Identifying insects beyond Family
From previous work and the parts seen here.
The scattered remains of an unknown insect
Identification - We have determined that our insect is a member of the Heteroptera family Coreidae. Now we will try to determine the species. At this time we would normally use any/all of the following to arrive at a species determination for any insect.
  • Resources listed after your textbook Heteroptera Family keys
  • Literature from any search for Family taxonomic articles
  • Catalogs or checklists for your region, state
  • Family revisions or taxonomic treatments

We will use those resources to arrive at a tentative species determination. Why tentative? Because, when all is said and done, verification usually is accomplished by comparison with identified material, or asking a specialist. Using descriptions, distribution maps, checklists, and recent revisions, you may be fairly confident that your determination is probably correct, but you cannot be sure! Therefore, always consult an expert!

Resources:
    Baranowski, R. M., and J. A. Slater. 1986. Coreidae of Florida (Hemiptera: Heteroptera). Arthropods of Florida and Neighboring Land Areas. Vol. 12. Florida Dept. of Agric. and Consumer Services. Contribution No. 630 Bureua of Entomology. 82pp. Key to Florida Coreidae species
     
    Blatchley, W. S. 1926. Heteroptera or True Bugs of Eastern North America, with special reference to the faunas of Indiana and Florida. Indianapolis: Nature, 1116pp.
     
    Henry, T. J., and R. C. Froeschner(Eds.). 1988. Catalog of the Heteroptera or True Bugs of Canada and the Continental United States. Leiden: Brill. 958pp.
     
    Packauskas, R. J. 1994. Key to the subfamilies and tribes of the New World Coreidae (Hemiptera), with a checklist of published keys to genera and species. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 96:44-53.
     
    Slater, J. A., and R. M. Baranowski. 1978. How to know the True Bugs. Dubuque, IA: W. C. Brown. 256pp.
Using the Key to Florida Coreidae, we will work through subfamily, tribes, generic and finally species keys. In so doing we will need to determine the following:
    Do the posterior tibiae have a distinct tooth or spine at distal ends
    Are tibiae sulcate on their outer surface?
    Are posterior tibiae dilated on one or both sides to form thin, leaf-like (foliaceous) plates?

SubFamily: Tribe: Here are answers to the above questions (photos from a whole specimen).

    Posterior tibiae do not have a distal spine or tooth
    Tibiae are sulcate on their outer surface
    Posterior tibiae are dilated at least on their outer surface
Results: based on the answers to our questions, the SubFamily and tribe are-

    Hemiptera (Heteroptera): Coreidae: Coreinae: Acanthocephalini


Genus: Species: In this case, there is only the genus Acanthocephala Laporte in the tribe Acanthocephalini in Florida. Therefore, our job becomes easier, and all that is left to do is to determine the species using a species key. Four species of Acanthocephala have been reported from Florida, but one species (A. terminalis (Dallas)), is based on literature records only. As presently defined 5 species of Acanthocephala occur in the United States. A Western species, Acanthocephala thomasi (Uhler) is known from Arizona, California, and Texas. A diagnostic key to Florida species (modified from Baranowski and Slater, 1986; Blatchley, 1926) follows: Photographs have been included to illustrate some of the more important characters. Males and females may exhibit dimorphism in the hind femoral teeth and tibial dilation.

Checklist of Florida Acanthocephala species

Acanthocephala confraterna (Uhler)
Acanthocephala declivis (Say)
Acanthocephala femorata (Fabricius)
Acanthocephala terminalis (Dallas)

Diagnostic key to Florida species of Acanthocephala

1. Humeral angles of pronotum broadly expanded, extending laterally well beyond maximum lateral abdominal margin. Distal dilation of hind tibia broad until apex, then curving in at right angles to tibial shaft. Anterior pronotal lobe with 2 small shining blunt tubercles along midline.....declivis

- Humeral angles of pronotum only moderately expanded laterally, slightly past lateral abdominal margin; distal dilation of hind tibia sinuous, narrowing towards apex; anterior pronotal lobe without 2 distinct tubercles in midline.....2

2. Antennal segments unicolorous, pale orange or red,apical segment not contrasting in color with basal 3 segments; basal segment may be darker; males with strongly swollen toothed femora........femorata

- Antennal segment 4 yellowish or orange, conspicuously paler than segments 1-3, contrasting in color.....................3

3. Dilation of posterior tibia narrowing distally but almost reaching distal end; pronotum granulate, at most weakly tuberculate, covered with dense coat of erect black hairs; connexivum hidden when viewed from above; body shape outline linear, narrow...confraterna

- Dilation of posterior tibia limited to proximal (basal) 2/3; pronotum with small but distinct tubercles present, surface with covering of golden hairs; connexivum visible from above; body shape outline sinuate, broad...terminalis

After running the remains through the diagnostic key we arrive at a determination of Acanthocephala declivis. Comparisons with descriptions, identified material, and distribution records confirm this identification. This details the entire process of identification of a specimen (dismembered and in pieces). Perhaps this will make it clearer why identification by sight is not a good idea.

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