Invasive Stink Bugs and Related Species (Pentatomoidea)

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124 Invasive Stink Bugs and Related Species (Pentatomoidea)


Mulsant and Rey, Tholagmus and those related to Ventocoris Hahn: Asaroticus Jakovlev, Crypsinus
Dohrn, Hybocoris Kiritshenko, Leprosoma, Neoleprosoma Kormilev and Pirán, Putonia Stål,
Tshingisella Kiritshenko, Vilpianus Stål.
In the Tar isa group, the genus Tar isa is more basal than the genus Dybowskyia; in the Brachycerocoris
group, Brachycerocoris is the most advanced, Bolbocoris is basal, and Phymatocoris Stål is in the middle.


2.2.10.10 Serbaninae Leston, 1953


This is a monotypic subfamily containing a single genus and species (Serbana borneensis Distant)
(Figure 2.27K) (Tables 2.2, 2.3), which is endemic to Borneo. Members of this family are highly simi-
lar in appearance to members of the family Phloeidae, and, probably due to living in similar habitats,
they have evolved (probably convergently) several novel characteristics in common with each other. For
example, they both are relatively large and ovate with the margins of the head, pronotum, and abdo-
men produced and foliate. Also, each compound eye is divided into a dorsal and ventral section. They
differ, however, in several significant characters. For example, the antennae are four-segmented in the
Serbaninae (three-segmented in phloeids). The metathoracic scent glands are different in that the ostiole
is placed more mesial than in the phloeids, ostiolar rugae are present (rudimentary in phloeids), and the
vestibular scar is lacking (present in phloeids). Also, the serbanines possess a dilation and sclerotized
rod in the female spermathecal duct (lacking in the phloeids). We believe that the spermathecal structure
should place this group as a subfamily within the Pentatomidae.
Due to the similar appearance as described above, Distant (1906) originally placed the serbanines in
the Phloeidae. Leston (1953c), based primarily on characters of the male genitalia, moved the serbanines
to their own subfamily (within the Pentatomidae). However, Grazia et al. (2008) concluded that the
serbanines should be placed in the Phloeidae based on the somatic characters of the external morphol-
ogy listed above, characters that we believe may be due to convergent evolution from living in similar
habitats. Further study is needed to answer this question unequivocally.
Virtually nothing is known of the biology of this group, except the supposition that their semi-unique
shape and coloration is adapted for living on the bark of trees.


2.2.10.11 Stirotarsinae Rider, 2000


This relatively recently proposed subfamily was erected for a single genus and species (Stirotarsus
abnormis Bergroth) (Tables 2.2, 2.3), a species only known from a couple of specimens from Peru,
South America (Figures 2.13F, 2.27L). When originally described, Rider (2000) was somewhat hesi-
tant in proposing a new subfamily (he had originally planned on proposing the Stirotarsini within the
Pentatominae), but due to the suite of novel characters, and the encouragement of colleagues, he pro-
posed this as a subfamily.
The known species is medium in size, is dark greyish in color, and has the body surface relatively
rough and wrinkled (Figures 2.13F, 2.14D, 2.27L). The head is elongate, longer than wide; the anten-
nae are five-segmented, with segment I not reaching apex of head, segments II and V are distinctly
inflated, and segment III is quite short (Figures 2.13F, 2.27L). The rostrum is three-segmented, with
only vague indication where segments III and IV have fused (Figure 2.14C); the distal half of the
rostrum is extremely flat. The thoracic sterna are medially sulcate, without any indication of a medial
carina, and the lateral margins of the sulcus are obtusely elevated. The ostiolar apparatus including the
evaporatorium is reduced. The spiracles are located laterad, just below the connexival margins (Figure
2.14D); and the abdominal trichobothria are transverse, each pair on each side of the abdomen located
mesad of the spiracular line. The tarsi are two-segmented, each with a distinct dorsal, longitudinal carina
(Figure 2.14A); and the tibiae are foliate and dorsally concave (Figure 2.14B). The female spermathe-
cal duct has a dilation with a sclerotized rod, and the spermathecal bulb is simple, ball-shaped, without
fingerlike diverticula.
The genus Stirotarsus was proposed by Bergroth (1911) to include S. abnormis from Peru. Because
of its aberrant features, the taxonomic placement of this genus has been ambiguous. Bergroth (1911)
originally placed the genus in the Arminae (= Asopinae) near several genera that also have the tibiae

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