Diagnosis and Specialized Morphology
Species of Physoderinae are characterized by:
- tuberculate body with spatulate setae
- elongate head with small compound eyes that are far from the anterior margin of the pronotum
- labial segment 3 very long and straight
- forewing membrane with 2 cells
- absence of fossula spongiosa
Taxonomic History
The subfamily status of Epiroderinae was established by Miller (1954).
Natural History/Biology
About 38 species (12 genera) have been described, most of which occur in the Indo-west Pacific area (Schuh & Slater 1995); the species Cryptophysoderes fairchildi Wygodzinsky & Maldonado has been described from Panama. Specimens of the subfamily have been found in caves, hollow trees, vegetable debris, and at the bases of banana and Pandanus leaves (Schuh & Slater 1995).
Check out revisions of Epiroderinae and Physoderes here!
References
Miller, N.C.E. 1954. New genera and species of Reduviidae from Indonesia and the description of a new subfamily (Hemiptera-Heteroptera). Tijdschr. Entomol. 97: 76-114.
Schuh, R.T., Slater, J.A. 1995. True Bugs of the World (Hemiptera: Heteroptera): Classification and Natural History. Comstock Pub. Associates, Ithaca. 336 pp.