Diversity of true bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera) from the El Impenetrable National Park, Argentina.

The study of the Heteroptera (Hemiptera) fauna of the El Impenetrable National Park, resulted in an inventory composed of: Alydidae (2 spp.), Aradidae (1 sp.), Belostomatidae (5 spp.), Berytidae (1 sp.), Blissidae (1 sp.), Coreidae (11 spp.), Corixidae (2 spp.), Geocoridae (1 sp.), Gerridae (1 sp.), Hebridae (1 sp.), Largidae (4 spp.), Lygaeidae (5 spp.), Miridae (17 spp.), Nabidae (1 sp.), Notonectidae (1 sp.), Oxycarenidae (1 sp.), Pachygronthidae (1 sp.), Pachynomidae (2 spp.), Pentatomidae (16 spp.), Pleidae (1 sp.), Pyrrhocoridae (1 sp.), Reduviidae (30 spp.), Rhopalidae (5 spp.), Rhyparochromidae (12 spp.), Saldidae (1 sp.), Scutelleridae (2 spp.), Tingidae (1 sp.), and Veliidae (1 sp.). These findings include six new records for the Argentinean fauna: Prytanes foedus (Stl), Saldula pallipes (Fabricius), Camirus brevilinea (Walker), Atopozelus opsimus Elkins, Doldina bicarinata Stl, Rocconota sextuberculata St and 39 new records for Chaco Province.

Socio-environmental factors associated with the occurrence of triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in an endemic municipality in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Triatomines are the vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. The study aimed to evaluate the association between sociodemographic and environmental factors, and changes in land use and cover, with the occurrence and abundance of triatomines by census sectors in an endemic municipality of northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The study was conducted in Montes Claros, located in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The entomological data used in the study were collected by active surveillance in the rural area from 2015 to 2019 and by passive surveillance in the urban area from 2009 to 2019. Data on sociodemographic and environmental factors and changes in land use and land cover were obtained from the urban and rural census sectors. A total of 1404 triatomines, belonging to eight species, were captured in domiciles in the rural area (2015-2019) and 277 triatomines in domiciles in the urban area (2009-2019) of the municipality of Montes Claros. The variables the number of domiciles, household economic income, pavement, NDVI, deforestation, unchanged, and anthropic proved to be positively associated with the occurrence and/or number of triatomines in census sectors, within the models. The occurrence of triatomines in the domestic environment of the municipality of Montes Claros should be considered a public health problem, as it suggests a potential risk of establishment and transmission of T. cruzi to domestic animals, farm animals, and humans.

First Report of Eratyrus cuspidatus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in Peridomestic Environment in Chiapas, Mexico.

Background: Triatomine bugs are natural vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis. The role of sylvatic triatomine species as vectors of T. cruzi in Mexico remains to be fully understood. Our research on the epidemiology of Chagas disease in Southeastern Mexico involved sampling triatomines in rural settings. Materials and Methods: A triatomine was collected in a peridomestic environment of a rural dwelling in the state of Chiapas. The triatomine was identified morphologically as an adult female Eratyrus cuspidatus Stal. Results: Microscopic analysis revealed flagellate forms of T. cruzi in the feces of the E. cuspidatus collected. This was confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Amplification of the mini-exon gene showed that the T. cruzi infecting E. cuspidatus corresponded to lineage I. Conclusions: This is the first report from Mexico of E. cuspidatus found infected in a human dwelling, which represents an important adaptation process to inhabit human environments.

Outside the pattern: Evolution of the genital asymmetry in Saicinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae).

