The first extensive analysis of species composition and abundance of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on soybean crops in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Soybean is the third-greatest global commodity crop with respect to grain production, Brazil is the largest soybean producer in the world. We performed the first extensive survey including all the five main soybean cultivation regions in Brazil over three seasons (2018/2019, 2019/2020, and 2020/2021). A total of 2386 localities were sampled, corresponding to 145 municipalities in 11 states. Sampling was carried out between the R1 and R8 soybean growth stages, using a beating sheet. RESULTS: Fifteen species were recorded, with five species accounting for more than 99% of the sampled insects. The Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (F.), was the most abundant species (82.4% of the adults and 84.1% of the nymphs overall), with differences in the mean abundance between soybean macroregions. The melacanthus green belly stink bug, Diceraeus melacanthus Dallas was the second most abundant species overall, followed by the brown winged stink bug, Edessa meditabunda (F.), the furcatus green belly stink bug, Diceraeus furcatus (F.) and the red-banded green stink bug, Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood). The relative abundance of each species differed between soybean macroregions. The mean abundance of nymphs and adults of Euschistus heros at different soybean reproductive stages showed an increase from early reproductive stages to the beginning of the late reproductive stages (R5 or R6). CONCLUSION: This large-scale assessment of stink bugs provides a basis for outlining integrated pest management programs and drives the development of monitoring and control strategies, as well as future studies investigating population dynamics over time and space in soybean fields. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Molecular insights on the historical dispersion of Piezodorus guildinii (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Brazil.

Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood, 1837) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an important arthropod pest of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) throughout American continents. However, the historical events associated with its dispersion are poorly understood. In this study, we employed a phylogeographic approach to investigate the origin and demographic history of P. guildinii in Brazil. We analyzed the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and Cytb gene sequences of P. guildinii individuals collected in Brazil's 5 soybean production macro-regions and cross-referenced this information with sequences available in public databases. Our findings support an older Caribbean basin establishment for the current genealogical strains of P. guildinii, with subsequent dispersion to Brazil around 0.97 Mya. No secondary dispersion of this species from the Caribbean region to soybean areas in Brazil was identified. The Brazilian populations of P. guildinii are genetically structured across the country's soybean macro-regions and show strong signals of continuous demographic and spatial expansion in Brazil, which may be accelerated by the soybean cropping landscape in the country. The populations from the northern region (MR5) are older than the Central and South populations. The signs of demographic expansion indicate that P. guildinii populations are increasing their effective size in soybean regions, which could reflect its importance as a soybean pest in the coming years.

Occurrence of the Yellow-Spotted Stink Bug Erthesina fullo (Thunberg) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Brazil, a Polyphagous Species from Asia.

In recent years, the management of invasive stink bugs (Pentatomidae) has been a challenge in many regions of the world, including the Neotropical, where four non-native species were detected in the last two decades. Species with invasive potential include the yellow-spotted stink bug, Erthesina fullo (Thunberg). It is polyphagous and is known to cause damages to fruit crops in Southeast Asia. Herein, we report for the first time the occurrence of E. fullo in Brazil (Santos, São Paulo). Nymphs and adults have been recorded nearby the Harbor of Santos since November 2020. A fifth instar nymph was collected and reared until adulthood. The insect was found feeding on Inga sp. leaves (Fabaceae), a plant restricted to the Neotropical Region. The detection of multiple specimens in Santos, plus their ability to feed on native and or on cultivated plants, may represent a threat to the Brazilian agribusiness and environment.

Reproductive Patterns Drive the Gene Flow and Spatial Dispersal of Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) has two allopatric strains with a hybrid zone in central Brazil. Asymmetric dispersal and gene flow between these strains of E. heros have been observed, where the South strain (SS) moves more quickly to the northern regions of the country than the North strain (NS) to the southern areas. In addition, SS generally has a bigger body size and presents dark brown coloration, and NS is usually smaller in size and presents light brown coloration. Here, we studied the reproductive behavior and tested for the presence of assortative mating and reproductive barriers between the two allopatric strains of E. heros. Nonrandom mating was observed in the SS strain based on mating choice trials and the reproductive isolation indexes. SS females and males prefer to mate with their co-specific (same strain) partner, while NS insects showed no mating preference. The insect's pronotum width was positively associated with the mating choice suggesting size-assortative mating in E. heros. Reciprocal crosses between strains yielded similar reproductive outputs when compared with pure strain crosses, suggesting similar fitness of hybrid pure strains. The asymmetric gene flow in the hybridization zone that favors SS seems to be associated with the reproductive behavior of the species, which favors the typical phenotype found in the SS populations.

The scent of life: Foreword from the Editors.

