Superfamily PYRRHOCOROIDEA

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Introduction

The Pyrrhocoroidea is a superfamily of pentatomomorphan bugs comprising two families, Largidae and Pyrrhocoridae. Both families are found in all major zoogeographic regions of the world, including the Australian continent.

Southwood (1956) established the Pyrrhocoroidea on the basis of the close relationship of the Pyrrhocoridae and Largidae, and their intermediary position between the Lygaeoidea and Coreoidea. Scudder (1959) suggested that Largidae may have a more proximal relationship to the Lygaeidae. Schaefer (1964) supported Southwood's arrangement based mainly on an assessment of genitalic and trichobothrial characters. Kumar (1968) disputed Schaefer's conclusion that the Largidae evolved from 'pyrrhocorid-stock', pointing to the laciniate ovipositor and specialised male genitalia (elongate vesica). Štys (1967) and Štys & Kerzhner (1975) considered the pyrrhocoroids to form a distinct lineage (as 'largid line') within their broader concept of the Coreoidea.

Henry (1997) proposed Pyrrhocoroidea monophyly on the basis of enlarged eyes, lack of ocelli, keeled mesosternum, lack of inner abdominal laterotergites and fusion of abdominal sterna II to VI. Schaefer & Ahmad (2000) discussed aspects of the systematics of the Pyrrhocoroidea and supported a sister-group relationship between the Largidae and Pyrrhocoridae.

General References

Henry, T.J. 1997. Phylogenetic analysis of family groups within the infraorder Pentatomomorpha (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), with emphasis on the Lygaeoidea. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 90(3): 275-301

Kumar, R. 1968. Aspects of the morphology and relationships of the superfamilies Lygaeoidea, Piesmatoidea and Pyrrhocoroidea (Hemiptera: Heteroptera). Entomologist's Monthly Magazine 103: 251-261

Schaefer, C.W. 1964. The morphology and higher classification of the Coreoidea (Hemiptera-Heteroptera): Parts I and II. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 57: 670-684

Schaefer, C.W. & Ahmad, I. 2000. Cotton Stainers and their Relatives (Pyrrhocoroidea: Pyrrhocoridae and Largidae). pp. 271-307 in Schaefer, C.W. & Panizzi, A.R. (eds). Heteroptera of Economic Importance. Boca Raton : CRC Press 828 pp.

Scudder, G.G.E. 1959. The female genitalia of the Heteroptera: morphology and bearing on classification. Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London 111: 405-467

Southwood, T.R.E. 1956. The structure of the eggs of the terrestrial Heteroptera and its relationship to the classification of the group. Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London 108: 163-221

Štys, P. 1967. Monograph of Malcinae, with reconsideration of morphology and phylogeny of related groups. (Heteroptera, Malcidae). Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 37: 351-516

Štys, P. & Kerzhner, I. 1975. The rank and nomenclature of higher taxa in recent Heteroptera. Acta Entomologica Bohemoslovaca 72: 65-79

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