Filipe Michels Bianchi

Morphology of immatures of Euschistus (Mitripus) grandis (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Immatures are important sources of information about characters, thus potentially improving classification and phylogenies. Euschistus (Mitripus) grandis Rolston, 1978 occurs in southern and southeastern Brazil. There are no references in the literature about this species other than the original description and distribution records. Our aim is to describe the egg and five nymphal instars of E. (M.) grandis, addressing the ontogeny of the external scent efferent system. Specimens of E. (M.) grandis were collected on Solanum pseudocapsicum Linnaeus (Solanaceae) in Sao Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and reared in the laboratory. The egg of E. (M.) grandis is white and barrel-shaped, chorion translucent bearing spines connected by thin sheets forming polygons. Aero-mycropilar processes translucent and slightly clubbed. The nymphs bear anterior dorsal abdominal scent glands (DAG) with slit-like ostiole continued by a short groove; from the second instar onward median and posterior DAGs with rounded ostiole bearing closing cuticular valve. Spout peritreme flat and curved anteriorly, evaporatorium network-shaped surrounding ostiole plus peritrema; alveoli surface with trabeculae. Nymphs of E. (M.) grandis can be distinguished from other species of Euschistus by the color pattern and morphological features. The most striking morphological characteristic of 4th and 5th instar nymphs of E. (M.) grandis is the broad, deflected projection of humeral angles.

Morphology of Immatures of Caonabo pseudoscylax (Bergroth) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Characters of immatures are potentially useful in identifying taxa, but few immatures of Pentatomidae were described. The objectives here are to describe the egg and five nymphal instars of Caonabo pseudoscylax (Bergroth) under light and scanning electron microscopy. Adults, eggs, and nymphs were collected on Homolepsis glutinosa during 2008, in Criciúma (Santa Catarina, Brazil). The egg of C. pseudoscylax is subcylindrical, chorion reddish brown, slightly translucent, and with granulate surface. Aero-micropylar processes translucent, spongy, and strongly clavate. Nymphs without punctures, spiracles placed near the lateral abdominal margin. The dorsal abdominal gland has rounded ostioles bearing cuticular valve; spout peritreme smooth, directed anteriorly; evaporatorium network-shaped; and microsculpture poorly ornamented. Humeral angles of the pronotum were produced from fourth instar. The almost marginal placement of abdominal spiracles may diagnose the nymphs of C. pseudoscylax from first instar to adulthood.

Ontogeny of the Dorsal Abdominal Gland External Scent Efferent System in Pentatomidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera)

ABSTRACT Hemiptera success can be partially attributed to their scent glands, which are dorsal abdominal glands (DAGs) in nymphs. Recent studies on Pentatomoidea have described cuticular modifications associated with DAGs, which compose the scent efferent system (SES), but the ontogeny has been poorly documented. We aim to—1) search for new SES characters in two representative species of Pentatomidae; 2) describe the SES ontogeny after hatching; and 3) compare the SES morphology between two species. Adults and immature samples from the first to fifth instars of Chinavia obstinata (Stål) (Pentatominae) and Cyrtocoris egeris Packauskas & Schaefer (Cyrtocorinae) were used as pentatomid representatives. SES structures were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Features that were never evaluated before are described: the scent efferent system orientation, periostiolar flap, periostiolar area, postostiolar projection, and peritreme lip. We observed remarkable differences between the first and second instars in both species, especially for DAGs 2 and 3; from the second to fifth instar, the modifications were subtle. Only the DAG1 scent efferent system persists in adults. The characteristics that present broader morphological diversity in the Pentatomomorpha are the following: peritreme, evaporatorium microsculpture, scent efferent system orientation, and peritreme lip. We conclude that any sample between the second and fifth instars can be used for species description and character extraction. We recommend using both traditional structures and the newly evaluated features in future descriptive and comparative studies for Pentatomomorpha.

Comparing Vegetation Types and Anthropic Disturbance Levels in the Atlantic Forest: How do Pentatomoidea (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) Assemblages Respond?

ABSTRACT The Atlantic Forest (AF) is considered the most fragmented and endangered Brazilian biome. The diversity of phytophagous insects increases after disturbances in forests, and it was hypothesized the Pentatomidae can furnish ecologically reliable information in terms of diversity in response to the changes occurring in AF. Our aim was to quantify the response of assemblages of Pentatomoidea to gradient of human disturbance in two vegetation types of the AF—dense ombrophilous forest (DOF) and mixed ombrophilous forest (MOF). Twelve transects were grouped into environmental classes, namely open, intermediate, and closed. Overall, 1,017 pentatomoids were sampled, representing 64 species. The open environment was more abundant than closed environment, though it is expected that Pentatomoidea respond with increasing abundance when under light or moderate disturbance. The MOF was more abundant than DOF, and the composition differed between both of them. Given the differences in composition between MOF and DOF, abiotic variables are important factors acting as environmental filters for Pentatomoidea, not just directly on the insects, but probably also on the nutritional support of their host plants.

