Phylogenetic relationships within the Pentatomoidea are investigated through the coding and analysis of character data derived from morphology and DNA sequences. In total, 135 terminal taxa were investigated, representing most of the major family groups; 84 ingroup taxa are coded for 57 characters in a morphological matrix. As many as 3500 bp of DNA data are adduced for each of 52 terminal taxa, including 44 ingroup taxa, comprising the 18S rRNA, 16S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and COI gene regions. Character data are analysed separately and in the form of a total evidence analysis. Major conclusions of the phylogenetic analysis include: the concept of Urostylididae is restricted to that of earlier authors; the Saileriolinae is raised to family rank and treated as the sister group of all Pentatomoidea exclusive of Urostylididae sensu stricto; a broadly conceived Cydnidae, as recognized by Dolling, 1981, is not supported; the placement of Thaumastellidae within the Pentatomoidea is affirmed and the taxon is recognized at family rank rather than as a subfamily of Cydnidae, although its exact phylogenetic position within the Pentatomoidea remains equivocal; the Parastrachiinae is treated as also including Dismegistus Amyot & Serville and placed within a broadly conceived Corimelaenidae, the latter group being treated at family rank; the family-group taxa Dinidoridae and Tessaratomidae probably represent a monophyletic group, but the recognition of monophyletic subgroups will benefit from additional representation in the sequence data set; and the Lestoniidae is treated as the sister group of the Acanthosomatidae. The Acanthosomatidae and Scutelleridae are consistently recovered as monophyletic. The monophyly of the Pentatomidae appears unequivocal, inclusive of the Aphylinae and Cyrtocorinae, on the basis of morphology, the latter two taxa not being represented in the molecular data set.

True bugs (Heteroptera) are a diverse and complex group of insects, particularly in the neotropics. The fauna of these bugs has been investigated through time, but our knowledge of the species living in the Neotropical Region is limited. In this introductory chapter, we give a general view on true bugs classifi cation and biogeography, with concise comments on their general characteristics and bioecology of each major taxon that comprise each of the seven infraorders of Heteroptera. IntroductionThe true bugs (Heteroptera) constitute a very interesting widely distributed group of insects, which is greatly diversifi ed in tropical zones. Considered the largest group of insects with incomplete metamorphosis, heteropterans have been studied on both basic and applied aspects worldwide.Along the years, several books have been published on Heteroptera, the majority on specifi c aspects, such as certain groups (taxa) of particular areas, and others on more general comprehensive issues. Of more broad interest, two books about the latter were published relatively recently. The fi rst was dedicated to the classifi cation and natural history of true bugs in particular, with insights on the history of the study of Heteroptera, how to collect and preserve true bugs, historical biogeogra- The second book is a massive review of the world literature on species of economic importance, ranging from pest species of crops to species of medical importance (e.g., transmitters of Chagas disease) and to species that are of "nuisance" to humans (Schaefer and Panizzi 2000 ).Considering the Neotropical Region, not a general book devoted to Heteroptera has been published in the last 70+ years. There are texts dealing with Hemiptera (Heteroptera) such as the one by Costa Lima ( 1940 ) on the true bugs of Brazil and the one by Berg ( 1879 ) devoted to true bugs of Argentina. Recently, Grazia and Fernandes ( 2012 ) made an overview of the true bugs of Brazil, updating what was published before on many scattered publications.In this introductory chapter, we give a concise and fast overview of the true bugs of the neotropics. This includes a general view on their classifi cation and biogeography, with concise comments on their general characteristics and bioecology of each major taxon that comprise each of the seven infraorders of Heteroptera. Classifi cation, Biogeography, General Characteristics, and Bioecology of Neotropical True BugsThe order Hemiptera, suborder Heteroptera, is divided into seven infraorders: Enicocephalomorpha, Dipsocoromorpha, Gerromorpha, Nepomorpha, Leptopodomorpha, Cimicomorpha, and Pentatomomorpha. These seven infraorders were recognized by Schuh ( 1979 ) based on the information on the evolutionary tendencies of heteropterans mouthparts and feeding habits described by Cobben ( 1978 ). Recently, Weirauch and Schuh ( 2011 ) revised the actual knowledge on the systematics and evolution of the heteropterans. EnicocephalomorphaThis infraorder, the unique-headed bugs, is divided in two families, Aenictopecheidae and...

The suborder Heteroptera constitutes one of the most important insect groups because most species are plants feeders and cause damage on many plants of economic importance. One of the most important cytogenetic characteristics of Heteroptera is the holokinetic nature of the chromosomes. One particular feature of some species of Pentatomidae is the regular presence of an abnormal meiosis in one testicular lobe (harlequin lobe). From the 28 species cytogenetically analysed from Argentine material, 21 present the diploid number 2n ¼ 14, four species present a reduced number (2n ¼ 12) and another three species possess an increased diploid number (2n ¼ 16); among all these only three present an harlequin lobe. In the present work, a bibliographic review of the chromosome number and sex determining system of 294 species and subspecies belonging to 121 genera within the subfamilies Asopinae, Discocephalinae, Edessinae, Pentatominae, Phyllocephalinae and Podopinae is presented. The male diploid numbers range from six to 27 with a mode in 14 chromosomes; this last diploid number is present in 85% of the species. The sex chromosome determining system is XY/XX except in three species: Macropygium reticulare (Fabricius, 1803), Rhytidolomia senilis (Say, 1832) and Thyanta calceata (Say, 1832) which present derived sex chromosome systems. Furthermore, the cytogenetic relationships with the other families of Pentatomoidea are discussed.

