Exploring Phylogenetic Relationships of the Mecocephala Group (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Using Continuous and Discrete Characters, with Notes on Taxonomy.

The Mecocephala group comprises about 50 species, restricted to the Neotropics and with the highest species richness in Neotropical South America. Several species use rice as host plants and their identification is facilitated by the presence of exaggerated head proportions and a unique male genitalic morphology. The taxonomy of the group has been extensively explored, but inferring its monophyly and especially its internal phylogenetic relationships has been challenging. Here, we inferred the phylogenetic relationships for the group assembling the most complete taxonomic sampling to date, analyzing discrete and continuous morphological characters through equal and implied weighted parsimony analyses. The monophyly of the group was recovered, but internal relationships varied slightly according to the dataset tested. Thus, we propose internal arrangements for the group and provide a formal description of the Mecocephala group, diagnoses for each genus, a dichotomous key to identify its genera, and illustrations of the morphological characters and type species.

Antiteuchus tripterus (Fabricius, 1787) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae): First Record of This Native Stink Bug Damaging the Threatened Araucaria angustifolia in Brazil.

This is the first report of Antiteuchus tripterus (Fabricius, 1787) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) damaging Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze, 1898 (Pinales: Araucariaceae) plants in Brazil. This bug, native to the neotropical region, damaged this plant on fragments of mixed rain forest in Bueno Brandão, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Araucaria angustifolia, native and with ecological and economic values, was widely used in the lumber market and, therefore, threatened with extinction. Nymphs and adults of A. tripterus were observed in March and April with a population reduction until June 2022. The bioecology and damage caused by A. tripterus on A. angustifolia are not known.

Diversity of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea) in the Brazilian Pampa and the Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Rio Grande do Sul.

Biological surveys represent important contributions to the knowledge of species diversity, conservation, taxonomy, and biogeography. Few surveys of stink bugs and allied groups (Pentatomoidea) were produced in Brazil, especially regarding the Brazilian Pampa, an overlooked biome. Here, a list of Pentatomoidea species of the Brazilian Pampa is presented for the first time, composed of seven families and 152 species. The results of five years of sampling in the Parque Estadual de Itapuã (PEI) are also presented. A total of 693 individuals were sampled, representing 41 species, 29 genera, and five families of Pentatomoidea. Pentatomidae presented a higher richness (28 species), followed by Cydnidae, Scutelleridae, Dinidoridae, and Megarididae. The most abundant species collected in the PEI was Brachystetus geniculatus (Fabricius) sampled in Bromelia balansae Mez (32.76%), followed by Oebalus poecilus (Dallas) found in Persicaria hydropiper (Linnaeus) (11.99%), Pallantia macula (Dallas) collected in B. balansae (10.92%), Dinidor saucius Stål (8.57%) in Smilax cf. campestris Griseb., and Caonabo pseudoscylax (Bergroth) (5.35%) found in Homolepis glutinosa (Sw.) Zuloaga & Soderstrom. This is the first time that a list of species is presented for the Brazilian Pampa and Parque Estadual de Itapuã, providing a baseline to develop further studies with Pentatomoidea in the biome.

Revisiting Stl's thoughts: formalizing the ictericus group in Euschistus (Euschistus) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

Euschistus Dallas is distributed throughout the Western Hemisphere and is composed of 67 species in three subgenera: Euschistomorphus Jensen-Haarup, Lycipta Stl, and the nominate subgenus. Euschistus (Euschistus) includes several economically important species. Due to the lack of a phylogenetic analysis for the subgenus Euschistus, its groupings are based primarily on male genitalia. In this paper, the following Nearctic taxa that were first grouped together by Stl (1872), namely E. ictericus (Linnaeus), E. variolarius (Palisot de Beauvois), E. servus servus (Say), E. servus euschistoides (Vollenhoven), and E. tristigmus tristigmus (Say), are reviewed and redescribed. Several other similar, and probably related, taxa are also included in this study: E. tristigmus luridus (Dallas), E. inflatus Van Duzee, and E. latimarginatus Zimmer. Morphological patterns pertaining to the internal and external male and female genitalia allowed us to formalize the ictericus group to include the above-mentioned species (except E. tristigmus). The morphological overlap between the subspecies and sympatric areas of distribution have led us to consider E. servus euschistoides as a junior synonym of E. servus servus, and to corroborate the synonymy first proposed by Uhler (1861) of E. tristigmus luridus under E. tristigmus tristigmus.

