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Broad-Headed Bugs (Alydidae)

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True Bugs (Heteroptera) of the Neotropics

Part of the book series: Entomology in Focus ((ENFO,volume 2))

Abstract

The broad-headed bugs (Alydidae) are divided into two subfamilies, Alydinae and Micrelytrinae, each divided into two tribes, Daclerini and Alydini, and Micrelytrini and Leptocorisini, respectively. The family has 53 genera and about 250 species; in the Neotropics, there are 21 genera. Alydids are small (8–20 mm), slender, with a triangular head; nymphs of alydines mimic ants, the adults of some Micrelytrini also mimic ants. The most studied species in the Neotropics is the alydine Neomegalotomus parvus (Westwood), usually associated with legumes, and may be a pest on soybean. Other common genera include Hyalymenus Amyot & Serville, Stenocoris Burmeister, Cydamus Stål, and Trachelium Herrich-Schäffer. Studies on taxonomy and bioecology on alydids of the Neotropics are needed.

Carl W. Schaefer: Author deceased at the time of publication

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Entomologia, Embrapa Trigo, Caixa Postal 3081, Passo Fundo, RS, 99001-970, Brazil

    Antônio R. Panizzi

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  1. Antônio R. Panizzi
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  2. Carl W. Schaefer
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Correspondence to Antônio R. Panizzi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Entomologia, Embrapa Trigo, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Antônio R. Panizzi

  2. Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Jocélia Grazia

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Panizzi, A.R., Schaefer, C.W. (2015). Broad-Headed Bugs (Alydidae). In: Panizzi, A., Grazia, J. (eds) True Bugs (Heteroptera) of the Neotropics. Entomology in Focus, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9861-7_18

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