Dichelops melacanthus, (DALLAS), 1851

Smaniotto, Lisonéia F. & Panizzi, Antônio R., 2015, Interactions of selected species of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from leguminous crops with plants in the Neotropics, Florida Entomologist 98 (1), pp. 7-17 : 12-13

DICHELOPS MELACANTHUS (DALLAS)

A second species of stink bug, also known as the green-belly stink bug, D. melacanthus has a wider distribution in the neotropics compared to the former species. It occurs in at least 13 Brazilian states; it is also found in Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezu- ela ( Grazia 1978; see distribution map in Panizzi 2014).

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The majority of the population is concentrated on field crops (corn, soybean, and wheat) and it stays in the field during the off season underneath crop residues ( Chocorosqui 2001). Since its first report on corn in Mato Grosso do Sul ( Ávila & Panizzi 1995), D. melacanthus has become widespread on this crop, particularly in the central-west and southern states of Brazil. On soybean, nymphs and adults are found mostly during the crop’s reproductive period ( Silva et al. 2013). On wheat, and on other winter cereals, nymphs and adults are found on the soil, feeding on fallen soybean seeds of the previous crop, and then feeding on stems of seedlings of these cereals ( Pereira et al. 2010).

In northern Paraná, Brazil, nymphs and adults of D. melacanthus feed and reproduce on the weed lanceleaf crotalaria, Crotalaria lanceolata E. Mey ( Fabaceae ), and adults peak in July ( Silva et al. 2013). Although there is high mortality of nymphs on pods of lanceleaf crotalaria (> 70%) ( Chocorosqui & Panizzi 2008), this seems to be an important alternate food plant for D. melacanthus in this area since it is widespread.

Another important weed that is used by D. melacanthus is the tropical spiderwort Commelina benghalensis L. ( Commelinaceae ), on which nymphs and adults are commonly found in Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul ( Carvalho 2007; Silva et al. 2013). Chocorosqui (2001) tried to raise nymphs in the laboratory on seedlings of the tropical spiderwort, but no nymphs completed development. The same was observed when seedlings of corn, soybean or wheat were tested; on soybean and wheat seeds they complete development, but on seeds of corn they do not (L. F. Smaniotto, unpublished); no attempts were made to raise nymphs on tropical spiderwort seeds.

The list of plants on which D. melacanthus has been recorded in the neotropics includes 29 species belonging to 10 plant families, from which 5 species were considered to be reproductive hosts ( Table 6).

THYANTA PERDITOR (F.)

This Neotropical pentatomid occurs in several countries of South America, West Indies, Mexico, and U.S.A. (Florida, Texas, and Arizona) (references in Panizzi et al. 2000a). It has been frequently reported as a pest of soybean in Colombia ( Waldbauer 1977) and Trinidad ( Fennah 1935).

In Brazil, T. perditor has been referred to as a minor pest of soybean in several states ( Rosseto et al. 1978; Kishino 1980; Panizzi & Herzog 1984). Also, it has frequently been associated with Gramineae (= Poaceae ) such as sorghum, rice and wheat in several states ( Rosseto et al. 1978; Panizzi & Herzog 1984; Ferreira & Silveira 1991; Amaral-Filho et al. 1992).

Perez et al. (1980) provided data on the nymph and adult biology of T. perditor on wheat. Laboratory and greenhouse studies, however, suggested that soybean and wheat were not suitable hosts for nymphal development and reproduction of T. perditor ; in contrast, on the weed plant Bidens pilosa L. ( Asteraceae ), nymphs developed well and adults reproduced ( Panizzi & Herzog 1984). Despite the damage of this bug to wheat seed yield and quality ( Ferreira & Silveira 1991), and to its occurrence on soybean fields, apparently these two plant species only provide some nutrients, whereas T. perditor populations are in fact reproducing on the weed B. pilosa .

In northern Paraná, Brazil, T. perditor is commonly found feeding on sunflower, but no reproduction on this plant has been recorded ( Malaguido & Panizzi 1998). Recently (2013) it was observed feeding on seed heads of barley, Hordeum vulgare L. ( Poaceae ) in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil (L. F. Smaniotto, unpublished).

The list of plants on which T. perditor has been recorded in the neotropics includes 15 plant species belonging to 8 families, of which 3 species were considered to be reproductive hosts ( Table 7).

Reproductive Incidental Host plant (Family/Species) hosts* record

Amaranthaceae

Amaranthus viridis L. (6) — X Gomphrena globosa L. (6) — X

Asteraceae

Bidens pilosa L. (6) — X

Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. ex Wight (6) — X

Tridax procumbens L. (6) — X

Commelinaceae

Commelina benghalensis L. (3,7) X —

Convolvulaceae

Ipomoea indica (Burm.f.) Merr. (6) — X

Fabaceae

Crotalaria pallida Ait. (5) — X Crotalaria lanceolata E. Mey. (7) X —

Glycine max (L.) Merr. (1,3) X — Indigofera hirsuta L. (5) X —

Lamiaceae

Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R.Br. (6) — X Leonurus sibiricus L. (6) — X

Stachys arvensis L. (6) — X

Malvaceae

Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) (6) — X

Sida rhombifolia L. (6) — X

Poaceae

Avena strigosa Schreb. (3) — X Brachiaria decumbens Stapf (5) — X Brachiaria plantaginea (Link) Hitchc. (6) — X Cenchrus echinatus L. (6) — X

Chloris gayana Kunth (6) — X Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. (6) — X Panicum maximum Jacq. (6) — X Triticum secale Wittmack (3) — X Triticum aestivum L. (3, 4, 8) X —

Zea mays L. (2,3) — X

Rubiaceae

Spermacoce alata Aubl. (6) — X Richardia brasiliensis Gomes (6) — X

Solanaceae

Solanum americanum Mill. (6) — X

*Plants on which bug can complete development.

(1) Galileo et al. 1977 ( Brazil, RS); (2) Ávila & Panizzi 1995 ( Brazil, MS); (3) Bianco & Nishimura 1998 ( Brazil, PR); (4) Gomez 1998 ( Brazil, MS); (5) Bianco 2005 ( Brazil, PR);

(6) Carvalho 2007 ( Brazil, MS), (7) Chocorosqui & Panizzi 2008 ( Brazil, PR); (8) Silva et al. 2013 ( Brazil, PR).