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Knowledge of insect pest ecology and biology is important for maximizing crop protection and reducing crop losses. Currently, we lack an efficient control program for the cocoa mirid Sahlbergella singularis Haglund (Hemiptera: Miridae), the principal insect pest of cocoa in West and Central Africa. A 2-yr study was conducted in 11 plantations across Ayos and Konye, two of the largest cocoa growing areas of Cameroon. We evaluated the effects of mirid sex pheromone and climatic variations on mirid population dynamics and their associated cocoa damage. Sex pheromone traps caught 1.5-fold higher mirids in Ayos than in Konye, with more overall counts in 2015 than in 2016. Cocoa pod counts were also significantly higher in 2015 than in 2016 and were negatively correlated with temperature and relative humidity. In both localities, mirid populations and associated cocoa pod damage were suppressed in plantations where sex pheromone traps were used. Damage incidence was positively correlated with mirid counts, confirming that the cocoa pod is the preferential site for mirid feeding and reproduction. As such, damage incidence could be used as proxy for comparative mirid population level due to the mirid's cryptic habit. Of the recorded weather variables, only relative humidity was correlated (negatively) with damage severity. Our data on the relationships between damage caused by mirids and their population dynamics and sex pheromone trap catches suggest that an effective control strategy using mass trapping could be developed for mirid management in cocoa plantations.

The introduction of the Nearctic predaceous stink bug species, (Perillus bioculatus) was attempted multiple times in various countries throughout Europe to mitigate the damage caused by the invasive and harmful pest species, the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). Though these attempts were thought to be unsuccessful for decades, more recent data elucidated that the species have established small self-sustaining populations in the Balkans Peninsula, Southern Russia, and Türkiye and recently began to expand. In the past years, the European range of the species reached Eastern Europe. After the first individuals were found in Hungary in October 2023 a citizen science campaign was launched to investigate the distribution of the species in the country. By June 2024 it became evident that the species is established throughout the country. Furthermore, observations regarding beetle larvae and moth caterpillars as alternative prey were reported supporting the previous assumptions that the naturalization and expansion of the species in Europe is facilitated by dietary drift. Here, we summarize the knowledge on the European presence of the two-spotted stink bug and formulate hypotheses regarding its future distribution and the impact of the species on the insect communities of the newly colonized areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The introduction of the Nearctic predaceous stink bug species, (Perillus bioculatus) was attempted multiple times in various countries throughout Europe to mitigate the damage caused by the invasive and harmful pest species, the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). Though these attempts were thought to be unsuccessful for decades, more recent data elucidated that the species have established small self-sustaining populations in the Balkans Peninsula, Southern Russia, and Türkiye and recently began to expand. In the past years, the European range of the species reached Eastern Europe. After the first individuals were found in Hungary in October 2023 a citizen science campaign was launched to investigate the distribution of the species in the country. By June 2024 it became evident that the species is established throughout the country. Furthermore, observations regarding beetle larvae and moth caterpillars as alternative prey were reported supporting the previous assumptions that the naturalization and expansion of the species in Europe is facilitated by dietary drift. Here, we summarize the knowledge on the European presence of the two-spotted stink bug and formulate hypotheses regarding its future distribution and the impact of the species on the insect communities of the newly colonized areas.

Abstract Many plant-feeding stinkbugs belonging to the infraorder Pentatomomorpha possess a specialized symbiotic organ at the posterior end of the midgut, in which mutualistic bacterial symbionts are harbored extracellularly. In species of the superfamily Pentatomoidea, these symbionts typically are verticallytransmitted from host mothers to offspring, whereas in species of the superfamilies Coreoidea and Lygaeoidea they are acquired from the environment. In the pentatomoid family Cydnidae, vertical symbiont transmission has been reported in several species. Here, we report the first case of environmental symbiont acquisition in Cydnidae, observed in the burrower bug Macroscytus japonensis. A comprehensive survey of 72 insect samples from 23 sites across the Japanese archipelago revealed that (1) symbionts exhibit remarkably high diversity, forming six distinct phylogenetic groups within the Enterobacteriaceae of the γ-Proteobacteria, (2) most symbionts are cultivable and closely related to free-living Pantoea-allied bacteria, and (3) symbiont phylogenetic groups do not reflect the host phylogeny. Microbial inspection of eggs revealed the absence of bacteria on the egg surface. These results strongly suggest that symbionts are acquired from the environment, not vertical transmission. Rearing experiments confirmed environmental symbiont acquisition. When environmental symbiont sources were experimentally withheld, nymphs became aposymbiotic and died before molting to the second instar, indicating that nymphs environmentally acquire symbionts during the first-instar stage and that symbionts are essential for nymphal growth and survival. This study highlights Cydnidae as the only pentatomoid family that includes species that environmentally acquire symbionts and those that vertically transmit symbionts, providing an ideal platform for comparative studies of the ecological and environmental factors that influence the evolution of symbiont transmission modes.

