Heissiphara, Gerry Cassis & Loren Vanags, 2006

Gerry Cassis & Loren Vanags, 2006, Jewel Bugs of Australia (Insecta, Heteroptera, Scutelleridae), Denisia 19, pp. 275-398 : 367

Heissiphara nov.gen. ( Figs 24b, 27, 37, 38)

Type species: HeissipHara minuta nov.sp., original designation

Diagnosis: HeissipHara nov.gen. is recognised by the following combination of characters: small species ( Figs 24b, 37); dorsum strongly convex; dorsum heavily punctate with setigerous punctures ( Figs 24b, 37); head strongly declivent and rounded ( Fig. 38b); jugae rounded ( Fig. 38b); bucculae small, arcuate ( Fig. 31c); anterior margin of scutellum with submedial subreniform polished calli ( Fig. 24b, 37); lateral margins of pronotum subcarinate; external efferent system of metathoracic glands moderately developed, with raised obovate peritreme ( Fig. 38c); evaporative areas extending to mesepimeron ( Fig. 38c); spermathecal fecundation canal very short ( Fig. 38d); reservoir oval, not heavily sclerotized; and, spermathecal pump large ( Fig. 38d).

Description: Small species ( Figs 24b, 37); ovoid; dorsum strongly convex ( Figs 24b, 37); body evenly punctate, with setigerous punctures ( Figs 24b, 37). Head: transverse ( Figs 38a), strongly rounded and declivent ( Fig. 38b); lateral margins of jugae rounded ( Fig. 38b). Antennae: AIII and AIV bicompressed. Pronotum: subtrapezoidal, strongly convex ( Figs 24b, 37); anterolateral margins elongate, rectilinear, subcarinate; posterolateral margins short, rounded; posterior margin truncate ( Figs 24b, 37). Scutellum: broad, U-shaped, base of forewings and abdominal connexiva III-VII visible ( Figs 24b, 37); anterior margin with submedial, subreniform, polished calli ( Figs 24b, 37); tip of forewings not exposed; propleuron large, platelike, with anterior margins of proepisternum arcuate; external efferent system of metathoracic glands moderately developed ( Fig. 38c), evaporative ar-eas extensive, rugose, extending beyond peritreme and on to mesepimeron ( Fig. 38c); ostiole small; peritreme raised, obovate ( Fig. 38c). Abdominal Venter: SIII carinate along midline. Female Terminalia: paratergites IX small, subelliptoid; gonocoxae I large, subtriangular, posterior margin weakly excavate. Spermatheca: basal sclerites present; fecundation canal very short ( Fig. 38d); reservoir oval ( Fig. 38d); prominent pump ( Fig. 38d).

Male unknown.

Etymology: This genus is named after our colleague Dr. Ernst Heiss in recognition of his significant contribution to Heteropterology.

Included species: H. minuta nov.sp. Australia

Diversity and distribution: HeissipHara is a monotypic genus, known from a single locality in temperate Western Australia.

Remarks: HeissipHara superficially resembles a number of Australian pentatomid species, with an enlarged scutellum, such as Kapunda . However, HeissipHara is a member of the Scutelleridae based on the following characters: greatly enlarged scutellum, spermatheca with basal sclerites, and the spermathecal reservoir without a sclerotized rod.

The position of HeissipHara within the scutellerid hierarchy is difficult to determine, as males are unknown. It is conclusively excluded from the Elvisurinae in that it does not possess keel-like thoracic sterna. It is unlikely to be a member of the Tectocorinae as its female terminalia and spermatheca are consistent with those of the scutellerines. HeissipHara shares some similarites with Morbora , in that both the body has setigerous punctures and the metathoracic peritreme is obovate. However, HeissipHara also shares these characters with CHoerocoris , and on the basis of the similar spermathecae, the former genus is putatively assigned to the Scutelleri-nae , despite its dull colouration.

HeissipHara differs from CHoerocoris in the shape of the head, which is more round-ed and the lateral jugal margins are not explanate. In addition, HeissipHara has a more densely punctate body, and is significantly smaller, the anterior margin of the scutellum has submedial calli, and the spermathecal reservoir is not heavily sclerotised.