Hemerobiidae from Deceit Island: the Southernmost Neuroptera in the Americas

ABSTRACT The Neuropteran fauna on the most meridional part of South America is relatively scarce. Two families, Hemerobiidae and Coniopterigydae, have been recorded so far. Accordingly, only a few species have reached the south of Tierra del Fuego. Currently, the southernmost records of these species, Hemerobius chilensis Nakahara, 1965 and Megalomus flinti (Nakahara, 1965), are from Puerto Williams, Navarino Island (54°56′S 67°37′W), which makes them the southernmost distributed neuropterans in the continent. Here we provide the first records for two Neuroptera species, Hemerobius nekoi Monserrat, 1996 and Megalomus flinti; from Deceit Island, a remote subantarctic island within the Cape Horn archipelago (55°51′41″S 67°08′31″W). The records provided makes these species the southernmost recorded lacewings in the continent; extending the known distribution of neuropterans in South America nearly 110km towards the south.

emGraziacrophyma/em gen. nov., a new genus of South American Acanthosomatidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera).

The genus Acrophyma Bergroth currently contains two species, the Andean A. cumingii (Westwood) and the Neotropical A. bicallosa (Stål). The examination of types and new material revealed that among the Neotropical species the Brazilian population differs from the Colombian, and the first one belongs to a new species in this group. A morphological analysis of the genus indicated the Neotropical species are different from the Andean species. According to the current most used generic characters in acanthosomatids, Neotropical species should be placed in a new genus. This is also supported by biogeographical relationships. New distributional records for the species of this group are provided.

First teratological case of the ocular pattern in the brown recluse spider genus Loxosceles Heineken & Lowe (Araneae, Sicariidae)

An ocular malformation is described for the first time in the genus Loxosceles, specifically in a female of Loxosceles surca Gertsch. The specimen was collected at 3,540 m.a.s.l. in Tarapaca Region, Chile. It is the first record for this family and the first case of teratology described for spiders in this country

Alien Invasion: The Case of the Western Conifer-Seed Bug (Heteroptera: Coreidae) in Chile, Overreaction, and Misidentifications.

Leptoglossus occidentalis (Heidemann) is an invasive species introduced in Europe, Asia, and most recently South America. In the present study, we report the overreaction situation caused by this bug in Chile, as it has been confused with kissing bugs (Reduviidae: Triatominae), Chagas' disease vectors. During 2018 and first months of 2019, we received 74 alleged cases of kissing bugs to confirm identification. From these, a total of 63 were identified as L. occidentalis, representing a 85% of the total denounces. Additionally, the first bite case in a human is described. The situation caused by L. occidentalis in Chile is discussed, and an illustrated table is provided to correctly identify this species and tell it apart from Triatomines. It is concluded that L. occidentalis is well established in Chile, and it is necessary to educate the population on recognition of the bug and to avoid overreaction as the species can inflict painful bites, but not transmit any disease.

A new genus and new species of Aeptini (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae) from Australia.

The aeptine Mariomella singularis gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Western Australia. With this new addition, the Aeptini diversity increases to 21 species in nine genera.

A Predation Record of Nabis paranensis (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) Over Aedes albifasciatus.

Aedesalbifasciatus is one of the most widely distributed mosquitoes in the Southern Cone of South America, and a known vector of western equine encephalomyelitus. Despite its wide range of distribution and relatively large abundance over its distribution, little is known about the ecological interactions in adults. In this contribution we record the first predation record of the damselbug Nabis paranensis (Nabidae) over an adult male of A. albifasciatus. The interaction record is analyzed and discussed.

Bedbugs Evolved before Their Bat Hosts and Did Not Co-speciate with Ancient Humans.

All 100+ bedbug species (Cimicidae) are obligate blood-sucking parasites [1, 2]. In general, blood sucking (hematophagy) is thought to have evolved in generalist feeders adventitiously taking blood meals [3, 4], but those cimicid taxa currently considered ancestral are putative host specialists [1, 5]. Bats are believed to be the ancestral hosts of cimicids [1], but a cimicid fossil [6] predates the oldest known bat fossil [7] by >30 million years (Ma). The bedbugs that parasitize humans [1, 8] are host generalists, so their evolution from specialist ancestors is incompatible with the "resource efficiency" hypothesis and only partially consistent with the "oscillation" hypothesis [9-16]. Because quantifying host shift frequencies of hematophagous specialists and generalists may help to predict host associations when vertebrate ranges expand by climate change [17], livestock, and pet trade in general and because of the previously proposed role of human pre-history in parasite speciation [18-20], we constructed a fossil-dated, molecular phylogeny of the Cimicidae. This phylogeny places ancestral Cimicidae to 115 mya as hematophagous specialists with lineages that later frequently populated bat and bird lineages. We also found that the clades, including the two major current urban pests, Cimex lectularius and C. hemipterus, separated 47 mya, rejecting the notion that the evolutionary trajectories of Homo caused their divergence [18-21]. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

From Agricultural to Household Pest: The Case of the Painted Bug Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Chile.

Bagrada hilaris is an invasive stink bug present in Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and recently found in Chile, South America. Painted bug is well known as an agricultural pest, attacking mostly Brassicaceae. First records of the painted bug B. hilaris invading homes are given from Chile, from the Metropolitan, and Valparaiso Regions, including mild and heavily infested homes. In addition, the first case ever of an adventitious bite in a human being by this species is provided and described. Additionally, first alleged cases of occupational allergy are also mentioned. The possible reasons of the occurrence of these invasions are commented and discussed. It is concluded that the invasions may be due because of the lack of food plant sources in nearby wild and agroecosystems; forcing the bugs to migrate to closely located cities. As a result, it is recommended to extend education and control programs from agricultural to urban residential areas.

