Oncacontias: Difference between revisions – Wikipedia

== Taxonomy ==

== Taxonomy ==

”Oncacontias vittatus” was first described in [[Taxonomy|taxonomic]] literature in 1781 by Danish zoologist [[Johan Christian Fabricius]] as ”Cimex vittatus”.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fabricius |first=Johann Christian |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25551196 |title=Species insectorum, exhibentes eorum differentias specificas, synonyma auctorum, loca natalia, metamorphosin, adjectis observationibus, descriptionibus |last2=Fabricius |first2=Johann Christian |date=1781 |publisher=impensis C. E. Bohnii |location=Hamburgi et Kilonii |page=349 |doi=10.5962/bhl.title.36509}}</ref> In 1851, ”C. vittatus” was moved to the ”Acanthosoma” genus and was renamed as ”Acanthosoma vittatum”.<ref>{{Cite book |last=British Museum (Natural History). |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/18106535 |title=List of the specimens of hemipterous insects in the collection of the British Museum |last2=History) |first2=British Museum (Natural |last3=Dallas |first3=W. S. |last4=Gray |first4=John Edward |date=1851 |publisher=Printed by order of the Trustees |location=London |page=307 |doi=10.5962/bhl.title.20373}}</ref> Later in 1878, ”A. vittatum” was moved to the ”Anubis” genus and was renamed as ”Anubis vittatus”.<ref>White, F. B. 1878a–1879a: List of the Hemiptera of New Zealand. ”Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 14” (1878)</ref> In 1903, the genus ”Oncacontias” was described for the first time by German entomologist [[Gustav Breddin]] and the species was described as ”Oncacontias brunneipennis”, independent of previous descriptions.<ref>Breddin, G. 1903: Ueber Missdeutete und neue HemipterenArten der indoaustralischen Fauna. 1. Der Catacanthus incarnatus der Autoren. 2. Die javanischen Acanthos-ominen und verwandte Formen. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin (5): 195–223</ref> Finally in 1906, ”Anubis vittatus” was moved into the ”Oncacontias” genus and ”O. brunneipennis” was recognized as a [[Synonym (taxonomy)|synonym]] of ”O. vittatus”.<ref>Kirkaldy, G. W. 1906c: Notes on the Hemiptera of the “Index faunae novae-zealandiae”. ”Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 38”: 61–62.</ref> The species has most recently been revised in 1995, in which the species was given updated descriptions.<ref name=”:0″ /> ”O. vittatus” is still the only species in the genus, making it a [[Monotypic taxon|monotypic genus]].<ref name=”:1″ /> The lectotype, a specimen chosen to serve as the [[Type (biology)|type]] [[Type (biology)|specimen]] when the original describer didn’t give one, is stored in the [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum of London]].<ref name=”:0″ />

”Oncacontias vittatus” was first described in [[Taxonomy|taxonomic]] literature in 1781 by Danish zoologist [[Johan Christian Fabricius]] as ”Cimex vittatus”.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fabricius |first=Johann Christian |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25551196 |title=Species insectorum, exhibentes eorum differentias specificas, synonyma auctorum, loca natalia, metamorphosin, adjectis observationibus, descriptionibus |last2=Fabricius |first2=Johann Christian |date=1781 |publisher=impensis C. E. Bohnii |location=Hamburgi et Kilonii |page=349 |doi=10.5962/bhl.title.36509}}</ref> In 1851, ”C. vittatus” was moved to the ”Acanthosoma” genus and was renamed as ”Acanthosoma vittatum”.<ref>{{Cite book |last=British Museum (Natural History). |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/18106535 |title=List of the specimens of hemipterous insects in the collection of the British Museum |last2=History) |first2=British Museum (Natural |last3=Dallas |first3=W. S. |last4=Gray |first4=John Edward |date=1851 |publisher=Printed by order of the Trustees |location=London |page=307 |doi=10.5962/bhl.title.20373}}</ref> Later in 1878, ”A. vittatum” was moved to the ”Anubis” genus and was renamed as ”Anubis vittatus”.<ref>White, F. B. 1878a–1879a: List of the Hemiptera of New Zealand. ”Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 14” (1878)</ref> In 1903, the genus ”Oncacontias” was described for the first time by German entomologist [[Gustav Breddin]] and the species was described as ”Oncacontias brunneipennis”, independent of previous descriptions.<ref>Breddin, G. 1903: Ueber Missdeutete und neue HemipterenArten der indoaustralischen Fauna. 1. Der Catacanthus incarnatus der Autoren. 2. Die javanischen Acanthos-ominen und verwandte Formen. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin (5): 195–223</ref> Finally in 1906, ”Anubis vittatus” was moved into the ”Oncacontias” genus and ”O. brunneipennis” was recognized as a [[Synonym (taxonomy)|synonym]] of ”O. vittatus”.<ref>Kirkaldy, G. W. 1906c: Notes on the Hemiptera of the “Index faunae novae-zealandiae”. ”Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 38”: 61–62.</ref> The species has most recently been revised in 1995, in which the species was given updated descriptions.<ref name=”:0″ /> ”O. vittatus” is still the only species in the genus, making it a [[Monotypic taxon|monotypic genus]].<ref name=”:1″ /> The lectotype, a specimen chosen to serve as the [[Type (biology)|type]] [[Type (biology)|specimen]] when the original describer didn’t give one, is stored in the [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum of London]].<ref name=”:0″ />

