Physopelta (Afrophysopelta), Stehlík, 2013

Stehlík, Jaroslav L., 2013, Review and reclassification of the Old World genus Physopelta (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Largidae), Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 53 (2), pp. 505-584 : 555

Subgenus Afrophysopelta subgen. nov.

Type species. Physopelta melanoptera Distant, 1904 , here designated.

Diagnosis. Body smaller (8.5–12.6 mm), red. Antennomere 1 short, much shorter than antennomere 2 or length of pronotum. Sexual dimorphism indistinct, callar lobe only weakly gibbose in both sexes ( Figs 62−63 ). Profemora of both sexes not incrassate ( Figs 62−63 ), their ventral surface with a longitudinal furrow, provided with a row of small denticles on each sides of the furrow, and two larger teeth anteapically on dorsal surface ( Figs 66−67 ). Meso- and metafemora lacking both denticles and longitudinal furrow. Tibiae unarmed in both sexes. Labium surpassing metacoxae. Stridulatory organs on fore leg lacking ( Figs 64−65 ). Peritreme of metathoracic scent gland oriented longitudinally, crescent-shaped, projecting both anteriad and posteriad of ostiole ( Figs 68−69 ). Paramere with apex short and narrow, outer margin basally with small angulate process ( Figs 75−79 ).

Etymology. The name is composed by the prefix Afro -, derived from Africa, and the genus name Physopelta , referring to the area of distribution of the subgenus. Gender is feminine.

Species included. Afrophysopelta subgen. nov. includes 5 species, including one described in this paper. I am not aware of any undescribed species belonging to this taxon.

Figures

Figs 60–63. 60–61 – Physopelta (Physopeltoides) dentipes sp. nov. 60 – male, paratype; 61 – female, paratype.62–63 – Physopelta (Afrophysopelta) melanoptera Distant, 1904. 62 – male; 63 – female. (Photo: L. Dembický).

Figs 64–69. Physopelta (Afrophysopelta) melanoptera Distant, 1904, male. 64 – fore coxae and trochanters (magnification 75×); 65 – detail of procoxa and protrochanter (110×); 66–67 – profemur: 66 – anterior view (35×), 67 – ventral surface (70×); 68 – external scent efferent system (100×); 69 – peritreme and evaporatorium (170×). Scale bars: 0.2 mm (Figs 64, 66–68), 0.5 mm (Figs 65, 69). (SEM micrographs: P. Kment).

Figs 75–79. Physopelta (Afrophysopelta) melanoptera Distant, 1904, male, paramere (different orientations; 230×). Scale bar: 0.2 mm. (SEM micrographs: P. Kment).