Hemerobiidae from Deceit Island: the Southernmost Neuroptera in the Americas

ABSTRACT The Neuropteran fauna on the most meridional part of South America is relatively scarce. Two families, Hemerobiidae and Coniopterigydae, have been recorded so far. Accordingly, only a few species have reached the south of Tierra del Fuego. Currently, the southernmost records of these species, Hemerobius chilensis Nakahara, 1965 and Megalomus flinti (Nakahara, 1965), are from Puerto Williams, Navarino Island (54°56′S 67°37′W), which makes them the southernmost distributed neuropterans in the continent. Here we provide the first records for two Neuroptera species, Hemerobius nekoi Monserrat, 1996 and Megalomus flinti; from Deceit Island, a remote subantarctic island within the Cape Horn archipelago (55°51′41″S 67°08′31″W). The records provided makes these species the southernmost recorded lacewings in the continent; extending the known distribution of neuropterans in South America nearly 110km towards the south.

emGraziacrophyma/em gen. nov., a new genus of South American Acanthosomatidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera).

The genus Acrophyma Bergroth currently contains two species, the Andean A. cumingii (Westwood) and the Neotropical A. bicallosa (Stål). The examination of types and new material revealed that among the Neotropical species the Brazilian population differs from the Colombian, and the first one belongs to a new species in this group. A morphological analysis of the genus indicated the Neotropical species are different from the Andean species. According to the current most used generic characters in acanthosomatids, Neotropical species should be placed in a new genus. This is also supported by biogeographical relationships. New distributional records for the species of this group are provided.

Alien Invasion: The Case of the Western Conifer-Seed Bug (Heteroptera: Coreidae) in Chile, Overreaction, and Misidentifications.

Leptoglossus occidentalis (Heidemann) is an invasive species introduced in Europe, Asia, and most recently South America. In the present study, we report the overreaction situation caused by this bug in Chile, as it has been confused with kissing bugs (Reduviidae: Triatominae), Chagas' disease vectors. During 2018 and first months of 2019, we received 74 alleged cases of kissing bugs to confirm identification. From these, a total of 63 were identified as L. occidentalis, representing a 85% of the total denounces. Additionally, the first bite case in a human is described. The situation caused by L. occidentalis in Chile is discussed, and an illustrated table is provided to correctly identify this species and tell it apart from Triatomines. It is concluded that L. occidentalis is well established in Chile, and it is necessary to educate the population on recognition of the bug and to avoid overreaction as the species can inflict painful bites, but not transmit any disease.

A Predation Record of Nabis paranensis (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) Over Aedes albifasciatus.

Aedesalbifasciatus is one of the most widely distributed mosquitoes in the Southern Cone of South America, and a known vector of western equine encephalomyelitus. Despite its wide range of distribution and relatively large abundance over its distribution, little is known about the ecological interactions in adults. In this contribution we record the first predation record of the damselbug Nabis paranensis (Nabidae) over an adult male of A. albifasciatus. The interaction record is analyzed and discussed.

Kaytuesso flavolateralis gen. and sp. nov., a new monotypic genus of Oncomerinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tessaratomidae) from Papua New Guinea.

Kaytuesso flavolateralis gen. and sp. nov. is described from Papua New Guinea. The new genus is remarkable in that the only included species is one of the smallest species known within the Oncomerinae. The relationships among Kaytuesso and the related genera Agapophyta Guerin, Erga Walker and Musgraveia Leston and Scudder are discussed.

First Record of Aedes albifasciatus in Magallanes Region, Chile.

Aedes albifasciatus is known for transmitting western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE), a virus that can affect humans and animals. In this work, we record for the first time Ae. albifasciatus from the Magallanes Region in Chile, as the only culicid species known from this southernmost region. Although WEE poses a serious problem to cattle production in neighboring Argentina, no WEE has been recorded in Chile. The need for surveillance programs of WEE in Magallanes is also discussed here.

Description of the 5th instar nymph of Oenopiella punctaria (Stål, 1859) Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), with new distributional records from Southern Patagonia.

The 5th instar nymph of Oenopiella punctaria (Stål, 1859) is described and illustrated for the first time, together with new distributional records from Patagonia. The new records are from Santa Cruz Province (Argentina), and the Magallanes Region (Chile). The latter is the southernmost record for this species and also for the Carpocorini in South America. In light of the new data, the biogeography of Oenopiella is discussed, and it is concluded that an Andean origin may be possible.

A new species of Acledra s. str. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from the highlands of Argentina and Bolivia, with a checklist and key to the species of the nominate subgenus.

Acledra (Acledra) bichromocornis n. sp. from the highlands of Argentina and Bolivia is described. A checklist of the species of Acledra s. str. is provided, including the distribution by country. A key to the species of Acledra s. str. is included.

Bed bugs are back and also arriving is the southernmost record of Cimex lectularius (Heteroptera: Cimicidae) in South America.

The arrival and establishment of the bed bug Cimex lectularius L., 1755 in Magallanes Region (Chile) is reported. The present record is the southernmost for this species in America. The circumstances that provided for the species reaching this southern locality are discussed.

Archaeoditomotarsus crassitylus, gen. and sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae) from Chile.

Archaeoditomotarsus crassitylus, gen. and sp. nov. of Acanthosomatidae (Ditomotarsinae: Ditomotarsini), is described and illustrated. The biogeography of the new taxon is discussed and a key to the Chilean genera of Ditomotarsinae is included. 

Cochabambia Pirán, 1959 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae), a senior homonym of Cochabambia Marcuzzi, 1985 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), with notes on the placement of Cochabambia Pirán.

Cochabambia Marcuzzi (1985) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a junior homonym of Cochabambia Pirán, 1959 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae). Allotriocochabambia is proposed as a new name for the tenebrionid genus, and as result Allotriocochabambia kulzeri (1985) is proposed as new combination. The placement of Cochabambia Pirán within the Acanthosomatidae is discussed. 

Rediscovery of Sinopla humeralis Signoret, 1864 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae).

Sinopla humeralis Signoret, 1864 is revalidated and removed from the synonymy of Sniploa obsoletus Signoret, 1864. The first formal records from it original description and first data about its biology are provided. The type species of the genus Sinopla is discussed and the concept of the genus is expanded. The association of Sinopla humeralis with the southern beech Nothofagus Blume and it distribution from Maule Region to Magallanes Region in Chile, are inncluded.