Many animals lay their eggs in clusters. Eggs on the periphery of clusters can be at higher risk of mortality. We asked whether the most commonly occurring clutch sizes in pentatomid bugs could result from geometrical arrangements that maximize the proportion of eggs in the cluster’s interior. Although the most common clutch sizes do not correspond with geometric optimality, stink bugs do tend to lay clusters of eggs in shapes that protect increasing proportions of their offspring as clutch sizes increase. We also considered whether ovariole number, an aspect of reproductive anatomy that may be a fixed trait across many pentatomids, could explain observed distributions of clutch sizes. The most common clutch sizes across many species correspond with multiples of ovariole number. However, there are species with the same number of ovarioles that lay clutches of widely varying size, among which multiples of ovariole number are not over-represented. In pentatomid bugs, reproductive anatomy appears to be more important than egg mass geometry in determining clutch size uniformity. In addition, within this group of animals that has lost most of its variation in ovariole number, clutches with a broad range of shapes and sizes may still be laid.

The mecideine stink bug genus Mecidea is represented in America north of Mexico by three species: Mecidea major Sailor, Mecidea minor Ruckes, and Mecidea longula Stål. M. major and M. minor are widely distributed, occurring collectively from the Midwest to California. M. longula is known only from south Florida. The life histories of M. major and M. minor have been published including laboratory rearing from egg to adult and descriptions of the immature stages. However, no key has been developed for identification of the nymphs of these two species. Here, we present a key to the nymphs of these taxa to the species and instar levels.

Abstract. Eggs of the assassin bug genus Sinea have an expansion of the chorion called the corolla that gives the eggs a flower-like appearance. In 2016, corollae of S. rileyi Montandon were observed to open and close in the laboratory, prompting a study on the morphology and mechanism of this movement. Eggs of field-collected S. complexa Caudell, S. diadema (F.), S. integra Stål, and S. rileyi were used to complete various portions of this study. Significant differences in the size of the corollae were found among species, with the greatest area for S. diadema, the least for S. complexa, and intermediate for S. riley and S. integra. The volume of the eggs of S. diadema was significantly greater than those of the other three species. The major components of the corollae and adjacent structures are defined and were found to differ among species. Confocal microscopy revealed structural differences in regions of the corollar rim and portions of the operculum. Corollae reacted to water similarly for all species but varied in reaction time. The mechanism of corollae movement is discussed. Results suggest that the reaction of the corolla is a purely physical property of the chorion and that this movement could be a means of water regulation for the developing embryo.

The ovipositional preference of Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) was evaluated, and egg extraction methods from soil were compared. In a choice test between soil, plant material, and exposed plastic surfaces, females laid eggs only in the soil. Significantly more eggs were deposited in dry soil than in most soil. A significant preference for ovipositional depth within the soil was found, with the greatest proportion of eggs laid in the upper one-third (i.e., 0-0.4 cm) of the soil. Two egg extraction methods (i.e., wash and flotation) were compared for effectiveness, sampling time, and cost of setup. The wash method consisted of two types (wash methods 1 and 2, with or without a paint strainer, respectively), whereas the flotation method consisted of several solutions. The wash method (both types combined) was more effective in egg extraction than the flotation method from both small and large volume samples, but the two types differed from each other: method 1 had a higher recovery rate than method 2 for small soil volumes but a lower recovery rate than method 2 for large volumes. Total sampling time was shorter for the wash method than the flotation method and less expensive.

The nymphal morphology of the family Rhopalidae is well known for several species, most of which are pests. Ontogenetic changes in morphology are described in detail for two members from two tribes of the subfamily Rhopalinae, Rhopalini: Rhopalus (Aeschyntelus) maculatus (Fieber) and Chorosomini: Chorosoma schillingii (Schilling). Keys to the nymphal instars of both species are provided. The special types of nymphal setae and lateral abdominal processes are described in R. maculatus. The ontogenetic development of abdominal trichobothria is described, and the known trichobothrial patterns within the Rhopalidae are discussed.

