''Cyptocephala alvarengai'' is a species of
stink bug from South America.
Description
''Cyptocephala alvarengai'' is a stink bug species discovered in Brazil. Adults are small (5.2–8.3 mm) and range in color from light brown to green.
''C. alvarengai'' is found in dry habitats in northern and central South America, with no overlap with related species. It was described by Rolston (1986) based on multiple specimens, with the holotype stored at the Museu Nacional (UFRJ) in Brazil.
Distribution
Brazil; Ceará, Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Pernambuco.
Research
In 2012, adults were observed feeding on rice panicles at an experimental farm in
Goiás
Goiás () is a Brazilian States of Brazil, state located in the Central-West Region, Brazil, Central-West region. Goiás borders the Federal District (Brazil), Federal District and the states of (from north clockwise) Tocantins, Bahia, Minas Ge ...
. Specimens were identified at the
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (, UFRGS) is a Brazilian public federal research university based in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. UFRGS is among the largest and highest-rated universities in Brazil, having one of the largest nu ...
, where voucher samples are stored. A research colony was later established from individuals collected in 2013 to study the species' biology and potential pest management strategies.
In 2013, ''Cyptocephala alvarengai'' egg masses were collected from rice panicles and observed in a laboratory in
São José dos Pinhais
São José dos Pinhais () is a municipality in the state of Paraná in Brazil. It is a part of the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba.
Etymology
With geographical and religious origins the city's name is a homage to São José (Saint Joseph) and ...
to study their development. After hatching, nymphs remained near their eggshells until they reached the second stage, when they started feeding. Groups of nymphs were placed on rice panicles in cages and monitored daily until they became adults. Survival rates, development time, and sex ratios were recorded. Eggs were barrel-shaped and laid in double rows on leaves, spikelets, and cage walls. The development from egg to adult took about 33 days, with the highest mortality occurring in the egg and early nymph stages. About 45% of nymphs reached adulthood, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1. Adults lived 16 to 46 days and began mating 48–72 hours after emergence. Females laid eggs on panicles and cage walls, with fertility declining as they aged. This study provides insight into the ''C. alvarengai'' life cycle, which could aid future pest management efforts.
There is no known information on the host plants, biology, natural enemies, or economic impact of ''Cyptocephala alvarengai''. However, its feeding behavior and developmental traits resemble other stink bugs that damage rice panicles. If populations increase, ''C. alvarengai'' could become a significant pest for rice crops in Brazil, potentially causing economic losses. Its similarities to other rice-feeding stink bugs suggest it may pose a future threat to rice production.
In 2017, Barrigossi et al. recorded ''C. alvarengai'' complete life cycle in rice (''
Oryza sativa
''Oryza sativa'', having the common name Asian cultivated rice, is the much more common of the two rice species cultivated as a cereal, the other species being ''Oryza glaberrima, O. glaberrima'', African rice. It was History of rice cultivation ...
'',
Poaceae
Poaceae ( ), also called Gramineae ( ), is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos, the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivate ...
).
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q132731484
Insects described in 1986
Pentatomini
Hemiptera of South America