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) of Colombia: An annotated checklist of species.

A checklist of 5 subfamilies, 108 genera, and 246 species of stinks bugs (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) from Colombia is provided. Three genera [Andrallus Bergroth, Placocoris Mayr, and Pseudobebaeus Distant], and eight species [Arocera spectabilis (Drury), Andrallus spinidens (Fabricius), Banasa excavata Thomas, Banasa saileri Thomas, Banasa varians Stl, Chinavia scutellata (Distant), Pelidnocoris haglundi Ruckes, and Pseudobebaeus truncatus (Fallou)] are recorded for the first time from Colombia. Images of dorsal external habitus for all genera that occur in Colombia are offered. This is the first time a comprehensive list of the stink bugs from Colombia is presented, providing a baseline to develop further studies in this group of true bugs.

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.

Taxonomic updates on the Mecocephala group (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): Redescription of 'Hypatropis complex', with a review of genitalic terminology and new records.

The taxonomic revision of 'Hypatropis complex', composed by Amauromelpia Fernandes Grazia, Hypatropis Bergroth, Luridocimex Grazia, Fernandes Schwertner, Stysiana Grazia, Fernandes Schwertner, and Pedinonotus Fernandes Grazia, updating the genitalic terminology, are presented here. The differential diagnosis of 'Hypatropis complex' and all of its members are provided. Photographs of the type-specimens and genitalia, species distributional map with new records, and a key to genera and species are also provided.

Redescription of Steleocoris Mayr, 1864 and Theloris Thunberg, 1783 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), two poorly known African stink bugs.

The knowledge about the monotypic genera Steleocoris Mayr and Theloris Thunberg is restricted to their original descriptions and subsequent nomenclatural acts. These genera are primarily distributed in South Africa and are two of the few genera of Carpocorini (Pentatomidae: Pentatominae) occurring in Africa. Here, we redescribe Steleocoris comma (Thunberg) and Theloris costata (Thunberg) and illustrate the genitalia of both sexes for the first time. Also, an occurrence map is provided based on collection labels from analyzed specimens and records available on GBIF and the web repository iNaturalist.org.

Delicate and diverse: A taxonomic monograph with a phylogenetic analysis of the Neotropical genus Ghilianella Spinola (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae).

The Neotropical thread-legged bug genus Ghilianella Spinola, 1850 is the most diversified within Metapterini. A taxonomic revision of Ghilianella is presented, in which seventy seven species are recognized as valid, with twenty-one described as new: Ghilianella berengeri sp. nov.; Ghilianella bifurcata sp. nov.; Ghilianella bolivari sp. nov.; Ghilianella caldensis sp. nov.; Ghilianella dilatata sp. nov.; Ghilianella embera sp. nov.; Ghilianella fernandezi sp. nov.; Ghilianella ferruginosa sp. nov.; Ghilianella gilsantanai sp. nov.; Ghilianella goliath sp. nov.; Ghilianella gracilis sp. nov.; Ghilianella huaorani sp. nov.; Ghilianella jaguar sp. nov.; Ghilianella laticauda sp. nov.; Ghilianella maricruzae sp. nov.; Ghilianella quimbaya sp. nov.; Ghilianella scimitarra sp. nov.; Ghilianella tica sp. nov.; Ghilianella urbanoi sp. nov.; Ghilianella ventrimaculata sp. nov.; and Ghilianella weirauchae sp. nov. For the first time a female specimen is described for Ghilianella atriclava Bergroth, 1911, Ghilianella colona McAtee Malloch, 1925 and Ghilianella pachitea McAtee Malloch, 1925. Three new synonyms are recognized: Ghilianella bulbifera Champion, 1898 (=Ghilianella pendula McAtee Malloch, 1925 syn. nov.; Ghilianella inflata Maldonado, 1981 syn. nov.) and Ghilianella strigata McAtee Malloch, 1925 (=Ghilianella fenestrata Maldonado, 1960 syn. nov.). Eleven species are considered nomina dubia and one species nomen nudum. A key to species and digital images of the external morphology and genitalic structures for each species are provided. Additionally, we offer the first phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships within Ghilianella, using cladistic methods. Based on the phylogenetic results we dismiss all subgenera in Ghilianella and discuss the complex evolution of the abdominal expansions.

