Niesthrea flava Grillo and Alayo, 1978

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 : 13-14

Niesthrea flava Grillo and Alayo, 1978

( Figs. 3H and 8G–H )

Niesthrea flava Grillo and Alayo, 1978: 43 (original description); Froeschner, 1989: 611 (list, distribution); Hidalgo-Gato González et al. 2002: 22 (type specimen data).

Niesthrea remediana Grillo and Alayo, 1978: 46 (original description); Froeschner, 1989: 611 (list, distribution); Hidalgo- Gato González et al. 2002: 22 (type specimen data). Previously synonymized with N. louisianica by Göllner-Scheiding, 1989: 298. Revised synonymy.

Niesthrea ashlocki Froeschner, 1989: 609 (original description); Henry and Wilson, 2004: 81 (diagnosis, distribution); Fowles et al., 2015: 621 (list, distribution); CoreoideaSF Team, 2018 (online catalog). New synonymy.

Diagnosis

Niesthrea flava is distinguished by the vertical, relatively slender parameres ( Fig. 8G ) with only a small denticle at the base and apex, the broadly rounded median lobe with weakly constricted smooth lateral margins, and the subequal height of the parameres and lateral lobes. The labium extending to base of abdominal segment III.

The male genitalia of this species are most similar to those of N. louisianica , especially the parameres. However, in N. flava , the height of the parameres ( Fig. 8G ) and lateral lobes is subequal, whereas in N. louisianica the lateral lobes ( Fig. 9E ) are much higher than the parameres. Niesthrea flava can be further separated by the usually pale body color ( Figs. 1 and 3H ) with or without small red dorsal spots, the greatly reduced dark bands on the femora and tibiae, and the smaller size (4.86–6.30 mm), whereas N. louisianica is distinguished by the generally much darker, often strongly tinged with red color and with red spots the more heavily banded femora and tibiae, and the larger size (6.72–8.16 mm).

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. 8. Niesthrea male genitalia.(A–B) N. dentata Chopra:(A) Ventral view.(B) Lateral view.(C–D) Niesthrea digna Chopra:(C)Ventral view.(D) Lateral view.(E–F) N. fenestrata (Signoret): (E) Ventral view. (F) Lateral view. (G–H) N. flava Grillo and Alayo: (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.