Pentatomomorpha

Taxobox
name = Pentatomomorpha

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image_width = 240px
image_caption = Box Elder Bug, "Boisea trivittata" (Rhopalidae)
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
subphylum = Hexapoda
classis = Insecta
subclassis = Pterygota
infraclassis = Neoptera
superordo = Exopterygota

ordo = Hemiptera
subordo = Heteroptera
infraordo = Pentatomomorpha
infraordo_authority =
subdivision_ranks = Superfamilies
subdivision = 5-7, see text

Pentatomomorpha is an infraorder of insects in the true bug order (Hemiptera). It unites such animals as the plant bugs (Miridae), stink bugs (Pentatomidae), flat bugs (Aradidae), seed bugs (Lygaeidae and Rhyparochromidae), etc. They are closely related to the Cimicomorpha [ToL (2005)] .

ystematics

5 superfamilies are usually placed in the Pentatomomorpha. The Aradoidea represent the most basal extant lineage, while the others, often united as clade Trichophora, are more modern:ToL (1995)]
* Aradoidea
* Pentatomoidea
* Coreoidea
* Lygaeoidea
* Pyrrhocoroidea

Among these, the Pentatomoidea seem to represent a by and large monophyletic lineage as traditionally understood, while the other three form a close-knit group and are in serious need of redelimitation. The Idiostolidae are sometimes placed in the Lygaeoidea, sometimes in a distinct monotypic superfamily Idiostoloidea for example.

The Piesmatidae, usually placed in the Lygaeoidea also, are better considered "incertae sedis" pending a more thorough analysis, as the most ancient member of that family is strikingly similar to some prehistoric Aradoidea; until their relationships are cleared up the recognition of another monotypic superfamily Piesmatoidea is probably somewhat premature but may eventually turn out to be the most warranted approach. [Grimaldi & Engel (2007)]

Footnotes

References

* (2007): An Unusual, Primitive Piesmatidae (Insecta: Heteroptera) in Cretaceous Amber from Myanmar (Burma). "American Museum Novitates" 3611: 1-17. DOI:10.1206/0003-0082(2008)3611 [1:AUPPIH] 2.0.CO;2 [http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/bitstream/2246/5909/1/N3611.pdf PDF fulltext]
* (1995): [http://tolweb.org/Pentatomomorpha/10818/1995.01.01 Pentatomomorpha. Flat bugs, stink bugs, seed bugs, leaf-footed bugs, scentless plant bugs, etc.] . Version of 1995-JAN-01. Retrieved 2008-JUL-28.
* (2005): [http://tolweb.org/Heteroptera/10805/2005.01.01 Heteroptera. True bugs] . Version of 2005-JAN-01. Retrieved 2008-JUL-28.