New paper!

Schmitz L.R. et al.: "Kernegaster gen. nov. (Heteroptera, Scutelleridae, Pachycorinae) and six new species based on genital and polychromatic synapomorphies"

Polychromatism is the presence of different colors or color patterns in a population. It is observed in many animal groups, abundantly in insects. Tetyra is a genus of Scutelleridae (jewel and shield bugs) containing five valid species distributed in the Americas. The three Nearctic species Tetyra antillarum (type species), T. bipunctata, and T. robusta, share more morphological traits among them than with the Neotropical species, Tetyra pinguis, Tetyra poecila, Tetyra farcta, previously considered a junior synonym but here revalidated, and six undescribed species. Here, we tested the monophyly of the genus under parsimony criteria, using 64 morphological characters (13 polychromatic characters) with equal and implied weighting schemes. We also evaluate the phylogenetic use of polychromatic characters using two supplementary analyses. The ingroup species formed a monophyletic group split in two well-defined clades, supported by more than ten characters each. One of them includes the three Nearctic species and the other nine Neotropical species. The last clade was supported by twelve character states, with six synapomorphies (mostly from polychromatic characters). Kernegaster gen. nov. is described for the Neotropical species based on genital traits and general morphology with six new species: Kernegaster chapadanus sp. nov., Kernegaster diminutus sp. nov., Kernegaster fulvescens sp. nov., Kernegaster igneus sp. nov., Kernegaster multimaculatus sp. nov., and Kernegaster rosafloresae sp. nov.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0044523125000312?via%3Dihub

New paper!

Masłowski A, Taszakowski A. & Brożek J.: "Comparative morphology of damsel bugs legs’ microstructure (Insecta: Hemiptera: Nabidae)"

Nabidae, damsel bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha) is a small family of predatory insects with poorly understood phylogenetic relationships. They are characterized by their raptorial fore- and to a lesser extend also midlegs with modified tibiae and femora covered with diverse types of armature consisting of highly sclerotized cuticular structures. The legs of nabids are also covered by various sensory organs and other structures used for cleaning the body, facilitate movement or with unknown functions. In this study, we describe the fine morphology of all these structures on the fore-, mid- and hindlegs of nine species from both subfamilies and three tribes of Nabidae (Gorpini, Nabini and Prostemmatini). The comparison of raptorial legs of different taxa is provided, as well as a discussion on mechanisms of holding the prey and the utility of their morphology in phylogenetic analysis. The grasping apparatuses of the studied species were classified into four morphological types based on the specific structures found in different taxa and development of the fossula spongiosa. The descriptions of other cuticular structures occurring on the legs are also presented. They are subdivided by their morphological features into numerous types in each species individually. In the discussion we compare these structures between the studied species and with other groups of Cimicomorpha. Some of them are common and were found in all species (and also in other insects) and some are specific for subfamily or genera. We also discuss the most probable function for each type of structure.

#fig0005" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0968432825000411?dgcid=coauthor#fig0005

New paper!

Morkel C. & Dumas H.: "Biology and ecology of the arachnophilic stilt bugs Apoplymus pectoralis Fieber, 1859 and Metacanthus annulosus (Fieber, 1859) (Heteroptera: Berytidae) in webs of the tropical tent-web spider Cyrtophora citricola (Forskål, 1775) (Araneae: Araneidae)"

Based on observations from Southern France, we present new and detailed insights in the biology and ecology of two arachnophilic Berytidae, Apoplymus pectoralis and Metacanthus annulosus. Formerly only documented from agelenid webs, both stilt bug species are reported to occur in webs of Cyrtophora citricola, an araneid spider. In addition, A. pectoralis and M. annulosus are utilizing the sheet webs of Linyphiidae within the C. citricola web complexes, and A. pectoralis was observed resting on a frame web of Theridiidae. Common to all reported host webs is their long durability, which extends over several weeks or months. We confirm A. pectoralis being phytophagous as well as carnivorous, and M. annulosus being almost exclusively carnivorous. During the season, A. pectoralis starts and completes larval development earlier than M. annulosus, with only the advanced nymphal stages and imagines appearing in the spider webs. In contrast, M. annulosus completes its whole life cycle from mating to imaginal moulting in the web, for which we provide details on oviposition, embryonic and larval development. As a rule, adults of both stilt-bug species are hibernating outside the spiders webs’, as those are mostly not available during wintertime. However, large webs and their remains, which may exist until late winter under favourable weather conditions, are still inhabited by A. pectoralis.
We discuss the life cycle of both A. pectoralis and M. annulosus with regard to the ecology of the known host spiders and finally hypothesize arachnophilic stilt bugs being capable of utilizing webs regardless of spider taxonomy, with long lasting webs promoting the evolution of their inquilinous lifestyle.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390603526_Biology_and_ecology_of_the_arachnophilic_stilt_bugs_Apoplymus_pectoralis_Fieber_1859_and_Metacanthus_annulosus_Fieber_1859_Heteroptera_Berytidae_in_webs_of_the_tropical_tent-web_spider_Cyrtophora_citr