This special issue of Zootaxa is published in honor of Dr. Jocélia Grazia (Fig. 1) from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, one of the world's most respected and influential active taxonomists in Heteroptera. Though she retired from her long-time position as a Full Professor, away from undergraduate classes and administrative duties, Jocélia is still an active researcher and passionate about studying true bugs. An intense conviction she passes to her many students and becomes evident in her publications. If there is one word to define Jocélia Grazia, it is energy. Even the most novice and inexperienced student perceives the enthusiasm and dedication Jocélia faces from the small bureaucratic problems through the most challenging scientific questions.

Euschistus crenator (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): a New Invasive Species on Soybean Fields in Northern Brazil.

The expansion of soybean Glycine max (L.) Merrill in South America has provided an abundant host to the native arthropod fauna. Stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) are severe pests on soybean crops due to their feeding activities. Several native species have been recorded on this crop, with the widespread Neotropical brow stink bug Euschistus heros (Fabricius) recognized as the key pest in most of its distribution. Here, we report for the first time Euschistus crenator (Fabricius) as a new invasive species on soybean fields in Northern Brazil. We collected the species at Pará state (2°38'32.2″S 54°55'56.1″W and 4°06'31.2″S 54°55'01.9″W) and Roraima state (2°39'41.3″N 60°46'58.9″W and 3°00'44.6″N 60°22'32.9″W). The latter represents a new state record, and the first represents new locality records, however, both representing the first soybean host record for the species. The distribution of E. crenator ranges from southern US (AZ, CA, FL, and TX) to north South America, mostly between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Despite overlap in distribution, we did not find E. crenator and E. heros simultaneously on soybean crops in the North region (Amazon Forest) of Brazil. Euschistus crenator was able to complete its life cycle and had viable offspring on soybean plants, with development parameters similar to E. heros.

Electronic identification key and data base to the genus Chinavia (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) with morphological and distributional data.

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.

Integrating data to redescribe Euschistus taurulus Berg (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

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.

Synonymy of two important crop pests of burrower bugs, Cyrtomenus mirabilis and C. bergi (Hemiptera: Cydnidae), based in a multi-source approach.

Burrower bugs are unique among true bugs, recognized by the morphological adaptations for digging, and include several species of economic importance for causing damages in roots and ground pods. Damage records has been growing in the last two decades in the Neotropics, but taxonomic problems still hampers studies in these group of insects. Cyrtomenus bergi Froeschner and C. mirabilis (Perty), species of economic interest and widely distributed in the Neotropics, have no clear morphological differentiation raising doubts about the correctness of identifications made to date, even validity of these species. Taxonomic problems, as species delimitation and identification, can benefit from different approaches, bringing tools and complementary information for establishing a species status. In this work, we use the different sources (morphology, distribution, linear and geometric morphometric), to access the identity of C. bergi and C. mirabilis and define the recognition of both as separated species. Results shows overlapping of geographical distribution and lack of quantitative and qualitative morphological differences, supporting C. bergi as a junior synonym of C. mirabilis; studies about this important pest species should consider only the latter as valid species.

Cydninae (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Cydnidae) in Brazil: updated checklist, new records, and description of Tominotus ondulatus sp. nov.

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.

Comparative morphology of immature stages of four species of Chinavia (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae), with a key to the species of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Chinavia Orian (1965) is one of the most diverse genera of Pentatomidae, distributed in the Afrotropical, Neotropical and Nearctic Regions. Thirty-two species are recorded for Brazil, some of them having potential economic impact because they are found on crops and referred to as pests. The morphology of the five nymphal instars of Chinavia armigera (Stål, 1859), Chinavia aseada (Rolston, 1983), Chinavia brasicola (Rolston, 1983) and Chinavia runaspis (Dallas, 1851) are described here. Through a comparative study, identification keys were developed to allow an early identification of the 12 Chinavia species of Rio Grande do Sul.

Checklist dos percevejos-do-mato (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea) do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Checklist of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea) from São Paulo State, Brazil

O conhecimento de Pentatomoidea no Estado de São Paulo é aqui atualizado. São registradas 92 espécies em 89 gêneros pertencentes as famílias Acanthosomatidae, Canopidae, Cydnidae, Pentatomidae, Phloeidae, Scutelleridae, Tessaratomidae e Thyreocoridae. Comparando com os dados apresentados na primeira edição do Biota SP em 1999, foram adicionadas 41 espécies além de 13 correções nomenclaturais e taxonômicas efetuadas. O Estado de São Paulo apresenta uma riqueza total ao redor de 25% das espécies conhecidas para o Brasil e ao redor de 3% da fauna mundial de Pentatomoidea. Com o incremento dos estudos em famílias pouco conhecidas no país, estes números certamente serão ampliados. Pentatomidae resultou no táxon mais numeroso no estado, com 80% de espécies registradas.

