Morphology of immatures of Euschistus (Mitripus) grandis (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Morphology of the Nymphs ofEuschistus convergens(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

“…Identification of immature pentatomids relies on coloration (e.g., Fürstenau et al 2013). The nymphs of E. convergens are character-ized by a variegated pattern of brown and light yellow throughout all instars, differing from Euschistus (Mitripus) grandis Rolston and Euschistus (Mitripus) hansi Grazia; the latter species have 2 different sets of coloration, one from the 1st to 3rd instars and the other in the 4th and 5th instars (Martins & Campos 2006;Biasotto et al 2013). The use of coloration to identify pentatomid species should be done cautiously, as biotic and abiotic factors can alter the color of nymphs and adults (e.g., Schwertner et al 2002;Musolin & Numata 2003;Niva & Takeda 2003).…”

“…From the 1st to 4th instars, the known immatures of Euschistus are morphologically similar. With regard to the subgenus Mitripus, the anterolateral pronotal margins are slightly convex (Martins & Campos 2006;Biasotto et al 2013), whereas in the subgenus Euschistus the anterolateral pronotal margins are straight (McPherson & Paskewitz 1984;Munyaneza & McPherson 1994). The 5th instars of Mitripus species have the humeral angles of the pronotum rounded, well produced, and the anterolateral margins concave (Martins & Campos 2006;Biasotto et al 2013), characteristics that can distinguish them from species of the subgenus Euschistus, in which the humeral angles of the pronotum are rounded, but not produced, and the anterolateral margins are straight or slightly concave (McPherson & Paskewitz 1984;Munyaneza & McPherson 1994).…”

“…The description of color pattern was carried out from images taken in vivo. Measurements (mean ± standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, Table 1), given in millimeters, were obtained according to Biasotto et al (2013).…”

“…Euschistus comprises about 70 species and 4 subgenera and has been revised in recent decades (Rolston 1974(Rolston , 1978(Rolston , 1982(Rolston , 1984. Its phylogenetic relationships are being studied (Weiler 2011;A.G.C., unpublished data) and immature stages of 6 species have been described (McPherson & Paskewitz 1984;Munyaneza & McPherson 1994;Martins & Campos 2006;Matesco et al 2009a;Biasotto et al 2013).…”

“…The subgenus Mitripus Rolston comprises 10 species, of which immature stages are known for 2 species (Martins & Campos 2006;Matesco et al 2009a;Biasotto et al 2013). Euschistus (Mitripus) con-vergens (Herrich-Schaffer) occurs in Argentina, Bolivia, southeastern and southern Brazil, and Paraguay, but there is no record of its host plants.…”