.4 new genus of Pentatomidae from Africa, Madagascar and Mauritius (Hemiptera)

By ALFRED J . E. ORlAN

Department of Agriculture, A4auritiirs*

SYNOPSIS A new pentatomine genus, of which a description is given, is erected for Acrosternum

pallidoconspersum and a number of other species from Africa and Madagascar, two of which are redescribed. Notes are given on the related genera Acrosternum and Nezara.

IN 1858, StAl described a new species of Pentatomidae from Madagascar, naming it Rhaphigaster pallidoconspersus. This was later redescribed as a new species of Nezara Amyot & Serville, 1843, by Signoret (1860), under the name of N . Jlavopunctata. Later StAl (1865) synonymised the two but agreed that the species was referable to the genus Nezara. Mulsant & Rey (1866) redescribed species of Acrosternum and Nezara under Nezara A. & S. , the name Acrosternum Fieber, 18601 therefore falling as a junior synonym of Nezara. Sharp (1890), in his study of the structure of the terminal segment in male Hemiptera, produced strong evidence that Nezara and Acrosternum are distinct genera. The next important work on the genus Nezara followed when Kirkaldy (1909) divided Nezara into six subgenera: Nezara A. & S. , 1843, Acrosternum Fieber, 1860, Pellaea StA1, 1872, Banasa Stil, 1860, Atomosira Uhler, 1871 and Rio Kirkaldy, 1909. He placed N. pallidoconspersa (Stil) in the sub- genus Acrosternum, in which it has remained ever since, although, following Bergroth (1914), Acrosternum is now generally regarded as a distinct genus. Kiritschenko (1926) also considered Acrosternum to be an independent genus.

In order to ascertain the true affinities of A . pallidoconspersum, the author borrowed the type species of Acrosternum Fieber ( A . heegeri Fieber) from the Naturhistorisches Museum (Vienna), through the courtesy of Professor Dr. Max Beier. Dorsal and ventral views of the female holotype are shown in Plate I (figs. 1, 2). Dissection and examination of the male genitalia and pygophore at once showed that A . heegeri was generically distinct from pallidoconspersum. These differences are clearly shown in figures 1-5 and in Plate 11.

Acrosternum pallidoconspersum does not fit into any known genus of Penta- tominae, and a new genus is therefore proposed to contain this species and a number of others from Africa and Madagascar with apparently close affinities. The genus is dedicated to Dr. W. E. China, world-renowned hemipterist at the British Museum (Natural History) during the past 40 years.

Subfamily PENTATOMINAE Amyot & Serville, 1843 Tribe PENTATOMINI Kirkaldy, 1909

Chinavia gen. n. Relatively large green obovate pentatomids, fairly densely punctate above, smoother and obso-

letely punctate below.

* Now at Imperial College of Science & Technology, London. 1 Fieber’s Die Europaischen Hemiptera was first published in parts, pp. 16-108 (according to

Hagen, Bibliotheca Entomologica : 233) 1-1 12 (according to Van Duzee, Cat. Hem. Amer. N . Mexico: 831) appearing in 1860 and the balance in 1861. The key to the genus is given on p. 79. In accordance with art. 21d of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature the present author accepts 1860 as the valid year of publication for Acrosternum. Proc. R . ent. SOC. Lond. (Bh 34 (3-4). Pp. 25-30, 5 figs., 3 Plates. 1965. 2

26 A. J . E. Orian on a genus of Peniatornidae

H a d ~ i t h tylus and juga almost equal in length, bucculae well developed, extending back to a point l e d with hind margin of eye. First rostra1 segment as long as bucculae, extending back to a point level with hind margin of eye, basal antenna1 segment not extending beyond juga.

Peritreme of metathoracic scent gland elongate and acuminate, extending anterolaterally to run paral!el to hind margin of mesopleuron, as in some species of Acrosternum.

