The stilt bug Metacanthus (Cardopostethus) annulosus Fieber, 1859 is the only arachnophile cleptoparasitic true-bug in Europe, currently discovered also in Czechia. It is usually found in funnel-webs of agelenid spiders in the Mediterranean, extending to Pannonia. We encourage arachnologist for help with collecting this bug to obtain more data about its biology and ecology. |
The stilt bug Metacanthus (Cardopostethus) annulosus Fieber, 1859 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Berytidae) is recorded from the Czech Republic (Moravia) for the first time and from Slovakia after 132 years. The current distribution and ecology of this species is reviewed. It is an arachnophile species usually found in funnel-webs of agelenid spiders (Araneae: Agelenidae) in the Mediterranean. However, arachnophile behaviour has not yet been confirmed in central Europe, due to the scarcity of records.