Spathocera lobata is a species of squashbug in the family Coreidae, tribe Coreini.[1]

Spathocera lobata
Spathocera lobata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Coreidae
Subfamily: Coreinae
Tribe: Coreini
Genus: Spathocera
Species:
S. lobata
Binomial name
Spathocera lobata
Synonyms
  • Pseudophloeus lobata Herrich-Schäffer, 1840

Distribution edit

This species is present in most of Europe (Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, North Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, European Russia, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine and Yugoslavia),[2] in the Near East (including Cyprus,), Transcaucasia, Central Asia and Russia (East Siberia). [3]

Description edit

Spathocera lobata can reach a body length of about 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in).[4] These squashbugs are characterised by a rather long (much longer than wide), pale-sided pronotum. On the front of the pronotum there are six spines arranged in two transverse rows. The submedian carinae of the pronotum does not reach its base. The scutellum shows a black marking. The antennae are composed of three segments with a dilated black apex. The first segment of antennae is shorter than second. [5]

Biology edit

This species may have two generations per year (bivoltine). Adults can be found from April to mid June and from mid July to September.[6] They mainly feed on Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) and Russian dock (Rumex confertus), but also on Salvia species and Thymus species. [4][7]

References edit

  • Norbiato M., Dioli P. & Cianferoni F. - Annotated checklist of the Hemiptera Heteroptera of the Site of Community Importance and Special Area of Conservation “Alpi Marittime” (NW Italy), in Zoosystema 41 (15): 269-31