Evolution of mimicry in the New World Dysdercus (Hemiptera : Pyrrhocoridae)

Evolution of mimicry rings is reconstructed for the New World species of co tton-stainer bugs (Dysdercus, Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae). Using a cladistic analysis of 43 species (including D. silaceus Doesburg, 1968 stat. nov. and D. modestus Doesburg, 1968 stat. nov.), evolution of colour patterns and b iogeographical history of the clade are hypothesized. Three probable mimicr y rings are obtained from the analysis, together with data about their poss ible model-mimic or comimic-comimic structures: (a) 'Yellow' species in nor thwestern South America and in the Andes (several possible models, D. rusti cus, D. mimus part., D. imitator part., and D. collaris part. as mimics); ( b) 'Median Yellow-Black' species with a median-forewing black pattern in no rth-western South America and Central America (several possible models, D. basialbus as a mimic); (c) 'Median Red-Black' species with a median-forewin g black pattern in the Caribbean islands (D, andreae, D, discolor, D. negle ctus-D. sanguinarius clade, and D. jamaicensis-D. fervidus-D. ocreatus clad e as comimics). A few additional, less supported rings are also identified. Two highly polymorphic species (D. obscuratus, D. mimus) seem to enter dif ferent mimicry rings in different regions.