• Index No.

    Asopinae

    This is the only subfamily of Pentatomidae, comprises exclusively of predatory bugs unlike the phytophagous habit found in remaining subfamilies. They are characterized by a crassate labium, which is not adpressed to thorax unlike other Pentatomids. The first segment of labium is free with its base embedded in between the bucculae. They are distributed all over the world. Approximately 30 species of Asopinae belonging to 17 genera are reported from India (Salini, 2019b). They usually feed on several soft bodied arthropods, mainly larvae of Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera (Lefroy and Howlett 1909; Fletcher 1914; Kalshoven 1981; Schuh and Slater 1995; De Clercq 2000), sometimes they even suck the body fluid of adult Coleoptera (Eg: Zicrona caerulea (Linnaeus) on leaf beetle, Altica spp.). Many of them are brilliantly coloured like Amyotea malabarica (Fabricius), Z. caerulea, Blachia ducalis Walker etc. and a few of them are armed with spines on femora or tibiae like Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff), Cazira spp. etc.

    Pentatominae

    This is the largest and one of the most diverse subfamilies of Pentatomidae with 660 genera and 3484 species reported from across the world (Rider et al., 2018). In India, it is represented by nearly 300 species belonging to 120 genera (Salini, 2019b). They are variable in most of their external morphological characters and colouration. Antennae usually five segmented (except the four segmented antennae in Degonetus Distant and Phricodus Spinola); tarsi usually three segmented (except in Rolstoniellus Rider, where it is two segmented). The humeri variable, rounded, prominent spine-like, subprominent/subacute or broad lobe-like. Scutellum mostly subtriangular, rarely U-shaped and or reaches upto apex of abdomen. They are phytophagous and many species infest economically important crop plants. A few species like Udonga montana (Distant), Catacanthus incarnatus (Drury) and Agnoscelis nubilis (Fabricius) are known for their mass emergence behaviour, leading to public nuisance. A few species like Udonga montana are ingredients of famous delicacies among tribal communities especially in North eastern region of India. The invasive alien species, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) is a member of this subfamily, though not yet recorded from India.

    Phyllocephalinae

    This is a small group of medium to large sized bugs, usually brownish or ochraceous coloured with labium does not extend beyond posterior margin of forecoxae. Though 45 genera and 214 species are known from the world (Rider et al., 2018), only 27 species in 13 genera are known from India (Salini, 2019b). Most of them are elongate or with parallel sided body. Head elongate; madibular plates usually acuminate apically and longer than clypeus, sometimes meeting in front of clypeus. Humeri rounded or extensively produced anteriorly and upwardly. They are phytophagous with species like Tetroda histeroides (Fabricius) is reported as pests of rice. A few species like Gonopsis spp. were found to be associated with roots of graminaceous plants.

    Podopinae

    Podopinae are usually dark brown to black bugs with well developed antenniferous tubercles, usually visible from above. Anterolateral angles usually with well developed denticle; humeri usually rounded, sometimes with spines; scutellum usually enlarged and extends to apex of abdomen; trichobothria paired. The notorious rice pest, "Rice black bugs" belong to this subfamily. They are all phytophagous and usually attracted light. There are about 269 species in 68 genera are reported from world (Rider et al., 2018). This group is poorly represented in India with nearly 30 species belonging to 10 genera (Salini, 2019b). The Brachycerocoris petrii Salini & Roca-Cusachs, berry feeder of the medicinal plant, Vitex spp. belong to this subfamily. This species is characterized by the prominent hump-like tubercle on dorsum of scutellum and possess exceptional external morphological characters unlike other members of this subfamily.