Hypsithocus hudsonae
Dorsal view
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Pentatomidae
Genus: Hypsithocus
Species:
H. hudsonae
Binomial name
Hypsithocus hudsonae
Bergroth, 1927

Hypsithocus hudsonae, sometimes called the alpine shield bug[1] or black alpine shield bug, is a species of flightless shield bug endemic to New Zealand.[2] Few specimens have ever been collected and these have come from a relatively narrow geographical range. The New Zealand Department of Conservation classifies this species as 'At Risk,' with qualifiers 'data poor' and 'range restricted.'[3]

Description

H. hudsonae are dark brown shield bugs, 7–9 mm in length. Their bodies are oval shaped and flattened.[4] Nymphs appear similar to adults except the margins of their bodies are pale brown.[5] It is the only flightless New Zealand shield bug.[1]

Life history

As with many species of Pentatomidae, H. hudsonae nymphs hatch from eggs and pass through five instars before reaching adulthood.[1]

Ecology

Specimens have only ever been collected from a small number of mountain sites in Central Otago 1200–1700 m above sea level.[4] Their limited range may be explained by a lack of dispersal ability, as adults are flightless.[1] The species is herbivorous, and has been collected from Veronica odora, so may feed on that species.[4] Mating is likely to occur in summer and the species probably only has a single brood each year.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Martin, Nicholas A. "Factsheet: Alpine shield bug - Hypsithocus hudsonae". nzacfactsheets.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
  2. ↑ Larivière, Marie-Claude; Larochelle, André (2004). Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera): catalogue. Lincoln, N.Z.: Manaaki Whenua Press, Landcare Research. ISBN 978-0478093582. OCLC 56351081.
  3. ↑ Stringer, I.A.N.; Hitchmough, R. A.; Larivière, M.-C.; Eyles, A. C.; Teulon, D.A.J.; Dale, P. J.; Henderson, R. C. (2012). "The conservation status of New Zealand Hemiptera". New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (2): 110–115. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686314. ISSN 0077-9962.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Lariviere, Marie-Claude (1995). Cydnidae, Acanthosomatidae, and Pentatomidae (Insecta: Heteroptera): systematics, geographical distribution, and bioecology. Lincoln, New Zealand: Manaaki Whenua Press. ISBN 978-0478093018. OCLC 34575913.
  5. ↑ "Hypsithocus hudsonae (Black alpine shield bug)". Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
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