Flexitibia, Zhao, Ping, Pham, Minhlan, Truong, Xuan Lam & Cai, Wanzhi, 2014

Zhao, Ping, Pham, Minhlan, Truong, Xuan Lam & Cai, Wanzhi, 2014, Flexitibia, a new genus of Harpactorinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae), with a discussion on the functional morphology of fore legs of the related genera, Zootaxa 3795 (5), pp. 564-570 : 565

Flexitibia gen. nov.

( Figs. 1–10 , 14 )

Type species. Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Body elongate, abdomen laterally nearly parallel ( Fig. 1 ). Head slightly shorter than pronotum ( Fig. 2 ), with a spine behind base of antennal tubercle; postocular area subequal to anteocular in length, transversely impressed between eyes; first antennal segment nearly as long as hind tibia; first rostral segment distinctly longer than second and third segments combined ( Fig. 2 ). Pronotum discally slightly bulging and conspicuously anteriorly declining, lateral margin nearly straight; collar processes obtuse; anterior pronotal lobe much smaller than posterior; disk of posterior lobe not depressed but anteriorly feebly bulgy, and two sides without lateral sulci ( Fig. 1 ); lateral pronotal angles produced laterally, short spine-shaped, with a small denticle behind it; posterior and posterolateral margins nearly straight; scutellum somewhat long and subtriangular, apex posteriorly produced. Legs slender; femora apically with a pair of small spines; fore legs somewhat thickened, apical part of fore tibiae bent; apex of fore tibia with a small tubercle ( Fig. 14 ). Fore wing membrane area large, inner cell longer than outer cell at base.

Distribution. China (Yunnan), Vietnam.

Etymology. The new generic name alluded to its bent fore tibiae. Feminine.

Remarks. The new genus and four closely related genera ( Camptibia Cai & Tomokuni 2003 , Rihirbus Stål 1861 , Brassivola Distant 1904, Agyrius Stål 1863) have some common morphological characters in fore legs: the apical part of fore tibia is bent ( Figs. 11–15 ), the apex of fore tibia with a small tubercle ( Figs. 11–14 ). But in the new genus, the anterior pronotal lobe is distinctly shorter than 1/2 of posterior lobe, the pronotum is medianly discally feebly bulging and anteriorly declining, the femur apically with a pair of spines (vs. in the closely related genera, the anterior pronotal lobe is much larger, and the pronotum is distinctly transversely constricted and not bulging in middle, femur apically without a pair of spines ( Figs. 11–13, 15 )). The genera morphologically related to the new genus can be separated using the following key.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov., ♂, habitus. Scale bar of 1 = 2.52 mm.

FIGURES 2 – 10. Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov. ♂. 2, head and pronotum, antennae removed; 3, apical part of hind tibia; 4, apical part of abdomen; 5, 6, pygophore; 7, paramere; 8, phallus; 9, 10, phallosoma. 5, 10, ventral view; 2, 4, 6, 8, lateral view; 9, dorsal view. Scale bar of 2 = 0.87 mm; of 3, 7 = 0.31 mm; of 4 = 0.73 mm; of 5, 6 = 0.34 mm; of 8 – 10 = 0.31 mm.

FIGURES 11 – 16. 11. Camptibia obscura Cai & Tomokuni; 12. Rihirbus sinicus Hsiao & Ren; 13. Brassivola hystrix Distant; 14. Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov.; 15. Agyrius watanabeorum Ishikawa; 16. Endochus cingalensis Stål. 11 – 16, fore leg. 11 – 16, lateral view. Scale bar of 11 – 13, 16 = 2.00 mm; of 14 – 15 = 1.33 mm.