Integrating data to redescribe Euschistus taurulus Berg (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

The genus Euschistus Dallas includes 67 species restricted to the New World, and several species are registered on cultivated plants in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. In South America, most Euschistus species are completely overlooked due to the lack of information to allow accurate identification. Here, we redescribed Euschistus taurulus Berg, including for the first time, characterization of the internal and external genitalia of both sexes. We also report original information on bionomics, review and update information on geographical distribution and host plants records. Additionally, we provide DNA barcoding sequences for E. taurulus and three other morphologically similar key-agriculture pest species in South America: Euschistus heros (Fabricius), Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas), and Dichelops furcatus (Fabricius). We discuss means for correct identification of E. taurulus and its phylogenetic position within Euschistus and other similar stink bugs; the potential economic importance of the E. taurulus is also addressed.

Rearing the green-belly stink bug, Diceraeus furcatus (Fabricius, 1775) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in laboratory

“…Females achieved reproductive maturity in 12 days, in average each female laid eggs for 85 days and laid approximately 251 eggs, 89% of the eggs where viable, and a balanced sex ratio of the offspring was found (0.46). These results are similar or higher than reported for D. furcatus (on natural diet or fed on crop hosts), and related phytophagous stink bug species e.g., Nezara viridula (L., 1758), Diceraeus melacanthus Dallas, 1851, Euschistus heros (Fabricius, 1798), Euschistus taurulus Berg, 1878, and Euschistus crenator (Fabricius, 1794) on standardized diets (natural or artificial) or fed on crop hosts (Fortes et al 2006;Chocorosqui & Panizzi 2008;Mendoza et al 2016;Cingolani et al 2019;Hickmann et al 2019;. The short pre-reproductive period and high fecundity reported here possibly can be related to the balanced diet and multiple copulations, which usually are positively correlated (Cohen 2004;Cingolani et al 2019).…”

Borrowing the Pentatomomorpha tome from the DNA barcode library: Scanning the overall performance ofcox1as a tool

“…Plastic phenotypes, sex‐dependent characters, and the little knowledge for the identification of eggs and immature stages may further hinder this process. Alternative data sources have been expanding taxonomic studies, providing novelties to accurate identification, supporting synonyms, and consistently unveiling cryptic diversity (e.g., Hickmann et al, 2019; Zhang et al, 2017). In this scenario, molecular tools integrated to morphology may aid in organism identification and can be used to assess biodiversity quickly.…”

New records of Neotropical Pentatominae (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

“…The genus Euschistus Dallas, 1851 includes 67 species restricted to the New World, from United States to Argentina and Uruguay (Grazia et al 2015;Bianchi et al 2017). Euschistus taurulus is broadly distributed in South America, from Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, southward to Uruguay and Argentina (Dellapé et al 2015;Hickmann et al 2019). This species is recorded for the first time from Paraguay.…”

“…This species is recorded for the first time from Paraguay. It can be recognized by the stout humeral angles produced anterolaterally; and by the structure of the genitalia of both sexes (Hickmann et al 2019).…”