Pentatomoidea knowledge in São Paulo state is here updated. Two hundred and two species in 92 genera belonging to Acanthosomatidae, Canopidae, Cydnidae, Pentatomidae, Phloeidae, Scutelleridae, Tessaratomidae and Thyreocoridae are registered. Forty one species were added and 13 taxonomical and nomenclatorial corrections were made comparing with the data presented in the first edition of the Biota SP in 1999. Pentatomoidea species richness of São Paulo state is around 25% of the species known to Brazil and around 3% of the world fauna. The increase of the studies in scarcely known families in Brazil will certainly raise these numbers. Pentatomidae was the most numerous taxon in São Paulo state, with 80% of the registered species.

Review of Thoreyella Spinola with the description of two new species from Brazil (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)

Review of Thoreyella Spinola with the description of two new species from Brazil (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae). Thoreyella Spinola is revised, with detailed descriptions of the four known species (T. brasiliensis Spinola, 1850, T. trinotata Berg, 1878, T. cornuta Berg, 1883 and, T. taurus Jensen-Haarup, 1931), and two new species from Brazil: T. maracaja sp. nov. (Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul states) and T. paraiba sp. nov. (Paraíba State). New geographical country and state/ province records are as follows: T. cornuta from Rio Grande do Sul; T. brasiliensis from Mato Grosso, Espírito Santo, Catamarca, and Córdoba; and T. trinotata from Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul). A key to all species is given.

Revisão de Thoreyella Spinola, com a descrição de duas novas espécies do Brasil (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae). Neste trabalho, o gênero Thoreyella Spinola é revisado com descrições detalhadas das quatro espécies conhecidas (T. brasiliensis Spinola, 1850, T. trinotata Berg, 1878, T. cornuta Berg, 1883 e T. taurus Jensen-Haarup, 1931) e duas novas espécies do Brasil: T. maracaja sp. nov. (estados de Mina Gerais, Santa Catarina e Rio Grande do Sul) e T. paraiba sp nov. (Estado da Paraíba). Novos registros de distribuição para países e estados/províncias são os seguintes: T. cornuta do Rio Grande do Sul; T. brasiliensis do Mato Grosso e Espírito Santo; Catamarca e Córdoba, e T. trinotata do Brasil. Uma chave dicotômica para as espécies é fornecida.

Pentatomidade (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) of the Pampa biome: Serra do Sudeste and Parque de Espinilho da Barra do Quaraí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Pentatomidade (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) do bioma Pampa: Serra do Sudeste e Parque Estadual do Espinilho, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

A list of the Pentatomidae species of the Pampa biome, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil is provided. The list is based on surveys carried out in the Serra do Sudeste, Canguçu and Caçapava counties, and in Parque de Espinilho da Barra do Quaraí during 2003-2004; these areas were never collected in Rio Grande do Sul state before. Sweeping net and beating tray were used to sample herb layer, and trees and shrubs, respectively. Fifty one species of Pentatomidae were registered, distributed in five subfamilies (Asopinae, Cyrtocorinae, Discocephalinae, Edessinae and Pentatominae) and 27 genera. The Pentatominae subfamily had the largest number of species (32 spp.). All the registered localities represent new records to the local fauna, and host plants were identified for nine pentatomid species.

Uma lista das espécies de Pentatomidae do bioma Pampa, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, é aqui apresentada. Esta lista teve como base as expedições de coleta realizadas na Serra do Sudeste, nos municípios de Canguçu e Caçapava, e no Parque Estadual do Espinilho durante os anos de 2003-2004; estas áreas nunca foram antes amostradas no Rio Grande do Sul. Cinquenta e uma espécies de Pentatomidae foram registradas, distribuídas em cinco subfamílias (Asopinae, Cyrtocorinae, Discocephalinae, Edessinae and Pentatominae) e 27 gêneros. A subfamília Pentatominae apresentou o maior número de espécies (32 spp.). Todas as localidades em que foram coletados os insetos representam novos registros para a fauna local e nove espécies de Pentatomidae tiveram suas plantas hospedeiras registradas.

