Agonoscelis
Genus of Old World bugs
Agonoscelis is a genus of shield bugs, in the monotypic tribe Agonoscelidini, that are native to the Afrotropics and Australia, but one species is established in the New World. Some species are minor or considerable pests.
They have five nymphal stages, and are 8 to 12 mm long as adults. They attack (or control) weeds and herbs including horehound, thyme, flax and cotton, or the developing seeds of sunflowers or cereals like millet or sorghum. They may swarm on a variety of other shrubs and trees, including coffee and cacao. The scent gland is located at the end of the abdomen.
Species
There are some 19 to 22 species, which include:
Agonoscelis erosa (Westwood, 1837)
A. e. atropurpurea Schumacher, 1913
Agonoscelis femoralis Walker, 1868
Agonoscelis nubila F. – Flower head bug
Agonoscelis puberula Stål, 1853 – African cluster bug (established in New World)
Agonoscelis pubescens (Thunb.) – Andat bug, Sudan dura bug, Pentatomid sorghum bug, African cluster bug, syn.
The public source identifies “Agonoscelis” as genus of Old World bugs. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Agonoscelis, Genus and World.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “Agonoscelis”, the useful work is to connect “genus of Old World bugs” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
The date and method of observation matter as much as the stated conclusion, especially where classification or consensus has changed. The source revision retrieved here is dated Jan 30, 2024. The linked authority identifier is Q2827058. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference. The first chronological checks are 1837, 1913, 1868 and 1853.
Current terminology should not be projected backward without checking the classification used when the underlying evidence was created. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Check terminology, classification and the date of the cited evidence. Scientific names and technical consensus can change while older records retain historical value.
- Current terminology
- Classification context
- Finding cited technical literature
Primary datasets, specimen catalogues, standards bodies and the most recent peer-reviewed literature.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Agonoscelis”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Agonoscelis primary sources, Agonoscelis archive and Agonoscelis research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Agonoscelis”?
- Which observation, specimen, dataset or publication supports the account?
- Has classification or technical consensus changed since the cited source?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Agonoscelis” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.