Despite genital structures in insects being consistently important as systematic and taxonomy evidence, within assassin bugs (Heteroptera, Reduviidae) at least, the male and female genitalic structures of several subfamilies are poorly or totally unknown. The genital structure is mostly symmetric within Saicinae genera, but male genital asymmetry has been recorded in Gallobelgicus, Polytoxus, and recently Pseudosaica. The subfamily has been considered as closely related to Emesinae and Visayanocorinae but this hypothesis has never been tested using a comprehensive taxa sampling, being a constraint to test morphological traits changes or exploring characters' evolution hypotheses. Here, we compiled a morphological data set of 170 characters that includes external morphological characters and genitalia of both sexes of Saicinae which was analyzed cladistically including 55 terminals, comprising 16 genera (64% of the generic diversity), 43 species of Saicinae and 12 outgroups. Saicinae was recovered as polyphyletic, Saicireta correntina is recovered as sister-species of Empicoris armatus + Collartida (Emesinae), Oncerotrachelus, Carayonia (Visayanocorinae), and the Clade Saicinae sensu stricto. Carayonia orientalis is recovered as sister-species of Saicinae sensu stricto. Ancestral state reconstruction of symmetry of the male genitalia shows an ancestor with symmetric male genitalia, two independent emergences of asymmetrical male genitalia within Saicinae sensu stricto, and the asymmetrical endosomal sclerites appearing before the other asymmetric traits.

Chromosome-Aware Phylogenomics of Assassin Bugs (Hemiptera: Reduvioidea) Elucidates Ancient Gene Conflict.

Though the phylogenetic signal of loci on sex chromosomes can differ from those on autosomes, chromosomal-level genome assemblies for nonvertebrates are still relatively scarce and conservation of chromosomal gene content across deep phylogenetic scales has therefore remained largely unexplored. We here assemble a uniquely large and diverse set of samples (17 anchored hybrid enrichment, 24 RNA-seq, and 70 whole-genome sequencing samples of variable depth) for the medically important assassin bugs (Reduvioidea). We assess the performance of genes based on multiple features (e.g., nucleotide vs. amino acid, nuclear vs. mitochondrial, and autosomal vs. X chromosomal) and employ different methods (concatenation and coalescence analyses) to reconstruct the unresolved phylogeny of this diverse (∼7,000 spp.) and old (>180 Ma) group. Our results show that genes on the X chromosome are more likely to have discordant phylogenies than those on autosomes. We find that the X chromosome conflict is driven by high gene substitution rates that impact the accuracy of phylogenetic inference. However, gene tree clustering showed strong conflict even after discounting variable third codon positions. Alternative topologies were not particularly enriched for sex chromosome loci, but spread across the genome. We conclude that binning genes to autosomal or sex chromosomes may result in a more accurate picture of the complex evolutionary history of a clade.

Massive invasion on a Triatominae insectarium (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) by Attagenus fasciatus (Thunberg, 1795) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Attageninae).

BACKGROUND: Triatominae are vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. This study aims to report an infestation on Triatominae colonies by a beetle, previously identified as a pest. METHODS: The management of these colonies should be improved to maximize their usefulness, and factors that may cause harm to them should be avoided as much as possible. RESULTS: This is the first report on a coleopteran infestation on living Triatominae colonies worldwide. CONCLUSIONS: The present record provides an important warning to researchers who maintain insectaries in general, especially those who rear triatomines, to carry protective measures against such invasions.

Assassin bugs enhance prey capture with a sticky resin.

Tool-use in animals is a complex and rare phenomenon, particularly in insects. Tool-use in assassin bugs has been suggested as several species apply adhesive plant resins to their body, which has been hypothesized to function in enhancing prey capture. Here, we staged predatory interactions of resin-deprived and resin-equipped assassin bugs (Gorareduvius sp.) and discovered that applying resin as a tool conveys a clear predatory advantage to the assassin bugs. Gorareduvius sp. can thus be considered a tool-user, and since this behaviour was present in all individuals, including newly hatched nymphs, tool-use can be considered to be stereotyped. Our study, along with others, suggests that, when compared with other insects, tool-use is disproportionately common within the assassin bugs.

An Assassin's Secret: Multifunctional Cytotoxic Compounds in the Predation Venom of the Assassin Bug Psytalla horrida (Reduviidae, Hemiptera).

