Eating with the enemy? Mimic complex between a stingless bee and assassin bugs

ABSTRACT

In this study, we record for the first time the genus Notocyrtus (Heteroptera, Reduviidae) from Argentina based on three species Notocyrtus dorsalis (Gray), Notocyrtus dispersus Carvalho & Costa, and Notocyrtus foveatus Stål. We also describe and illustrate a mimetic complex comprising the three Notocyrtus species and Tetragona clavipes (Fabricius) (Apidae, Meliponini), that were collected on Bahuinia forficata Link (Leguminosae Caesalpinioideae). We include biological comments on the plant-reduvid-bee interaction and hypothesize about the functionality of the mimetic complex described.