== Description ==

== Description ==

== Distribution and habitat ==

== Distribution and habitat ==

”O. vittatus” are can only be found in New Zealand where they are widespread, being found on the [[North Island]], [[South Island]] and [[Stewart Island]]. They can be found from lowland to alpine altitudes. Although they are usually regarded as native forest dwellers, they can also be found in a variety of habitat types such as exotic forest, tussock, swamps, subalpine scrub and riverbanks.<ref name=”:0″ /><ref name=”:2″ /> They have been commonly found on plant species such as [[Tree fern|tree ferns]], ”[[Coriaria arborea]]” and ”[[Nothofagus]],” but have also been recorded from numerous other species”.” They are collected in leaf litter, moss, under logs and the base of plants. Often they will be encountered basking in the sun in human modified habitat on walls and fences.<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite journal |last=Larivière |first=Marie-Claude |date=1995 |title=Cydnidae, Acanthosomatidae, and Pentatomidae (Insecta: Heteroptera): systematics, geographical distribution, and bioecology |url=https://www.biotaxa.org/fnz/article/view/fnz.35 |journal=Fauna of New Zealand |language=en |volume=35 |doi=10.7931/J2/FNZ.35 |issn=1179-7193}}</ref>

”O. vittatus” are can only be found in New Zealand where they are widespread, being found on the [[North Island]], [[South Island]] and [[Stewart Island]]. They can be found from lowland to alpine altitudes. Although they are usually regarded as native forest dwellers, they can also be found in a variety of habitat types such as exotic forest, tussock, swamps, subalpine scrub and riverbanks.<ref name=”:0″ /><ref name=”:2″ /> They have been commonly found on plant species such as [[Tree fern|tree ferns]], ”[[Coriaria arborea]]” and ”[[Nothofagus]],” but have also been recorded from numerous other species”.” They are collected in leaf litter, moss, under logs and the base of plants. Often they will be encountered basking in the sun in human modified habitat on walls and fences.<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite journal |last=Larivière |first=Marie-Claude |date=1995 |title=Cydnidae, Acanthosomatidae, and Pentatomidae (Insecta: Heteroptera): systematics, geographical distribution, and bioecology |url=https://www.biotaxa.org/fnz/article/view/fnz.35 |journal=Fauna of New Zealand |language=en |volume=35 |doi=10.7931/J2/FNZ.35 |issn=1179-7193}}</ref>

== Life history ==

== Life history ==

There are five [[Instar|instars]], or phases between moults, to pass through before becoming an adult. They occur throughout the year with adults being present from October to January.<ref name=”:0″ />

There are five [[Instar|instars]], or phases between moults, to pass through before becoming an adult. They occur throughout the year with adults being present from October to January.<ref name=”:0″ />

== Predators and parasites ==

== Predators and parasites ==

Species of true bug

Oncacontias vittatus, also known as the forest shield bug, are a species of shield bug only found in New Zealand. Forest shield bug nymphs prefer feeding on grasses, while adults will eat a variety of New Zealand plants including “hard-leaved” plants like rimu. O. vittatus was one of the first insects from New Zealand to be described by a European scientist.

