Description of a new shieldbug (Heteroptera: Plataspidae) and its close association with a species of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Trophobiotic mutualism between a new plataspid shieldbug (Tetrisia vacca Webb sp. n.) and an ant species of the genus Technomyrmex was found on Macaranga gigantea Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia. The ants feed on faeces of high sugar content voided by larval and adult bugs. In return, the ants provide the bugs with shelters and show protective and cleaning behaviour towards their partners. The observations are compared with those found in other ant-bug relationships and morphological and behavioural adaptations are discussed. The genus Dolichisme Kirkaldy, is found to be an unnecessary replacement name for Tetrisia Walker (1867a). Notes are given on the type species of Tetrisia (T. bruchoides Walker) together with a description of the new species.