Scolopini
Carayon, 1954
Genus Guides
3- Calliodis
- Nidicola(minute pirate bugs)
- Scoloposcelis(minute pirate bugs)
Scolopini is a tribe of minute predatory within the Anthocoridae, established by Carayon in 1954. The tribe comprises at least 10 described distributed across two subtribes (Calliodina and Scolopina) plus several unplaced . Members are classified in the Lyctocorinae and share the general anthocorid body plan of small, oval to elongate-oval insects with forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The tribe shows notable diversity in the Southern Hemisphere, with several genera described from New Zealand and South America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Scolopini: //skəˈlɒpɪnaɪ//
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Identification
Scolopini can be distinguished from other Lyctocorinae tribes by genitalic characters and pretarsal structures, as established in Carayon's revisionary work. The subtribe Scolopina is characterized by particular modifications of the male genitalia and parameters. Members of subtribe Calliodina share derived features of the pretarsus and wing venation. Generic-level identification requires examination of antennal segmentation, pronotal structure, and male genitalic .
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Distribution
The tribe has a disjunct distribution with strong representation in the Southern Hemisphere. The subtribe Calliodina includes described from New Zealand (Maoricoris), Australia, and South America. The subtribe Scolopina contains genera with records from Europe, North America, and the Pacific region. Several genera remain unplaced in the subtribal classification, including Nidicola (described from North America) and Solenonotus (Palearctic distribution).
Similar Taxa
- LyctocoriniAnother tribe in Lyctocorinae; distinguished by different pretarsal and genitalic characters, with Scolopini showing more derived conditions in male genitalia.
- CardiastethiniTribe in Lyctocorinae; differs in antennal structure and pretarsal , though some unplaced Scolopini have been historically associated with this group.
More Details
Subtribal classification
The tribe is divided into two subtribes: Calliodina (established by Carayon, containing 5 ) and Scolopina (Carayon, 1954, containing 4 genera). Three additional genera (Maoricoris, Nidicola, Solenonotus) remain unplaced within this framework.
Taxonomic history
The tribe was erected by Carayon in 1954 as part of his comprehensive revision of the Anthocoridae, which reorganized the based on pretarsal and genitalic characters rather than the traditional reliance on external body form.