (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae, Pentatominae) da América do Sul

Seis novas espécies de Chinavia Orian, 1965 são descritas: Chinavia vanduzeei sp. nov., do Peru (Madre Dios) e Brasil (Pará); Chinavia schuhi sp. nov., do Peru (Loreto), Colombia (Bolívar) e Brazil (Amazonas); Chinavia sebastiaoi sp. nov., do Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul), Bolivia (La Paz e Santa Cruz) e Paraguai (Carumbé); Chinavia cearensis sp. nov., Chinavia tuiucauna e Chinavia rufitibia sp. nov., do Brasil (Ceará, Bahia e Paraná, respectivamente). São fornecidas características diagnósticas de cada espécie.