Vast grassland areas disappear due to abandonment, conversion to arable fields or urban areas. Consequently, grassland species have declined dramatically during and since the last century. The majority of remaining European grasslands are managed, many of them by mowing, which, in general, decreases arthropods' abundance and species richness.Here, we aimed to study the effects of width and proportion of refuge areas on local abundance and richness of arthropods in hay meadows. Within a ca. 4000 ha semi‐natural grassland area of the Great Hungarian Plain, we established refuge strips of different widths (3 and 9 m) and proportion of total field area (10 and 25%) following a randomised block design with six replicates per treatment. We studied five arthropod groups (grasshoppers, true bugs, carabids and ground‐dwelling and vegetation‐dwelling spiders), which we sampled 2 weeks after mowing by sweep netting and pitfall traps.Uncut strips were warmer and moister than the mown areas. The effects of refuge strips and their arrangement were stronger on the vegetation‐dwelling than on ground‐dwelling arthropods, although all taxa were affected in some way. We found more true bugs in mown areas between narrow strips than between wide strips. The interaction effect of width and proportion of refuge strips on the abundance of grasshoppers, ground‐dwelling spiders and species richness of carabids showed that wider strips are more beneficial if their proportion is low and narrow strips are more beneficial with high proportion.Synthesis and applications: Our findings provide evidence that uncut refuge strips can harbour diverse and abundant arthropod assemblages in hay meadows and mitigate the adverse effects of uniformly executed mowing on arthropods. Modifying attributes and considering farming practices, wide strips with a low (10%) proportion of total field area seem optimal for both conservation and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus, Prytanoidesgen. nov., is described to accommodate the new species Prytanoides prorrectusgen. et sp. nov. from Argentina. Its relationship with the presumably closely related Prytanes Distant,1893 is discussed. The distributional range of four Prytanes species is also extended: Prytanes formosus (Distant, 1882) and Prytanes foedus (Stål, 1860) are recorded for many provinces in Argentina; Prytanes oblongus (Stål, 1862) is recorded from Ecuador for the first time; and Prytanes tumens (Stål, 1874) from Mexico. For each species, we provide a colour habitus of the adult, together with photographs of the male genitalia of the new genus and species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with two different probes, the canonical insect telomeric sequence (TTAGG)n and the sequence (TTAGGGATGG)n, was performed on meiotic chromosomes of two members of the true bug family Cimicidae (Cimicomorpha), the common bed bug Cimex lectularius Linnaeus, 1758 and the tropical bed bug C. hemipterus (Fabricius, 1803), whose telomeric motifs were not known. In both species, there were no hybridization signals with the first probe, but strong signals at chromosomal ends were observed with the second probe, indicating the presence of a telomeric motif (TTAGGGATGG)n. This study represents the first FISH confirmation of the presence of a non-canonical telomeric motif not only for the infraorder Cimicomorpha but also for the suborder Heteroptera (Hemiptera) as a whole. The present finding is of key significance for unraveling the evolutionary shifts in the telomeric sequences in this suborder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many plant-feeding stinkbugs belonging to the infraorder Pentatomomorpha possess a specialized symbiotic organ at the posterior end of the midgut, in which mutualistic bacterial symbionts are harbored extracellularly. In species of the superfamily Pentatomoidea, these symbionts typically are verticallytransmitted from host mothers to offspring, whereas in species of the superfamilies Coreoidea and Lygaeoidea they are acquired from the environment. In the pentatomoid family Cydnidae, vertical symbiont transmission has been reported in several species. Here, we report the first case of environmental symbiont acquisition in Cydnidae, observed in the burrower bug Macroscytus japonensis. A comprehensive survey of 72 insect samples from 23 sites across the Japanese archipelago revealed that (1) symbionts exhibit remarkably high diversity, forming six distinct phylogenetic groups within the Enterobacteriaceae of the γ-Proteobacteria, (2) most symbionts are cultivable and closely related to free-living Pantoea-allied bacteria, and (3) symbiont phylogenetic groups do not reflect the host phylogeny. Microbial inspection of eggs revealed the absence of bacteria on the egg surface. These results strongly suggest that symbionts are acquired from the environment, not vertical transmission. Rearing experiments confirmed environmental symbiont acquisition. When environmental symbiont sources were experimentally withheld, nymphs became aposymbiotic and died before molting to the second instar, indicating that nymphs environmentally acquire symbionts during the first-instar stage and that symbionts are essential for nymphal growth and survival. This study highlights Cydnidae as the only pentatomoid family that includes species that environmentally acquire symbionts and those that vertically transmit symbionts, providing an ideal platform for comparative studies of the ecological and environmental factors that influence the evolution of symbiont transmission modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A laboratory colony of the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula L. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) was used to evaluate the effect of two strains of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) on its growth and reproductive rates. Four concentrations (106, 107, 108, and 109 conidia g−1) of native (NI8) and commercial (GHA) entomopathogenic fungi alongside a water control were used. Cumulative oviposition and survival of nine groups (ten couple per group per concentration) were used to calculate the demographic parameters of this insect. Two computations were done based on total offspring (fertile and infertile eggs) and eggs with developed embryo (fertile eggs). Net reproductive rates (Ro) on insect sprayed with NI8 calculated based on total offspring showed a dose-dependent effect (72.55, 85.50, 58.15, and 37.60 females per newborn female) compared with water control (87.65). In populations sprayed with GHA, only the highest concentration (109 conidia g−1) was lower than control (27.15). The calculated Ro values based on fertile eggs were much lower as it was expected with 60.75, 61.45, 45.45, and 32.05 females per newborn female from lowest to highest concentrations of NI8 and 21.50 for GHA highest concentration compared with water control (78.45). These results demonstrated that both native and commercial strains affected embryo development, decreasing growth and reproductive rates of N. viridula populations. Further field testing is needed to evaluate the potential for in-field control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Geocoris Fallén, 1814 is recorded for the first time from Peru. Five new species are described: G. castanoae, G. flatus, G. genuinus, G. infrequens, and G. navus. Geocoris sobrinus (Blanchard, 1852) is recorded for the first time from Peru. Geocoris barrosi Porter, 1917 is considered a synonym of the nominal species Geocoris sobrinus (Blanchard, 1852). A key to the six species known from Peru is included, with photographs of the dorsal habitus, and parameres of some species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subfamily Phimophorinae includes ~113 species of cryptic assassin bugs found in the Neotropics and Paleotropics. Presumably due to its small size, cryptic coloration, and occurrence in the remote Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM), Porcelloderes impenetrabilis Rédei, 2012 (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Phimophorinae), was only recently described as the first representative of this subfamily from mainland Africa. Previous morphology-based phylogenetic research on Phimophorinae (then known as Physoderinae or Epiroderinae) recovered Porcelloderes as sister taxon to the remaining epiroderine-lineage of Phimophorinae. Recent fieldwork in Tanzania has resulted in 241 additional specimens of Porcelloderes from 3 EAM) ranges. We used molecular and morphological analyses for these 241 specimens to (i) determine their species identity, (ii) test the phylogenetic position of Porcelloderes within Phimophorinae, and (iii) determine if divergence within Porcelloderes coincides with periods of climate-driven forest fragmentation in the EAM. Specimens from the Kimboza and Nguru Mountains likely represent P. impenetrabilis , but we here describe Porcelloderes harles , n. sp. from the Udzungwa Mountains. Our molecular phylogeny shows Porcelloderes nested within the epiroderine-lineage of Phimophorinae and as sister taxon to a Madagascar clade. We estimate that the epiroderine-lineage diverged from other Phimophorinae ~44 MYA. The divergence estimates for the 2 Porcelloderes species is ~15 MYA, consistent with proposed dates for other EAM assassin bugs and a period of forest fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study provides taxonomic information pertaining to the distribution patterns of “true bugs” insects (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), throughout the ecological systems of the Berat region in Albania. Specimens were collected from May to September spanning the years 2018 to 2020. The data were collected from stations that exhibited ideal habitats for this specific order, encompassing regions with ample flora, cultivated fields with crops, elevated hills, and hilly terrains. In the Berat region, our inquiry has successfully identified a total of 38 species belonging to the Heteroptera suborder (Hemiptera order). Furthermore, we have furnished citations for every Heteroptera species that have been identified inside the Berat region. Before our investigation, there was a total of 47 recorded species of “true bugs” in Berat. Significantly, our research uncovers a total of 24 species that have not been previously recognized in the Berat region. As a result, our research significantly expands the documented count of Heteroptera species in Berat to 71.