The pentatomid genus Piezodorus presently contains about 12 species, all of which, with one exception [i.e., P. guildinii (Westwood)], have been reported from the Old World; P. guildinii apparently is limited to the New World. P. guildinii and P. hybneri (Gmelin) are similar in appearance and have been considered by some as sister species. The following characteristics we consider valid as diagnostic to separate the two species: for males, the shape and length of the vesica, differences in the anatomy of the conjunctival appendages and penial plate, and shape of the pygophore and parameres; and for females, differences in the anatomy of the first and second gonocoxae, ninth paratergites, and spermathecae.

The morphology of the external scent efferent system of the metathoracic scent gland was studied in detail in three Aradus species, A. betulae (Linnaeus, 1758), A. cinnamomeus Panzer, 1806, and A. ribauti Wagner, 1956 (Heteroptera: Aradidae) using scanning electron microscopy. The ostiole is slit-shaped and poorly developed, the peritreme is not present, and the evaporatorium consists of ridges and grooves that are directed radially from the ostiole. This inconspicuous external scent efferent system could represent an ancestral condition in the Aradidae. The microsculpture of the cuticle of the evaporatorium is highly species-specific. In A. betulae, the ridges and grooves are more distinct in males than in females, the microsculpture pattern of the evaporatorium is more highly developed in males than females, and the most distinct sculpture is present on the ostiole margin in females; in A. cinnamomeus, there are fewer distinct differences between males and females in the sizes of the ridges and shape of the ostiole margin, and the microsculpture pattern of the evaporatorium is identical in both sexes; and in A. ribauti, the size of the ridges and grooves are identical in both sexes, and there are only small differences in the microsculpture pattern. The sexual dimorphism in the external scent efferent system of the metathoracic scent glands in these three species represents the first report of this dimorphism in the Heteroptera. (C) 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Gerromorphan species assemblages in southern Illinois were studied at 86 sites representing eleven habitat types (pond, lake, swamp, temporary pool, large river, small river, muddy eutrophic permanent stream, clear rocky permanent stream, clear rocky temporary stream, roadside ditch, and spring) from mid-May 1988 through late July 1991. Assemblages varied in size and composition, with the most diverse found in clear rocky permanent streams. Phenograms tended to cluster major habitat types (e.g., ponds, lakes) based on taxon presence/absence and to cluster the more commonly co-occuring species based on their presence/absence at collection sites. These phenograms indicated the presence of natural guilds of species in different habitat types. Some taxa were generalists based upon their widespread occurrence in a variety of both lentic and lotic habitat types, whereas others exhibited a narrower range of habitat use. Collections included 32 species in five families (Gerridae, Hebridae, Hydrometridae, Mesoveliidae, and Veliidae), which represented 91.4-95.2% of the estimated actual species present based on the species accumulation curve and four species richness estimators. These data demonstrate the presence of distinctive guilds of gerromorphans in different habitats in southern Illinois.

The life history of the stink bug Mecidea major Sailer was studied in the southern half of New Mexico primarily from January 2005 through December 2007, and the nymphal instars were described. This species was active throughout the year as adults and nymphs, including the winter months. It occurred on various species of grasses during this time but primarily on Lehmann lovegrass, Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees; grama grasses, Bouteloua spp.; and tobosagrass, Pleuraphis mutica Buckley. The times of occurrence and abundance of the eggs, nymphs, and adults suggest this species is bivoltine with the possibility of a third generation. Instars can be distinguished by several morphological features including body size and presence and relative development of wing pads.