Predatory assassin bugs produce venomous saliva that enables them to overwhelm, kill, and pre-digest large prey animals. Venom from the posterior main gland (PMG) of the African assassin bug Psytalla horrida has strong cytotoxic effects, but the responsible compounds are yet unknown. Using cation-exchange chromatography, we fractionated PMG extracts from P. horrida and screened the fractions for toxicity. Two venom fractions strongly affected insect cell viability, bacterial growth, erythrocyte integrity, and intracellular calcium levels in Drosophila melanogaster olfactory sensory neurons. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that both fractions contained gelsolin, redulysins, S1 family peptidases, and proteins from the uncharacterized venom protein family 2. Synthetic peptides representing the putative lytic domain of redulysins had strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and/or Bacillus subtilis but only weak toxicity towards insect or mammalian cells, indicating a primary role in preventing the intake of microbial pathogens. In contrast, a recombinant venom protein family 2 protein significantly reduced insect cell viability but exhibited no antibacterial or hemolytic activity, suggesting that it plays a role in prey overwhelming and killing. The results of our study show that P. horrida secretes multiple cytotoxic compounds targeting different organisms to facilitate predation and antimicrobial defense.

Revision of Australian Ectomocoris with the description of nine new species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae).

The Australian species of the genus Ectomocoris Mayr, 1865 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Peiratinae), are revised. A total of 13 species are recognised, including nine new species: E. binotatus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., E. borealis Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., E. fuscatus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., E. fuscifemoralis Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., E. interiorius Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., E. latus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., E. luteolus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., E. major Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov. and E. spinosus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov. Redescriptions of E. australicus (Reuter, 1881), E. decoratus (Stål, 1863), E. ornatus (Stål, 1863) and E. truculentus (Stål, 1863) are presented. Callisphodrus patricius Stål, 1867 is treated as a new junior synonym of E. ornatus (Stål, 1863). Lectotypes are designated for Eumerus (Eumerus) australicus Reuter, 1881, Pirates decoratus Stål, 1863, P. ornatus Stål, 1863, P. truculentus Stål, 1863 and C. patricius Stål, 1867. A key to species is provided together with images of dorsal habitus of males and females of different wing forms and major structures of the male genitalia to assist distinguishing these species. Based on morphology, brief comments are provided on putative species groups within the studied species. A male extragenital structure, present in almost half of the species studied, is described in detail and its potential value in diagnosis and analysis of phylogenetic relationships within the genus as well as between related peiratine genera is discussed.

Karyotype Evolution in Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae): The Role of Chromosomal Rearrangements in the Diversification of Chagas Disease Vectors.

Several cytogenetic studies have already been performed in Triatominae, such that different karyotypes could be characterized (ranging from 2n = 21 to 25 chromosomes), being the changes in the number of chromosomes related mainly to fusion and fission events. These changes have been associated with reproductive isolation and speciation events in other insect groups. Thus, we evaluated whether different karyotypes could act in the reproductive isolation of triatomines and we analyzed how the events of karyotypic evolution occurred along the diversification of these vectors. For this, experimental crosses were carried out between triatomine species with different karyotypes. Furthermore, based on a phylogeny with 88 triatomine taxa (developed with different molecular markers), a reconstruction of ancestral karyotypes and of anagenetic and cladogenetic events related to karyotypic alterations was performed through the ChromoSSE chromosomal evolution model. All crosses performed did not result in hybrids (prezygotic isolation in both directions). Our modeling results suggest that during Triatominae diversification, at least nine cladogenetic events may be associated with karyotype change. Thus, we emphasize that these alterations in the number of chromosomes can act as a prezygotic barrier in Triatominae (karyotypic isolation), being important evolutionary events during the diversification of the species of Chagas disease vectors.

Cerambycid Pheromones Attract Predators Temnoscheila virescens (Coleoptera: Trogossitidae), Chariessa pilosa (Coleoptera: Cleridae), and Apiomerus crassipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

In 2011-2013, we determined the interactive effects of the cerambycid pheromones racemic syn-2,3-hexanediol, racemic 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one, and racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one on trap catches of predators associated with bark and woodboring beetles in north Georgia and South Carolina. Temnoscheila virescens (F.) (Coleoptera: Trogossitidae) was attracted to traps baited with 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one; ethanol enhanced attraction. Traps baited with syn-2,3-hexanediol attracted Chariessa pilosa (Forster) (Coleoptera: Cleridae); attraction was interrupted by 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one. An assassin bug Apiomerus crassipes (F.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) was attracted to traps baited with 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one and/or 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one. Ethanol had no effect on trap catches of C. pilosa and A. crassipes. We compared response profiles of these predators to those of longhorn beetles captured in these same studies to provide insights on possible ecological interactions between these species.

