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Stridulatory Mechanisms in the Lygaeidae, with a New American Genus of Orsillinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera)

1963; Oxford University Press; Volume: 56; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/aesa/56.5.693

1938-2901

Peter D. Ashlock, John D. Lattin,

Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control

A review of the terms applied to stridulatory structures has led the authors to coin a new term, stridulitrum, for the stationary part and to accept the term plectrum for the movable part of the mechanism. Four distinct types of stridulatory mechanisms, based on the position of the stridulitrum, have been found in the Lygaeidae. Two are found in single genera: the metathoracic wing type, found in members of the genus Kleidoeerys (Ischnorhynchini); and the prothoracic type, found in the monotypic genus Pseudocnemodus (Rhyparochrominae, Myodochini). The other two types are more widely distributed. The hemelytral margin type is found in the orsilline genera Xyonysius (name newly proposed for Nysius californicus Stål and its allies), Oceanides, and Metrarga; the pamphantine genera Pamphautus (in Cuban species only) and Abpamphantus; and the cleradine (Rhyparochrominae) genera Balboa, Prosomoeus, and Primierus. The abdominal type is found in the blissine genus Heteroblissus; the cleradine (Rhyparochrominae) genera Pactye and Dyakana; and the myodochine (Rhyparochrominae) genera Ligyrocoris, Sphaerobis, Encosmetus (one species), Erlacda, and Altomerus. The evidence suggests that stridulatory mechanisms evolved 7 or 8 times in the family. Analysis of the distribution of stridulatory structures in the Lygaeidae shows that several taxonomic conclusions can be drawn from the study. The following are suggested: a New World origin for some of the Hawaiian orsilline fauna; support for the suggestion that the Cleradini is a polyphyletic group; possible synonomy of the genera Prosomoeus and Primierus; and possible generic separation of the non-Cuban species of Pamphantus. The structures are of excellent taxonomic value, where they occur, both as generic characters and as higher category characters, but overreliance on them is as unwarranted with these as with any other group of characters. Stål defined Ligyrocoris on the basis of stridulatory structures, but the genus has been shown to be not a natural unit.