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Title: CATALOG OF THE STILT BUGS, OR BERYTIDAE, OF THE WORLD (INSECTA: HEMIPTERA: HETEROPTERA)

Author
item Henry, Thomas
item FROESCHNER, RICHARD - DEPT.ENT.SMITHSONIAN INST

Submitted to: American Entomological Institute
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The family Berytidae is a relatively small but diverse group of true bugs. The long, slender legs and antennae of many species have earned its members the common name stilt bugs. Numerous species of stilt bugs have been implicated as pests of crops such as cacao, tabacco, and tomato, whereas a number of other species have been considered important predators, feeding on aphids, hornworm eggs and larvae, leafhoppters, thrips, and other pests. Recently, one species has been evaluated as an important pollinator of cacao. Included in this catalog are 36 genera and 169 species. Three subfamilies and 6 tribes are treated, including 35 species of Berytinae, 54 species of Gampsocorinae, and 80 species of Metacanthinae. Citations are given for all original descriptions, name combinations, misspellings, synonyms, homonyms, and country distributions. Nearly 200 host-plant records are cited. This catalog will be important to other researchers, including biological control workers, who need an accurate, comprehensive summary of the literature treating stilt bugs, their distribution, and their host plants.

Technical Abstract: This synoptic catalog of the Berytidae of the world includes 36 valid genera and 169 valid species. Three subfamilies and six tribes are treated, comprised of 35 species of Berytinae, 54 species of Gampsocorinae, and 80 species of Metacanthinae. The catalog is made up of five main sections: introduction, [explanation of] format, catalog [body], literature cited, and indexes. Cited for each genus are the original description, its type species and method of designation, synonyms, and homonyms. Cited for each species are the original description, all generic combinations, synonyms, homonyms, misspellings, and lectotype and neotype designations, as well as host plants, county distribution, and notes on biology. Notes at the end of the respective entries provide additional information or explain situations not covered by the standard catalog format.