Polytes, Stal, 1867

J. E. Eger, Jr., 2015, Polytes debra, a new species from Peru (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae: Pachycorinae), Insecta Mundi 2015 (420), pp. 1-6 : 2-4

Key to species of Polytes (adapted from Eger 1990)

1.

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Venter stramineous with black median vitta of irregular width; abdominal sternites lacking distinct punctation ................................................................................ P. nigrovittatus Eger

Venter variously colored, lacking distinct black vitta; abdominal sternites usually distinctly punctured ................................................................................................................................... 2

2(1).

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Dorsal surface uniformly dark reddish-brown except yellow to orange borders and with small, dense, uniform green punctures; second and third visible abdominal sternites shallowly sulcate mesially .................................................................................................. P. velutinus (Dallas)

Dorsal surface not as above, mottled yellow and brown to black, light brown with dark punctures, or black with distinct red or yellow pattern; abdominal sternites convex .............................. 3

3(2).

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Ventral surface predominately stramineous to light brown, with punctation usually distinctly darker than surrounding surface .............................................................................................. 4

Ventral surface predominately piceus to black with punctation concolorous with or slightly darker than surrounding surface .............................................................................................. 9

4(3).

– Edges of lateral jugal margins rounded; head narrowly rounded anteriorly ............................ 5 Edges of lateral jugal margins sharply angled or carinate; head broadly rounded anteriorly. 6 5(4).

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Sternites usually with dark brown to black macule posterior to spiracles; first conjunctival diverticula sclerotized at apices; length of body 9.0 mm or greater ... P. lineolatus (Dallas)

Sternites with red to dark brown punctation, but lacking macules; first conjunctival diverticula entirely membranous; length of body 8.8 mm or less ..................... P. propinquus (Walker)

6(4).

– Scutellum with 2 large distinct pale macules ......................................... P. bimaculatus Eger Scutellum lacking distinct pale macules ..................................................................................... 7 7(6).

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Dorsal surface densely setose; body shape elongate oval; scutellum at least 1.0 mm longer than wide .................................................................................................... P. granulatus (Walker)

Dorsal surface glabrous, setae sparse or lacking; body shape broadly oval; scutellum usually much less than 1.0 mm longer than wide ................................................................................. 8

8(7).

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