Spiracles eccentrically placed on posterior lateral edge of an elevated, shining round spot, varying in colour according to species. Pygophore generally shallowly concave, ventral margin not strongly produced into lateral lobes as in Acrosternum or if produced (e.g. in C. Zitura (Horvath)) apex of lateral lobe pointed and not broadly truncate as in Acrosternum (A. heegeri). Ventral margin deeply emar- ginate in posterior view, giving rise to two sublateral vertical lobes. Parameres always tongue- shaped, with apex pubescent and with a basal spur on outer margin.

Type species : Rhaphigaster pallidoconspersus Stil. Type locality: Madagascar. The author considers that the following pentatomine species should be assigned

to Chinavia; the genera under which they were originally described are shown in square brackets :

Acrosternuni acutiim (Dallas) . . . . . . E . and W. Africa, Madagascar

A. bergrothi (Horvath) . . . . . . . . . Madagascar, Mascarenes

A . emmerezi (Schouteden) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mauritius

A . Zituratum (Horv.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Madagascar

A . niacrorhaphis (Horv.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W . Africa

A . punctatorugosuni (StAl) . . . . . . . . . . . . . W . Africa

A . rinapsus (Dallas) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W . Africa

A . varicornis (Dallas)’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W . Africa

[ Rhaphigaster]

[Nezara]

[Nezara]

[Nezara]

[Nezara]

[ Raph igaster]

[Rhaphigaster]

[Rhaphigaster]

Chinavia pallidoconspersa (StAl), comb. n. (Plate I, figs. 3 and 4; Plate 111; Figs. 1-5) Raphigaster pallidoconspersus Stil, 1858, Ofvers. VetenskAkad. Forh., Stockh. 15 : 437. Nezara flavopunctata Signoret, 1860, Ann. SOC. ent. France (3) 8 : 935. N. (Acrosternum) pallidoconspersa Kirkaldy, 1909, Cat. Hem. 1 : 115-8. Acrosternum pallidoconspersum Cachan, 1952, MPm. Inst. Sci. Mad. (E) I : 446.

Redescription Male: Length, 12-15 mm.; maximum pronotal width, 75-9 mm. Female: Length, 14-17 mm.; maximum pronotal width, 8.5-10 mm. Lateral margins of head and pronotum orange-yellow; apex of tylus green or yellowish-green;

eyes prominent; ocelli almost touching anterior margin of pronotum. Antennae with first and second segments green; apex of third, apical half of fourth and fifth infuscate. Distinguishing charac- teristics of this species are the numerous conspicuous small whitish or yellowish callosities dotted over pronotum and corium, the pale spiracles with the aperture on posterior lateral surface3 of raised bright orange swellings located in anterior half of each segment (Plate I, fig. 4; Plate 111, fig. 2). Trichobothria long, arranged in pairs transversely on the stemites, ental trichobothrium more strongly developed and longer than the ectal, rim of insertion pit very distinct, appearing from above as a whitish-green knob. Ectal trichobothrium lying in the spiracular line, ental distinctly entad.

General puncturation dark green; basal angles of scutellum without impressed pit but with small white levigate spot and two larger ones along basal margin, one on each side of middle line.

a Lethierry & Severin (1893) were unable to place this species from Dallas’ description. 3 Cachan’s statement that the spiracles lie “au centre d‘une callosite orange” is incorrect (Cachan.

1952 : 446).

from Africa, Madagascar mid Mauritiirs 27

I - - .

FIGS. 1-5.-Chinavia pullidoconspersa (Stal) : (1) pygophore, viewed from behind (paramere re- moved); (2) aedeagus, dorsal view; (3) the same, three-quarters lateral view; (4) left paramere, dorsal view; (5) pygophore, dorsal view (parameres in situ).

Lateral margins of abdomen orange-yellow both ventrally and dorsally; apical angles of connexivum ventrally with a black spot and dorsally with a black transverse band or spot. Basal ventral abdominal tubercle extending forward to intermediate coxae.

