Polytes similis Eger, 1990

Eger, J. E., 1990, Revision of the Genus Polytes Stål (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae), Annals of the Entomological Society of America 83 (2), pp. 115-141 : 131

Polytes similis Eger , new species ( Fig. 82-84 )

Description. Dorsum dark orange brown to black except following orange structures: elongate, impunctate, longitudinal macule at base of each jugum and at base of tylus; 2 large macules occupying most of pronotum (each usually with dark intrusion on posterolateral margin, intrusion infrequently bisecting each macule); 4 large macules occupying most of scutellum. Dorsal surface infrequently entirely light orange brown. Punctation moderately dense, concolorous to dark brown. Venter dark orange brown to black; propleura and coria basally with thin, pale, marginal line; coxae and basal rostral segments sometimes also pale. Length 7.3-8.9.

Head narrowly rounded anteriorly; length 1.9- 2.3; width across eyes 2.5-2.9. Length of antennal segments 1 -5: 0.4-0.7; 0.5-0.6; 0.5-0.7; 1.0-1.2; 1.2-1.4. Rostrum reaching middle of 2nd visible abdominal sternite.

Pronotum 2.2-3.0 long at meson, 4.8-5.8 wide at humeri. Anterolateral margins convex with thin, pale, marginal carina. Coxae concolorous with or slightly lighter in color than supporting pleura; remainder of legs dark orange brown to black.

Scutellum 4.5-5.4 long at meson, 4.3-5.2 broad at widest point. Dark longitudinal, median fascia and transverse, V-shaped fascia usually present on scutellum, these separating 4 orange macules of approximately equal size. Posterior margin of last sternite usually with narrow, pale, mesial band.

Genital cup as in P. fenestra. Parameres hookshaped, shank short, broad; head elongate, inner surface shagreened ( Fig. 82 ). Second conjunctival diverticula with moderate-sized membranouslobe, apices large, stout, distinctly enlarged basally, dorsal surfaces slightly concave ( Fig. 84 ). Sclerotized apices of 3rd conjunctival diverticula flattened, not enlarged basally; each apex bifurcate, inner furcation dentate ( Fig. 83 ).

Type Material. HOLOTYPE: 6, labeled: PERU: Huanuco Dept., Cueva de las Luchuzas , S. of Tingo Maria. 21-IX-1988. J. Ch. de Vela, coll. Deposited in FSCA . PARATYPES: Total of 49 66: 13 labeled as holotype; 6 labeled as holotype except 30-IX-1988 ; 10 labeled: PERU: Huanuco Dept., Cueva de las Pavas Canyon , 8 km. S Tingo Maria. III-1988. 2600'. J. Ch. de Vela, coll. ; 2 labeled as previous 10 except IV-1988; 10 labeled: PERU: Huanuco Dept., Tambillo Grande Canyon , 13 km. S. Tingo Maria. 3-V-1988. J. Ch. de Vela, coll.; 8 labeled: (a) Mus. Leiden, J. de Voogd. Tinga Maria en Omgv. Peru. 1934. (b) Museum Leiden. Polytes fenestra Bredd. ( AMNH, BMNH, FSCA, JEE, LHR, RNH, TAMU, USNM).

Distribution. Known only from the vicinity of Tingo Maria, Peru.

Comment. This species is very similar in appearance to P. confusus , but the parameres and sclerotized apices of the third conjunctival diverticula are quite distinct. The name reflects the similarity of this species to P. confusus and P. fenestra .

Figures

Fig. 75-84. Fig. 75-81. Polytes fenestra. (75) Genital cup, caudal aspect. (76) Genital cup, dorsal aspect. (77) Paramere, ectal aspect. (78) Sclerotized apex of 3rd conjunctival diverticula, lateral aspect. (79) Sclerotized apex of 3rd conjunctival diverticula, dorsal aspect. (80) Sclerotized apex of 2nd conjunctival diverticula, lateral aspect. (81) Sclerotized apex of 2nd conjunctival diverticula, dorsal aspect. Fig. 82-84. Polytes similis. (82) Paramere, ectal aspect. (83) Sclerotized apex of 3rd conjunctival diverticula. (84) Sclerotized apex of 2nd conjunctival diverticula.