Centrotinae

Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843

Centrotinae is the largest of () and the only subfamily with a worldwide distribution. It comprises approximately 1,350 in 216 . The subfamily is characterized by morphological features including a pronotal that typically does not conceal the , and with a truncated and broad limbus. Centrotinae is considered the most membracid subfamily based on fossil evidence and biogeographic patterns.

Gargarini by (c) Reynante Martinez, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Reynante Martinez. Used under a CC-BY license.

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Centrotini by (c) Kostas Zontanos, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kostas Zontanos. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Centrotinae: /sɛnˈtrɒtɪniː/

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Identification

Centrotinae can be distinguished from other by the exposed (not covered by the expanded ), though exceptions with partially concealed scutella occur in both Old and New World . The has a truncated at the with a broad limbus. The pronotal does not typically conceal the scutellum. These features contrast with more derived subfamilies such as Membracinae, Smiliinae, and Darninae, which usually have the scutellum covered by pronotal expansions and exhibit more elaborate pronotal ornamentation.

Images

Distribution

Worldwide; the only occurring on all major landmasses except Antarctica and Madagascar. Present in both Old World and New World. Particularly diverse in tropical regions including Southeast Asian rain forests, Central and South America, and Africa.

Diet

Phloem feeding on sap using . utilize plants from at least 105 plant , with associations including Leguminosae, Compositae (Asteraceae), Solanaceae, and Euphorbiaceae.

Host Associations

Leguminosae (Fabaceae) -
Compositae (Asteraceae) -
Solanaceae -
Euphorbiaceae -
Sicyos edulis (Cucurbitaceae) - chayote, for Campylocentrus nigris

Life Cycle

Five observed in at least some (Campylocentrus nigris). clutches are produced and embedded in stems. In some species, eggs hatch successively over several days. Females of some species desert clutches when most but not all first instar have hatched.

Behavior

Most have mutualistic relationships with that tend them for . Maternal care in the form of -guarding has been documented in multiple tribes (Centrocharesini, Gargarini, Hypsaucheniini). of egg-guarding species typically exhibit gregarious or subaggregating . Some species are solitary as nymphs and . Nymphs of at least some species exhibit specialized cryptic resting postures, positioning legs against body structures to resemble knots. Adults of some species exhibit escape jumping behavior when disturbed.

Ecological Role

that function as -tended producers in most , establishing mutualistic relationships that may provide protection from . Some species are associated with economically important plants.

Human Relevance

Some are associated with economically important , including chayote (Sicyos edulis), an important local food staple and U.S. import. Potential pest status for certain crop-associated species. Generally considered to have low overall economic importance despite high morphological diversity.

Similar Taxa

MembracinaeMore derived with typically concealed by pronotal expansion; restricted to New World
SmiliinaeMore derived with elaborate pronotal ornamentation and concealed ; restricted to New World
DarninaeMore derived with distinct morphological features; largely Neotropical distribution
AetalionidaeSeparate of , more , with distinct morphological characteristics

More Details

Evolutionary significance

Fossil evidence suggests that Centrotinae represents the condition for , with diversification and subsequent New World radiation beginning during isolation approximately 65 million years ago after South America separated from Africa. All other membracid subfamilies are restricted to the New World.

Tribal diversity

The includes numerous tribes with distinct geographic distributions: Beaufortianini, Boccharini, Boocerini (New World), Centrocharesini (Indomalayan), Centrodontini (New World), Centrotini, Centrotypini (Asia, Australia), Choucentrini (Asia), Ebhuloidesini (S.E. Asia), Gargarini, Hypsaucheniini, Leptobelini, Leptocentrini (Africa, South/E/SE Asia, Australia), Lobocentrini, Maarbarini, Micreunini, Monobelini (New World), Nessorhinini (New World), Oxyrhachini (Africa, Asia), Pieltainellini (New World), Platycentrini (New World), Terentiini (Bangladesh to Australia), and Xiphopoeini (Africa).

Sexual dimorphism

Some exhibit in suprahumeral horns, as documented in Tricentrus .