Description of Immature Stages of Melanaethus crenatus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cydnidae: Cydninae: Geotomini), with Notes on Oviposition, Seed-carrying and Feeding Behaviors
Keywords:
seed-carrying behavior, Mexico, RubiaceaeAbstract
Here we describe the immature stages and seed-carrying and feeding behaviors of Melanaethus crenatus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cydnidae: Cydninae: Geotomini), based on 4 sampling dates from 2009 through 2011. Adult females of this species move seeds of its host plant, Richardia scabra L. (Rubiales: Rubiaceae), to small cavities under small rocks for feeding; these cavities in some cases correspond to oviposition sites where nymphs also feed on the seeds. All instars of Melanaethus crenatus are described and illustrated for the first time. This species is associated with dry oak forest and lives under rocks. This record probably represents an intermediate behavior between nonparental and parental care.
En este estudio se describe el ciclo de vida, los comportamientos de alimentación y transporte de semillas de Melanaethus crenatus (Signoret). Las adultas hembras de esta especie de chinches mueven las semillas de su planta hospedera, Richardia scabra L. (Rubiales: Rubiaceae) a pequeños agujeros debajo de pequeñas rocas para poder alimentarse; estos pequeños agujeros sirven a su vez como sitios de oviposición en donde las ninfas también se alimentan de las semillas movidas por las madres. Se describen e ilustran por primera vez todos los estadios de Melanaethus crenatus. Esta especie está asociada a bosques secos de encinos y vive debajo de rocas. Este registro probablemente representa un estadio intermedio en el comportamiento de especies de chinches con cuidado parental y no parental.
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