LEGNOTUS LIMBOSUS (GEOFFROY, 1785) (HEMIPTERA: HETEROPTERA:CYDNIDAE) — NEW SPECIES FOR THE FAUNA OF BELARUS

Abstract

The family of burrower bugs (Cydnidae) is one of the most diverse in species composition among all families, after
Pentatomidae, in the superfamily Pentatomoidea. In the world fauna there are 90 modern genera and about 700 species
of burrower bugs. In Belarus, the family Cydnidae has so far been represented by 6 genera and 8 species. True bugs
belonging to this family are typical geo-herpetobionts, they live in the upper soil layer and under plant residues, feed
mainly on the juice of the roots and basal parts of plants. Among the representatives of the family, some species have
been indicated as pests of agricultural crops. The genus Legnotus Schiødte includes 4 Palearctic species, among which,
until now, only 1 species from this genus has been represented in Belarus (Legnotus picipes (Fallen, 1807)). In 2022, in
the Pinsk district of Brest region, the species Legnotus limbosus (Geoffroy, 1785) (Fringed Legnotus) was found for the
first time for the fauna of Belarus. All specimens were caught during May and June, which corresponds to the period of
the beginning of the development of this species. Eleven samples of L. limbosus were recorded, all adults. All specimens
were found in mossy pine forests of different age classes. Legnotus limbosus is trophically related to plants of the genus
Galium L. These findings are probably related to the recent trend of penetration of heat-loving species into the territory of
Belarus. The main morphological features of the species are considered, including those of the greatest diagnostic value,
among which are structural features of the male reproductive apparatus.
Fig. 4. Ref.: 15 titles.