Based on quantitative counts of the abundance of four species of the genera Aelia and Neottiglossa (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae), the process of formation of their populations in the overgrown burnt areas of the Usman Forest (Voronezh region) after a fi re in 2010 was modeled. It has been established that mesoxerophilic species Ae. acuminata and N. leporina appeared in the formerly burnt areas 5–6 years after the fi re. The mesophilic species N. pusilla is a permanent inhabitant of ecotone biotopes and has not shown a tendency to colonize the formerly burnt areas. Xerophilic Ae. rostrata colonized the overgrown burnt area ten years after the fi re, refl ecting the process of xerophylization of the post-pyrogenic ecosystem in forest-steppe conditions.

Trypanosomatids are obligate parasites of animals, predominantly insects and vertebrates, and flowering plants. Monoxenous species, representing the vast majority of trypanosomatid diversity, develop in a single host, whereas dixenous species cycle between two hosts, of which primarily insect serves as a vector. To explore in-depth the diversity of insect trypanosomatids including their co-infections, sequence profiling of their 18S rRNA gene was used for true bugs (Hemiptera; 18% infection rate) and flies (Diptera; 10%) in Cuba. Out of 48 species (molecular operational taxonomic units) belonging to the genera Vickermania (16 spp.), Blastocrithidia (7), Obscuromonas (4), Phytomonas (5), Leptomonas/Crithidia (5), Herpetomonas (5), Wallacemonas (2), Kentomonas (1), Angomonas (1) and two unnamed genera (1 + 1), 38 species have been encountered for the first time. The detected Wallacemonas and Angomonas species constitute the most basal lineages of their respective genera, while Vickermania emerged as the most diverse group. The finding of Leptomonas seymouri, which is known to rarely infect humans, confirms that Dysdercus bugs are its natural hosts. A clear association of Phytomonas with the heteropteran family Pentatomidae hints at its narrow host association with the insect rather than plant hosts. With a focus on multiple infections of a single fly host, using deep Nanopore sequencing of 18S rRNA, we have identified co-infections with up to 8 trypanosomatid species. The fly midgut was usually occupied by several Vickermania species, while Herpetomonas and/or Kentomonas species prevailed in the hindgut. Metabarcoding was instrumental for analysing extensive co-infections and also allowed the identification of trypanosomatid lineages and genera.

From the diversity of phytophagous stink bugs found in rice fields in Itapecuru-Mirim, Maranhão, we have the first record of Edessa meditabunda in the crop, and the second record in Brazil of Paratibraca dubia. Additionally, Tibraca limbativentris, Oebalus poecilus, and Oebalus ypsilongriseus ere observed.

