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Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien 107 B 115- 119 Wien, März 2006
A new genus of Lethaeini (Insecta: Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)
from the Oriental Region
E. Kondorosy*
Abstract
Aristaenetoides politus gen.n. et sp.n., a widespread Oriental species of the Lethaeini (Lygaeidae: Rhyparo-
chrominae), is described. Comparisons of the new taxon with other Lethaeini genera are drawn.
Key words: Lygaeidae, Rhyparochrominae, Lethaeini, Oriental Region, new genus.
Zusammenfassung
Aristaenetoides politus gen.n. et sp.n., eine weit verbreitete, orientalische Art aus der Tribus Lethaeini
(Lygaeidae: Rhyparochrominae), wird beschrieben. Vergleiche zwischen dem neuen Taxon und anderen
Gattungen der Lethaeini werden angestellt.
Introduction
During my studies of the collections of the Natural History Museum in Vienna (NHMW),
the Natural History Museum in London (BMNH), the Hungarian Natural History Museum
(HNHM), and of the Ernst Heiss Collection in Innsbruck (EHC), I recognized several
Lygaeidae specimen from the Oriental Region that do not belong to any of the known
species. Some of them belong to the rhyparochromine tribe Lethaeini STÂL, 1872. This
tribe was redefined by ASHLOCK (1964) but it has not been revised, except in the West
Palaearctic Region (PÊRICART 1999) and in China (ZHENG & Zou 1981). Presently 38
genera and 162 species are known from all Zoogeographie regions (e.g., SLATER 1964,
SLATER & O'DONNELL 1995). In the Oriental region, 43 species belonging to ten genera
are known. A new genus discovered during this study is described below. Deposition of
types in the mentioned collections and in the Museum of Natural History, Berlin
(MNHB) is indicated below.
Aristaenetoides, gen.n.
Type species: Aristaenetoides politus sp.n. (by monotypy).
Etymology: Named for the similarities with Aristaenetus. Gender masculine.
Description: Body shining, elongate, of moderately large size. Head porrect, with length
subequal to width, with moderately dense punctures, shorter or longer pubescence
arisen out of them. One pair of long setae near eyes. Eyes prominent, not touching
Dr. Elöd Kondorosy, Department of Zoology, University of Veszprém, Georgikon Faculty of Agri-
culture, Deâk F. u. 16., H-8360 Keszthely, Hungary. E-mail: ke@georgikon.hu
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116 Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien 107 B
pronotum. Ocelli well developed, located at hind margin of eyes, closer to them than to
each other. Ventral surface of head punctate, nearly flat but in front of base of antenna
moderately swollen. Gena with distinct longitudinal carina from base of antenna to
clypeus. Antennae slender, with fairly short recumbent or semi-erect hairs; segment I
with length subequal to head width, extending for more than half its length beyond apex
of head; segment II subequal to I; remaining segments little shorter. Labium reaching to
hind coxae or abdominal sternite II (1 s t visible sternite); segment I extending for about
base of head; segment II of similar length; segment III shorter than I; segment IV shortest.
Thorax: Pronotum trapezoidal, wider than long, strongly narrowed anteriorly, at anterior
margin narrower than head with eyes; lateral margin shortly concave, carinate but not
explanate. Anterior collar impunctate, well delimited by punctate groove, not protrud-
ing posteriorly in middle. Both lobes separated by shallow transverse impression; ante-
rior lobe convex, impunctate except micropunctures; lateral margin with one pair of
long anterolateral setae, only here slightly explanate. Posterior lobe strongly but not
densely punctate except smooth raised humeral angles and fine median carina not reach-
ing posterior margin; posterior margin convex. Scutellum with subbasal depression,
evenly punctate, similarly to posterior pronotal lobe. Clavus with three rows of punc-
tures (sometimes with a few further punctures between both inner rows). Corium with
carinate costal margin, which shallowly concave at basal third and posteriorly convex,
posterior margin straight except medial one-fourth convex; punctures about as dense as
on scutellum, with two rows along claval margin; vein M+R elevated as strong ridge in
basal four-fifths of corium; between both rows of punctures with slightly elevated carina,
too. Membrane more or less distant from apex of abdomen; with basal cell and three or
four veins. Sterna strongly punctate except smooth pleural areas. Metapleural evapora-
tive area and scent gland auricle not very extensive and not sexually dimorphic. Legs
slender, fore femur proximally with slender bristles and at distal end with three or four
thorn-like spines. Hind femur distally with slender spine. Middle and hind tibiae with
four rows of strong bristles and with girdle of bristles at apices. Abdomen impunctate
except micropunctures and a few fine punctures; with very fine decumbent hairs and
stronger trichobothrial hairs. Trichobothria clearly visible, located as in other genera of
Lethaeini. All abdominal spiracles visible ventrally. Posterior margin of sternum VII
simple, without teeth.
Comparative notes: The new genus is close to the Australian genus Aristaenetus
DISTANT, 1901. The most significant differences between the genera are: head of Aristae-
netus not punctate (but ventrally striolate); clavus of Aristaenetus with four rows of
punctures instead of three; evaporative area of Aristaenetus sexually dimorphic.
