Pallantia macunaima, Grazia, 1980

Panizzi, Antônio Ricardo & Grazia, Jocélia, 2001, Stink Bugs (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) And An Unique Host Plant In The Brazilian Subtropics, Iheringia, Série Zoologia 90, pp. 21-35 : 26

Pallantia macunaima .

Previous to this study, this neotropical pentatomid species, described by GRAZIA (1980) was considered somewhat rare, and its host plants unknown. However, it was the second most abundant species captured on privet trees. Like the previous species, nymphs and adults were present most of the year ( fig. 2 ). More bugs were collected during autumn-winter (April-July), and spring-early summer (September- December). Nymphs followed the population pattern, in general, but were less abundant than adults.

Adults ( fig. 13 ) dorsal surface matte to dark brown with black punctures and reddish little maculae. Antennae and connexivum matte with black punctures on margins of segments. Median body length of females 9.0 mm (n = 10) and of males 7.5 mm (n = 10). Nymphs dorsally matte to dark brown. Head intensely punctured black and dark brown. Antennae matte, with black and yellowish rings. Antero-lateral margins of pronotum serrated, posterior margins rectilinear. Dorsal surface of the abdomen matte with ferrugineous to black punctures. Eggs light brown to greenish.

In the laboratory, in contrast to what was observed for N. viridula , mostnymphs of P. macunaima did not complete their development on immature fruits of privet (63.2 % mortality). Adults (50% of the females) reproduced, with a fecundity of 8.3 ± 2.13 egg masses and 41.7±12.30 eggs/female, but egg hatchability was relatively low (47.1±12.30 %). These data suggestthat privet fruits are only a reasonable food source, in spite of the bug’s abundance on the plant. Perhaps, the insects feed on other parts of the plant or are too susceptible to handling in the laboratory, which may explain the present results. Unfortunately, no dataon this bug biologyis available to allow a comparison between its performance on privet with native host plants, which remain unknown.

Figures

Figs. 1-7. Seasonal abundance of nymphs and adults of the most common pentatomids found on privet Ligustrum lucidum during a one-year period in northern Paraná state, Brazil.

Figs. 13-16. 13, Adult of Pallantia macunaima on a privet leaf. 14-16, Pellaea stictica: 14, adult on mature on privet leaf; 15, fifth instar on mature fruits of privet; 16, egg mass on a privet leaf.(Scales: 4mm, fig. 13; 5mm, fig. 14; 1mm, figs. 15-16).