Ecitovagus gibbus
Ecitovagus gibbus is a of true in the , a small group of pentatomoid insects to the Neotropics. The family Cyrtocoridae contains only three and eleven species, characterized by distinctive morphological features including an expanded scutellum with a broad-based spine or hump, flattened expansions, and -like setae. Ecitovagus gibbus was originally described from Brazil and has been recorded on the branches of Mimosa scabrella (Fabaceae).
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ecitovagus gibbus: /ɛˈkiːtoʊˌveɪɡəs ˈɡɪbəs/
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Identification
Members of the Ecitovagus can be distinguished from the related genus Cyrtocoris by the structure of the humeral projections. In Ecitovagus gibbus specifically, the humeral expansions project forward nearly as far as the angles of the pronotum, strongly surpassing a line drawn through the bases of these angles. This contrasts with Cyrtocoris egeris, where the humeral projections do not extend forward of the anterior angles. The scutellar crest is well-developed in both genera. The body is covered with flattened, -like setae, and the anterior part of the has flattened expansions.
Habitat
Recorded from branches of Mimosa scabrella (Fabaceae), a tree in the legume . The broader family has been found in soybean fields and associated with various plants including legumes and Malvaceae.
Distribution
Brazil (type locality). The Ecitovagus has a Neotropical distribution ranging from Rica to Argentina.
Host Associations
- Mimosa scabrella - feeding on branchesOnly confirmed record for this , reported by Lima (1940)
Similar Taxa
- Cyrtocoris egerisVery similar in overall appearance with well-developed scutellar crest, but distinguished by humeral projections that do not extend forward of the angles of the pronotum, versus strongly projecting forward in E. gibbus. Both have been recorded from soybean fields and share similar Neotropical distributions.
- Cyrtocoris gibberSimilar scutellar , but C. gibber has humeral expansions that project forward nearly as far as the angles of the pronotum—intermediate between C. egeris and E. gibbus. C. gibber is also widespread from Rica to Argentina.
More Details
Taxonomic history
The was revised by Packauskas and Schaefer (1998), who recognized only three (Cyrtocoris, Ecitovagus, and Tepa) containing eleven total. The phylogenetic placement of Cyrtocoridae remains somewhat uncertain; while their relationship to Pentatomidae (stink bugs) and Scutelleridae (shield-backed bugs) is morphologically obvious, Carl Schaefer has suggested they may be most closely related to Cydnidae (burrowing bugs).
Host plant records
records for the are sparse. Besides Mimosa scabrella for E. gibbus, other records include Cyrtocoris egeris on soybean (Glycine max), Cyrtocoris tigrinus on Sida rhombifolia (Malvaceae), and additional soybean records for C. egeris and C. trigonus from Argentina.