Revision of Heteroscelis Latreille, 1829 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae) with the description of a new species from Colombia.

The Asopinae comprises about 300 species and 63 genera of predatory stinkbugs, of which around 100 species and 23 genera occur in the Neotropical region. The species of the Neotropical genus Heteroscelis Latreille, 1829 are easily recognized by the small size, vivid and often iridescent colors, the elongated head, and the foretibial foliaceous expansions. In this work we provide a taxonomic revision of Heteroscelis. The genus and its four known species are redescribed, and one new species from Colombia, Heteroscelis vandembergi Sampaio & Campos, sp.nov., is proposed. A distribution map, and a key to the species of Heteroscelis are presented.

An annotated and illustrated Type Catalogue of the predacious Shieldbugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae) in the Collection of the Natural History Museum, London.

We present an annotated and illustrated type catalogue of the predacious shieldbugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae), housed in the collection of the Natural History Museum, London. This work involves recognising types and their status, recording their label data and providing images of both the types and their labels. Although we personally refrain from designating lectotypes as the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature recommends that it should be done "as part of a revisionary or other taxonomic work" (ICZN 1999: Recommendation 74G), we have nevertheless accepted that lectotypes were designated before 2000 (see ICZN 1999: Art. 74 §§ 5 and 6), for the following 43 species: by Distant (1880) for Apateticus halys Dallas, Arma fuscescens Dallas, Arma modesta Dallas, Arma tincta Dallas, Oplomus rutilus Dallas, Oplomus ventralis Dallas, Stiretrus ornatus Dallas, Stiretrus ruficeps Dallas; by Synave (1969) for Mecosoma floridum Distant and Podisus volxemi Distant; by Thomas (1992) for Arma ampla Walker, Arma grandis Dallas, Arma lateralis Walker, Arma nigrispina Dallas, Arma obscura Dallas, Mormidea semialba Walker, Oplomus equestris Distant, Oplomus festivus Dallas, Oplomus nigripennis Dallas, Oplomus pulcher Dallas, Oplomus stellatus Distant, Oplomus violaceus Dallas, Platynopus conspersus Walker, Podisus amulae Distant, Podisus falcatus Distant, Podisus gaumeri Distant, Podisus insignis Distant, Podisus nigriventris Distant, Podisus sculptus Distant, Podisus smithi Distant, Stiretrus annulatus Distant, Stiretrus caeruleus Dallas, Supputius typicus Distant, Tynacantha marginata Dallas, Tynacantha splendens Distant, Zicrona cuprea Dallas and Zicrona marginella Dallas; and by Thomas (1994) for Anasida funebris Distant, Damarius bicolor Distant, Neoglypsus opulentus Distant, Neoglypsus viridicatus Distant, Incitatus primus Distant, and Jalloides versicolor Distant. We have also found out that Synave (1969) had designated the lectotype of Glypsus erubescens Distant before Linnavuori (1975). A syntype of Oplomus distinctus Distant, 1880 is located and Thomas's (1992: 57) synonymy of this species with O. catena (Drury, 1782) is confirmed. Informations regarding labels used by the first five curators of Hemiptera at the Natural History Museum, London (Adam White, William S. Dallas, Francis Walker, William L. Distant and William E. China) are provided. In total, we list herein 248 specimens examined in NHMUK (49 holotypes, 41 lectotypes, 84 syntypes, 17 paratypes, 25 paralectotypes, and 32 non-types which are historical specimens), representing 149 nominal species or 104 currently valid species (ca. 34% of the just over 300 valid Asopinae species worldwide).

Lost and found-Discovery of the presumed lost type of emArma/em empallipes/em Dallas, new synonymy and description of two new species of emPodisus/em Herrich-Schäffer (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae).

The presumed lost type of Arma pallipes Dallas is found and Thomas's (1992) neotype is hereby set aside (ICZN 1999, Art. 75.8). A. pallipes is proposed as junior subjective synonym of Podisus ventralis (Dallas). A lectotype designation by inference of holotype (Gaedike 1971) is accepted for the female typical specimen of P. neniator deposited at Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut (SDEI, Müncheberg, Germany) (ICZN 1999, Art. 74.6). Two new species of Podisus Herrich-Schäffer are described: Podisus graziae Brugnera, Roell Lemaître sp. nov. and Podisus thomasi Lemaître, Roell Brugnera sp. nov. Photographs of all types as well as of live specimens are provided.