In the monobasic genus Aristaenetus DISTANT, 1901 two species are included now. The
genus was revised and both species figured by WOODWARD & O'DONNELL (1988). The
type species, Aristaenetus diffinis (WALKER, 1872), is closer related to the new genus.
Aristaenetus similis WOODWARD & O'DONNELL, 1988 probably belongs to Neolethaeus
DISTANT, 1909 or another genus, but further investigations are required to confirm this.
The distinct pronotal collar, the anterolateral setae on pronotum, and the closed basal
membrane cell of Aristaenetoides are important characteristics among Lethaeini. They
can be also found in the genera Neolethaeus and Lophoraglius WAGNER, 1961. In these
genera the head is punctate below, similarly to Aristaenetoides, but the pronotum has a
laminate lateral margin and is never concave laterally, and the scutellum has prominent
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KONDOROSY: A new genus of Lethaeini (Lygaeidae) from the Oriental Region 117
Figs. 1 - 2: Aristaenetoidespolitus sp.n.: (1) habitus, dorsal view; (2) right paramere, inner view.
V- or Y-shaped keel. Both genera have 4 claval rows of punctures, and in Neolethaeus
the posterior margin of the sternum VII of the male is armed with teeth. It seems possible
to the author, that Lophoraglius is a synonym of Neolethaeus, but this requires further
studies. Lethaeograndellus SCUDDER, 1962 also shows great similarity with Aristae-
netoides, e.g., in the pronotal shape, but the anterior pronotal lobe is densely punctate,
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118 Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien 107 B
the pronotal margin moderately laminate, and the forewing has four claval rows of punc-
tures. Thus, among the genera of Lethaeini of the Palaearctic, Oriental, Australian and
Ethiopian regions the combination of the following characteristics is typical only for
Aristaenetoides: a) 3 claval rows of punctures (common with Diniella BERGROTH, 1893,
Exomyocara SLATER & WOODWARD, 1974, Lamproceps REUTER, 1882, Lampropunctus
SCUDDER, 1971, Paramyocara WOODWARD & MALIPATIL, 1977); b) closed basal membrane
cell(s) (common with Aristaenetus, Lethaeus, Lethaeograndellus, Lophoraglius, Neo-
lethaeus); c) distinct pronotal collar (common with Adauctus DISTANT, 1909, Aristaenetus,
Austroxestus WOODWARD, 1962, Diniella, Exomyocara, Hexatrichocoris KIRITSHENKO,
1931, Lethaeograndellus, Lophoraglius, Myocara BERGROTH, 1916, Neolethaeus, Para-
myocara, Porrectolethaeus SCUDDER, 1971); d) carinate pronotal lateral margins (com-
mon with Aristaenetus, Atkinsonianus DISTANT, 1901, Camptocera JAKOVLEV, 1877,
Carabocoris GROSS, 1958, Coleocoris GROSS, 1958, Diniella, Hexatrichocoris, Lampro-
ceps, Lampropunctus, Lethaeus, Porrectolethaeus).
Aristaenetoides politus sp.n. (Figs. 1 - 2)
Type material: Holotype (d): NE India, Meghalaya State, West Garo Hills, Nokrek N. P., 950-1250 m,
25.29 N 90.19.5 E, E. 9.-17.V.1996, leg. Jendek & O. Sausa (NHMW); Paratypes: 1 ?, India, W. Bengal,
Darjeeling Distr., Kurseong, No. 849, beaten, leg. G. Topâl; 1 ?, Thailand, Kaeng Krachan N. P. (Phetchaburi)
No. 57, light trap, 8.II.1994, leg. S. Mahunka & L. Papp; 1 d, Thailand, pr. Trang Khao Chong Bot. G.,
21.XI.2003, leg. A. Orosz et Gy. Szirâki; 1 ?, Thailand, pr. Prachin Buri Sakaerat Ecol. Research Institute,
No. 95, at light, 16.VI.2001, leg. E. Horvâth & Gy. Sziräki; 1 d, 2 9 ?, Vietnam, Cue Phuong, 400 m, No.
69., on light, 17.X. 1986, leg. Vâsârhelyi (all HNHM); 3 d d, NE India, Meghalaya State, West Garo Hills,
Bagmara, ca. 100 m, 25.11 N 90.38 E, 19.-2I.V. 1996, leg. E. Jendek & O. Sausa; 2 ? ? , NE India,
Meghalaya State, West Garo Hills, Nokrek N. P., 950-1250 m, 25.29 N 90.19.5 E, E. 9.-17.V.1996, leg.
