Anchor Stink Bug - Stiretrus anchorago

My first response to this was "I agree"

- it reminds me of the all-blue one I found in FL (below).

But after looking at the remarks on that one, I wondered if this could be Zicrona caerulea - no strong tooth on the pronotum?

On the other hand, Zicrona shouldn't be in LA if the info in my comment on this image is right:

So now I'm back to thinking this is Stiretrus again. Sorry this is not much help : )

… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 1 June, 2008 - 11:39am

I'll second that:-)

I mean the part about it being Stiretrus. You are ALWAYS of help, Hannah! Zicrona does not have the same large scutellum, or the expanded front tibiae evident on this specimen. The predatory Florida stink bug does not have the huge, rounded scutellum, either, so by process of elimination it 'has' to be Stiretrus. Outstanding images that really complement the variation already documented in the guide pages.

… Eric R. Eaton, 1 June, 2008 - 6:27pm

Hannah and Eric...

Thanks to both of you for helping out again!

… Ron M., 2 June, 2008 - 6:14am

Correction

I mistranscribed above - the tooth is on the profemora not the pronotum - which fits yours just fine. Doh!

… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 2 June, 2008 - 6:53am

Don't feel bad...

I (hangs head and whispers) had to google profemora. I knew what femora was but had no idea about the 'pro' prefix. But I did learn something. Pro, Meso, Meta! Seems easy enough for me to remember also :) (keep in mind that I have no formal training in this subject. You folks are my teachers)

… Ron M., 2 June, 2008 - 7:50am

Where did you find the definition?

We don't have it in our glossary yet, so I should add it.

… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 2 June, 2008 - 9:39am

Here is the link...

In German

-and-

Translated to English by google

… Ron M., 2 June, 2008 - 10:02am