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.
Authors
- Wanzhi Cai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8620-0446)
- Hu Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8590-1753)
- Haoyang Xiong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1086-5115)
- Zhuo Chen
Institutions
- China Agricultural University (CN)
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
Funders
- 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