Nymphal development and diagnostics, and biology of three European Ceratocombidae and Dipsocoridae species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Dipsocoromorpha)

Abstract

The nymphs of three species of Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Dipsocoromorpha, Ceratocombus (Ceratocombus) coleoptratus (Zetterstedt), Ceratocombus (Xylonannus) brevipennis Poppius (Ceratocombidae) and Pachycoleus pusillimus (J. Sahlberg) (Dipsocoridae) are described and illustrated. Keys to species and to nymphal instars are provided. Ontogeny of several morphological features, life cycle, habitats and food habits are discussed. The pattern of dorsal abdominal scent glands in C. brevipennis nymphs, their persistence in adults of both Ceratocombus species and the occurrence of fifth dorsal abdominal scent gland in the 5th nymphal instar of P. pusillimus are reported for the first time.