Taxonomic review of Sibaria Stål, 1872 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Carpocorini), with description of a new species.

Sibaria Stål is a genus of Pentatomidae occurring exclusively in the Neotropical region. Since its description, little information has been added to the knowledge of the taxon. The hypothesis of monophyly of Sibaria was recently supported by a phylogenetic analysis based on morphological and molecular data. The purpose of this study is to provide a review of Sibaria, redescribe the valid species, and describe a new species. The genus includes four species: S. andicola Breddin, S. armata (Dallas), S. englemani Rolston, and S. amazonica sp. nov.. Diagnoses, macrophotographs (habitus, external and internal genitalia), an identification key, and distribution records of the species are also provided.

Taxonomic modifications in Tylospilus Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae): redescription of T. nigrobinotatus (Berg), description of a new species and an updated identification key for the genus.

The systematics of the New World Asopinae genera is still not completely understood, thus hampering their study in many areas of biological science. Tylospilus Stål is one of the less known genera among New World predatory stink bugs, despite its common occurrence and potential as a biological control agent in crops. Here, we make a contribution to the knowledge of Tylospilus; the species Tylospilus nigrobinotatus (Berg, 1879) is redescribed, and based upon the examination of type specimens, T. armatus Thomas, 1992 is considered to be a junior synonym of the above species. Furthermore, a new species is herein described, and an updated identification key for the species of Tylospilus is provided.

Taxonomy of widespread Neotropical species of Podisus Herrich-Schäffer (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae): redescription of P. distinctus (Stål, 1860) and revalidation of P. fuscescens (Dallas, 1851).

Some species of Podisus Herrich-Schäffer have a confuse taxonomic history with several modifications and loss of information over time. The genus has been considered a taxonomic dumping ground in Asopinae, and its current species composition is doubtful. After examining the type specimens of Telepta distincta Stål, Arma submarginata Walker, Arma monospila Walker, Arma fuscescens Dallas, Arma caliginosa Walker, Arma turbida Walker and Podisus mellipes Bergroth, we redescribe and revalidate A. fuscescens as Podisus fuscescens rev. stat., previously considered a junior synonym of Podisus sagitta (Fabricius). The taxonomic status, morphology and distribution of P. fuscescens and P. distinctus are updated and illustrated. Arma caliginosa, A. turbida and Podisus mellipes become synonyms of P. fuscescens. Additionally, Arma submarginata Walker is removed from its synonymy with Podisus ventralis (Dallas) and treated as a synonym of P. distinctus. Podisus signoreti Fallou is removed from its synonymy with P. distinctus and treated as species inquirenda.

External morphology of the immature stages of Runibia perspicua (Fabricius, 1798) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

The study of immature stages in Pentatomidae contributes to the knowledge in several areas, mainly systematics, ecology and agriculture. In faunistic inventories, nymphs comprise a significant part of the specimens collected, which often cannot be identified due to lack of knowledge about the immature. Here, we describe the external morphology of eggs and nymphal stages of Runibia perspicua (Fabricius, 1798). The egg is barrel-shaped with the surface of chorium covered by spines, forming polygonal markings interconnected by sheets, similar as observed in some species of Carpocorini. In all the nymphal instars the abdomen is characterized by having rounded reddish spots and an orange/yellow longitudinal macula in the middle of each abdominal tergite, from abdominal segment II to VII. The first instar is the most distinctive, standing out mainly by the head and thorax totally brown. From the second instar the head and thorax acquire pale color with irregular brown spots. The labium presents significant variations in size along the ontogenetic development showing a non-isometric pattern, when compared to the total length of the body. Illustrations and photographs of all the immature stages and the detailed morphology of some structures in SEM are provided.

