Predation strategies of Harpactor angulosus (Lepeletier & Serville, 1825) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) on Cladomorphus phyllinus Gray, 1835 (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae) in captivity

Abstract

Based on the observation of specimens kept in captivity for 69 days, here we describe in detail for the first time the predatory behavior of an assassin bug Harpactor angulosus (Lepeletier & Serville, 1825) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae), on a stick insect Cladomorphus phyllinus Gray, 1835 (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae: Cladomorphinae). The behavior of the generalist predator H. angulosus as well as the evasive reactions of C. phyllinus were detailedly described and illustrated. Because both species occur in the Atlantic Forest biome and were recorded in the same geographic coordinates, in an urbanized green area in the city of Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, the ecological relationship here described is also plausible of occurring in nature and opens new venues to be explored. The unprecedented phytophagy of H. angulosus was also recorded.

Unraveling the Sexual Dimorphism of First Instar Nymphs of the Giant Stick Insect, Cladomorphus phyllinus Gray, 1835, from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

“…In addition, studies of the diversity of the Phasmida are mostly focused on the description of new species, while studies that analyze the species in terms of biology, ecology, and physiology are scarce [10]. Cladomorphus phyllinus is one of the most poorly studied species in this group of insects in Brazil [23,[32][33][34][35] and the morphological aspects of the first instar nymphs have not been analyzed and investigated in detail until now. For the first and second instar nymphs, sexual dimorphism is rare and has been little explored in Phasmida.…”

“…However, it is a poorly studied species and is mainly geographically distributed in the Atlantic Forest and other areas in the north and northeast regions of Brazil and Argentina [11,19]. Phenotypical aspects of adults and eggs and some biological features of the mentioned species are already present in the literature [23,[32][33][34][35][36]. It has also been used as an interesting species for scientific dissemination and educational training programs for children [37].…”

Cladomorphus petropolisensis, a New Species of Stick Insect from the Atlantic Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…The Phasmatodea is one of the least-studied insect orders in Brazil; recently, the state of the art of this group was reviewed by Madeira-Ott et al [ 8 ]. New initiatives have been increasing the knowledge about this group, especially regarding taxonomy, morphology, biology, and ecology [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. However, several factors bring difficulties to the study of this order in Brazil, such as intraspecific morphological variation, the low number of specimens collected, and a lack of specialised literature [ 20 ].…”