The infraorder Pentatomomorpha is the subject of the second volume in the Zoological Catalogue of Australia series dealing with the true bugs (the suborder Heteroptera). It includes the bark bugs, stilt bugs, seed bugs, cotton stainers, burrowing bugs, shield bugs and stink bugs. Many of these species are of significant economic importance both as pests and as natural enemies of other insect pests. In this catalogue, the authors propose a new classification for the Australian Heteroptera based on the most recent developments in heteropterology worldwide. The proposed classification departs significantly from all previous treatment of the Australian fauna. There is a comprehensive treatment of the classification and nomenclature of the Australian species and a thorough review of the literature concerned with the higher classification of the Pentatomomorpha. The volume gives detailed information on the distribution and ecology of each species and features the first in depth listing of their host associations, including a significant accounting of the plant associations. All species and generic synonymies are given, including extra-limital synonyms, along with detailed type specimen data. Features * Provides a new classification for the Australian Heteroptera, reflecting the most recent developments in Heteropterology worldwide * Covers 34 families, 439 genera and 1179 species * Completes the work for the Australian Heteroptera, complementing volume 27.3A * Includes comprehensive synonymical and bibliographic listings and detailed distribution information * Gives the first listing of the host plants of the Pentatomomorpha in Australia * Sample

This monumental reference work treats an entire worldwide order of insects. It summarizes, from both a biological and sytematic perspective, current knowledge on the Heteroptera, or true bugs, a group containing approximately 35,000 species, many of which are important to agriculture and public health. To introduce the reader to this group, Randall T. Schuh and James A. Slater offer chapters on the history of the study of the Heteroptera, research techniques, and sources of specimens. They also cover attributes of general biological interest, including habitats, habits, mimicry, and wing polymorphism; selected taxa of economic importance; and basic morphology.Presenting a current classification of the Heteroptera, the authors synthesize to the subfamily and sometimes tribal level the enormous, scattered literature, including diagnoses, keys, general natural history, a summary of distributions, and a listing of important faunistic works. In addition to a wealth of detailed illustrations, they provide a glossary to help the reader deal with the confusing terminology that has evolved over the years, as well as an extensive bibliography of more than 1350 entries.Meticulously prepared by two of the world's leading specialists, this major work will be the standard reference on the Heteroptera for many years to come.