Comparative morphology of clasping structures in predator stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae): Insights into their function and evolution.

Parameres are male genital structures found in many insects which are often used as clasping devices to exert dominance in copula. The asopines have evolved a remarkable additional pair of similar structures, often denominated processes, which combines with the parameres in a tweezers-like system. Processes in similar positions have also been found in other subfamilies of Pentatomidae, but smaller and less developed. Using scanning electron microscopy, we document the among-species variability found in the clasping structures in asopines. We first revealed a vast diversity of ornamentations, such as sensilla and microsculpture. When present, these ornamentations are invariably found on both, the parameres and processes, and often on the corresponding female parts, the valvifers VIII, indicating a functional role of attachment and sensory perception in copula for the ornamentations. We also show that the processes are drastically different between the Asopinae and non-asopines. Therefore, we suggest the term "pseudoclasper" for the Asopinae processes and "superior process of dorsal rim" for the remaining examined taxa. The pseudoclaspers are directly connected to and attached in the same place as the parameres in asopines, while the superior processes of dorsal rim and parameres are completely disconnected in other pentatomids. These results indicate a non-homologous origin between pseudoclaspers and superior processes of dorsal rim in Pentatomidae.

Taxonomy of widespread Neotropical species of Podisus Herrich-Schäffer (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae): redescription of P. distinctus (Stål, 1860) and revalidation of P. fuscescens (Dallas, 1851).

Some species of Podisus Herrich-Schäffer have a confuse taxonomic history with several modifications and loss of information over time. The genus has been considered a taxonomic dumping ground in Asopinae, and its current species composition is doubtful. After examining the type specimens of Telepta distincta Stål, Arma submarginata Walker, Arma monospila Walker, Arma fuscescens Dallas, Arma caliginosa Walker, Arma turbida Walker and Podisus mellipes Bergroth, we redescribe and revalidate A. fuscescens as Podisus fuscescens rev. stat., previously considered a junior synonym of Podisus sagitta (Fabricius). The taxonomic status, morphology and distribution of P. fuscescens and P. distinctus are updated and illustrated. Arma caliginosa, A. turbida and Podisus mellipes become synonyms of P. fuscescens. Additionally, Arma submarginata Walker is removed from its synonymy with Podisus ventralis (Dallas) and treated as a synonym of P. distinctus. Podisus signoreti Fallou is removed from its synonymy with P. distinctus and treated as species inquirenda.

Taxonomic modifications in Tylospilus Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae): redescription of T. nigrobinotatus (Berg), description of a new species and an updated identification key for the genus.

The systematics of the New World Asopinae genera is still not completely understood, thus hampering their study in many areas of biological science. Tylospilus Stål is one of the less known genera among New World predatory stink bugs, despite its common occurrence and potential as a biological control agent in crops. Here, we make a contribution to the knowledge of Tylospilus; the species Tylospilus nigrobinotatus (Berg, 1879) is redescribed, and based upon the examination of type specimens, T. armatus Thomas, 1992 is considered to be a junior synonym of the above species. Furthermore, a new species is herein described, and an updated identification key for the species of Tylospilus is provided.

External morphology of the abdominal glands in Asopinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

Heteropterans communicate chemically through thoracic or abdominal glandular complexes. The dorso-abdominal scent glands (DAGs) are externalized by cuticular specialized structures forming the external scent efferent system (SES). Different groups in Heteroptera present other glands, such as the Asopinae (Pentatomidae), whose males can have ventral abdominal pheromonal glands externalized by cuticular modifications, called glandular patches (GPs). Here we describe the SES of DAGs and, for the first time, the GPs of 22 Asopinae genera. The ostioles of SES 1 vary in shape. SES 2 and SES 3 were restricted to scars, indicating that only the SES 1 remains functional in adults. The GPs are found mostly in segments V and VI. We have not found any difference in the morphological pattern between the SES of species bearing GPs and those lacking it, meaning that the acquisition of GPs is likely related to some sexual behavior, thus not as a complex structure replacing any role of the DAGs. The cuticle of the GPs is microsculptured, bearing many pores surrounding the base of sensilla being the pathway for the secretions to reach the outside of the exoskeleton. The sensilla may be adaptations to increase the contact surface, assisting rapid evaporation of the volatile secretions from the pores.