Detailed description of antennal sensory organs of Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910 (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae) and a comparison with L. zonatus (Dallas, 1852) are presented. A novel approach that combines the advantages of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to detail micromorphological structures. A simplified classification system for sensilla that eliminates the subjective aspects of morphology, such as their shape, is proposed. Fourteen sensory organs have been classified into three main groups: (a) aporous sensilla with a flexible socket, (b) porous sensilla with a flexible socket and (c) porous sensilla with an inflexible socket. A large variety of sensory organs (nine types) with olfactory functions are described. The antennal sensory organs have been recognized as one of the factors responsible for the evolutionary success of Leptoglossus spp. and their status as important pests and invasive species.

In this study, the two Oxycarenidae species, O. gossypii Horváth, 1926 and Oxycarenus bicolor heraldus Distant, 1904, are redescribed, and their complete mitogenomes are sequenced and analyzed. The phylogeny of Lygaeoidea is examined using 45 complete mitogenomes of lygaeoid species and four outgroup species. The gene orientation and arrangement of the two mitogenomes are found to be consistent with typical Lygaeoidea mitochondrial features, comprising 37 genes, including 13 PCGs , 22 tRNAs , 2 rRNAs , and a control region. Nucleotide composition of the species was biased towards A and T, with the gene order identical to the putative ancestral arrangement of insects. Start codons, stop codons, RNAs, relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU), and nucleotide diversity (Pi) of Oxycarenidae exhibited characteristics similar to other families in Lygaeoidea. Bayesian-inference (BI) and maximum-likelihood (ML) methods were employed to investigate phylogenetic relationships using PCG datasets from selected species. Phylogenetic analyses reveal slightly different topologies between BI and ML methods, with variation primarily concentrated in Colobathristidae and Rhyparochromidae. Our study confirms that the two sequenced Oxycarenidae species formed a single clade, and the position of Oxycarenidae remains stable in both ML and BI phylogenetic trees. These findings expand the mitochondrial genome databases of Lygaeoidea and provide valuable insights into the phylogenetic relationships within Lygaeoidea or Pentatomomorpha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is based on 430 Pentatomidae materials collected from Çankırı in Türkiye between 2013-2014. In this study, 30 species/subspecies were determined. After 76 years, a new locality record of Antheminia varicornis (Jakovlev, 1874) is given from Türkiye. The study includes information about the distribution data of Pentatomid species and newly recorded species of Çankırı province given. With this study, additional distribution information was provided to the Turkish Pentatomidae fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New records of Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910 (Heteroptera: Coreidae) in Syria are reported. L. occidentalis has been observed in Duraykish, Coastal area; Mazraat Deir Al-Ashayer, west of Damascus and Urman, As-Sweida, southern Syria. Information on the distribution of this invasive species in the neighboring areas has been documented, too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Neotropiconyttus Kirkaldy, 1909 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae: Harpactorini) is described and illustrated. Neotropiconyttus armandoi Gamboa & Gil-Santana, sp. nov. represents the first record of the genus for the Province of Napo in Colombia, and the first description of a male individual in the genus. The male specimen representing the new species was collected on a leaf of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.-Malvaceae). Its remarkable similarity in external coloration and structure with that of the true bug Monalonion dissimulatum Distant, 1883 (Hemiptera: Miridae) inhabiting cacao agroforestry systems suggests that the new species could be part of a mimetic complex that incorporates phytophagous and predator bugs. Comments and figures of type specimens of Neotropiconyttus alboannulatus (Stål, 1855) and Neotropiconyttus dama (Burmeister, 1838), and a key to the species of the genus are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out in the maize cultivation areas of Aksaray, Kırşehir, Konya, Karaman, Nevşehir, Niğde, Kayseri, Kırıkkale, Ankara, Eskişehir, Sivas, Yozgat and Çankırı provinces in the Central Anatolia Region between 2017 and 2022. Surveys were carried out in three different phenological periods of maize, according to the simple random sampling method. In each location where the research was conducted, plants on 2-meter rows at 5 points were examined using visual inspection and traps in the first two periods, and using visual inspection and a Japanese umbrella in the 3rd period. Results showed that 36 species, belonging to 25 genera from 10 families (Alydidae, Anthocoridae, Berytidae, Geocoridae, Lygaeidae, Miridae, Nabidae, Pentatomidae, Rhopalidae, Tingidae) were recorded. Among them, Leucodellus zagdani (Putshkov, 1970) was the second record in Türkiye, and the first record for maize. Kalama trimaizeis (Schrank, 1801) was reported for the third time in the fauna of Türkiye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thread-legged bug genus Onychomesa Wygodzinsky 1966 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae: Emesini, formerly Metapterini) and its three described species are reviewed. The Sri Lankan species Ischnonyctes alatus Distant 1903 is resurrected from the synonymy with Schidium marcidum (Uhler, 1896) and transferred to Onychomesa, and O. susainathani Wygodzinsky, 1966 is considered a junior synonym of this species, resulting in the following taxonomic changes: O. alata (Distant 1903), stat. rev. et comb. nov. = O. susainathani Wygodzinsky 1966, syn. nov. The lectotype of I. alatus is designated. A new species, O. schuhi Chen et Cai, sp. nov., is described from Hainan Island, southern China. An updated key to the species of Onychomesa is provided. The species is registered in ZooBank (http://zoobank.org/8F582127-631F-4CD9-9E02-C3CD14AA52DC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents all species of Lygus Hahn in Turkey. In this study, a total of 228 Lygus samples collected from Çankırı between 2013–2014 are evaluated. As a result, a total of six species of Lygus are determined from Turkey. In addition, Lygus wagneri ozdikmeni ssp. n., a new subspecies of Lygus wagneri from Çankırı province of Turkey is described. Habitus of holotype (male) and its genitalia are photographed. The newly described subspecies differs significantly from the nominative subspecies of Lygus wagneri and the other closely related Lygus species in terms of genital morphology and external morphology. The distribution data in Turkey and the world of all Lygus species are also given in the text. Accordingly, an identification key for all Lygus species in Turkey is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the 44 genera of predatory stink bugs (Asopinae) described for the Old World, there is a notable lack of recent studies. In this research, we aim to fill this gap by investigating the taxonomic history and morphology of species of Cantheconidea. As results, we present the redescription of the genus and validate three species: C. humeralis, C. javana and C. mitis comb. nov. A lectotype for C. mitis is designated and comments on the type material are given. Additionally, we transfer four species from Cantheconidea to the genus Eocanthecona: E. acuta comb. nov., E. variabilis comb. nov., E. gaugleri comb. nov. and E. insularis comb. nov. To accommodate the unique characteristics of Cantheconidea cyanacantha, we describe a new genus, Cantheconesia Brugnera & Roca-Cusachs gen. nov., and transfer the species, resulting in Cantheconesia cyanacantha gen. et comb. nov. Our study provides detailed redescriptions of species and accompanying images to support taxonomic decisions and presents new distribution records.

