Illustrated description and notes on biology of Dicranocephalus lateralis (Signoret) (Coreoidea: Stenocephalidae) from Maharashtra State, India

Abstract

Dicranocephalus lateralis (Signoret), 1879, a bug from the family Stenocephalidae, is briefly redescribed with colour and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) illustrations of general morphology, including details of male and female genitalia, metathoracic scent gland (MTG), exoskeletal male abdominal glands, eggs and nymphal stages. The status of other species of this genus in India is also discussed. This will be the first well-illustrated account of the morphology and life cycle of this bug from India.

Keywords

• dicranocephalus
• egg structure
• genitalia
• heteroptera
• nymphs
• stenocephalidae.