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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #386147
Research Project: Systematics of Hemiptera: Plant Pests, Predators, and Disease Vectors

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: A checklist of the stilt bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Berytidae) of Guatemala, with new country records

Author
item ZACK, RICHARD - Washington State University
item Henry, Thomas
item MONZON, SIERRA - University Of The Valley Of Guatemala

Submitted to: The Pan-Pacific Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/14/2021
Publication Date: 10/21/2021
Citation: Zack, R.S., Henry, T.J., Monzon, S.J. 2021. A checklist of the stilt bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Berytidae) of Guatemala, with new country records. Pan-Pacific Entomologist. 97(4):210-219. https://doi.org/10.3956/2021-97.4.210.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3956/2021-97.4.210

Interpretive Summary: Stilt bugs represent a relatively small, worldwide family of both predaceous and plant-feeding true bugs. A number of species are serious agricultural pests on such crops as tomatoes, potentially causing millions of dollars damage, whereas many others are predators of certain pest species making them potentially important in biocontrol programs. In this publication, we provided an updated checklist of the stilt bugs of Guatemala, now totaling 10 species, including three recorded for the first time. For each we give the known distribution and host plants. We also speculate, based on currently known distributions, that four additional species should eventually be discovered in the country. This paper will be of interest to ecologists studying insect- plant coevolution, biological control workers studying plant-predator interactions, and other researchers investigating Neotropical insects and crop systems.

Technical Abstract: The stilt bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Berytidae) of Guatemala are reviewed. Previously, seven species were recorded from the country. Three species are recorded as new to Guatemala: Oedalocanthus ornatus Henry, 1996; Pronotacantha concolor Henry, 1997; and Metacanthus multispinus (Ashmead, 1887). Four additional species have not been recorded from Guatemala but have ranges that make their finding likely. Label data is presented for all examined specimens.