Niesthrea choprai Melo and Henry, 2019

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 : 9

Niesthrea choprai Melo and Henry sp. nov. ( urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C01601C9-1EBC-43F0-BB75-3B3DF9570892 )

( Figs. 3C and 6E–F )

Diagnosis

This species is distinguished by the vertical, relatively slender parameres ( Fig. 6E ) with two distinct denticles on the distal half, the lateral processes on the median lobe straight, expanding horizonally, and the slender lateral lobes extending only slightly above the parameres. The labium extends to the posterior margin of abdominal segment II or base of segment III.

Niesthrea choprai is most similar to N. ventralis ( Fig. 11C ), but differs by the horizontally directed lateral processes on the median lobe (versus distinctly V-shaped in N. ventralis ), the more slender lateral lobes (vs thickened and apically rounded in N. ventralis ), and the lack of a lateral black spot on each of the abdominal segments (vs with spots in N. ventralis ).

Description

Head: Yellowish brown, with dark brown markings on vertex between and around ocelli; with numerous semierect pale setae, intermixed with longer dark brown, bristlelike setae. Labium: Extending to posterior margin of abdominal segment II or base of segment III. Antenna: Segment I yellowish brown, with a red streak on ventral side; segments II and III yellowish brown, mottled with reddish brown spots, with long, scattered setae, some two times diameter of segment; segment IV reddish brown, with dense, short, semierect setae. Pronotum: Yellow to yellowish brown, densely spotted with red to dark reddish brown spots, median line yellow, with numerous erect pale brown setae, intermixed with longer, dark brown, bristlelike setae. Scutellum: Yellowish brown, with 10–12 red spots sometimes coalescing to form red patches. Hemelytron: Translucent claval and corial cells smoky brown to fumate, apex of corium often tinged with red; veins yellow to yellowish brown, with numerous dark brown spots; membrane translucent smoky brown. Ventral surface: Uniformly yellow to pale yellowish brown, with numerous, small, evenly spaced red spots, spots on some specimens coalescencing to form red blotches, especially laterally. Legs: Yellowish brown, with femora and tibiae spotted with numerous, relatively small brown to reddish brown spots, with numerous long setae, length of some on tibiae two to almost three times the diameter of the segment. Male genitalia: Paramere ( Fig. 6E ): Vertical, relatively slender, with two distinct denticles on distal half. Median lobe ( Fig. 6E ): Broad, constricted at middle, with lateral processes narrowed and rounded at the apex. Lateral lobe ( Fig. 6E and F ): Relatively slender, extending above parameres and median lobe in caudal aspect; much broader at base in lateral aspect.

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. 6. Niesthrea male genitalia. (A–B) Niesthrea agnes Chopra: (A) Ventral view.(B) Lateral view. (C–D) N. brevicauda Chopra:(C)Ventral view. (D) Lateral view. (E–F) N. choprai, sp. nov.: (E) Ventral view. (F) lateral view.(G–H) N. conicoloba, sp. nov.: (G) Ventral view. (H) Lateral view.

Fig. 11. Niesthrea male genitalia. (A–B) N. truncata, sp. nov.: (A) Ventral view. (B) Lateral view. (C–D) N. ventralis (Signoret): (C) Ventral view. (D) Lateral view. (E–F) N. vincentii (Westwood): (E) Ventral view. (F) Lateral view.