| Pachynomidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Camarochiloides weiweii. 1–3 – brachypterous male; 4–6 – macropterous female. 1, 4 – dorsal view; 2, 5 – lateral view; 3, 6 – ventral view. Scale bar = 3.00 mm. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Heteroptera |
| Infraorder: | Cimicomorpha |
| Family: | Pachynomidae Stål, 1873 |
Pachynomidae is a family of true bugs within the suborder Cimicomorpha. 23 species in 5 genera are known. [1]
Pachynomidae range in size from 3.5 to 11 millimetres and often bear a certain resemblance to sickle bugs (Nabidae) from the subfamily Prostemmatinae. The upper surface of their bodies varies from very shiny (genus Pachynomus ) to matte and hairless to heavily hairy. The compound eyes are large, and the head has no constriction behind the compound eyes. Ocelli can be present or absent. The antennae appear to have five segments, with the second segment (pedicellus) divided into two parts. The distal part of the pedicellus usually bears a single trichobothrium. The labium is thick and strongly curved. The thighs (femora ) of the forelegs are greatly enlarged, and the shins (tibiae) of the forelegs bear fossulae spongiosae (specialised hairy structures used for holding on). The eighth abdominal segment of the males is reduced and retracted into the seventh segment. Male genitalia are symmetrical, the pygophore is well developed and apically articulated into the abdomen. The ovipositor of the females is plate-shaped. A spermatheca is missing, but a pseudospermatheca is present. [2]
The biology of Pachynomidae is poorly known. Museums contain only few samples of Pachynomidae, as they are often confused with Nabidae or Reduviidae. It is possible that Pachynomidae are noctural ground-dwelling predators, as they are often collected from leaf litter or light traps. [3] Immature forms are not known for most genera, with the exception of Aphelonotus. [1] [3]
Few species seem to show sexual dimorphism; it has been described in the genera Aphelonotus and Camarochilus. [3] Some species show wing dimorphism; it is known in Aphelonotus simplus males and Camarochilus americanus females, while the species Camarochiloides weiweii presents both brachypterous and macropterous morphs across sexes. [3]
The current genus Pachynomus was considered a subgenus of the genus Reduvius by its first describer Klug in 1830. Carl Stål placed it and the genus Punctius in Nabidae, where they remained, confirmed by many subsequent authors (with the exception of Reuter 1908), until Carayon elevated the group to family rank in 1950. He considered the family to be most closely related to the assassin bugs (Reduviidae) due to the characteristics of the reproductive organs. [2] Analysis of the mitochondrial genome recovered them as the sister group of Reduviidae. [4]
The family includes the following subfamilies and genera: [2]
Subfamily Aphelonotinae
Subfamily Pachynominae
The Pentatomoidea are a superfamily of insects in the suborder Heteroptera of the order Hemiptera. As hemipterans, they possess a common arrangement of sucking mouthparts. The roughly 7000 species under Pentatomoidea are divided into 21 families. Among these are the stink bugs and shield bugs, jewel bugs, giant shield bugs, and burrower bugs.
The Reduviidae is a large cosmopolitan family of the suborder Heteroptera of the order Hemiptera. Among the Hemiptera and together with the Nabidae almost all species are terrestrial ambush predators; most other predatory Hemiptera are aquatic. The main examples of non-predatory Reduviidae are some blood-sucking ectoparasites in the subfamily Triatominae, with a few species from South America noted for their ability to transmit Chagas disease. Though spectacular exceptions are known, most members of the family are fairly easily recognizable; they have a relatively narrow neck, sturdy build, and formidable curved proboscis. Large specimens should be handled with caution, if at all, because they sometimes defend themselves with a very painful stab from the proboscis.
Pyrrhocoridae is a family of insects with more than 300 species world-wide. Many are red coloured and are known as red bugs and some species are called cotton stainers because their feeding activities leave an indelible yellow-brownish stain on cotton crops. A common species in parts of Europe is the firebug, and its genus name Pyrrhocoris and the family name are derived from the Greek roots for fire "pyrrho-" and bug "coris". Members of this family are often confused with, but can be quickly separated from, Lygaeidae by the lack of ocelli on the top of the head.
