Prostemmatinae

damsel bugs

Genus Guides

Prostemmatinae is a of predatory damsel bugs in the Nabidae. It contains at least 13 described in the Americas, organized into two tribes: Phorticini ( Phorticus, Rhamphocoris) and Prostemmatini (genera Alloeorhynchus, Pagasa, Prostemma). Members are found in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with documented diversity in Mexico and the southern United States.

Pagasa pallipes by (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pagasa fusca by (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pagasa fusca by (c) Even Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Even Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Prostemmatinae: /pɹoʊstɛmˈmæ.tɪˌniː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Prostemmatinae can be distinguished from the other nabid , Nabinae, by genitalic and structural characters. The subfamily is divided into two tribes: Phorticini (with Phorticus and Rhamphocoris) and Prostemmatini (with genera Alloeorhynchus, Pagasa, and Prostemma). identification relies on examination of male parameres and habitus; keys are available for regional faunas including Mexican species of Alloeorhynchus and Pagasa.

Images

Distribution

Americas: at least 13 described . Documented from Mexico (Chiapas, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, Jalisco, Sonora), with additional records in the Nearctic region. The Alloeorhynchus has been recorded in association with figs in some regions.

Host Associations

Rhyparochromidae - preyA. trimacula observed preying on Rhyparochromidae (Lygaeoidea) associated with figs, per Cervantes Peredo 2004

Ecological Role

Similar Taxa

NabinaeThe other of Nabidae; distinguished by genitalic and structural characters

More Details

Taxonomic structure

Two tribes recognized: Phorticini (Phorticus, Rhamphocoris) and Prostemmatini (Alloeorhynchus, Pagasa, Prostemma). Recent taxonomic revisions have described new from Mexico, particularly in Alloeorhynchus (six new species described in 2017) and documented new distributional records for Pagasa.