Rhynocoris tristis is a species of assassin bug family (Reduviidae), in the subfamily Harpactorinae

Harpactorinae

Harpactorinae is a large subfamily of the reduviid . About 300 genera and 2000 species worldwide have been described. Some of the species of the genera Zelus, Pselliopus, Sinea and Apiomerus are of interest as natural enemies of crop pests.-partial list of genera:*Acholla Stål, 1862*Apiomerus...

. R. tristis is a polyphagous predator found in sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...

.

Life History

R. tristis is associated with Stylosanthes guinaensis, and this association is thought to be due to the prey species attracted by flowers of S. guinaensis. R. tristis is unusual in the insect world in that males provide paternal care by guarding egg masses. from parastic wasps and insect predators. Males will also cannibalize some of the eggs that they guard. R. tristis prefers to lay its eggs on the stems of plants, in contrast to most members of the harpactorinae, which prefer to lay them on the undersides of leaves.