Lyramorpha Diluta

''Lyramorpha'' is a genus of stink bugs in the family Tessaratomidae, subfamily Oncomerinae. It is known from Australia and New Guinea.

Description and life cycle

As oncomerine insects, life cycle of ''Lyramorpha'' consists of the three stages of ,egg, nymph and adult. Eggs are barrel-shaped and are laid in groups of 40-42. From these hatch first- instar nymphs, which are soft, semi-globular in shape and slow-moving. Intermediate stage nymphs are extremely flattened in shape, allowing them to lie flat against leaves with the vulnerable legs under the body. Nymphs also have a pair of scent glands on top of their bodies, from which they produce a pungent liquid if disturbed.

In at least two species, ''L. rosea'' and ''L. parens'', the first and second instars are chequered red and black, changing to a uniform red in later instars.

Both adults and the later instars of nymphs have a pair of points at the posterior end of the body, which can be seen in photographs.

Behaviour and diet

''Lyramorpha'' are active during the day ( diurnal) and live on plants, from which they suck the sap. The two Australian species, ''L. rosea'' and ''L. parens'', feed exclusively on plants in the family Sapindaceae.

Older nymphs of ''L. parens'' are gregarious, feeding in groups and travelling as groups to new feeding sites. While travelling, they may occur on non-host plants.

Maternal care

Females of some species in this genus are known to care for their offspring. ''Lyramorpha'' ''rosea'' broods eggs in clutches of up to 42, and there is one record of a ''L. parens'' brooding 40 eggs.

''Lyramorpha parens'' continues brooding its offspring until at least the second nymphal instar. Another ''Lyramorpha'' species'','' possibly ''L. maculifer'', has been observed brooding first-instar and second-instar nymphs.

Species

The species in genus ''Lyramorpha'' are:{{Cite web , title=Lyramorpha , url=http://www.heteroptera.fr/tessite/Lyramorpha/index.html , access-date=2022-10-26 , website=www.heteroptera.fr

* '' Lyramorpha ambigua'' Horváth, 1900
* '' Lyramorpha basalis'' Horváth, 1900
* '' Lyramorpha breddini'' Horváth, 1900
* '' Lyramorpha brongersmai'' Blöte, 1952
* '' Lyramorpha diluta'' Stål, 1863
* ''Lyramorpha edulis'' Blöte, 1952
* ''Lyramorpha horvathi'' Blöte, 1952
* ''Lyramorpha impar'' Horváth, 1900
* ''Lyramorpha maculifer'' Tryon, 1892
* ''Lyramorpha parens'' Breddin, 1900
* ''Lyramorpha perelegans'' Vollenhoven, 1868
* ''Lyramorpha persimilis'' Horváth, 1900
* ''Lyramorpha picta'' Distant, 1893
* ''Lyramorpha plagifer'' Blöte, 1952
* '' Lyramorpha rosea'' Westwood, 1837
* ''Lyramorpha soror'' Breddin, 1900
* ''Lyramorpha vollenhoveni'' Stål, 1867

References

Tessaratomidae