The “cydnoid” complex of pentatomoid families, including Cydnidae, Parastrachiidae, Thaumastellidae, and Thyreocoridae, is morphologically defined by the presence of an array of more or less flattened stout setae (called coxal combs), situated on the distal margin of coxae. These structures, suggested to prevent the coxal-trochanteral articulation from injuries caused by particles of soil, sand or dust, by their nature and function are unknown elsewhere in the Heteroptera. As such, coxal combs were regarded as a synapomorphy of this group of families, and enabled the definition of it as a monophylum. In this study, the monophyly of the “cydnoid” complex of families is tested for the first time, based on the combined analysis of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences (28S rDNA D3 region, and 18S rDNA). Combined analyses of both genes are performed using Bayesian methods with the covarion option in MrBayes 3.2.0. Non-monophyly of the entire “cydnoid” complex of families, and independent origins of their coxal combs is suggested. The family Thaumastellidae is demonstrated not to be part of this complex as previously proposed. Challenging the existing classification system, the use of the name “cydnoid” complex is indicated as unwarranted, and therefore it should no longer be applied to this group of families.

An assessment was performed regarding the accuracy of various types of data deposited in the Barcode of Life Data system (BOLD) related to the true bug family Cydnidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera). Taxonomic nomenclature and classification, identification reliability, and the correctness of the data provided in the “Taxon description” were analyzed and commented on with respect to both available versions of the BOLD system, i.e. version 3 and beta version 4. Numerous mistakes in taxonomy, the relevance of the taxa names, and species misidentifications in BOLD version 3 were found and, more importantly, similar errors were detected in BOLD version 4 as well. We suggest that if the BOLD system is presumed to be taxonomically trustworthy, it can’t exist without an adequate a priori identification of barcoded specimens. Otherwise, the erroneous data deposited onto the BOLD platform will have a negative impact on studies in which molecular data imported from BOLD are utilized.

Will the invasive western conifer seed bug Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae) seize all of Europe?

Is accurate taxon identification important for molecular studies? Several cases of faux pas in pentatomoid bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea)

The systematic position and actual distribution of Recaredus rex, for a long time one of the most enigmatic lace bug genus and species, is very obscure because only the type specimen and three other individuals from India are known to date. In the present paper, we report the first records of R. rex from the Palaearctic region (Iran) and tropical Africa (Ghana). Based on the occurrence localities and climatic variables, we predict potentially useful ecological niches for this species using Maxent software. The areas with the best environmental conditions for R. rex indicated in our studies suggest its possible Palaeotropical distribution. Moreover, we regard these results as a good starting point for further searches for specimens of this species. This might help verify the hypothesis of the broad Palaeotropical distribution of R. rex and its oligo- or polyphagy. In addition, the lace bug genus Recaredus, based on the diagnostic characteristics provided for the tribe Acalyptaini, and the structure of aedeagus, is transferred from the tribe Ypsotingini to the Acalyptaini. A key to all genera currently included in the latter tribe is also provided.