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Pentatomidae is the third largest family of true bugs, comprising over 40 tribes. Few tribes have been studied in a phylogenetic context, and none of them have been examined using molecular data. Moreover, little is known about the evolution of key morphological characters widely used in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies at multiple levels. Here, we conduct a phylogenetic study of the tribe Chlorocorini (Pentatominae) combining 69 morphological characters and five DNA loci. We use the inferred phylogeny to reconstruct the evolution of key morphological characters such as the spined humeral angles of the pronotum, a dorsal projection on the apices of the femora and characters of male genitalia. We provide solid evidence that the tribe as currently recognized is not monophyletic based both on DNA and morphological data. The generaArveliusSpinola andEludocorisThomas were consistently placed outside of the Chlorocorini, while the remaining genera were found to form a monophyletic group. We also show that nearly all morphological diagnostic characters for the tribe are homoplastic. The only exception is the development of the hypandrium, which, contrary to expectations for genital traits, showed the slowest evolutionary rates. In contrast, the most rapidly evolving trait is the length of the ostiolar ruga, which may be attributed to selection favoring anti-predatory behavior and other functions of its associated scent glands. Lastly, we also provide a preliminary glimpse of the main phylogenetic relationships within the Pentatomidae, which indicates that most of the included subfamilies and tribes are not monophyletic. Our results suggest that the current subfamily-level classification of Pentatomidae is not adequate to reflect its evolutionary history, and we urge for a more complete phylogeny of the family.

The present work brings together the dispersed information on the Neotropical genus Chloropepla. It was established in 1867 by Stål and reviewed in 1968 by Grazia; since the revision, ten new species have been added. In this work a cladistic analysis of the species of Chloropepla is presented. The monophyly of the genus was confirmed. Three monophyletic groups of species were identified: clade A (C. rideri sp.n., C. paveli, C. vigens, C. luteipennis), clade B (C. costaricensis sp.n., C. aurea and C. pirani) and clade C (C. dollingi, C. tucuriuensis, C. stysi, C. caxiuanensis sp.n. and C. rolstoni). An extended description of the genus and diagnoses for the species are provided. Three new species from Costa Rica, Venezuela and Brazil are described extending the northern distribution of the genus into Central America. A key to the species is also provided.

Spatial distribution of immatures of Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) on shoots and leaves of Citrus sinensis var. Valencia orange trees, under two management systems. The distribution of immatures of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, 1856 was studied on the levels of leaves and shoots of Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck var. Valencia plants, in Montenegro County (29°68'S; 51°46'W), Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The presence of P. citrella eggs, caterpillars and/or chrysalids (live and dead) was recorded according to the surface (abaxial and adaxial) and the third (proximal, median and distal) of the leaf in wh ich they occurred. Leaves were classified and numbered according to their position relative to shoot apex, as well as to measurements of their greater length. Eggs and caterpillars (including pupae) presented aggregated distribution at the leaf and shoot levels. The mea n length of the leaves in which pupae occurred was greater than those where caterpillars occurred. The eggs were observed in the leaves with the smaller median length. Most eggs were found on the median third of the leaves, in both surfaces, whereas caterpillars and p upae where found mostly on median and proximal thirds.

The immature stages of the rice bug Oebalus poecilus (Dallas, 1851) are described. The egg and the external morphological characters of the five nymphal stages were described and illustrated. The nymphs were exposed to two different photoperiods to induce seasonal forms to detect morphological differences.

The Pentatomidae, representing the fourth largest family within Heteroptera, are one of the most diverse groups with about 800 genera and more than 4,700 species in the world. In the Neotropics, about 230 genera and 1,400 species are included in seven subfamilies of the world’s nine subfamilies; four subfamilies are exclusively of the Neotropics. In this chapter, for each subfamily, a diagnosis, an overview of the classification, and information on life history, ecology, and economic importance are given. Comprehensive keys and diagnosis to the subfamilies, tribes, and genera for the Neotropical Region, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the West Indies, are also given.

Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton é importante praga dos citros por causar danos diretos (redução da área fotossintética) e indiretos (favorece a penetração da bactéria causadora do cancro cítrico). A ausência de informações sobre a dinâmica populacional da espécie, considerando as condições de cultivo e as variedades do Rio Grande do Sul, motivou este trabalho, que objetivou avaliar a variação sazonal dos estágios imaturos de P. citrella no período de junho de 2002 a julho de 2003, em dois pomares de Citrus sinensis 'Valência', um conduzido sob sistema orgânico de manejo e outro sob o convencional. Amostragens quinzenais foram realizadas, com coleta de um broto em cada uma das 27 plantas sorteadas aleatoriamente. Procedeu-se à análise das folhas em laboratório quanto à presença de ovos, lagartas, pupas e minas do inseto. Registrou-se a presença de P. citrella de outubro de 2002 a abril de 2003 no pomar orgânico, e de novembro de 2002 a julho de 2003, no convencional. Observou-se relação entre o tamanho populacional e a presença de recursos (folhas novas). No entanto, o estabelecimento da população não dependeu apenas da existência de recursos, mas também de condições meteorológicas favoráveis, evidenciado pela ausência de ataque na primeira brotação iniciada no final do inverno. Em conjunto, fatores meteorológicos e quantidade de recursos explicaram aproximadamente 64% da variação observada no tamanho populacional de P. citrella no pomar orgânico e 53% da observada no convencional. Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton is considered an important pest of citrus, causing both direct (reduction on the photosynthetic area) and indirect damage (facilitation of invasion by bacteria that cause citrus canker). The lack of information about the population dynamics of P. citrella, considering the cultivation systems and varieties grown in citrus orchards in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, motivated this study. It aimed to evaluate the seasonal variation of immature stages of P. citrella, from June 2002 to July 2003, in two orchards of Citrus sinensis, cv. 'Valencia', one maintained according to organic management principles and the other under conventional ones. Fortnightly samplings were carried out, being one shoot collected from each one of 27 randomly chosen plants. The leaves were analyzed for the presence of eggs, larvae, pupae and mines of P. citrella. Leafminer was recorded from October 2002 to April 2003 in the organic orchard, and from November 2002 to July 2003 in the conventional one. A relationship between population size and resource availability (young leaves) was observed. However, population establishment does not depend exclusively on the existence of resources, but also on suitable climatic conditions. This was evidenced by the absence of attacks on the first shooting, which began in late winter. Meteorological factors and resource availability as a whole explain about 64% and 53% of the observed variation in the population size of P. citrella, respectively in the organic and conventional orchards.

Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton is considered an important pest of citrus, causing both direct (reduction on the photosynthetic area) and indirect damage (facilitation of invasion by bacteria that cause citrus canker). The lack of information about the population dynamics of P. citrella, considering the cultivation systems and varieties grown in citrus orchards in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, motivated this study. It aimed to evaluate the seasonal variation of immature stages of P. citrella, from June 2002 to July 2003, in two orchards of Citrus sinensis, cv. 'Valencia', one maintained according to organic management principles and the other under conventional ones. Fortnightly samplings were carried out, being one shoot collected from each one of 27 randomly chosen plants. The leaves were analyzed for the presence of eggs, larvae, pupae and mines of P. citrella. Leafminer was recorded from October 2002 to April 2003 in the organic orchard, and from November 2002 to July 2003 in the conventional one. A relationship between population size and resource availability (young leaves) was observed. However, population establishment does not depend exclusively on the existence of resources, but also on suitable climatic conditions. This was evidenced by the absence of attacks on the first shooting, which began in late winter. Meteorological factors and resource availability as a whole explain about 64% and 53% of the observed variation in the population size of P. citrella, respectively in the organic and conventional orchards.

Two new species of the Neotropical genus Pseudevoplitus Ruckes,1958 are described, P. amazonicus Grazia & Greve, sp. nov. and P. roraimensis Grazia & Greve, sp. nov. both from the Brazilian Amazonia, with emphasis on genital characters. Additions to the generic description and a new key to the species are presented.

Catulona Rolston, 1992 was described for two species, the type species Catulona pensa Rolston and Catulona apaga Rolston, both from southeastern and southern Brazil. Here Catulona lucida Campos & Grazia, sp. nov. is described from southeastern Brazil, and contributions to the description of Catulona, C. pensa, and C. apaga are made. Male and female genitalia are described for the genus and described and illustrated for C. lucida. Parameres and phallus of C. pensa are also described. The collection of the American Museum of Natural History is assigned as the new deposit site to the holotype of C. pensa. New geographical data are given.

The immature stages of the rice bug Oebalus poecilus (Dallas, 1851) are described. The egg and the external morphological characters of the five nymphal stages were described and illustrated. The nymphs were exposed to two different photoperiods to induce seasonal forms to detect morphological differences.