Oncacontias vittatus was first described in taxonomic literature in 1781 by Danish zoologist Johan Christian Fabricius as Cimex vittatus.^[1] In 1851, C. vittatus was moved to the Acanthosoma genus and was renamed as Acanthosoma vittatum.^[2] Later in 1878, A. vittatum was moved to the Anubis genus and was renamed as Anubis vittatus.^[3] In 1903, the genus Oncacontias was described for the first time by German entomologist Gustav Breddin and the species was described as Oncacontias brunneipennis, independent of previous descriptions.^[4] Finally in 1906, Anubis vittatus was moved into the Oncacontias genus and O. brunneipennis was recognized as a synonym of O. vittatus.^[5] The species has most recently been revised in 1995, in which the species was given updated descriptions.^[6] O. vittatus is still the only species in the genus, making it a monotypic genus.^[7] The lectotype, a specimen chosen to serve as the type specimen when the original describer didn’t give one, is stored in the Natural History Museum of London.^[6]

As adults the males are 8.70-10.44 mm in length whereas females are 10.33-11.74 mm. Their bodies base colour is yellowish to greenish. Throughout their length, the antennae are uniformly brown. The first section of the thorax, termed the pronotum, is creamy to yellowish along its margins. After this segment is the scutellum, a large triangular plate, which is brownish and transitions to creamy towards its rear. The legs are smooth and greenish. Covering the abdomen is the elytra, which is a hardened forewing. This is brownish with creamy markings on the margins and has a translucent membrane at its tip. The adults are fully winged and are able to fly when needed.^[6]

During their final stage before maturing into adults, juveniles are 7.14-7.44 mm in length. The head is coloured yellowish or greenish on the upper surface and yellowish or greenish on the lower surface. The antennae are yellowish to reddish-orange, with the third and fourth segments being pale at their bases. Like the head, the thorax is coloured yellowish to greenish. There are also shallow puncture marks scattered throughout the thorax and the outer edges of the pronotum are brownish. The legs are yellowish to greenish, with their tips sometimes being darkened. The tergites (segments) of the abdomen are yellowish to greenish, with tergite three having two brownish plates, tergites four and five with brownish plates in the middle. Across these plates there is a red “v” marking.^[6]

The eggs are pale green in colour. They are somewhat spherical with rounded ends and are about 1.1 mm in length. They stick to surfaces by some form of adhesive.^[8]

O. vittatus are can only be found in New Zealand where they are widespread, being found on the North Island, South Island and Stewart Island. They can be found from lowland to alpine altitudes. Although they are usually regarded as native forest dwellers, they can also be found in a variety of habitat types such as exotic forest, tussock, swamps, subalpine scrub and riverbanks.^[6][8] They have been commonly found on plant species such as tree ferns, Coriaria arborea and Nothofagus, but have also been recorded from numerous other species. They are collected in leaf litter, moss, under logs and the base of plants. Often they will be encountered basking in the sun in human modified habitat on walls and fences.^[6]

There are five instars, or phases between moults, to pass through before becoming an adult. They occur throughout the year with adults being present from October to January.^[6]

Like most shield bugs, O. vittatus are herbivores that feed on the sap of plants. Their hosts plants are known to include Coriaria arborea and potentially Fuchsia excorticata, Melicytus ramiflorus, Nothofagus, and Olearia.^[7] As nymphs they have a more restricted diet being found on grasses, typically being associated with plants such as Chionochloa conspicua and Fuchsia excorticata.^[6]

They are reported to be unpalatable to spiders, with individuals being found in webs but not eaten.^[8] The eggs are known to be parasitised by Trissolcus maori, a species of Scelionidae wasp. The wasps lay their eggs inside the eggs of O. vittatus, which then mature into adults.^[9]