Life cycle and geographic variation of Pharypia nitidiventris (Stål) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatomini)

Abstract

The life cycle of the stink bug, Pharypia nitidiventris (Stal, 1861), is reported for first time. Description of all immature stages and adults are included. Adults and nymphs of P. nitidiventris are associated to several species of Randia (Rubiaceae). Adults and nymphs feed mainly on the fruits, taking plant juices from other reproductive and vegetative structures. Adults have been found feeding also on other genera of host plants. Illustration of the eggs, all nymphal instars, and the adult, notes on its biology, and its distribution in Mexico are included. Two similar species were found in Mexico, P. fasciata (Haglund, 1868) recorded on the Pacific side, with most of the specimens have only the distal end of the femora black, and P. nitidiventris found on the side of the Gulf of Mexico, and in which most of the specimens have the basal half and distal end of the femora black, with just a central area orange; the dark areas of the head and on the pronotum are larger on the specimens from the Gulf of Mexico. Studying the life cycle of a population from Veracruz, the fifth instar nymphs of one clutch showed the two color conditions, and by comparing also the genitalia of both sexes and the two color forms, there is no doubt that the two species are in reality just two forms, and that P. fasciata should be synonymized. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)