Author
 |
FERREIRA, PAULO S. - Universidade Federal De Vicosa |
|
Henry, Thomas |
|
Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 1/4/2010 Publication Date: 5/27/2010 Citation: Ferreira, P.F., Henry, T.J. 2010. Revision of the genus Ambracius Stal, 1860 (Heteroptera: Miridae: Clivinematini), with descriptions of three new species. Zootaxa. 2485:1-15. Interpretive Summary: Plant bugs represent the largest family of true bugs and include numerous agriculturally important species. Many, such as lygus bugs and the cotton fleahopper, are important pests, causing millions of dollars of damage to crops annually. In contrast, a growing number of other plant bugs are now recognized as predatory and are considered beneficial. This report presents a study of a predacious group of plant bugs that feed certain soft-bodied scale insects, often called ensign scales. In this paper, we describe and illustrate of the adults of three species new to science from Panama, Venezuela, and the United States. Although the specific hosts of these new species are unknown, their relationship with other members of the group allows us to predict they are also obligate scale predators. This information will be useful to state and Federal regulatory agencies and agricultural scientists involved in the biological control of plant-feeding insects. Technical Abstract: The clivinematine genus Ambracius Stål is revised and the three new species Ambracius alineae from Venezuela, A. liviae from the United States (Texas), and A. rudybuenoi from Panama are described and figured. The previously known species Ambracius capucinus (Reuter), A. dufouri Stål, A. mexicanus Carvalho, A. pallescens (Distant), A. rubricosus (Distant), and A. vittatus Carvalho are redescribed. A key to species is provided to aid in identification. |