Pygophore (figs. 1, 2).-Apical inner surface near dorsal margin covered with dense regular pubescence directed towards centre of pygophore. Dorsal margin concavely emarginate on each side of broad median process, which extends posteriorly to the base of the proctiger; latter apically arcuate with a triangular pit on its dorsal surface, apex of triangle directed anteriorly, sides of triangle appearing as two distinct ridges, which fit in the emargination of median lobe.

Mule genitalia (figs. 2, 3).-Theca well sclerotised, with wide opening. Ventral conjunctival appendages lobe-like when inflated but acuminate and sclerotised apically, rounded at base, numerous longitudinal pleats or creases indicating the previous undilated folds; dorsal pair elongate in lateral view, strongly sclerotised. Vesica short, arising in between the dorsal appendages, with a well- developed reservoir contained in the theca. Parameres simple, tongue-shaped, with a lateral external spur at base directed cephalad, apex pubescent (fig. 4).

The redescription of the female is based on Stil's type specimen of R. pallido- conspersus (locality : Madagascar) and on Signoret's type specimen of N . jlavopunctata: general characters have been confirmed from a number of males and females from Madagascar, S. Africa (Pretoria, Natal), Uganda, E. Africa, Nyasaland, Zululand and the Cameroun Republic, in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.), and from specimens from Mauritius in the author's own collection.

This species is a pest of Cajanus cajan and of Brassica sp. in Mauritius. Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond. (B). 34 (3-4). Pp. 25-30, 5 figs, 3 Plates. 1965.

Chinavia emtnerezi (Schouteden), comb. n. (Plate 1, fig. 5; Plate 11, figs. 2 and 4)

Nezara eriiiiierezi Schouteden, 1905, Wieri. em. 2. 24 : 52. Acrosferrzm heegeri Fieber, 1860 : Distant, 1913, Trar~s. Liiui. SOC. Loiicl. (Zoo/.) 16 : 144.

Redexript ion Closely allied to C. bergrothi but differing slightly in shape of paramere and pygophore. Colora-

tion very similar to that of bergrothi from Madagascar, except for tarsal articulations which are slightly yellow dorsally, whereas in bergrothi these are generally dark green or even blackish. Possibly a subspecies of C. bergrothi.

Oval to round in shape; smaller than pnllidocomper~a. Male length, 11.5-12 mm.; maximum pronotal width, 7-7.5 mm. Female length, 13 mm.; maximum pronotal width, 8 mm. Greenish above, pale greenish below, darker green anteriorly, densely but minutely punctate.

Head green, with inferior border reddish to straw-coloured. Antennae green, apex of third segment dark, apical part of fourth and fifth segments brown except at base. Pronotum and scutellum with irregular transverse, slightly callous, areas. Hemelytral callosities less distinct than in pallidocompersa. Basal ventral abdominal tubercle short and stout, extending only to posterior coxae. Spiracles dark on creamish-white rounded spot. Trichobothria as in pallidoconsperm but smaller. Rim of insertion pit more distinct, brownish.

Type locality: Mauritius.

Some useful notes on the characters of Acrosternum and Nezara are given by Freeman (1940). Freeman, like Bergroth, separates the two genera on the structure of the metapleural orifices. If this criterion is adopted, however, many Nearctic and Neotropical pentatomine species fall under Acrosternum, a view which is open to doubt. Freeman states (t.c. : 353) that in Nezara the “ninth segment of the male is clearly visible in ventral view, whereas in Acrosternum it is retracted into the abdo- men and is hardly visible in ventral view ”. In the opinion of the present author, however, this is an artefact caused by the methods employed for killing and drying the insect.

In accordance with Art. Ilg(i) of the International Code of Zoological Nomen- clature, Nezara o (Signoret, 1858) must now be replaced by the next available name: N . orbiculata Distant (1 890). The former was originally described under Rhaphigaster, but placed under Nezara by Stti1 (1865). Examination of the type specimen of N . orbiculata Distant in the British Museum shows that it is the female of Nezara 0. Schouteden (1909) had previously hinted at this possibility in his comments on N . orbiculata: he noted that the species was “fort voisin d’aspect du Nezara o Signoret, ne lui serait-il pas identique?”