Diversity of Pentatomoidea (Hemiptera) in riparian forests of southern Brazil: taller forests, more bugs / Diversidade de Pentatomoidea (Hemiptera) em matas ripárias do sul do Brasil: florestas mais altas têm mais percevejos

Riparian forests are important features of any ecosystem, especially on grassland and savannah vegetation types. However, riparian forests in southernmost Brazil have received much less attention than elsewhere. This is the first quantitative study of pentatomoid (Hemiptera) diversity in the Pampa biome, surveying riparian forests of brooks and rivers in the environs of the municipality of Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil. The aim was two-fold: taxonomic characterization of the fauna and a primary ecological study of bug diversity. Sweeping net and beating tray were used to sample trees and shrubs on the border of sampling sites; sampling was carried out during three consecutive days, from March 28th to 30th 2006. Overall 154 individuals of 32 species of Pentatomoidea were captured, almost all species are new records for the local fauna. Taller forest canopy sites had higher abundance overall and higher species richness than shorter forest canopy sites. Of the 32 species, 11 were singletons and four were doubletons. There were no differences for pentatomoid species composition between the two environments differing in vegetation structure. Association to the Pampa biome of the most abundant species found are discussed. Although based on a rapid assessment protocol of faunal inventories, our results add important bioecological information to the pentatomoid fauna of the Pampa biome, especially associated to riparian forests.

Matas ripárias são partes importantes de qualquer ecossistema, especialmente aqueles com predomínio de campos e savanas. No entanto, matas ripárias na região sul do Brasil têm recebido pouca atenção. Este trabalho representa o primeiro estudo quantitativo sobre a diversidade de percevejos-do-mato (Hemiptera, Pentatomoidea) no bioma Pampa, a partir do levantamento em matas ripárias na região do município de Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os objetivos incluiram a caracterização taxonômica da fauna de percevejos-do-mato e a implementação de estudo ecológico da diversidade desse grupo. Rede-de-varredura e guarda-chuva entomológico foram utilizados para amostrar árvores e arbustos em nove pontos ao longo de três dias consecutivos, em março de 2006. No total, 154 indivíduos de 32 espécies de Pentatomoidea foram coletados, quase todas novos registros para a fauna local. Matas com dossel mais alto apresentaram maior abundância e riqueza de espécies do que matas com dossel mais baixo. Das 32 espécies coletadas, 11 foram singletons e quatro foram doubletons. Não houve diferença na composição de espécies nos dois tipos de ambientes amostrados. A associação das espécies mais abundantes com o bioma Pampa é discutida. Embora baseada em um inventário rápido da fauna local, os resultados encontrados adicionam informações biológicas importantes sobre a fauna de percevejos-do-mato do bioma Pampa, especialmente aquela associada às matas ripárias.

O gênero Chinavia Orian (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae, Pentatominae) no Brasil, com chave pictórica para os adultos / The genus Chinavia Orian (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) in Brazil, with a pictorial key to adults

Chinavia Orian é um dos gêneros mais diversos da subfamília Pentatominae, distribuído nas regiões Afrotropical, Neártica e Neotropical. Para o Brasil, são conhecidas 32 espécies, dentre as quais 18 são endêmicas. Do total de espécies com registro para o Brasil, 18 têm algum tipo de registro com plantas-hospedeiras, a maioria delas cultivadas; apenas seis espécies têm os imaturos conhecidos ou algum aspecto de sua biologia estudado. Neste trabalho, é fornecida uma chave pictórica para os adultos das espécies registradas no Brasil, acompanhada da diagnose comparada de cada uma delas, além das informações disponíveis na literatura sobre imaturos e biologia das espécies. Duas novas sinonímias são propostas: Acrosternum (Chinavia) bellum Rolston, 1983 é sinônimo júnior de Chinavia nigrodorsata (Breddin, 1903) e Acrosternum (Chinavia) panizzii Frey-da-Silva & Grazia, 2001 é sinônimo júnior de Chinavia obstinata (Stål, 1860). Chinavia nigritarsis (Stål, 1872), anteriormente considerada sinônimo júnior de Chinavia gravis (Walker, 1867), é revalidada. Fotografias coloridas do aspecto dorsal de todas as espécies são fornecidas, a maioria delas confeccionadas a partir do material-tipo estudado. Novos registros de distribuição geográfica e de associação com plantas-hospedeiras no Brasil são apresentados.

Chinavia Orian is one of the most speciose Pentatominae genera and is distributed in the Afrotropical, Nearctic and Neotropical regions. In Brazil, 32 species are recordered, from which 18 are endemic; host-plant association from 18 species are known, and immatures or some life history traits for six species were already described. In this work, we provided a diagnosis and discuss data available on immatures and biology of all species of Chinavia found in Brazil, including a pictorial key to adult identification. Two new synonyms are recognized: Acrosternum (Chinavia) bellum Rolston, 1983 is a junior synonym of Chinavia nigrodorsata (Breddin, 1903), and Acrosternum (Chinavia) panizzii Frey-da-Silva & Grazia, 2001 is a junior synonym of Chinavia obstinata (Stål, 1860). Chinavia nigritarsis (Stål, 1872), formerly a synonym of Chinavia gravis (Walker, 1867), is reinstated. Color habitus ilustrations of all species are provided, the majority taken from type-material. New host-plant associations and distribution data to Chinavia species in Brazil are presented.