On the genus Chinavia orian: additions to the descriptions of three species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

Chinavia Orian has 79 nominal species, 32 of them occur in Brazil, and intraspecific chromatic or morphological variations are known for both immatures and adults of some species. Additions to the descriptions of Chinavia difficilis (Stål), Chinavia geniculata (Dallas), and Chinavia obstinata (Stål) are provided in here, and corrections are proposed for the pictorial key by Schwertner & Grazia for the Brazilian species of Chinavia. New distribution records are also given for the first two species.

Total evidence phylogenetic analysis and reclassification ofEuschistusDallas within Carpocorini (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae): Total-evidence phylogeny ofEuschistus

Robust phylogenetic hypotheses have become key for studies addressing the evolutionary biology and ecology of various groups of organisms. In the species‐rich heteropteran superfamily Pentatomoidea, phylogenies at lower taxonomic levels are still scarce and mostly employ exclusively morphological data. In this study, we conducted a total evidence phylogeny focusing on the tribe Carpocorini (Pentatomidae), using morphological data and four DNA markers (COI, Cytb, 16S and 28S rDNA; ∼2330 bp; 32 taxa) in order to investigate the relationships within Euschistus Dallas, one of the most speciose pentatomid genera, and between Euschistus and related genera. Our hypotheses generated by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference show that the current taxonomic composition and classification of Euschistus and allied genera are in need of revision. Euschistus was recovered as nonmonophyletic, with the subgenera forming four independent lineages: Euschistus (Euschistus) and Euschistus (Lycipta) Stål are sister groups; Euschistus (Euschistomorphus) Jensen‐Haarup is more closely related to Dichelops Spinola and Agroecus Dallas; and Mitripus Rolston is divided into two clades closely related to Sibaria Stål and Ladeaschistus Rolston. We chose not to change the classification of E. (Euschistomorphus) until further data become available, and propose to split Euschistus into three genera with the exclusion of Euschistus (Mitripus) and all of its species. Here we elevate Mitripus to genus rank to include M. acutus comb.n., M. convergens comb.n. and M. legionarius comb.n., and propose Adustonotus Bianchi gen.n. to include A. anticus comb.n., A. latus comb.n., A. tauricornis comb.n., A. grandis comb.n., A. hansi comb.n., A. paranticus comb.n., A. irroratus comb.n. and A. saramagoi comb.n. We also provide identification keys to the genera Adustonotus gen.n., Ladeaschistus, Mitripus n. rank and Sibaria, here defined as the Mitripus genus group, and to the species of Mitripus and Adustonotus gen.n. Our results provide insights into the current status of the classification of the Pentatomidae, suggesting the need for phylogenetic analyses at different taxonomic levels within stink bugs.

New species of Euschistus (Euschistus) from Jamaica, Euschistus (Mitripus) and Ladeaschistus from southern South America (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae).

Three new species of the Carpocorini are described: Euschistus (Euschistus) baranowskii Eger & Bianchi sp. nov. from Jamaica, Euschistus (Mitripus) saramagoi Bianchi, Cioato & Grazia sp. nov. from Brazil, and Ladeaschistus borgesi Bianchi, Cioato & Grazia sp. nov. from Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. Comparative illustrations of external and internal genitalia of the species are provided.

Classification and Biogeography of Neotropical True Bugs

A review of Heteroptera classification, biogeography, and phylogeography is presented. The use of molecular data significantly expanded the knowledge of phylogenetic relationships among and within heteropteran infraorders. However, taxa historically less studied continue to receive little attention. Promising, new molecular approaches with increased genetic markers and broader taxon sampling, as well as new morphological approaches (e.g., microtomography), are the future for more stable classifications and a better comprehension of the heteropteran evolutionary history, but their application is still incipient. A non-exhaustive overview of studies about Neotropical heteropteran biogeography is made and discussed, including those about intercontinental connections and regional distribution patterns. The most comprehensible studies, and more promising area, seem to be those focused on distribution patterns, especially employing macroecological methods, and trying to elucidate what are the major factors responsible for the distribution of the group in the Neotropics. Finally, we present an overview of phylogeographic studies involving Neotropical Heteroptera. It is clear that the best biogeographic and phylogeographic studied groups are those with medical and economical importance (e.g., Reduviidae and Pentatomidae).

Contributions to the knowledge of Banasa Stål (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae): Banasa chaca Thomas

Contributions to the knowledge of Banasa Stal (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae): Banasa chaca Thomas. The male of Banasa chaca Thomas is described with emphasis on external and internal genitalia and the female internal genitalia is described. Banasa chaca is newly recorded from Buenos Aires Province (Argentina).

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.