Research on the Heteroptera fauna of Turkey has not been extensive enough to illustrate its true diversity. Although several factors contribute to this, the lack of an up-to-date and comprehensive review is a basic factor. To address this issue, we compiled a list of all the Heteroptera species recorded from Turkey in the literature and iNaturalist. In addition, we re-examined several specimens preserved in the Lodos Entomological Museum, İzmir, Turkey (LEMT). Consequently, we excluded 24 species from the checklist of Heteroptera fauna of Turkey, and proposed a new synonymy: Psallus (Psallus) pardalis Seidenstücker, 1966 = Psallus (Psallus) oenderi Wagner, 1976 syn. nov. Furthermore, we recorded following six species from Turkey for the first time: Blissus hirtulus Burmeister, 1835 (Blissidae), Loricula (Loricula) pselaphiformis Curtis, 1833 (Microphysidae), Globiceps (Globiceps) coryli V.G. Putshkov, 1970, Heterocordylus (Heterocordylus) cytisi Josifov, 1958, Mesopsallus fagi (Drapolyuk, 1990) and Psallus (Psallus) helenae Josifov, 1969 (Miridae); and described following six species as new for science: Orthonotus efei Çerçi & Koçak sp. nov., Orthotylus (Parapachylops) oenderi Çerçi, Tezcan & Koçak sp. nov., Orthotylus (Pinocapsus) girayi Çerçi & Tezcan sp. nov., Psallus (Psallus) eceae Çerçi & Koçak sp. nov., Psallus (Psallus) pehlivani Çerçi & Tezcan sp. nov. and Ribautocapsus tezcani Çerçi sp. nov. Altogether, 1668 species of Heteroptera have been recorded from Turkey (664 species in the European part and 1633 species in the Anatolian part) until now, out of them, the presence of 37 species needs confirmation. We determined the chorotypical composition of species as follows: Mediterranean (399 spp., 23.9%), European (380 spp., 22.8%), Local (280 spp., 16.8%), Widespread (182 spp., 10.9%), Endemic (128 spp., 7.7%), Turanian (127 spp., 7.5%), Turano-Mediterranean (89 spp., 5.3%), Europeo-Mediterranean (68 spp., 4.1%) and Alien (12 spp., 0.7%). We showed that provinces in the Eastern Anatolian, Southeastern Anatolian, and Black Sea regions had lower numbers of species recorded, compared to the provinces in the remaining regions. Finally, we underlined that 109 species, absent from Turkey, were recorded from three or more neighboring countries of Turkey. In summary, our findings emphasize that despite the abundant research devoted over the last 150 years to the Heteroptera fauna of Turkey, our understanding of it remains incomplete in the majority, if not in all, of the regions. Our findings strongly encourage further research, particularly in regions with small numbers of recorded species. This endeavor will undoubtedly lead to numerous novel discoveries and provide a better understanding of the true Heteroptera diversity in Turkey.

BackgroundAnastatus japonicus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) is a solitary egg endoparasitoid that has been studied for inundative biological control of Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in China. In this study, we assessed the reproductive attributes and functional response of Anastatus japonicus on a factitious host, Antheraea pernyi (Guérin-Méneville) (Lepidoptera: Anthelidae) at 25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 5% relative humidity and 16 h:8 h light/dark photoperiod.ResultsThe mean lifetime fecundity of Anastatus japonicus females was 404.3 progeny produced over an average oviposition period of 42.3 days. The sex ratio of adult progeny was slightly male biased (51.2%), whereas more female progeny were produced before day 20 of a female's life. Single 1-day-old mated Anastatus japonicus females exhibited a type II functional response to increasing host densities (1-50 eggs), with an inverse host density-dependent pattern of percent parasitism. The upper limit to the daily attack rate was estimated as 7.6 Antheraea pernyi eggs. Furthermore, mutual interference among Anastatus japonicus females occurred when increasing densities of parasitoids (1, 2, 4, 8, 16) were exposed to 30 host eggs.ConclusionLaboratory functional response result revealed that individual Anastatus japonicus might be unable to respond effectively to increasing host density in the field, which could be compensated by releasing larger numbers of wasps. Strong mutual interference among foraging Anastatus japonicus females should be considered in any future inundative biological control programs for the sustainable management of Halyomorpha halys or other host insect pests. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