ABSTRACT. Cladistic analysis and biogeography of Ochlerini (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Discocephalinae). A cladistic analysis using 63 characters and 30 genera of the Neotropical tribe Ochlerini Rolston was performed to test their monophyletic condition and to establish a relationship hypothesis. Janeirona Distant, 1911 (Pentatomini) and the tribes Discocephalini and Halyini were included in the ingroup to test their relationship with Ochlerini; Marghita Ruckes, 1964 and Stictochilus Bergroth, 1918 (Pentatomini) were used as outgroups. The obtained strict consensus cladograms indicate that Ochlerini and Discocephalinae are monophyletic groups, but Pentatominae, Halyini+Ochlerini, Pentatomini+Ochlerini, Ochlerus Spinola, 1837, Stalius Rolston, 1992 and Alitocoris Sailer, 1950 are merophyletic groups. Discocephalini and Ochlerini share three synapomorphies: first rostral segment long, attaining prosternum; metasternum with a mesial, longitudinal carina, and dorsal surface of basal third of male proctiger membranous. Ochlerini is supported by one synapomorphy, the flattened dorsal surface of third tarsal segment of hind legs, in females. Biogeographical analysis based on consensus cladograms shows congruent patterns with several vicariant events proposed for the Neotropical region.

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-Here we describe the immature stages of Acrosternum (Chinavia) ubicum Rolston, and test the effect of the host plant on the size and coloration of the nymphs, by feeding them with developing fruits of Crotalaria incana L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Glycine max (L.) Merril, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.), and Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. A. ubicum immatures are very similar to those from other neotropical Acrosternum species. The egg coloration varies from ochre to brown; the chorion is reticulated and the micropylar processes are clubbed and white. First to third instars are predominantly dark and the abdomen has a series of creamy to white maculae. Second to fifth instars show red to orange-red maculae on each of the dorso-lateral margins of the pronotum and mesonotum. In the fourth and fifth instars, these maculae are wider, and may also appear on the margins of the jugae, on the pronotum and mesonotum, and in the middle of the mesal and lateral plates of the abdomen. The orange-red coloration of these dorsal maculae seems specific to A. ubicum, but additional studies with other species of the genus are necessary to validate it as a good diagnostic characteristic. Fourth and fifth instars presented light and dark morphs, and their proportion varied according to the type of plant used as food. From the third instar on, the food also affected most of the morphometric parameters measured, i.e., length and width of the body, pronotum and scutelum, and antennal length; only the rostrum length remained unchanged.KEY WORDS: Insecta, morphology, egg, nymph, color polymorphism RESUMO -Neste trabalho são descritos os estágios imaturos de Acrosternum (Chinavia) ubicum Rolston e é avaliado o efeito do alimento no tamanho e coloração, das ninfas alimentadas com frutos de Crotalaria incana L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Glycine max (L.) Merril, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) e Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Os imaturos de A. ubicum são semelhantes aos das demais espécies neotropicais de Acrosternum. Os ovos apresentam coloração ocre a castanho-parda, cório reticulado e processos micropilares clavados de coloração branca. Do 1 o ao 3 o ínstar, as ninfas têm coloração do corpo predominantemente escura e abdome com uma série de manchas de coloração creme a branca. A partir do 2 o ínstar, apresentam manchas de coloração vermelha a vermelho-alaranjada nas margens dorsais do pronoto e mesonoto. A partir do 4 o ínstar, as manchas são mais amplas, podendo também ocorrer nas margens das jugas, na superfície dorsal do pronoto e mesonoto e no centro das placas medianas e laterais do abdome. A coloração vermelho-alaranjada das manchas dorsais é aparentemente específica de A. ubicum, mas é necessário conhecer as ninfas das demais espécies do gênero para verificar se essa característica tem valor diagnóstico. O 4 o e o 5 o ínstares apresentaram formas escuras e claras, sendo que sua proporção variou de acordo com o tipo de alimento oferecido. A partir do 3 o ínstar, o alimento também influenciou praticamente todos os parâmetros morfométrico...

The Pentatomidae, representing the fourth largest family within Heteroptera, are one of the most diverse groups with about 800 genera and more than 4,700 species in the world. In the Neotropics, about 230 genera and 1,400 species are included in seven subfamilies of the world's nine subfamilies; four subfamilies are exclusively of the Neotropics. In this chapter, for each subfamily, a diagnosis, an overview of the classifi cation, and information on life history, ecology, and economic importance are given. Comprehensive keys and diagnosis to the subfamilies, tribes, and genera for the Neotropical Region, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the West Indies, are also given.

IMMATURES OF PENTATOMIDS (HEMIPTERA, HETEROPTERA): MORPHOLOGY AND BIOLOGY OF ACROSTERNUM OBSTINATUM. The morphological characteristics of the egg and five immature stages of Acrosternum obstinatum (Stål, 1860), fed on passion fruit, are described and illustrated. Biological data are also provided.