Urostylididae
The Urostylididae are a family of bugs ( Heteroptera) in the partial order Pentatomomorpha. The name formerly used for the family Urostylidae was corrected due to homonymy with a same family of ciliates in the grammatically correct spelling Urostylididae. After a comprehensive study of Pentatomoidea from 2008 on the basis of morphological characteristics and DNA sequences showed that the long time regarded as the second subfamily of Urostylididae group plays now as Saileriolidae family rank.
Features
The bugs are quite large and have a lot more than 5 and up to 14 mm body length. Many species look similar to the edge of bugs ( Coreidae ). The antennae are usually long. The legs are just as long. The body is elongated more in comparison to other members of the Pentatomoidea. The Trichobothria on the abdomen are located at the third to seventh sternum and are arranged in pairs and oblique.
Occurrence
The distribution of the family comprises the southern and eastern Asia, and extends north to the east of the Palearctic and the Southwest to New Guinea.
Way of life
The life of the group is so far unknown.
Taxonomy and systematics
The taxonomic position of the family was unclear for a long time. The group became the sting bugs ( Acanthosomatidae ), the fire bugs ( Pyrrhocoridae ) and stink bugs ( Pentatomidae ) counted. After a comprehensive study of Pentatomoidea from 2008 on the basis of morphological characteristics and DNA sequences showed that the long time regarded as the second subfamily of Urostylididae group plays now as Saileriolidae family rank. Thus, the family Urostylididae includes only the former of the subfamily Urostylinae attributed species. The group is the least developed group of Pentatomoidea and is available to all the other families in a sister group relationship.
The following genera are attributed to the family:
- Genus Parurochela
- Genus Tessaromerus
- Genus Urochela
- Genus Urostylis