A new species of the web-inhabiting bug genus Heissophila Schuh (Hemiptera, Plokiophilidae) from China, with notes on host associations for the genus

A new species of web-loving bug, Heissophila sinica sp. nov . (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Plokiophilidae, Heissophilinae), is described from Fujian and Guangdong, China. The species was found inhabiting the webs of Orientothele sp. and Vacrothele sp. (Araneae, Macrothelidae). It represents the second described species of the genus Heissophila Schuh, 2006 and expands the distributional records of the genus in the Oriental region. The new species can be distinguished from its only known congener by its smaller body size, predominantly brachypterous form, veinless hemelytral membrane, and corial glands with distinct morphology restricted to the hemelytra. The generic diagnosis of Heissophila is revised, a key to species of the genus and a new distribution map are provided. Additionally, the habitat, host spiders, and biological characteristics of the new species are briefly documented.

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Publication Details

Journal
ZooKeys
Published
2026-10-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1296.200871
Primary Topic
Hemiptera Insect Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

A new species of the web-inhabiting bug genus Heissophila Schuh (Hemiptera, Plokiophilidae) from China, with notes on host associations for the genus

Wanzhi Cai, Hu Li, Haoyang Xiong, Zhuo Chen
4 links
ZooKeys
Hemiptera Insect Studies
article

A new species of the web-inhabiting bug genus Heissophila Schuh (Hemiptera, Plokiophilidae) from China, with notes on host associations for the genus

Wanzhi Cai, Hu Li, Haoyang Xiong, Zhuo Chen
article en

Abstract

A new species of web-loving bug, Heissophila sinica sp. nov . (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Plokiophilidae, Heissophilinae), is described from Fujian and Guangdong, China. The species was found inhabiting the webs of Orientothele sp. and Vacrothele sp. (Araneae, Macrothelidae). It represents the second described species of the genus Heissophila Schuh, 2006 and expands the distributional records of the genus in the Oriental region. The new species can be distinguished from its only known congener by its smaller body size, predominantly brachypterous form, veinless hemelytral membrane, and corial glands with distinct morphology restricted to the hemelytra. The generic diagnosis of Heissophila is revised, a key to species of the genus and a new distribution map are provided. Additionally, the habitat, host spiders, and biological characteristics of the new species are briefly documented.

ZooKeysVol. 1296
China Agricultural University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Agricultural University, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Southwest University, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Dali University, South China Agricultural University
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Hemiptera Insect Studies
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