The Miridae, or plant bugs, with more than 1,300 genera and 11,130 described species, represent the largest and most diverse family of Heteroptera. Although many plant bugs are phytophagous and may cause serious damage to crops, a great many are predatory and may be important in biological control programs. In the Neotropics, about 561 genera and more than 3,400 species are included in seven of the world's eight recognized subfamilies. In this chapter, we give an overview of the classifi cation, general life history, and economic importance and provide identifi cation keys to the Neotropical subfamilies and tribes. For each subfamily, we present a brief diagnosis, an overview of the respective tribes and subtribes, and key literature.

Os mirídeos têm papel importante sobre a economia brasileira devido à sua influência sobre diversas culturas agrícolas. Devido a isso, este artigo foi desenvolvido visando apresentar as espécies de Miridae que possuem associações ou potenciais associações com plantas no Brasil. Para isso, foram realizadas consultas de artigos, livros e coleções de museus. Ao todo, foram encontradas 168 espécies de mirídeos associadas a plantas; estes dados foram manipulados para a elaboração de gráficos representando as interações entre as espécies de percevejos e as plantas hospedeiras no Brasil.

Ferreira, P.S.F.; Pires, E.M.; Guedes, R;N.C.; Mendes, M. and Coelho, L.A. Seasonal abundance and sexual variation in morphometric traits of Oxelytrum discicolle (Brulle, 1840) (Coleoptera: Silphidae) in a Brazilian Atlantic Forest.A total of 293 specimens of Oxelytrum discicolle were sampled weekly over a period of two years using a black light trap. The study took place in an Atlantic Forest reserve located near Viçosa city, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The period of peak abundance of O. discicolle occurred during the wet season between the months of October and March. Statistical analysis showed that the abundance of individuals was significantly and positively correlated with temperature, but not with rainfall or relative humidity. Of 28 morphological measurements taken on each collected specimen, seven were found to be sexually dimorphic; however, neither morphology nor the degree of sexual dimorphism varied significantly among seasons. ResumoFerreira, P.S.F.; Pires, E.M.; Guedes, R;N.C.; Mendes, M. and Coelho, L.A. Abundância sazonal e variação morfométrica nos caracteres sexuais de Oxelytrum discicolle (Brulle, 1840) (Coleoptera: Silphidae) em uma floresta Atlântica brasileira.Um total de 293 espécimes de Oxelytrum discicolle foram amostrados semanalmente num período de dois anos usando uma armadilha tipo "black light". O estudo foi feito em uma reserva de Mata Atlântica localizada próximo à cidade de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil. O período de pico de abundância de O. discicolle ocorreu durante a estação úmida, entre os meses de outubro e março. A análise estatística mostrou que a abundância dos indivíduos foi significantemente e positivamente correlacionada com a temperatura, mas não com a precipitação e umidade relativa. De 28 características morfológicas tomadas em cada espécime coletado, sete foram encontradas sexualmente dimórficas, entretanto, nem morfologia nem o grau de dimorfismo sexual variaram significantemente entre as estações. Palavras-chave: Oxelytrum discicolle, dinâmica populacional, dimorfismo sexual, Minas GeraisBiota Neotropica v6 (n2) -http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v6n2/pt/abstract?article+bn02206022006

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The present study demonstrates 30 plant bugs species associated with 50 records of prey and six records of mycophagy for Brazil. The data were compiled from Schuh's Catalog, the literature, specimens deposited in entomology museums and exemplars from different regions of Brazil sent for identification. Some of the data from the literature used did not presented complete information. This study aims to increase the knowledge of the relationships among plant bugs, prey and fungi and emphasize those species with potential for biological control strategies and pest integrated management.

Espírito Santo is a Brazilian state that has a wide variety of habitats, providing a high biological diversity of fauna and flora. However, few reports had been shown about the insect diversity of this region, especially of heteropterans insects that inhabit on pasture ecosystems. In the present study, forty-three species of Heteroptera belonging to thirteen families were collected on pastures on Espírito Santo state, Brazil: Alydidae (1 sp.), Berytidae (3 sp.), Blissidae (1 sp.), Coreidae (7 sp.), Miridae (16 sp.), Nabidae (1sp.), Pentatomidae (3 sp.), Pyrrhocoridae (1 sp.), Reduviidae (6 sp.), Rhopalidae (1 sp.), Rhyparochromidae (1sp.), Thaumastocoridae (1 sp.) and Tingidae (1 sp). Among the species; Cebrenis tenebrosa (Brailovsky, 1995) is recorded for the first time in Brazil. The range extension is also included for several heteropterans collected on the Espírito Santo state. The following species: Blissus aff. antillus (Leonard, 1968); Collaria oleosa (Distant, 1883); Oebalus ypsilongriseus (De Geer, 1773), and Trigonotylus tenuis (Reuter, 1893) were observed causing damages on pastures, therefore, in this study, we suggested those species as potential pastures pests. This study aims to increase the knowledge about the heteropterans and to show the presence of some pest species that may cause serious damage to pastures and consequently affect the economy of cattle breeders on the state.

Rhinotora Schiner, 1868, are a rare group of flies, previously including seven species distributed in the Americas, six of them occurring in Brazil. This work aims to provide a taxonomic review for Rhinotora Schiner, with addition of two species in the genus: Rhinotora fonsecai, which is transferred back to its original genus, and R. paschoali sp. nov. New distributional records are presented for R. lopesi and R. travassosi. A key to the all known heleomyzid species recorded from Brazil is provided.

The newly discovered plant bug Perissobasis heroni is described from specimens collected in Campos Altos city, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, on coffee (Coffea arabica). It was found with a rich arthropod fauna associated with coffee foliage. A diagnosis, description, photographs of the adult male, and selected structures and illustrations of male genitalia are provided to facilitate recognition. A key to species of Perissobasis is also included.