Dipsocoromorpha

Species of the genus Cryptostemma

The Dipsocoromorpha are a partial order of the bugs ( Heteroptera). The kinship group comprises only about 200 described species worldwide.

Dissemination

The focus of the biodiversity of this partial order is in the tropics and it is assumed that many previously undiscovered species are still to be expected. Only a few representatives penetrate to temperate climates.

Characteristics and lifestyle

Among the Dipsocoromorpha to find the smallest bugs with less than 0.5 millimeters in height. You can reach a maximum of about 4 millimeters in length. There are weichhäutige, dark colored insects with hardly sclerotized, originally built forewings. Short -winged ( brachypterous ) forms predominate, long -winged ( makroptere ) individuals, mostly females, are rare. In appearance she thus hardly resemble the other species of bugs. The genitalia of the male are strongly deviating from the usual construction as well. The third and fourth generation of the sensor is thready and feathered; the first and second one is very thick.

The representatives of this group bugs lead a hidden life in the uppermost soil layers within the litter and moss in damp and shady locations. They are rarely caught, which is why their lifestyle and distribution is poorly known. They seem to be unspecialized predators all.

System

The monophyly of the seven sub- systems of the bugs was confirmed in a multigene study from the year 2012 due to the molecular phylogeny. This showed that the Dipsocoromorpha with the partial order of Gerromorpha next is related.

In Europe, 11 species have been recorded in two families:

• Partial order: Dipsocoromorpha About family: Dipsocoroidea Family: Ceratocombidae
• Family: Dipsocoridae