Sciocoris (Neosciocoris) sideritidis Wollaston, 1858 is a small Stinkbug in the family Pentatomidae that is known to live on Sideritis (Ironwort) and Sempervivum (a Houseleek).
Similar species: True Bugs
By RMFelix
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Uploaded Apr 18, 2017. Captured Apr 18, 2017 16:19.
comments (8)
Since Jordi Ribes has passed away, we are unsure who to send it to, but Berend Aukema has offered to ID the specimen - he is the coordinator for the Heteroptera in Fauna Europaea, so it will be in good hands and he will be able to update FE accordingly if needed. Will send you a PM shortly ... Posted 8 years ago
To my slight surprise it's a female sideritidis!! Which shows once again that these are not species to identify easily and not at all from photos(!)
Anyway: Once again you have mapped a new species for Portugal !! :o)
It being a female doesn't make things easier (not like popping the genitals out and bingo), but the ID is based on comparison with series of specimen in collections and on the latest revision by Pericart, who also used specimen from Berend's collection (of Sciocoris canariensis) for his review. I don't have the book (yet) so I was unsure about the nitty-gritty details. Berend explains that there is some sexual dimorphism in the shape of the head, making this character harder to use, even with good photos from a constant viewing angle.
He also mentions that he has Sciocoris sideritidis from Spain in his own collection but to his knowledge it has also not officially been published from Spain yet. This makes the photos on biodiversidadvirtual identified as sideritidis slightly more likely, but fact remains that those "IDs" from photo are very iffy at best.
Congratulations on your first record! (and thanks for sending in the specimen!)
Cheers, Arp Posted 8 years ago, modified 8 years ago