Protenor

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Pentatomomorpha
Superfamily: Coreoidea
Family: Alydidae
Subfamily: Micrelytrinae
Tribe: Micrelytrini
Genus: Protenor

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Protenor: //prəˈtiːnɔːr//

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Summary

Protenor is a genus of true bugs focused primarily in the heteropteran subfamily Alydidae, with notable species such as P. belfragei and P. australis, both characterized by elongated bodies and specific ecological habitats.

Physical Characteristics

Body elongate and very slender; head porrect, slightly longer than pronotum; cheeks much longer than tylus, contiguous in front of it, their tips subconical and cleft horizontally, so that front of head ends in four short processes; antennae slender, nearly as long as body, first joint subclavate, subequal to second, third slightly shorter, fourth about one-half longer than second; beak surpassing middle coxae, its third joint very short.

Identification Tips

In P. australis, the dorsal and ventral apical processes of the jugum are strongly divergent; antennal segments I–III usually densely clothed with long erect setae. In P. belfragei, the dorsal and ventral processes are porrect and contiguous; antennal segments I–III clothed with medium size and sparse erect setae.

Habitat

Sedge meadows, marshes, wet grassy areas bordering lakes.

Distribution

P. belfragei: NB-SK to NJ-IA, TX, CA; P. australis: GA-FL / Mexico.

Diet

Nymphs and adults feed on various wetland plants; specific nutritional requirements not detailed.

Life Cycle

Adults present from July to first frost.