Stethorus (Allostethorus) forficatus Poorani

(Fig. 13a–g)

Stethorus forficatus Poorani, 2017: 593 .

Diagnosis. Length: 0.83–0.93 mm; width: 0.65–0.70 mm. Form (Fig. 13c, d) elongate, oblong oval, elytral apices obliquely arcuate; dorsum moderately convex and densely covered with elongate, silvery white pubescence. Dorsal side black except clypeus paler, ventral side black, antenna, mouthparts, and legs yellowish except all coxae dark brown to black, last two abdominal ventrites often distinctly paler testaceous in males. Abdominal postcoxal lines complete, fairly deeply semi-circular; last abdominal ventrite truncate in male. Male genitalia (Fig. 13f–h) with penis guide of tegmen in inner view (Fig. 13g) apically pincer-like / scissors-shaped, distinctly shorter than parameres, penis guide in lateral view (Fig. 13f) parallel-sided up to middle, thereafter curved and narrowed towards apex, parameres broadest at base, progressively narrowed towards apices, lateral and apical margins with a few hairs; penis (Fig. 13h) stout, with a well-defined, elongate capsule.

Immature stages. Larva (Fig. 13a) and pupa (Fig. 13b) as illustrated.

Material examined. INDIA: Tamil Nadu: Podavur, NRCB Research Farm, N10°47'20.16" E078°34'29.88", 3.v.22, 1.v.25, on banana, R. Thanigairaj, 7 ex. (ICAR-NRCB) .

Distribution. India (Karnataka; Kerala; Tamil Nadu; West Bengal).

Biology. Predatory on tetranychid mites on banana (label data). Predatory on citrus hindu mite, Schizotetranychus hindustanicus (Hirst) (Poorani 2017); Feeds on Tetranychus truncatus Ehara on amaranthus, cosmos, cowpea, papaya, and tapioca; Tetranychus okinawanus Ehara on cowpea; jack, Butea monosperma, and mulberry (prey not known); Oligonychus biharensis (Hirst) on Bauhinia (Vidya 2018; Vidya et al. 2022).

Notes. See Poorani (2017) for detailed description and more illustrations.