Phylogeny and revision of Schraderiellus Rider, 1998 with the description of five new species (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae, Discocephalinae, Ochlerini).

A cladistic analysis of Schraderiellus Rider, 1998 is provided in this study. Were used 60 morphological characters for 34 taxa, including the two known species of Schraderiellus and five new species in the ingroup, two species of Discocephalini and 24 species of Ochlerini in the outgroup, and Euschistus hansi Grazia, 1987 as root. The analysis was made using TNT through heuristic searches under implied weighting of characters. The analysis indicates the monophyly of Schraderiellus with seven valid species. Schraderiellus is redescribed, and five new species are described: S. brevicolis sp. nv., S. falcatus sp. nv., S. luridomaculatus sp. nv., S. luteipedis sp. nv. and S. rufilineatus sp. nv., and a key for the species is presented.

Nomenclatural changes in Ochlerini (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Discocephalinae).

Several nomenclatural problems were found while studying the types of Ochlerini in the Natural History Museum, London. These problems are addressed and corrected: Hemingius Distant, 1899 syn. nov. is removed from the synonymy with Moncus Stål, 1867, and considered a new junior synonym of Ochlerus Spinola, 1837; Ochlerus scaber Walker, 1867 is removed from the synonymy with Ochlerus obscurus Dallas, 1851, and it is proposed as a senior synonym of Ochlerus cotylophorus Breddin, 1910 syn. nov. Herrichella Distant, 1911 is a senior synonym of Alitocoris Sailer, 1950 syn. nov., with the resulting new combinations: Herrichella grandis (Garbelotto Campos, 2013) comb. nov., Herrichella lateralis (Garbelotto Campos, 2013) comb. nov., Herrichella ornata (Garbelotto Campos, 2013) comb. nov., and Herrichella schraderi (Sailer, 1950) comb. nov. A key for the species of Herrichella is also given. Eritrachys antennata (Distant, 1911) comb. nov. is a senior synonym of Eritrachys bituberculata Ruckes, 1959 syn. nov. Phereclus punctatus (Dallas, 1851) is transferred to the genus Lincus Stål, 1867 as Lincus punctatus (Dallas, 1851) comb. nov.

Description of four new species of Ochlerini from South America (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Discocephalinae).

The tribe Ochlerini Rolston was proposed in 1981 to house 23 genera of Neotropical pentatomids, most of them containing few species and poorly represented in entomological collections. After a quarter century of accumulated taxonomic knowledge the tribe totals 36 genera and 133 species, but a number of taxa still require revision or remain undescribed. Here we describe and illustrate four new species from South America, Cromata flavida sp. nov., Lincus curvatus sp. nov., Ocellatocoris longirostris sp. nov., and Xynocoris ecuadorensis sp. nov. The specimens of L. curvatus and X. ecuadorensis were collected on oil palms (OxG hybrids, Elaeis oleifera x Elaeis guineensis) affected by the lethal wilt (marchitez sorpresiva) disease.

Candeocoris bistillatus, new genus and new species of Ochlerini from Ecuador (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

Recent examination of specimens from Ecuador revealed a series of males and females of an undescribed species clearly belonging to the Discocephalinae. The new species presents characteristics similar to genera of both Discocephalini and Ochlerini, preventing an undoubtful placement of the new species within any genus and tribe. We conducted a cladistic analysis to investigate the possible relationships of the new species within Discocephalinae. The new species was recovered as sister-group to the remaining Ochlerini, supporting the proposition of a new genus, so Candeocoris bistillatus Roell & Campos, gen. n. et sp. n. are described within Ochlerini. The new genus is recognized for its dark glossy aspect, tumid vertex of head, long and sinuous labrum, base of labium placed close to anterior limit of eyes, thick bristles on meso- and metatibiae, pygophore globose, and laterotergites 9 touching each other. The new species is recognized by a large yellow spot on each corium, yellow spots on each segment of the connexivum, bucculae with anterior tooth, laminar projections on superior layer of ventral rim of pygophore, vesica with a single median projection, and broad gonocoxites 8.