Diagnosis and Specialized Morphology
Species of Bactrodinae are characterized by:
- a ventral spine on the fore trochanters
- tarsal segment 3 swollen on middle leg and with a short stout spine near the middle of ventral surface
- forewing membrane with one closed cells
- pretarsal claws asymmetrical
- bifurcated median process of the pygophore
Taxonomic History
This monogeneric subfamily is currently comprised of 5 Neotropical species (Coscaron & Melo 2003). It was first described as a subfamily by Stal in 1862. Davis (1969) treated Bactrodinae as sister group to a paraphyletic Harpactorinae, but the group has recently been shown to render Harpactorinae paraphyletic (Zhang et al., 2015). The classification of the “harpactoroid complex” (sensu Davis) is in need of revision. McAtee & Malloch (1923) and Coscaron & Melo (2003) have provided keys for the subfamily.
Natural History/Biology
Our lab and collaborators have gathered some life history data for Bactrodinae. The resulting publication is here.
References
Coscaron, M.C., Melo, M.C. 2003. Revision of the subfamily Bactrodinae (Heteroptera, Reduviidae), with a phylogenetic analysis of Bactrodes. Zootaxa 304: 1-15.
Davis, N.T. 1969. Contribution to the morphology and phylogeny of the Reduvioidea. Part IV. The harpactoroid complex. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 62: 74-94.
McAtee, W.L., Malloch, J.R. 1923. Notes on American Bactrodinae and Saicinae (Heteroptera: Reduviidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 16: 247-254, pl. 16.
Weirauch, C., Zhang, G., Forero, D., Berenger, J.-M. 2021. Living on a sticky trap: natural history and morphology of Bactrodes assassin bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Bactrodinae). J. Nat. Hist. 55: 341-363.