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Abstract

The life cycles of the seed bugs, Kleidocerys punctatus Distant and Kleidocerys virescens F. (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae: Ischnorhynchinae), are reported for the first time. Description of all immature stages and adults are included. Adults and nymphs of K. punctatus are associated with several species of Alnus (Betulaceae), while those of K. virescens are associated with Nicotiana glauca Graham, Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae), and Buddleia crotonoides A. Gray and Buddleia sp. (Loganiaceae). Adults and nymphs feed mainly on the seeds, inside the dry fruit, but they also take plant juices from other reproductive and vegetative structures. Illustrations of the eggs, all nymphal instars, and the adults, as well as notes on their biology and their distribution in Mexico, are included.

Keywords: Alnus, Buddleia, Nicotiana, Mexico, Heteroptera: Lygaeidae

Correspondence: ^aluis.cervantes@inecol.edu.mx
Associate Editor: T.X. Liu was editor of this paper.

Received: 26 September 2008 | Accepted: 9 April 2009 | Published: 5 July 2010

Copyright: This is an open access paper. We use the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license that permits unrestricted use, provided that the paper is properly attributed.  

ISSN: 1536-2442 | Volume 10, Number 91

Cervantes Peredo L, Baez MB. 2010. Life histories of the seed bugs, Kleidocerys punctatus and Kleidocerys virescens. Journal of Insect Science 10:91, available online: insectscience.org/10.91