An annotated and illustrated catalog of the primary type material of Hemiptera deposited in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods.

The Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA) is one of the largest and most diverse insect collections in North America and the largest in the southeastern United States with over twelve million curated specimens and significant amounts of materials in bulk collections and other unprocessed samples. The order Hemiptera currently comprises approximately 95,000 species in three suborders. The FSCA houses type material in the auchenorrhynchan families Cicadidae, Cicadellidae, Cixiidae, Delphacidae, Derbidae, and Membracidae; the heteropteran families Coreidae, Corixidae, Curaliidae, Lygaeidae, Miridae, Pentatomidae, Reduviidae, Schizopteridae, Scutelleridae, and Tingidae; the sternorrhynchan families Aleyrodidae, Aphalaridae, Aphididae, Coccidae, Diaspididae, Matsucoccidae, Pseudococcidae, Phacopteronidae, and Triozidae. This catalog documents the FSCA primary type material for 167 species in 79 genera in 24 families across the three suborders.

A new species of Brontostoma Kirkaldy, description of the male of Brontostoma bahiensis Gil-Santana, Costa & Marques and notes on Brontostoma doughertyae Gil-Santana et al. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae).

Brontostoma herczeki sp. nov. is described based on two males from southeastern Brazil (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae). The male of Brontostoma bahiensis Gil-Santana, Costa & Marques, 2004 is described based on a specimen from Bahia state, Brazil. Taxonomical notes on Brontostoma doughertyae Gil-Santana, Lopes, Marques & Jurberg, 2005 are provided. Photographs of the holotypes of Brontostoma bahiensis, Brontostoma diringshofeni Gil-Santana & Baena, 2009 and Brontostoma doughertyae are presented.

Initial report of Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus (Champion, 1899) Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Roraima, western Amazon state, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: This study is the first report of the species Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus in Roraima, a state in northern Brazil. METHODS: We collected specimens from a residence in the municipality of Rorainópolis. RESULTS: Our findings confirmed the occurrence of this species in Roraima, increasing the number of registered species from six to seven. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies are required to further investigate and expand our knowledge of the occurrence of this species and its epidemiological importance for this state.

Taxonomic revision of the Apiomerus maya species group (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae).

The Apiomerus maya species group of the genus Apiomerus Hahn, 1831 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae: Apiomerini), the bee assassins, is revised. Four species that are native to parts of Mexico and Central America are recognized and redescribed: Apiomerus maya Dispons, 1971, A. pipil Dispons, 1971, A. venosus Stl, 1872, and A. immundus Bergroth, 1898. Intraspecific polychromatism and male genital morphology are documented for the group. The taxonomy of two previously recognized species is updated: A. tristis Champion, 1899 syn. nov. is here synonymized with A. venosus and A. guatemalensis Dispons, 1971 syn. nov. with A. pipil.

Life History Data of Dipetalogaster maxima (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

Dipetalogaster maxima (Uhler) is a triatomine species that has been found to be infected by Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas in the habitats of the most important tourist areas of Mexico. Its behavior and vectorial capacity have been scarcely studied, although such information is necessary to reliably estimate the importance of this species as a vector of T. cruzi in its distribution area. This study reports biological parameters related to the vectorial capacity of D. maxima. In particular, the egg-to-adult development time, number of blood meals required to molt, accumulative mortality, time to beginning of feeding, feeding and defecation times, fecundity, and fertility were examined. D. maxima took a median of 211 d to develop from egg to adult, requiring 11 meals in total. Almost two-thirds (63%) of specimens died during the cycle. The time to beginning of feeding was 1 min in all instars. Feeding times varied from 14 to 27 min. Most nymphs (except first-instar) defecated when feeding or immediately thereafter. A mean of 0.7 eggs/♀/day was recorded, with an eclosion rate of 27.3%. Five of the eight studied parameters (mainly defecation delay) suggest the remarkable potential vectorial capacity of D. maxima, so it is necessary to maintain permanent surveillance of domiciliary populations of D. maxima, because they may be infected with T. cruzi.