BackgroundInvasive species threaten the productivity and stability of natural and managed ecosystems. Predicting the spread of invaders, which can aid in early mitigation efforts, is a major challenge, especially in the face of climate change. While ecological niche models are effective tools to assess habitat suitability for invaders, such models have rarely been created for invasive pest species with rapidly expanding ranges. Here, we leveraged a national monitoring effort from 543 sites over 3 years to assess factors mediating the occurrence and abundance of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB, Halyomorpha halys), an invasive insect pest that has readily established throughout much of the United States.ResultsWe used maximum entropy models to estimate the suitable habitat of BMSB under several climate scenarios, and generalized boosted models to assess environmental factors that regulated BMSB abundance. Our models captured BMSB distribution and abundance with high accuracy, and predicted a 70% increase in suitable habitat under future climate scenarios. However, environmental factors that mediated the geographical distribution of BMSB were different from those driving abundance. While BMSB occurrence was most affected by winter precipitation and proximity to populated areas, BMSB abundance was influenced most strongly by evapotranspiration and solar photoperiod.ConclusionOur results suggest that linking models of establishment (occurrence) and population dynamics (abundance) offers a more effective way to forecast the spread and impact of BMSB and other invasive species than simply occurrence-based models, allowing for targeted mitigation efforts. Implications of distribution shifts under climate change are discussed. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Tingid classification has been problematic since the recognition of the family. The exaggerated ornamentation of many tingids has caused confusion in morphology-based phylogenies due to convergence. Also, some genera, like Ulonemia , lack exaggerated structures and their diagnoses rely on reduced morphology, making identification difficult. The relationship between these genera is of great interest, as several species of Ulonemia have recently become pests of Macadamia , and several of these genera are found on other Proteaceae. We used 16S, COI , 18S, and 28S to determine genus-level relationships of Ulonemia and other Australian Tingidae using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference. We also analysed a morphological dataset using maximum parsimony. The parsimony analysis yielded numerous morphological homoplasies, and most deep clades lacked support. The ML and Bayesian analyses had strong support and returned a paraphyletic Ulonemia with three strongly supported clades. Two new genera, Cercotingis gen. nov. and Proteatingis gen. nov. are erected and Ulonemia redescribed to account for the observed phylogenies. Three new species of Cercotingis (C. croajingolong sp. nov. C. namadgi sp. nov. and C. tasmaniensis sp. nov.) and four new species of Proteatingis (Pr. astibosetes sp. nov. Pr. howardi sp. nov. Pr. minuta sp. nov. and Pr. xouthos sp. nov.) are described, with keys to species of Cercotingis and Proteatingis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, native to East Asia, is an invasive pest of economic importance. It has invaded North America and many European countries and is further expanding its range. In Belgium, it was first observed in 2011. Halyomorpha halys is known to cause severe damage in commercial fruit orchards and vegetable crops. A dramatic and unmitigated expansion of H. halys in its adventive range could lead to significant economic implications for agricultural production. In this study, occurrence data of H. halys since its first observation in Belgium was analysed together with molecular information to map the populations and evaluate the genetic diversity of this pest. The genetic diversity of H. halys in Belgium was compared to data from other invaded and native countries reported in previous studies to identify possible invasion routes. The analysis of 1176-bp of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase I and II genes (COI and COII) led to the discovery of two novel COI-COII haplotype combinations currently unique to Belgium. The invasion of H. halys in Belgium is likely the result of multiple and ongoing introductions from its native region and from already invaded countries in Europe, particularly Italy. The expansion of the brown marmorated stink bug populations in Belgium is recent and ongoing. Presently, it appears to thrive best in northern Belgium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the inventory of exclusively marine Heteroptera species, including taxa of three families of Gerromorpha, Hermatobatidae, Veliidae, and Gerridae, from Vietnam. A new species of coral treaders, Hermatobates sanho sp. nov. from the southern area of Vietnam is described. Xenobates murphyi Andersen, 2000 and Xenobates singaporensis Andersen, 2000 are recorded from the country for the fi rst time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During an inventory of the Gelastocoridae in the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (formerly Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, Leiden, The Netherlands), and the Nieser & Chen Collection in Tiel, The Netherlands, we came across an undescribed species of Nerthra Say, 1832 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gelastocoridae: Nerthrinae). The specimens were collected from Bonaire and Curaçao, Kingdom of the Netherlands, and we describe them here as N. papaceki sp. nov. Nerthra lurida Todd, 1959, syn. nov., is synonymized with Nerthra occidua Todd, 1959 (both from Indonesia: Sulawesi). In addition, we provide new distributional records of Nerthra americana (Montandon, 1905) (Brazil: Paraná), Nerthra buenoi Todd, 1955 (Brazil: Pará), and Nerthra raptoria (Fabricius, 1803) (Suriname) and provide their diff erential diagnoses and illustrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Altyn-Emel State National Natural Park (Kazakhstan) was surveys Heteroptera in spring-summer period (April-August), 2022-2023. A total of 172 species belonging to 22 families of Heteroptera were identified. Some species of: Heteroptera serve as bioregualtors of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) under natural conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Satellite DNAs (satDNAs) are highly repeated tandem sequences primarily located in heterochromatin, although their occurrence in euchromatin has been reported. Here, our aim was to advance the understanding of satDNA and multiple sex chromosome evolution in heteropterans. We combined cytogenetic and genomic approaches to study, for the first time, the satDNA composition of the genome in an Oxycarenidae bug, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis. The species exhibits a male karyotype of 2n = 19 (14A + 2 m + X1X2Y), with a highly differentiated Y chromosome, as demonstrated by C‐banding and comparative genomic hybridization, revealing an enrichment of repeats from the male genome. Additionally, comparative analysis between males and females revealed that the 26 identified satDNA families are significantly biased towards male genome, accumulating in discrete regions in the Y chromosome. Exceptionally, the OhyaSat04‐125 family was found to be distributed virtually throughout the entire extension of the Y chromosome. This suggests an important role of satDNA in Y chromosome differentiation, in comparison of other repeats, which collectively shows similar abundance between sexes, about 50%. Furthermore, chromosomal mapping of all satDNA families revealed an unexpected high spread in euchromatic regions, covering the entire extension, irrespective of their abundance. Only discrete regions of heterochromatin on the Y chromosome and of the m‐chromosomes (peculiar chromosomes commonly observed in heteropterans) were enriched with satDNAs. The putative causes of the intense enrichment of satDNAs in euchromatin are discussed, including the possible existence of burst cycles similar to transposable elements and as a result of holocentricity. These data challenge the classical notion that euchromatin is not enriched with satDNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platycranus metriorrhynchus Reuter, 1883, the first representative of the predominantly Holomediterranean plant bug genus, Platycranus Fieber, 1870 is reported as a new element of the Hungarian true bug fauna. Diagnostic characters and bionomics of the species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The updated list of semi-aquatic hemipteran insects (Heteroptera) of the Gerromorpha infraorder is provided for the first time for the fauna of Uzbekistan, based on collections studied and literature sources. The insects were collected from 2021 to 2023. As a result, 18 species of water striders with two subspecies belonging to 9 genera, 5 families were identified. Microvelia (Microvelia) reticulata (Burmeister, 1835) is recorded for the first time for the fauna of Uzbekistan. The erroneous species records from some areas of the republic have been corrected.

