Identification key for the genera of Asopinae (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

• Grant number: 25/11725-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Talita Roell
• Grantee: Thiago Guerra de Almeida
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/12886-8 - Hidden data: recovery, safeguarding, and accessibility of the Hemiptera collection at the USP Zoology Museum as a tool to support evolutionary studies on stinkbugs., AP.R

Abstract

The order Hemiptera is one of the most diverse among insects, divided into four suborders. Heteroptera is the most diverse suborder, with over 45,000 described species across 92 families that inhabit every continent except Antarctica. Pentatomidae is one of the most diverse families of true bugs, commonly known as stink bugs, and includes more than 940 genera distributed among 10 subfamilies, one of which is Asopinae, currently comprising 65 genera. Asopines are characterized by a robust rostrum and the presence of spines on the fore femora in many species, as well as their predatory behavior, which is unique within Pentatomidae. Due to their predatory habit, asopines have potential as biological control agents of agricultural pests in various countries. However, the main challenge lies in the difficulty of identifying the 65 genera. The only works that provide identification tools were published by Thomas in 1992 and 1994. However, these works lack some genera, contain no photographs or illustrations, include ambiguous and subjective descriptions, and separate genera by Old and New World regions-factors that hinder the identification process. In light of this issue, this project aims to carry out a taxonomic study to investigate morphological differentiation patterns that define the genera and to build an identification resource for them. The study will be conducted through morphological observations using a stereomicroscope, along with photography and illustration of various specimens of genera available in the collection of the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo. (AU)