Cheirochela Hope, 1841: 442

Dan, Polhemus, John, Polhemus & Sites, Robert, 2008, A Revision Of The Indochinese Genera Cheirochela And Gestroiella Heteroptera Naucoridae And A Review Of The Tribe Cheirochelini, Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 56 (2), pp. 255-279 : 258

Cheirochela Hope, 1841: 442 .

Diagnosis. – Body size very large, form broadly ovate ( Fig. 2 ). Ventral margin of anteclypeus with band of dense, short setae. Pronotum not markedly widened posteriorly, width less than 2× width of head ( Fig. 2 ); anterolateral angles of curved inward to form ventrally-directed cup-like depressions at apices adjacent to eyes; posterolateral angles with apices acuminate and spinose. Hemelytra of brachypterous forms long, apices angulate, reaching to or surpassing abdominal tergite VI ( Fig. 2 ). Abdominal and thoracic venter with thick erect hair pile, especially evident when viewed laterally. Parameres elongate, slightly thicker and sometimes weakly bifurcate basally, bearing fringe of long setae on outer margins, apices notched to varying degrees ( Figs. 7–11 ). Phallotheca symmetrical, basal shaft elongate, apex expanded and lyre-shaped, similar to that of other genera currently held in the Cheirochelini , relatively homogenous in form among all species examined. Female genital plate triangular, of limited diagnostic value for species separation.

Figures

Fig. 2. Cheirochela tonkina Polhemus & Polhemus. Male, dorsal habitus. Drawn by Young Sohn.

Figs. 7–11. Cheirochela species, male right paramere: 7, C. assamensis, holotype; 8, C. feana, paratype. 9. C. birmaniensis, holotype; 10, C. tonkina, paratype; 11, C. thailandana, paratype.