Corimelaena

Small, dark-colored bugs with a shield-shaped or broadly oval body. The scutellum is large and triangular, covering most of the abdomen and wings. Coloration is typically black or dark brown, often with a smooth, somewhat shiny surface. Body surface may show punctation patterns useful for distinguishing species. Antennae are relatively short. The overall compact, rounded form distinguishes them from many other heteropteran families.

Genus distributed in the Americas. Individual species have documented occurrences in southern New Mexico, Ohio, and other regions of North America.

Species studied show adult overwintering in leaf litter, with emergence in early February. Activity continues through late November in some species. Egg-laying occurs from early April through late September. Nymphs present from late April through late November.

Feeding habits vary by species and appear specialized. Corimelaena incognita feeds on dried and developing fruits of Leucophyllum frutescens. Corimelaena harti has been observed feeding on Galium concinnum. Corimelaena extensa is associated with Nicotiana glauca (tree tobacco). Corimelaena lateralis lateralis has been documented on wild carrot (Daucus carota).

• Leucophyllum frutescens - host plantOnly host plant observed for C. incognita; adults feed on dried fruits from previous year, then on current year's fruit
• Galium concinnum - host plantHost plant of C. harti in Ohio
• Nicotiana glauca - host plantTree tobacco; host of C. extensa
• Daucus carota - host plantWild carrot; host of C. lateralis lateralis

Bivoltine in at least one species (C. incognita). Eggs laid singly, usually glued beneath bracts of developing fruits. Five nymphal instars precede adulthood. Incubation period averages approximately 8 days at 25°C. Stadium durations vary, with the final instar typically the longest (approximately 8.5 days in C. incognita). Immature stages can be distinguished by body size, punctation patterns, and other morphological features. Adults overwinter in leaf litter.

Adults overwinter in leaf litter and emerge in early spring. Eggs are laid singly rather than in clusters.

Herbivores specializing on reproductive structures (fruits) and vegetative parts of specific host plants. May serve as prey for generalist predators.

• ThyreocorisAlso in family Thyreocoridae; similar shield-shaped body form and dark coloration; distinguished by specific morphological details of scutellum and body proportions
• Other PentatomoideaSuperficially similar shield bug shape, but Thyreocoridae are distinguished by the greatly enlarged scutellum covering most of the abdomen and wings, and their typically smaller size and darker coloration

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Biology of Corimelaena extensa1 on Tree Tobacco, Nicotiana glauca2
• Galium concinnum (Rubiaceae), Host Plant of Corimelaena harti (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thyreocoridae) in Ohio
• Life History and Laboratory Rearing of Corimelaena obscura (Heteroptera: Thyreocoridae) with Descriptions of Immature Stages
• Life History and Laboratory Rearing of Corimelaena incognita (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thyreocoridae), with Descriptions of Immature Stages
• Life History of Corimelaena lateralis lateralis (Hemiptera: Thyreocoridae) with Descriptions of Immature Stages and List of Other Species of Scutelleroidea Found with It on Wild Carrot