Predation strategies of Harpactor angulosus (Lepeletier & Serville, 1825) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) on Cladomorphus phyllinus Gray, 1835 (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae) in captivity

Abstract

Based on the observation of specimens kept in captivity for 69 days, here we describe in detail for the first time the predatory behavior of an assassin bug Harpactor angulosus (Lepeletier & Serville, 1825) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae), on a stick insect Cladomorphus phyllinus Gray, 1835 (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae: Cladomorphinae). The behavior of the generalist predator H. angulosus as well as the evasive reactions of C. phyllinus were detailedly described and illustrated. Because both species occur in the Atlantic Forest biome and were recorded in the same geographic coordinates, in an urbanized green area in the city of Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, the ecological relationship here described is also plausible of occurring in nature and opens new venues to be explored. The unprecedented phytophagy of H. angulosus was also recorded.

Cladomorphus petropolisensis, a New Species of Stick Insect from the Atlantic Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…The Phasmatodea is one of the least-studied insect orders in Brazil; recently, the state of the art of this group was reviewed by Madeira-Ott et al [ 8 ]. New initiatives have been increasing the knowledge about this group, especially regarding taxonomy, morphology, biology, and ecology [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. However, several factors bring difficulties to the study of this order in Brazil, such as intraspecific morphological variation, the low number of specimens collected, and a lack of specialised literature [ 20 ].…”