A resurvey of the Pentatomoidea of the La Rue-Pine Hills Research Natural Area was conducted from September 1992 to June 1995 and the results compared with those of an earlier survey by McPherson and Mohlenbrock (1976). Sampling during the resurvey was limited to the 17 collecting sites of the earlier survey, thus permitting comparisons of the flora and fauna in the two studies. Notes were taken on the times of occurrence of adult and immature stages and on the food plants. Of the 49 pentatomoid species and subspecies included in the original survey, 36 were collected during the resurvey. Of the 13 not collected, 12 were rare and one, Holcostethus limbolarius (Stål), was relatively common during the original survey. Two additional species, Galgupha ovalis Hussey and Corimelaena obscura McPherson and Sailer, were added to the list, the latter because it was described as new subsequent to the original survey. The most noticeable change in the vegetation that accounted for differences in pentatomoid diversity and abundance was the marked reduction in abundance of common mullein, Verbascum thapsus L. The resurvey showed that 11 of the 17 sites had changed in character and plant composition, seven because of woody invasion and four because of the influence of exotic and invasive species; the remaining six had changed little. Exotic plant species have become an increasingly prominent component of the vegetative communities.

A survey of the scutelleroid fauna of the LaRue-Pine Hills Ecological Area, Union County, Illinois was conducted from May, 1972 to September, 1974. Forty-nine species were collected, five of which were state records. The remaining 44 represented over 57% of the species presently listed for Illinois. Life history information was collected for the majority of species, including host plants, predators and parasites. The pertinent literature is summarized for each species.

The life history of Neoplea striola was studied in southern Illinois during 1983-1985. This apparently univoltine species overwintered as adults and became active in early March. First instars appeared in mid-May followed by marked overlapping of the subsequent instars. No active adults were found after November.

Excerpt: Although Hussey (1922) compiled a list of the Hemiptera of Berrien County, and Stoner (1922) contributed a list of the Scutelleroidea of the Douglas Lake region, no publications have dealt with Michigan Scutelleroidea on a state-wide basis. However, collections in the Entomology Museum of Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing, and in the Museum of Zoology of the University of Michigan (UMMZ), Ann Arbor, indicate that collecting has been extensive throughout the state (Fig. 1). The key and annotated list are based on material I identified in these two collections

The reduviid genus Sinea presently is represented in America north of Mexico by 10 species, one of which is Sinea complexa Caudell. This species has been listed from California east to Missouri and Illinois. In fact, it does not occur in Missouri and Illinois but is limited primarily to the West and Southwest. A new species, Sinea incognita McPherson, described herein, occurs from Maryland south to Georgia and west to Kansas and Texas. It closely resembles S. complexa, for which we provide distinguishing characters; J.E.M. designates a male lectotype and female paralectotype for Caudell's syntypes. A third species, Sinea integra Stal, currently known only from Mexico, shares with S. incognita and S. complexa the presence of spines and tubercles on both lobes of the pronotum rather than just on the anterior lobe as is typical of other Sinea spp. Because we discuss the three species in this article, and Stal did not designate a holotype for either of his two syntypes of S. integra (a male and female) deposited in the Swedish Museum of Natural History, J.E.M. also designates a male lectotype and female paralectotype for this species.

Dr. Carl W. Schaefer, Professor Emeritus at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, passed away on 29 April 2015 after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 80 years old. Carl was born in New Haven, CT, on 6 September 1934 to Jack W. Schaefer and Eugenia Hammond Ives. He received his B.A. in Zoology from Oberlin College, Ohio, and his Ph.D. in entomology from UConn in 1964. He began his teaching career at Brooklyn College in 1963 and returned to UConn in 1966, attaining the rank of Professor in 1976. He taught a variety of courses, primarily introductory biology and entomology. In recent years, he taught medical entomology, of which he was particularly proud, and a series of evolution courses. During his career, he advised numerous students at UConn, including undergraduates, master's and doctoral students, and even a few students in Asia. His welcoming attitude, mentoring, and continual encouragement of students from disciplines outside of systematics contributed greatly to the careers of many who worked with Heteroptera but never studied formally with him. Carl was a friend and colleague to many of us and a …