A new species of the stalk-eyed bug genus Epipolops from Colombia, with clarification on the identity and a redescription of E. quadrispinus Stål (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Geocoridae)

Authors: Henry, Thomas; ASCUNTAR-OSNAS, O - University Of Valley

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2021
Publication Date: 4/15/2022
Citation: Henry, T.J., Ascuntar-Osnas, O. 2022. A new species of the stalk-eyed bug genus Epipolops from Colombia, with clarification on the identity and a redescription of E. quadrispinus Stål (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Geocoridae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 123(4):784-791. https://doi.org/4289/0013-8797.123.4.784.

Interpretive Summary: A large number of the bugs included in the family commonly called big-eyed bugs are predaceous, feeding on aphids, thrips, mites, and other arthropods, making them important biological control agents. Members of the genus treated in this paper are unique in having strongly stalked eyes and a quadrate pronotum bearing two large lateral spines. Although the habits of these bugs are not known, their unique morphology makes them phylogenetically important in helping to hypothesize relationships within the family. In this paper, we described one new species and clarify the identity of another long-misidentified species. This information will help provide accurate identifications of species in the genus and will be of interest to researchers working on the biocontrol of insect pests.

Technical Abstract: The long-misidentified stalk-eyed bug Epipolops quadrispinus Stål is redescribed and its is identity clarified, and E. tuberculatus, n. sp. is described from Colombia, based on specimens previously misidentified as E. quadrispinus. Dorsal and lateral habitus images of the adults and male genital capsules are provided to help facilitate identification.