Morphology of immatures of Caonabo pseudoscylax (Bergroth) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

Characters of immatures are potentially useful in identifying taxa, but few immatures of Pentatomidae were described. The objectives here are to describe the egg and five nymphal instars of Caonabo pseudoscylax (Bergroth) under light and scanning electron microscopy. Adults, eggs, and nymphs were collected on Homolepsis glutinosa during 2008, in Criciúma (Santa Catarina, Brazil). The egg of C. pseudoscylax is subcylindrical, chorion reddish brown, slightly translucent, and with granulate surface. Aero-micropylar processes translucent, spongy, and strongly clavate. Nymphs without punctures, spiracles placed near the lateral abdominal margin. The dorsal abdominal gland has rounded ostioles bearing cuticular valve; spout peritreme smooth, directed anteriorly; evaporatorium network-shaped; and microsculpture poorly ornamented. Humeral angles of the pronotum were produced from fourth instar. The almost marginal placement of abdominal spiracles may diagnose the nymphs of C. pseudoscylax from first instar to adulthood.