ADDITIONAL DATA ON VARIATION IN THE SPECIALIZED CUTICULAR PATCHES OF TRUE BUGS IN THE FAMILY PENTATOMIDAE (HETEROPTERA)

In previous papers, the presence of patches of specialized cuticle on the sternites of true bugs of the family Pentatomidae has been reporte d. The patches, it is thought, are an aid to thermoregulation by aidin g heat loss at high temperatures. In this paper, additional descriptio ns given of patch patterns in Pentatominae and for the first time in P hyllocephalinae extend the range of variation previously recorded in P entatomidae. More than thirty species of Pentatominae in four tribes ( Pentatomini, Antestiini, Halyini, Carpocorini) were examined. Patches were extensively developed in African and Asian Halyini. They were abs ent, however, in all Australian halyines examined, suggesting the exis tence of different mechanisms of resistance to heat. Patches were well developed in all 11 species of Phyllocephalinae examined. The most ex tensive area development of patch cuticle now in Pentatomidae was obse rved in two phyllocephalines from deserts, Phyllocephala negus and Sch yzops aegyptiaca. In Phyllocephalinae, the anatomical distribution of patch cuticle extends to areas of sternite lateral to the spiracles as well as to the laterotergites. Patch areas surfaces in some phyllocep halines are fragmented by bristle-bearing discs. Concerning the pentat omines examined, possible seasonal area variation and variation correl ated with geographical isolation was detected in Nezara viridula, a te ndency to ventral mid-line fusion of patches on sternites III observed in Carpocorini, and a possible east-west gradient detected in Asian P lautia fimbriata. A high degree of individual variability was recorded in a sample of Carpocoris pudicus from Turkey. Epidermal glands, abun dant in males, are generally but not invariably absent in areas occupi ed by patch cuticle. The absence of glands as an additional tissue ele ment might be explained if thier presence retarded heat loss from the patches.