Scolopostethus

Fieber, 1861

dirt-colored seed bugs

Species Guides

6

Scolopostethus is a of dirt-colored seed bugs comprising more than 30 described in the Rhyparochromidae. Species occupy diverse including areas, weedy lawns, and -associated environments. Some species are myrmecophilous, living near ant nests through chemical defense strategies rather than chemical mimicry. The genus has a Palearctic origin with at least one species, S. affinis, recently established in North America.

Scolopostethus thomsoni by (c) Donald Hobern, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Scolopostethus by (c) Mick Talbot, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Scolopostethus by (c) Mick Talbot, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Scolopostethus: //skɒləpəˈstiːθəs//

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Habitat

areas and weedy lawns; associated with nettles (Urtica dioica) and various weeds including dandelion (Taraxacum), knapweed (Centaurea), burdock (Arctium), and lamb's quarters (Chenopodium album); some occur near nests of the velvety tree ant (Liometopum occidentale)

Distribution

Native to Palearctic region (Europe including Russia, Asia); Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan); China; Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden); at least one (S. affinis) established in North America with confirmed records from Montreal, Quebec

Diet

Seeds are the principal food item; seeds of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) have been observed to produce the most productive growth curve in rearing experiments; some can survive on larvae but show minimal growth

Host Associations

  • Urtica dioica - primary plant; seeds are principal food sourcestinging nettle
  • Taraxacum sp. - associated weeddandelion
  • Centaurea sp. - associated weedknapweed
  • Arctium sp. - associated weedburdock
  • Chenopodium album - associated weedlamb's quarters
  • Liometopum occidentale - myrmecophilous association; lives near nests but does not feed on velvety tree ant; S. pacificus uses chemical weaponry for defense against this

Life Cycle

Five stages; single per year or possibly double-brooded with long oviposition season; overwinters in nettle litter or leaf litter near nettles; late-instar nymphs abundant in late September in Quebec

Behavior

Some release a cocktail of volatile compounds from metathoracic glands that moderates encounters with aggressive ants; defensive function of gland exudates confirmed via feeding trials; does not use cuticular hydrocarbon insignificance or mimicry for association; usually brachypterous but forms sometimes present

Ecological Role

Seed feeding on weed seeds; may occupy uncontested in introduced ranges; no known deleterious effects on crops

Human Relevance

S. affinis has been introduced to North America and is established in Quebec; may be a welcome addition to environments due to propensity for feeding on seeds of plants regarded as weeds; adapted to human-modified environments

Similar Taxa

  • Other Scolopostethus speciesS. affinis distinguished from Nearctic by male mesosternal processes and female mesosternal , and by antennal coloration; stages of S. affinis cannot be separated from S. thomsoni
  • Other RhyparochromidaeMembers of Scolopostethus are distinguished within Drymini by -level morphological characters as detailed in taxonomic keys

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Sources and further reading