Niesthrea brevicauda Chopra, 1973

Melo, María Cecilia & Henry, Thomas J., 2019, Revision of the New World Scentless Plant Bug Genus Niesthrea (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhopalidae), with Descriptions of Six New Species and a Key to the Species, Insect Systematics and Diversity 3 (5), No. 9, pp. 1-36 : 8

Niesthrea brevicauda Chopra, 1973

(urn:lsid: Coreoidea .speciesfile.org:TaxonName:452501) ( Figs. 3B , 5B , and 6C–D )

Niesthrea brevicauda Chopra, 1973: 455 (original description); Göllner-Scheiding, 1983: 53 (catalog); Froeschner, 1989: 611 (list, distribution); Fowles et al., 2015: 621 (list, distribution); CoreoideaSF Team, 2018 (online catalog).

Diagnosis

This species is distinguished by large, broadly rounded parameres ( Fig. 6C ), without stout denticles; the small, heart-shaped median lobe, and the relatively small and moderately pubescent lateral lobes ( Fig. 6C and D ). Externally, this species is drab pale brown, with small, brown dorsal spots, the abdominal sterna have dark spots ( Fig. 5B ), and the labium extends to the base of abdominal segment III.

The male genitalia of N. brevicauda are most similar to those of N. lateroloba sp. nov. based on the large round parameres ( Fig. 9C ), reduced median lobe, and short, rounded lateral lobes. However, N. brevicauda lacks two distinct denticles on the parameres, the median lobe is distinctly heart-shaped, and the lateral lobes are narrowly rounded apically, with shorter, more sparsed pubescence, whereas N. lateroloba sp. nov. has two stout denticles on the inner margin of the parameres, the median lobe is more quadrate or angulate, and the lateral lobes are broadly rounded apically and densely pubescent.

Figures

Fig. 3. Adult male habitus images of Niesthrea spp. (A) N. agnes Chopra. (B) N. brevicauda Chopra. (C) N. choprai, sp. nov. (D) N. conicoloba, sp. nov. (E) N. dentata Chopra. (F) N digna Chopra. (G) N. fenestrata (Signoret). (H) N. flava Grillo and Alayo. (I) N. josei Göllner-Scheiding.

Fig. 5. (A)Adult male habitus image of Niesthrea vincentii (Westwood).(B) N.brevicauda Chopra,lateroventral view of male abdomen.(C) N.ventralis (Signoret), lateroventral view of male abdomen. (D) N. sidae (Fabricius), metathoracic scent gland.

Fig. 6. Niesthrea male genitalia. (A–B) Niesthrea agnes Chopra: (A) Ventral view.(B) Lateral view. (C–D) N. brevicauda Chopra:(C)Ventral view. (D) Lateral view. (E–F) N. choprai, sp. nov.: (E) Ventral view. (F) lateral view.(G–H) N. conicoloba, sp. nov.: (G) Ventral view. (H) Lateral view.

Fig. 9. Niesthrea male genitalia. (A–B) N. josei Göllner-Scheiding:(A)Ventral view.(B) Lateral view.(C–D) N. lateroloba, sp. nov.: (C)Ventral view.(D) Lateral view. (E–F) N. louisianica Sailer: (E) Ventral view. (F) Lateral view. (G–H) N. parvaloba, sp. nov.: (G) Ventral view. (H) Lateral view.