Kaytuesso flavolateralis gen. and sp. nov., a new monotypic genus of Oncomerinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tessaratomidae) from Papua New Guinea.

Kaytuesso flavolateralis gen. and sp. nov. is described from Papua New Guinea. The new genus is remarkable in that the only included species is one of the smallest species known within the Oncomerinae. The relationships among Kaytuesso and the related genera Agapophyta Guerin, Erga Walker and Musgraveia Leston and Scudder are discussed.

Review of the genus Menestheus Stål, 1868 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

The Aeptini (Pentatomidae: Pentatominae) genus Menestheus Stål, 1868, is redescribed. The original misidentification of the type species for Menestheus is corrected by action of first reviser herein by establishing Paramenestheus nercivus non Dallas, 1851 sensu Stal (1868) = Menestheus cuneatus Distant, 1899 as the type species. Menestheus mcphersoni sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Characters separating the two species are discussed.

First Record of Aedes albifasciatus in Magallanes Region, Chile.

Aedes albifasciatus is known for transmitting western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE), a virus that can affect humans and animals. In this work, we record for the first time Ae. albifasciatus from the Magallanes Region in Chile, as the only culicid species known from this southernmost region. Although WEE poses a serious problem to cattle production in neighboring Argentina, no WEE has been recorded in Chile. The need for surveillance programs of WEE in Magallanes is also discussed here.

Additions to Idiostolidae in Coscarón (2017) "A catalogue of the Heteroptera (Hemiptera) or true bugs from Argentina".

Several references missing in the Idiostolidae chapter of the recently published Catalogue of the Heteroptera (Hemiptera) or true bugs from Argentina are provided. Annotations to the bibliography are provided to clarify some records of the family in the country.

Photography-based taxonomy: Is it necessary to reform the Code, and what that exactly means?

A recent series of papers, and rebuttals, regarding Photography-based taxonomy (PBT) (Pape et al. 2016, Krell et al. 2016, Ceríaco et al. 2016, Thorpe 2017) has raised much controversy and discussion about the practice of describing new species without preserved type specimens. Although there has been thoughtful discussion upon this issue, there is still much misunderstanding, especially regarding the idea of changing parts of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999) to regulate this practice.

A new species of Oncopeltus Stål, 1868 (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) in the nominate subgenus from Ecuador.

Oncopeltus Stål is a lygaeine genus currently comprising 39 species classified in two subgenera (Slater & O'Donnell, 1995). Oncopeltus is distributed in both hemispheres in tropical and temperate areas. Species on this genus are commonly known as milkweed bugs, because of their trophic association with plants in the family Apocynaceae (Scudder & Duffey, 1971). From these plants, the bugs sequester cardenolides making them unpalatable for predators (Duffey & Scudder, 1972). These habits are also accompanied with their brightly reddish coloration, which has been interpreted as aposematism (Duffey & Scudder, 1972, O'Rourke, 1979; Faúndez et al., 2016). As these bugs attack several plants in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae; they have an economic impact on several ornamentally used species, and may sometimes be considered as garden pests (Faúndez & Rocca, 2016; Faúndez et al., 2016). Species of this group are also well known for generating some natural hybrids (O'Rourke, 1979); because of this, their systematic treatment at specific level has been confused, and the identity of several taxa remain unclear. The purpose of this contribution is to describe a new species in this genus from Ecuador.

Description of the 5th instar nymph of Oenopiella punctaria (Stål, 1859) Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), with new distributional records from Southern Patagonia.

The 5th instar nymph of Oenopiella punctaria (Stål, 1859) is described and illustrated for the first time, together with new distributional records from Patagonia. The new records are from Santa Cruz Province (Argentina), and the Magallanes Region (Chile). The latter is the southernmost record for this species and also for the Carpocorini in South America. In light of the new data, the biogeography of Oenopiella is discussed, and it is concluded that an Andean origin may be possible.

First Case of a Human Being Bitten by a Water Boatman (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Corixidae) from Chile.

The first record of a water boatman (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Corixidae) biting humans is described. The case is from Chile, and the biting species was identified as Sigara trimaculata (Le Guillou, 1841). The possible causes of the bites are discussed.

A Case of Biting Humans by Nabis americoferus (Heteroptera: Nabidae), With Comments on Bites by Other Species of the Genus Nabis in the United States.

A case of biting humans by the common damsel bug Nabis americoferus Carayon, 1961 is reported for an adult male in Fargo, ND. The symptoms and evolution of the bite are described. A compilation of cases of other Nabis spp. biting humans in the United States is provided and discussed.

Synopsis of the genus Eldarca Signoret, 1864 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae).

A synopsis of the Coreid genus Eldarca Signoret, 1864 is presented. Full species status is given to Eldarca rufa Reed, 1899 n. stat. New distributional data are provided for Eldarca nigra Signoret, 1864. Eldarca haematoloma rufa Reed, 1899 n. stat. is considered as subspecies of E. haematomera. Eldarca nigroscutellata sp. nov. is described from southern Patagonia; which becomes also the southernmost record of Coreidae in South America. Differential diagnoses and figures for all the species of the genus are included. The distribution of the species is commented and a distribution map is provided. A key to the four known species of Eldarca is added. 

A new species of Acledra s. str. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from the highlands of Argentina and Bolivia, with a checklist and key to the species of the nominate subgenus.

Acledra (Acledra) bichromocornis n. sp. from the highlands of Argentina and Bolivia is described. A checklist of the species of Acledra s. str. is provided, including the distribution by country. A key to the species of Acledra s. str. is included.