ABSTRACT The rice stink bug, Tibraca limbativentris Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a significant pest of rice cultivation in Brazil and attacks plants during both vegetative and reproductive phases. Natural enemy surveys conducted in plantations located in Arari, Miranda do Norte, Matões do Norte, Santa Rita, and Viana (state of Maranhão, Brazil) led to the discovery of a new species of parasitoid, which is described in this study. Hexacladia lemosae Costa, Noyes & Machado sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is the first species of its genus associated with T. limbativentris and develops as a gregarious endoparasitoid in adult stink bugs, occasionally in nymphs. The parasitoid emerges from the host while host is still alive.

The adaptation by planthoppers to feed and develop on resistant rice is a challenge for pest management in Asia. We conducted a series of manipulative experiments with the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)) on the resistant rice variety IR62 (BPH3/BPH32 genes) to assess behavioral and bionomic changes in planthoppers exhibiting virulence adaptation. We also examined the potential role of yeast-like symbionts (YLS) in virulence adaptation by assessing progeny fitness (survival × reproduction) following controlled matings between virulent males or females and avirulent males or females, and by manipulating YLS densities in progeny through heat treatment. We found virulence-adapted planthoppers developed faster, grew larger, had adults that survived for longer, had female-biased progeny, and produced more eggs than non-selected planthoppers on the resistant variety. However, feeding capacity-as revealed through honeydew composition-remained inefficient on IR62, even after 20+ generations of exposure to the resistant host. Virulence was derived from both the male and female parents; however, females contributed more than males to progeny virulence. We found that YLS are essential for normal planthopper development and densities are highest in virulent nymphs feeding on the resistant host; however, we found only weak evidence that YLS densities contributed more to virulence. Virulence against IR62 in the brown planthopper, therefore, involves a complex of traits that encompass a series of behavioral, physiological, and genetic mechanisms, some of which are determined only by the female parent.

Seed-feeding Nysius insects (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) have a symbiotic association with distinct intracellular bacteria, "Candidatus Schneideria nysicola" (Gammaproteobacteria). Although many other hemipteran insect groups generally rely on bacterial symbionts that synthesize all ten essential amino acids lacking in their plant sap diets, the nutritional role of Schneideria in Nysius hosts that specialize on a more nutritionally complete seed-based diet has remained unknown. To determine the nutritional and functional capabilities of Schneideria, we sequenced the complete Schneideria genomes from three distantly related endemic Hawaiian Nysius seed bug species. The complete Schneideria genomes are highly conserved and perfectly syntenic among Hawaiian Nysius host species. Each circular chromosome is ∼0.57 Mb in size and encodes 537 protein-coding genes. They further exhibit a strong A + T nucleotide substitution bias with an average G + C nucleotide content of 29%. The predicted nutritional contribution of Schneideria includes four B vitamins and five of the ten essential amino acids that likely match its hosts' seed-based diet. Disrupted and degraded genes in Schneideria suggests that Hawaiian lineages are undergoing continued gene losses observed in the smaller genomes of the other more ancient hemipteran symbionts.

