Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Stenolemus Signoret, 1858
Numbers
Nearctica.com and Arnett
(2) list four species for North America.
Identification
Key to three Florida species, modified slightly from Bierle, et al., (2002):
1. Processes of
scutellum and
metanotum distinctly thickened apically, with very dense, long
pilosity; projections of hind lobe large, rounded-truncate apically; color of hind lobe light brown, without spots, but without veinlet-like lines-->
Stenolemus spiniventris Signoret
(Not as above--see below)
2.
Prothorax deeply constricted, not
pedunculate; spines of front
femora very short, the basal one directly straight downward;
mesonotal and
metanotal spines stout, the former strongly inclined backwards -->
Stenolemus longicornis Blatchey
2a. Prothorax strongly pedunculate, the cylindrical peduncle as long as front lobe; spines of front femora longer and more slender, nearly as long as the
tibial diameter, the basal one inclined backwards meso and metanotal spines slender, both suberect-->
Stenolemus lanipes Wygodzinsky
Range
Species
lanipes is widespread in the Southeast, other species in South, West
(3).
Food
Members of this genus prey on spiders, including web-building spiders (Internet searches, comments on BugGuide images). Stenolemus species are reported to hunt by two means: stalking, or plucking the web of a spider in imitation of trapped prey, bringing the spider closer (Internet searches).
Print References
Arnett, p. 265, lists number of species
(2)
Borror, entries for
sten -o,
lemo (1)
Slater pp. 133-134--key, description of
Stenolemus lanipes (3)Internet References
North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists only
lanipes, with 38 pinned, including specimens from that state
Bierle, et al., 2002. A Literature-based Key to Reduviidae (Heteroptera) of Florida (
PDF) gives a key to three Florida species
Contributed by
Eric R. Eaton on 12 December, 2005 - 5:01pm
Additional contributions by
cotinisLast updated 19 August, 2009 - 9:36pm
