Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Trophobiosis between ants and Eurystethus microlobatus Ruckes 1966 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) a cryptic, gregarious and subsocial stinkbug

Full text
Author(s):
Guerra, T. J. [1] ; Camarota, F. [2] ; Castro, F. S. [3] ; Schwertner, C. F. [4, 5] ; Grazia, J. [4, 5]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Dept Biol Anim, Inst Biol, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Inst Biol, Posgrad Ecol Conservacao Recursos Nat, BR-38400902 Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Ouro Preto UFOP, DEBIO, Programa Posgrad Ecol Biomas Tropicais, BR-35400000 Ouro Preto, MG - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Dept Zool, BR-91501970 Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
[5] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Programa Posgrad Biol Anim, BR-91501970 Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: Journal of Natural History; v. 45, n. 17-18, p. 1101-1117, 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 12
Abstract

In this study we describe trophobiosis between ants and Eurystethus microlobatus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) at a highland quartzite rocky outcrop in southern Espinhaco Range, southeastern Brazil. We found stinkbugs exclusively on the mistletoe Psittacanthus robustus (Loranthaceae). The stinkbug species is gregarious, forming dense clusters, with females guarding eggs and young nymphs. In addition, this species presents cryptic colouration and most individuals were located on roots and shoots, camouflaged within the bark. Eurystethus microlobatus produced honeydew by day and night, and four ant species attended aggregations: Camponotus rufipes, Camponotus crassus, Camponotus melanoticus and Cephalotes pusillus. Camponotus rufipes was the most frequent and aggressive, and the only species to attend the stinkbugs by day and night. This is the first documented case of trophobiosis between true bugs and ants in the New World. (AU)