Revision of Tynacantha Dallas with description of two new species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae).

Here, Tynacantha Dallas is revised and two new species are described from Brazil: T. cuprea Brugnera Grazia sp. nov. and T. umeridenigrata Brugnera Grazia sp. nov. The type material is analyzed, figures, illustrations, a distributional map and a key to the species are provided. The color variation found in T. marginata is also discussed.

Stink bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) of the Catimbau National Park, a protected area in Brazil's largest dry forest.

The knowledge about insects of the Caatinga, the largest seasonally dry tropical forest of South America, is largely incomplete. Aiming at reducing this knowledge gap, we conducted the first inventory of Pentatomidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) for the Catimbau National Park and Pernambuco State. After 48h of sampling, during dry and rainy seasons, we collected 168 specimens, comprising 12 species and 10 genera of Pentatomidae. Cyptocephala alvarengai, Dichelops (Diceraeus) caatinguensis, and Tetragonotum megacephalum are apparently restricted to the Caatinga biome and represented 40% of the collected specimens in our sample. The other nine species are widespread in South America and the majority are associated with agroecosystems.

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.

Review of the sulcacitus group of Euschistus (Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Carpocorini) with description of the internal female genitalia and a new species.

Euschistus Dallas is comprised of 66 species in three subgenera. Species of the nominate subgenus occur mainly in Central and North America. Some groups of species have been proposed to Euschistus (Euschistus) based on general external and male genitalic morphologies. Here, we review the sulcacitus group providing illustrations and descriptions of the internal and external genitalia of both sexes, illustrating females for the first time. A new species, Euschistus (Euschistus) tacitus sp. nov. Bianchi & Grazia, from Mexico and Costa Rica is described. We also provide an identification key to species of the group.

Pentatomidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) in Herbaceous and Shrub Strata of Atlantic Forest Remnants in Northeastern Brazil.

Most pentatomids are phytophagous, many of which are economically important crop pests. The family may also be a potentially important group to monitor the health of neotropical forests. However, there is a lack of biological inventories of Pentatomidae, especially in forest remnants of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. This is the first systematic survey of pentatomids reported in three Atlantic forest fragments in northeastern Brazil. In total, 997 individuals belonging to 38 species were recorded, some of which are considered economically important pests. Singletons and doubletons represented 45.9% of all species collected. The most abundant genera were Mormidea Amyot & Serville, 1843; Stictochilus Bergroth, 1918; Xynocoris Garbelotto & Campos 2014; and Edessa F., 1803. Species richness differed among fragments, with a richness gradient correlated with decreased urbanization and increased fragment size. The species abundance distribution fitted the logseries function but not the lognormal, in accordance with what is found for other assemblages in southern Brazil. Species composition also changed, in association with changes in temperature (revealed by the canonical correspondence analysis [CCA]), among fragments. Murici is one of the last remaining dense forests with high plant diversity in the region, having higher pentatomid species richness and a distinctive fauna. This first diversity study for Pentatomidae in fragments of tropical Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil reveals richness comparable with those from subtropical southern Brazil, with some species in common as well.

There and back again: contributions on Pseudevoplitus Ruckes (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

Pseudevoplitus Ruckes was recently revised and new species were described. The genus has a Neotropical distribution, with species mainly found in the Amazon. Here, we describe the previously unknown female of P. roraimensis and add localities to its known distribution. Also, a new species, P. angelomachadoi sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in MNHN: French Guiana, Acarouany, 15.IX.1998, A. Matocq leg.), from the Amazonia of French Guiana is described; it can be distinguished from other species of the genus mainly by the bell-shaped pygophore in males, and the gonocoxites 8 widely obscuring the laterotergites 8 basally, in females,  a unique character of this species. The key to species of Pseudevoplitus is updated to include the new species and females.