Diponthus pycnostictus Pictet & Saussure, 1887

(Figs. 2c, d, 6e, f, 7a, b, 8b, 9a, b, 10b, 11b, 12a, b, and 13)

For references on this species see Pocco et al. (2014) and Cigliano et al. (2023).

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from D. argentinus by the following characters: whole body mottled black, ground body color reddish orange (Figs. 2c, d, and 6f) or yellow and dark grey (Fig. 6e); phallic complex: valves of cingulum with anterior margin curved and distal portion oblong (Fig. 10b).

Chromatic variation. At least two discrete color morphs can be found: color morph reddish orange and dark grey, and color morph yellow and dark grey, in both whole body black mottled (Pocco et al. 2014).

A complete redescription of this species and the description of the color morphs are in Pocco et al. (2014)

Measurements (in mm). Body length: males: 25.5 (21–33); females: 35.2 (30–40); femur III length: males: 13.8 (12–17); females: 18.3 (15–21); tegmen length: males: 22.1 (19–28); females: 29.2 (26–32).

Material examined: see Appendix 1

Distribution. This species is widely distributed in central and northern Argentina (Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, Córdoba, San Luis, La Rioja, Mendoza, Tucumán, Salta) (Fig. 13).

Habitat. In grassland areas with forbs, shrubs, and in edges of low forests.