The hemipteran Stenomacra tungurahuana Brailovsky & Mayorga, 1997 (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Largidae) remains known from just two localities in the inter-Andean valley of Ecuador. No ecological information nor description of its colouration in life have been reported. In this contribution, I provide the first record of S. tungurahuana on the northeastern slopes of the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes and the first description of its colouration in life, including photographs, based on a specimen from San Isidro Lodge, province of Napo, ca. 108 km from the species’ type locality.

Many prey species employ multiple defenses during interactions with predators. Multiple defenses can provide a selective advantage against a single predator at different stages of the interaction or attack, as well as against multiple predator types. However, the efficacy of multiple defenses both during different sequences of an attack and against multiple predator types, remains poorly understood. We measured and classified defensive traits used by five mimics (Müllerian and Batesian) of the myrmecomorphic golden mimicry complex and one non-mimetic species. We then performed predatory trials using two different predators that differed markedly in their body size, trophic specialization, and how they handle prey—one being an ant specialist (spider) and the other a generalist which avoided ants (skink). We identified 12 defensive traits and classified them into four groups (primary, chemical, mechanical, and behavioral), which were strongly correlated. Skinks were much less likely to attack and capture mimics than the ant-eating spider predators. Our results show that multiple defenses (five or six) were used against each predator. The defensive behaviors and features that were most effective against skinks included appendage waving and large body size, whereas the golden "shine" warning signal, large body size, cuticle thickness, and defensive gland size were most effective against spiders. Most defenses appeared to be predator-specific. We conclude that potential prey in the golden mimicry complex have been selected for multiple defenses because of their vulnerability to different predator types and consequently, the efficacy of some of these defenses likely represents a trade-off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, information about the harmful Lygaeoidea Schilling, 1829 (Hemiptera) superfamily species and their effects on olive plants in olive (Olea europaea, Linnaeus, 1758) which contains various vitamins and minerals with high economic value, which are cultivated efficiently in the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean regions rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients that remain green in all seasons, specific to the Mediterranean climate, whose homeland is Anatolia, was compiled by making use of related studies. As a result of the researches, 20 species (Aphanus rolandri (Linnaeus, 1758), Geocoris lineola (Rambur, 1839), Graptostethus servus (Fabricius, 1787), Geocoris megacephalus (Rossi, 1790), Heterogaster urticae (Fabricius, 1775), Horvathiolus superbus (Pollich, 1781), Lamprodema maura (Fabricius, 1803), Lygaeus creticus (Lucas, 1854), Microplax albofasciata (A. Costa, 1847), Nysius cymoides (Spinola, 1837), Oxycarenus pallens (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1850), Peritrechus meridionalis Puton, 1877, Plinthisus longicollis Fieber, 1861, Proderus belloveyei Puton, 1874, Raglius alboacuminatus (Goeze, 1778), Paromius gracilis (Rambur, 1839), Remaudiereana annulipes (Baerensprung, 1859), Xanthochilus quadratus (Fabricius, 1798), Scolopostethus pictus (Schilling, 1829), Spilostethus pandurus (Scopoli, 1763) from the Lygaeoidea superfamily are observed as olive pests in Türkiye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out based on Heteroptera (Hemiptera) samples collected in various locations of Kahramankazan district of Ankara province between April and November 2022. Codophila maculicollis (Dallas, 1851), Apodyphus amygdali (Germar, 1817), Holcogaster fibulata (Germar, 1831) and Oncotylus (Oncotylus) punctipes Reuter, 1875 species, which were previously reported in Türkiye, were recorded for the first time from Ankara, and O. punctipes was also new record for the central Anatolia region in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was caried to determine the Heteroptera fauna in the part of the Rhodopes Mts., Xanthi Region, Greece between July and September 2022. As a result of the study, 45 species belonging to 16 families from the Heteroptera suborder were identified. While the first exact locality records were given for Lygaeus simulans Deckert, 1985 and Corythucha arcuata (Say, 1832), Eysarcoris aeneus (Scopoli, 1763) was recorded for the second time in Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to determine the families Cymidae, Blissidae, Artheneidae, Heterogastridae, Oxycarenidae, Berytidae, and Piesmatidae in Amasya province. In result of the identification of the material collected revealed 22 species belonging to 16 genera of 7 families. All species are new records for the Amasya province and 9 species were recorded for the first time from the Black Sea region and 7 species were also new records for the central Black Sea region. Additionally, Gampsocoris culicinus Seidenstücker, 1948 (Berytidae), known from Anatolia so far only from Malatya, was recorded for the second time for Anatolia in our present study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out in 46 localities with different habitat characteristics in Amasya Province and its surroundings between 2020-2021. As a result of the diagnosis of the collected samples revealed 21 species and 11 genera belonging to 2 subfamilies from Lygaeidae. All species except Lygaeus equestris (Linnaeus, 1758) are new records for the Lygaeidae fauna from Amasya province. Of those, the species Apterola lownii (Saunders, 1876), Lygaeosoma anatolicum Seidenstücker, 1960, Lygaeosoma angulare Reuter, 1885 and Nysius thymi (Wolff, 1804) are new records for the fauna of Black Sea Region and also Horvathiolus superbus (Pollich, 1781), Lygaeus simulans Decker, 1985, Spilostethus pandurus Scopoli, 1763, Nysius ericae (Schilling, 1829), Nysius helveticus (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1850), Orsillus maculatus Fieber, 1861 and Ortholomus punctipennis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1839) are new records for Central Black Sea Region. In this study according to the chorotype analysis, the species of Lygaeidae have been categorized into 9 categories, and West Palaearctic species (47,62 %) is a major group in Amasya province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]