Homaemus aeneifrons (Say)

Weiler, L., Barão, K. R., Cassis, G. & Grazia, J., 2016, Morphology of the external scent efferent system of Neotropical shield bugs (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae: Pachycorinae), Zoomorphology 136, pp. 1-16 : 9

Homaemus aeneifrons (Say)

Ostiole closer to metacoxal cavity than to lateral margin of metapleuron ( Fig. 13a ); ostiole elliptic, oriented ventrally, not visible in lateral view; lateral and posterior margins of ostiolar plate leveled with remaining of metapleuron; peritreme groove-shaped, golf-club-like, directed laterally and apically curved anteriorly, parallel to surrounding pleuron ( Fig. 13b ), median furrow well developed; peritremal surface smooth with spike-like microsculptures along the median furrow ( Fig. 13c ). Evaporatorium well developed on meso- and metapleuron; on metapleuron, evaporatorium completely covering ostiolar plate and tapered toward coxal cavities, outer margin of metapleural evaporatorium convex; on mesopleuron, reduced on mesepimeron; evaporatorium punctate ( Fig. 13d ); mushroom bodies irregular, alveoli with few trabeculae. Metathoracicspiracle narrow; processes of the filter system of irregular diameter, some bifurcate apically, processes spiny ( Fig. 13e ).

Schaefer (1972) reports that Homaemus aeneifrons has a large evaporatorium and a poorly developed peritreme. However, we conclude that his observations are based on misidentified specimens, as all Homaemus species have a well-developed clavate peritremal groove.

Figures

Fig. 13 External scent efferent system of Homaemus aeneifrons. a Meso- and metapleuron. b Peritreme. c Peritremal surface. d Detail of evaporatorium. e Spiracular filter system. Bars a 500 µm; b 200 µm; c–e 10 µm