The soapberry bug, Jadera haematoloma (Insecta, Hemiptera, Rhopalidae): First Asian record, with a review of bionomics

Abstract

The soapberry bug, Jadera haematoloma (Herrich-Schäffer, 1847) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhopalidae: Serinethinae), a species native in tropical and subtropical regions of the New World and accidentally introduced to Hawaii, is reported for the first time from Asia (Taiwan). This record represents the first occurrence of the species in Asia. Stable populations composed of hundreds of specimens were found in seven localities of Kaohsiung City and one locality in Tainan City, and a single specimen was observed in Chiayi County. Aggregating adults and larvae fed in large numbers on the sapindacean plants Cardiospermum halicacabum L. and Koelreuteria elegans (Seem.) A. C. Smith ssp. formosana (Hayata) F. G. Meyer. Diagnostic characters of adults and larvae of Jadera haematoloma are discussed. A review of its bionomics and a bibliography are provided. Initial observations on the populations in southern Taiwan are presented. The species is potentially invasive, and further extension of its range is anticipated in Southeast Asia.

Manipulation of insulin signaling phenocopies evolution of a host-associated polyphenism

“…Jadera feed on several plants of the soapberry family, native to the United States, including Cardiospermum sp. in Florida 35 . Since about 1950, a population of J. haematoloma has adapted to a novel host plant, the introduced goldenrain tree ( Koelreuteria sp.)…”

Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae)

“…Yet very little is known about the biology of most of its approximately 200 species. Ironically, while members the subfamily Serinethinae are commonly noted as nuisance pests because many species form large aggregations in domestic settings (e.g., Mead 1985 ), they are little studied from a practical perspective and instead are more commonly the subject of theoretically motivated studies in evolution and ecology (reviewed by Tsai et al 2013 ). Genus Jadera is speciose and common throughout the Neotropics but has not been actively studied at low latitudes since the 1980s.…”

“…The derived population on the tree has, however, lost its ability to perform well on the native host (Carroll et al 1998 ). Ironically, the most detailed description of the nymphal stadia of this species is in a beautifully complete review of the species by Tsai et al ( 2013 ), based on observations of the recently introduced population in Taiwan. Nymphs and adults of J. haematoloma cluster on seeds of the balloon vine Cardiospermum corundum (L.) forming a bright red "ball of bugs" around it ( Fig.…”

“…Distribution: Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Belize, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Uruguay, Argentina, Cuba, Puerto Rico, United States, Hawaii, and Taiwan (Tsai et al 2013 ). Relevant literature: Schaefer ( 1965 ), 10 (morphology, genitalia, fi gures); Göllner-Scheiding ( 1979 ), 57 (redescription, lectotype, genitalia, fi gures, distribution); Schaefer and Chopra ( 1982 ), 226 (morphology, host plants) ;Schaefer and Mitchell ( 1983 ), 593 (host plants) ;Mead ( 1985 ) (diagnostic characters, wing polymorphism, larva, photos, host plant, distribution, map, phenology, aggregation, impact on human, control); Carroll and Loye ( 1987 ), 373 (host plants, feed-ing, coevolution with host plants, aggregation, ecology, distribution, map); Carroll ( 1988 ), 54 (records, distribution, host plants, phenology, development, reproductive behavior, and ecology); Ribeiro ( 1989 ), 466 (records, host plant, aggregation, aposematism, development); Aldrich et al ( 1990a ), 200 (laboratory rearing, chemical ecology); Carroll ( 1991 ), 510 (reproductive behavior and ecology); Carroll and Boyd ( 1992 ), 1,053 (intraspecifi c variability, evolution); Carroll ( 1993 ), 156 (reproductive ecology); Carroll and Dingle ( 1996 ), 210 (records, host plants, feeding, intraspecifi c variability, evolution); Dingle and Winchell ( 1997 ), 365 (genetic and physiological control of wing polymorphism); Carroll et al ( 1998 ) Liorhyssus hyalinus (F.) (Fig.…”

Biodiversity of Heteroptera in Puerto Rico: Part III. Conspectus of Pentatomomorpha: Aradoidea, Pyrrhocoroidea, Coreoidea, and Concluding Notes on Endemism and Biogeography

“…Most early host plant records from Puerto Rico are possibly in error, given the well documented coevolution between Jadera species and Sapindaceae (Carroll and Loye, 1987). (Tsai et al, 2013). This species was first reported by Ramos (1946), who found numerous nymphs and adults under dead leaves and culms of Panicum maximum Jacq.…”