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HEMIPTERA, Pentatomidae (Leach 1815) -- <Images>
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Pentatomidae derive their name from
5-jointed antennae. The subfamily Asopinae
has developed the predatory habit to a considerable degree, and a few species
have reached the status of obligate predators (Clausen 1940/1962). Among the latter are Podisus maculiventris
Say of North America, which feeds primarily on hairless larvae of
Lepidoptera, but also attacks those of Chrysomelidae. This species has been regarded as the most
useful of the American predaceous Hemiptera and has been ranked next to Calosoma as a natural enemy of the
fall armyworm. One individual was
found to have consumed 122 3rd-4th-instar larvae of Laphygma exigua Hbn.
over 9 weeks. The 1st instar nymphs
cluster about the eggshells for several days after hatching and undergo the
first molt before any feeding occurs.
However, it is thought that these young nymphs feed to a certain
extent on plant juices, and this habit is shared with many other species that
are strictly predaceous after the first molt. There are 2 generations annually, making the various instars
available for attack on crop pests during almost the entire season. Winter is passed as adults. The eggs are laid in batches of 20-30, and
each female is able to lay up to 1,000 or more eggs during a period of 5-8
weeks. Couturier (1938) gave an
extended account of the biology and behavior of this species as a predator of
the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa
decemlineata Say. it was introduced into France from North
America during 1930-1933 for biological control of this pest (Clausen
1940/1962). Podisus serviventris Uhler is predaceous on many
different caterpillars, and its feeding is similar to that described above
(Preble 1933). First instar nymphs
feed on unhatched eggs of their own kind and on plant juices, which are
essential at this time, and they consistently refuse to attack caterpillars. Plant food may also be taken after the
first molt, but the nymphs are unable to develop to maturity without animal
food. Podisus sagitta F. is a
very abundant predator of Epilachna
larvae in Mexico (Clausen 1940/1962).
Perillus bioculatus F. of North America has
also been introduced to France for biological control of the Colorado potato
beetle, and its behavior was studied by Trouvelot (1932). Both adults and nymphs attack beetle
larvae, impaling them with their beaks and often holding them suspended in
the air while the body fluids are imbibed.
First instar nymphs feed only on eggs and young larvae. It was thought that each individual
destroyed 150-200 larvae during its lifetime. Landis (1937) found that the eggs were the principal food during
the nymphal period and that an average of 452 eggs were consumed during
development. In America it was noted
that control is effective where the predator is very abundant, precluding the
need for other controls. Several
generations occur annually, and overwintering is as adults. Females lay a maximum of ca. 260 eggs. Picromerus bidens L. of Europe also feeds on
larvae of various Lepidoptera, foliage-feeding Hymenoptera, Chrysomelidae,
etc. It is an important natural
control for several crop pests. Its
preference for bedbugs, Cimex lectularius L., is interesting, as
already by 1776 its use was recommended for biological control of this
pest. Clausen (1940) stated that a
few individuals confined in a heavily infested room were said to have
completely exterminated the bedbugs within a few weeks. This is a large cosmopolitan family
with about 2,512 described species as of 2000. The family is numerous in Africa, Australasia and South
America. Diagnostic characters of these
"stink bugs" are their broad shield-shape; large and triangular
scutellum; 5-segmented antennae and odoriferous glands in nymphs and
adults. Many species are noticeably
marked and brightly colored. Although most Pentatomidae are
phytophagous, some are also facultative predators that feed on both plants
and insects. The subfamily Asopinae
has mostly predaceous species, which feed on larvae of Lepidoptera and
Coleoptera and other prey, and also on eggs.
The Asopinae rely on the paralyzing effect of their saliva, which they
inject into their prey. Therefore,
they do not need to attack lively and vigorous insects that are able to
defend themselves or can easily escape.
Several species have been transported from North America to Europe in
biological control efforts against the Colorado potato beetle. Further
Description
The name is derived from Greek pente = five and tomos
= section. The family includes
some of the stink bugs and shield bugs. The antennae have 5-segments, which is
the origin of the scientific family name. The body is usually shield-shaped.
The forewings are hemelytra, with the basal half thickened while the apex is
membranous (as are the hindwings). The common name comes from their tendency
to emit a smelly substance when disturbed; in some species the liquid
contains cyanide compounds with a rancid almond scent, which drives away
predators.
The term "stink bug" is also given to more distantly related
Hemiptera such as Boisea trivittata, the "boxelder bug", and
entirely different types of insects such as beetles in the genus Eleodes.
Many stink bugs and shield bugs are pests of agriculture, because they
can occur in large numbers and they suck plant juices.. However, some genera
of Pentatomidae are beneficial as
predators of other insects, especially Mexican bean beetles, Japanese
beetles, and other pests.
Also known as jumiles, chumiles, chinche de monte,
or xotlinilli, some stink bugs have served as food in Mexico. And parts
of Asia. The insects may be mixed
with spices and a seasoning to prepare cheo, a paste chilies and
herbs.
There are several subfamilies, of which the Australian Aphylinae is
often given family status, but is here retained as a subfamily, according to
Grazia et al. (2008) =
= = = = = = = = = = = References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>, [Additional references
may be found at: MELVYL
Library] Arnett, R. H.
2000. American Insects: A
Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico. CRC Press. ISBN:
0-8493-0212-9 Blatchley, W. S. 1926. Heteroptera or
True Bugs of Eastern North America, with Special Preference to the Fauna of
Indiana and Florida. Nature Publ.
Co., Indianapolis, Ind. 1116 p. Grazia, J., R.
T. Schuh & W. C. Wheeler. 2008.
Phylogenetic relationships of family groups in Pentatomoidea based on
morphology and DNA sequences (Insecta: Heteroptera). Cladistics, 24:
932-976. Hart, C. A. & J. R. Malloch. 1919.
Pentatomoidea of Illinois with keys to nearctic genera. Ill. Nat. Hist. Survey Bull. 13(7): 157-223. Miller, N. C.
E. 1971.
The Biology of the Heteroptera.
E. W. Classey Ltd., Hampton Middlesex, England. 206 p. Slater, James A., & R. M. Baranowski. 1978.
How to Know the True Bugs. Wm.
C. Brown Co. ISBN: 0-697-04894-2 |