Rhacognathus americanus
Rhacognathus americanus is a species of predatory stink bug in the subfamily Asopinae first described by Carl Stål in 1870. It is native to North America, but may be extinct.[1][2][3][4]
| Rhacognathus americanus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Heteroptera |
| Family: | Pentatomidae |
| Genus: | Rhacognathus |
| Species: | R. americanus |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhacognathus americanus Stål, 1870 | |
Description and biology
The adults are large (9–11 mm) predaceous stinkbugs, usually dark brown black mottled with dull yellow. Historically it has been rarely encountered, therefore nothing about its life history is known.[4][5]
Distribution and current status
There were less than 40 verifiable sightings of this species in the 20th century, mostly in the Great Lakes region and the Prairies. No individual has been collected or seen since 1966, despite the increased use of citizen science projects such as iNaturalist and recent stinkbug monitoring projects (largely to target the brown marmorated stink bug). The species is likely extirpated from Ontario, and may even be extinct.[4]
References
- "Rhacognathus americanus report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- "Rhacognathus americanus". GBIF. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- "Rhacognathus americanus species information". BugGuide. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- Paiero, Steve (31 October 2019). "Does it make scents? Making a case for the extirpation, and possibly extinction, of the native stink bug Rhacognathus americanus (Pentatomidae: Asopinae)". The Journal of the Entomological Society of Ontario. 150: 37–45. ISSN 1713-7845. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
- Brunet, B. (2008). "Species Details: Rhacognathus americanus". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved December 30, 2020.