Rhynocoris tristis is a species of assassin bug family (Reduviidae), in the subfamily Harpactorinae. R. tristis is a polyphagous predator found in sub-Saharan Africa.[1]
Rhynocoris tristis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hemiptera |
Suborder: | Heteroptera |
Family: | Reduviidae |
Genus: | Rhynocoris |
Species: | R. tristis
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Binomial name | |
Rhynocoris tristis (Stål, 1855)
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Life History
editR. tristis is associated with Stylosanthes guinaensis, and this association is thought to be due to the prey species attracted by flowers of S. guinaensis.[2] R. tristis is unusual in the insect world in that males provide paternal care by guarding egg masses[3] from parasitic wasps and insect predators.[1] Males will also cannibalize some of the eggs that they guard.[4] R. tristis prefers to lay its eggs on the stems of plants, in contrast to most members of the harpactorinae, which prefer to lay them on the undersides of leaves.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Lisa K. Thomas & Andrea Manica (2005). "Intrasexual competition and mate choice in assassin bugs with uniparental male and female care" (PDF). Animal Behaviour. 69: 275–281. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-03. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
- ^ Thomas, L. K. & Manica, A. (2003). "Filial cannibalism in an assassin bug". Animal Behaviour. 66: 205–210.
- ^ Christy A. Beal & Douglas W. Tallamy (2006). "A new record of amphisexual care in an insect with exclusive paternal care: Rhynocoris tristis (Heteroptera: Reduviidae)". Journal of Ethology. 24 (3): 305–307. doi:10.1007/s10164-005-0190-2.
- ^ Thomas, L. K. (1994). The evolution of parental care in assassin bugs (Ph.D. thesis). University of Cambridge.