Jendek & O. Sausa; 1 d, 3 9 ?, NE India, Meghalaya State, West Garo Hills, Balphakram N. P., ca. 100 m,
22.-27.V.1996, 250-550 m, 25.11 N 90.51 E, leg. E. Jendek & O. Sausa; 1 d, 1 9, S. Vietnam, 14.ION
109.30E, 40 km NW of AJI Khe, Buon Luoi, 620-750 m, 28.3.-12.4.1995, leg. P. Pacholâtko & L. Dembicky;
2 dd, 1 9, S. Vietnam, Nam Cat Tien N. P., 1.-15.5.1994, leg. P. Pacholâtko & L. Dembicky; 1 9, S.
Vietnam, 14 km SW of Bao Loc, 18.-29.5.1994, leg. P. Pacholâtko & L. Dembicky; 1 d, Malaysia -
Pahang, 350-550 m, 20 km NE Raub, Lata Jarom Gg. Benom, 18-22.11.1995, leg. M. Strba & R. Hergovits;
2 9 9, Malaysia: Sarawak, Mulu NP, Benaret Inn on light, 3.-6.I11.1993, leg. H. Zettel; 1 d, 2 9 9,
Sarawak, 111.1994, Rumah kabau anak mungotNg sebong Baleh, 25 km E Kapit, leg. Kodada (all NHMW);
1 9, Sarawak, Gunong Mulu Nat. Park, Site 10. February Camp 1, Mulu 160 m, 386470, J. D. Holloway,
RGS Mulu Exped. B. M. 1978-206 (BM"NH); 1 9, Danai Beach b. Kuching, Sarawak, leg. H. Franz; 1 9,
Indonesien - Bali, Gg. Catur - Bergwald, Env. Bratansee 1500, 26.XI.1999, leg. E. Heiss (both EHC); 1 9,
NE India, Meghalaya State, West Garo Hills, Balphakram N. P., ca. 100 m, 22.-27.V.1996, 250-550 m,
25.11 N 90.51 E, leg. E. Jendek & O. Sausa (MNHB).
Description: Colour brown; head, anterior pronotal lobe and collar, scutellum and thorax
ventrally slightly darker; tibiae and tarsi yellowish brown; an elongate spot on end of
clavus between two inner rows of punctures, a spot at inner corial margin at basal one-
fourth, another spot at half of costal margin of corium and a subapical spot on corium
pale.
Structure: Body shining, nearly hairless, with hardly visible short and fine pubescence
on head and abdomen. Head length 0.80 - 0.95 mm; maximum head width (with eyes)
0.75 - 0.95 mm; eye width 0.20 - 0.25 mm, length of antennal segments I - IV 0.8 - 1.0,
0.8 - 1.0, 0.7 - 0.85, and 0.8 mm; length of labial segments I - IV 0.7 - 075, 0.6 - 0.7,
0.5 - 0.6, and 0.4 - 0.45 mm; pronotum length 0.8 - 1.15 mm; width of pronotal collar
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KONDOROSY: A new genus of Lethaeini (Lygaeidae) from the Oriental Region 119
0.65 - 0.75 mm; maximum pronotum width 1.3 - 1.7 mm; scutellum length 0.7 - 0.85 mm;
length of claval suture 0.5 - 0.55 mm; total length of body 4.3 - 5.55 mm. Paramere of
male as in Fig. 2.
Geographical distribution: Northeastern India, Thailand, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia,
Borneo.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Dr. Herbert Zettel (NHMW), Dr. Tamâs Vasârhelyi and Andrâs Orosz
(HNHM), Mr. Mick Webb (BMNH) and Dr. Ernst Heiss (Innsbruck) for the loan of the material and their
kind help given. The author is very grateful to Bernadett Gyurkó for the preparation of the figures.
References
ASHLOCK P.D., 1964: Two new tribes of Rhyparochrominae: a re-evaluation of the tribe Lethaeini
(Hemiptera-Heteroptera: Lygaeidae). - Annals of the Entomological Society of America
57: 414-422.
PÉRICART J., 1999: Hémiptères Lygaeidae euro-méditerranéens. Vol 2. - Faune de France 84B,
Fédération française des Sociétés des Sciences Naturelles, Paris, 453 pp.
SLATER J.A.,1964: A Catalogue of the Lygaeidae of the World. Vol. II. - University of Connecticut,
Storrs, pp. 779-1668.
SLATER J.A. & O'DONNELL J.E., 1995: A Catalogue of the Lygaeidae of the World (1960-1994).
- New York Entomological Society, New York, 410 pp.
WOODWARD T.E. & O'DONNELL J.E., 1988: The genus Aristaenetus DISTANT (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae:
Rhyparochrominae) with the description of a new species. - Memoirs of the Queensland
Museum 25(2): 481-491.
ZHENG L.Y. & Zou H.G., 1981: Lygaeidae. - In: HSIAO T.Y. (ed.): A Handbook for the deter-
mination of the Chinese Hemiptera-Heteroptera. - Science Press, Peking, pp. 564-612.
ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at
Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database
Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature
Zeitschrift/Journal: Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien
Jahr/Year: 2005
Band/Volume: 107B
Autor(en)/Author(s): Kondorosy Elöd
Artikel/Article: A new genus of Lethaeini (Insecta: Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)
from the Oriental Region. 115-119