The insect family Nabidae contains the damsel bugs. There are over 500 species in 20 genera. They are soft-bodied, elongate, winged terrestrial predators. Many damsel bugs catch and hold prey with their forelegs, similar to mantids. They are considered helpful species in agriculture because of their predation on many types of crop pests.
The Cimicomorpha are an infraorder of insects in the order Hemiptera, the true bugs. The rostrum and other morphology of all members apparently is adapted to feeding on animals as their prey or hosts. Members include bed bugs, bat bugs, assassin bugs, and pirate bugs.
The Pentatomomorpha comprise an infraorder of insects in the true bug order Hemiptera. It unites such animals as the stink bugs (Pentatomidae), flat bugs (Aradidae), seed bugs, etc. They are closely related to the Cimicomorpha.
The Lygaeoidea are a sizeable superfamily of true bugs, containing seed bugs and allies, in the order Hemiptera. There are about 16 families and more than 4,600 described species in Lygaeoidea, found worldwide. Most feed on seeds or sap, but a few are predators.
Insects in the subfamily Phymatinae are commonly called ambush bugs after their habit of lying in wait for prey, relying on their superb camouflage. Armed with raptorial forelegs, ambush bugs routinely capture prey ten or more times their own size. They form a subgroup within the assassin bugs.
The Harpactorinae are a large subfamily of the Reduviidae. About 300 genera and 2,000 species worldwide have been described. Some of the species of the genera Zelus, Pselliopus, Sinea, and Apiomerus are of interest as biological pest control agents.
Caecina is a genus in the subfamily Ectrichodiinae of Reduviidae ; 16 species have been described, all of them are located in Eastern Asia.
The Centrocnemidinae are a subfamily of the reduviid, found exclusively on tree trunks, where their bodies camouflage well. There are four genera with about 34 species described.
The Stenopodainae are a subfamily of Reduviidae. Often cryptically coloured, with prominent mandibular plates, antennal segment 1 generally strongly developed, remaining segments slender and often folded back under the first; hemelytron typically with large pentagonal or hexagonal cell in the corium. Approximately 113 genera are described, with most species found in the tropics. Many species are associated with soil or sand, and many are apterous.
The Peiratinae are a subfamily of assassin bugs (Reduviidae) known as corsairs. The subfamily has a worldwide distribution, but is concentrated in tropical areas. About 30 genera with 350 species are described.
Urostylididae is a family of true bugs and is considered a basal or "primitive" family within the stink-bug lineage. They are found only in Asia. Older works used the spelling Urostylidae but this clashes with the name used for a protozoan family and a spelling correction (emendation) has been suggested that also avoids the confusion created by homonyms. The family name Urolabididae has also been used for some members in the past.
Microtominae is a subfamily of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. There are at least 2 genera and about 19 described species in Microtominae.
Lyctocoridae is a reconstituted family of bugs, formerly classified within the minute pirate bugs of the family Anthocoridae. It is widely distributed, with one species, being cosmopolitan.
Amulius is a genus of Asian bugs in the family Reduviidae. It has been placed in the tribe Ectinoderini: the 'Oriental resin bugs'.
Ectinoderus is a genus of Asian bugs in the family Reduviidae. It is the type genus of the tribe Ectinoderini: the 'Oriental resin bugs'.
Acanthaspis quinquespinosa is a species of assassin bug found in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal and Tibet. It is a predator, and both nymphs and adults feed on termites, beetles, caterpillars and other insect prey.
Rihirbus is a genus of assassin bug from the tropical parts of the Oriental region. They belong to the Harpactorinae and the genus is unique in having the fore tibiae with incurved tips and the apex having a long tooth. They show sexual dimorphism and are polymorphic making their identification to species complicated. Females are larger and wider. R. trochantericus takes about 49 days to develop from egg to adult in southern India.
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