The Stilt Bugs (Heteroptera: Berytidae) of Canada

Abstract

Five species of Berytidae are reported to occur in Canada, Acanthophysa echinata Uhler being recorded for the first time. A key for identification, descriptions, a summary of the distribution, and notes on the biology are given.

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“…Twelve species are known from North America, five of which occur in Canada. Scudder (1991) treated the Canadian species providing a key to species, descriptions, distribution records and notes on ecology. Two species are known from the prairies, but the following key includes two additional species that may occur in the fauna.…”

“…Such introduced species often have expanding ranges so in time its occurrence on the prairies is possible. Taxonomy: A description is given by Scudder (1991). In addition to the key characters, other features of the species are: the head between the antennal bases has an anteriorly projecting, laterally flattened process, the scutellum is triangular and without a dorsal spine, the abdomen is coarsely punctate and the ostiole of the metasternum is not prominent.…”

“…They are largely plant feeding (Henry (1997c gave an extensive review of host plants), but also feed on small arthropods and insect eggs. Scudder (1991) reviewed the host plant records and stated he had often found specimens on common mullein (which is not common on much of the prairies). Other reported hosts that are common in the area are hawkweed and raspberry.…”

Geoffrey G.E. Scudder: zoologist, conservationist, educator

“…Of course, Hemiptera of all sorts have fascinated Geoff throughout his career; in addition to his international systematic studies, he has made impressive contributions to the understanding of the systematics and diversity of the Canadian fauna (Scudder 1963(Scudder , 1971b(Scudder , 1987(Scudder , 1991(Scudder , 1993a(Scudder , 1997bMaw et al 2000;Scudder and Schwartz 2001). He is the Canadian expert on the suborder Prosorrhyncha (= Heteroptera) and continues to produce systematic syntheses treating the Pentatomoidea, Lygaeoidea, Miridae, and aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera of Canada.…”

“…En plus de ses travaux au niveau international, il a contribué de façon remarquable à la connaissance de la systématique et de la diversité de la faune canadienne (Scudder 1963(Scudder , 1971b(Scudder , 1987(Scudder , 1991(Scudder , 1993a(Scudder , 1997Maw et al 2000, Scudder et Schwarz 2001. Il est le spécialiste canadien de sous-ordre des Prosorrhyncha (= Heteroptera) et continue de réaliser des synthèses systéma-tiques sur les Pentatomoidea, les Lygaeoidea, les Miridae et les Hétéroptères aquatiques et semi-aquatiques du Canada.…”