Family DINIDORIDAE

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Family DINIDORIDAE

Compiler and date details

15 February 2002

Introduction

The Dinidoridae are a family of pentatomoid bugs that are most diverse in the tropics of the Afrotropical and Oriental Regions. The nominotypical genus occurs in South America. The family comprises 16 genera and 65 species (Durai 1987; Rolston et al. 1996; Henry 2009) worldwide. In Australia, the family is represented by four genera and six species.

Stål (1867, 1870) established the group as a subfamily of Pentatomidae. Kirkaldy (1909) catalogued the world fauna and maintained their subfamily status. Leston (1955) raised them to family level which has been followed by most subsequent authors. Durai (1987) monographed the world fauna and followed Schouteden (1913) in placing Eumenotes Westwood in the Dinidoridae. She divided the family into two subfamilies, each with two tribes, as follows: Dinidorinae (Dinidorini and Thalmini), and Megymeninae (Eumenotini and Megymenini). This classification was followed by Rolston et al. (1996) and is also used in this Catalogue.

Rolston et al. (1996) catalogued the world fauna giving complete bibliographic details. Lethierry & Severin (1893) gave the first catalogue of the world fauna. Regional catalogues include: Froeschner (1981; Ecuador, 2000; Panama). Stonedahl & Dolling (1991) list taxonomic works. Aside from Durai (1987), other key taxonomic works include: Schouteden (1913—world fauna); Ahmad & Khan (1979; Pakistan and Bangladesh); Durai (1986; Malaysia); and Lis (1990, 1992; Eastern Hemisphere).

The Australian fauna includes the four tribes, and four genera and six species, none of which is endemic to Australia. The Dinidorini are represented by Coridius brunneus (Thunberg), which occurs in the Northern Territory, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The Thalmini comprises Thalma biguttata Walker, which is known from the Torres Strait Islands (Moa Island) and Melanesia. Eumenotes obscura Westwood (Eumenotini) is recorded from Australia but from no precise locality; it is widespread in the Oriental Region. The Megymenini is represented by three species of Megymenum Guérin. No precise Australian localities are recorded for M. dentatum Guérin and M. spinosum (Burmeister), both of which are found in the Oriental Region. Megymenum affine Boisduval is recorded from Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory, as well as New Guinea.

Schaefer et al. (2000) summarised the biology of dinidorids. They are known to be phytophagous, and from the available (scant) data, it appears they are mostly associated with cucurbits (Schaefer & Ahmad 1987{}). Durai (1987) reported them from numerous plant families but Schuh & Slater (1995) suggested that some of these may be 'sitting records'. A few Oriental species are pests of cucurbit crops, particularly pumpkins. Durai (1993) described the biology of Eumenotes obscura.

Diagnosis

Dinidorids are large, ovoid, robust species. The head is laterally keeled. The bucculae are short, elevated and lobe-like. The antennae are 4 or 5-segmented. The labium is 4-segmented and reaches between the meso- and metacoxae. The scutellum is triangular, medium-sized, and does not cover the corium. The hemelytral membrane has reticulate venation. Wing polymorphism is rare, with brachyptery known in some extralimital species. The spiracles of the second abdominal segment are mostly exposed. The abdominal trichobothria are in pairs caudal to each spiracle on sterna III to VII. The tarsi are 3-segmented. The male genitalia have a membranous aedeagus and conjunctival processes. (Slater 1982; Durai 1987; Schuh & Slater 1995)