Wagner (1959 : 415, fig. 10) gives an inaccurate diagram of the genital segment of Acrosternum heegeri. A photograph of a preparation of the original type series deter- mined by Fieber himself (No. 365. Mann 1868 Spalato) clearly shows that the dorsal margin of the pygophore is prominently produced caudad to meet the base of the proctiger. In addition, the middle of the ventral margin of the pygophore is largely convex with a central concavity as shown in Plate 11, fig. 1. The sketches by Lindberg (1953) and Vidal (1949) of the genital segments do not show these features clearly. Wagner (t.c. : 416-7) also points out that Lindberg (t.c.) has established that Nezara heegeri var. rubescens and N . millierei var. rosea, both of which were de- scribed by Noualhier, are identical with Acrosternum canariense Lindberg, and the present author is in agreement with this. Of the three names, rubescens has priority over rosea by virtue of appearing earlier on the page. The species should therefore be called Acrosternum rubescens Noualhier, 1893, the names rosea and canariensis falling as synonyms. Wagner has shown that many other so-called colour varieties in A . heegeri Fieb. and A . millierei Muls. are not even varieties but only stages in a progressive loss of colour, which ends in unicolorous green.

JiWn Africa, Mudugascur a17d Mauritius 29

In light of the above, it might prove interesting to re-examine all pentatomine species placed under Acrosternum, and in particular the American species, to see whether the genus is widely distributed or, as would appear from the collections in the British Museum, confined to the Palaearctic-Mediterranean region. The various species of Chiiiuvia. however, appear to be widely distributed in the Ethiopian region generally.

The author wishes to tender his thanks to Mr. J. P. Doncaster, Keeper of Entomology at the British Museum (N.H.), for providing facilities for work in the Department of Entomology and to Professor 0. W. Richards and Dr. W. E. China, who have made valuable suggestions. Grateful acknowledgement is also made to Dr. M. S . K. Ghauri, Mr. R. J. h a r d and Mr. J. A. Grant for reading the manuscript. Miss G. M. Day and Mr. P. S . Broomfield also helped in many ways.

The cost of the half-tone plates was borne by the Government of Mauritius, to whom the author is very grateful.

REFERENCES BERGROTH, E., 1914, Notes on some genera of Heteroptera. Ann. SOC. ent. Belg. 58 : 23-28. CACHAN, P., 1952, Les Pentatomidae de Madagascar (Hemiptkres, Hetkroptkres). Mern. Inst. Sci.

Madagascar, Tunamrive ( E ) 1 : 231462. DISTANT, W. L., 1890, Report on a collection of Rhynchota made at Yambuya on the River Aruwimi,

by Mr. W. Bonny of the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition under Mr. H. M. Stanley. Proc. zool. SOC. Lond. 1890 : 473-9.

FREEMAN, P., 1940, A contribution to the study of the genus Nezara Amyot & Serville (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae). Trans. R. ent. SOC. Lond. 90 : 351-74.

KIRITSCHENKO, A. N., 1926, Beitrage zur Kenntnis palaearktischer Hemipteren. Konowia 5 : 57-63. KIRKALDY, G. W., 1909, Catalogue of the Hem2;ntera (Heteroptera). Vol. 1. Cimicidae. Berlin. LETHIERRY, L. & SEVERIN, G., 1893, Catalogue ginPral des HdmiptPres. Vol. 1. Brussels. LINDBERG, H., 1953, Entomologische Ergebnisse der finnlandischen Kanaren-Expedition 1947-1951.

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SOC. linn. Lyon N.S. 13 : 291-367. NOUALHIER, M., 1893, Voyage de M. Ch. AIluaud aux iles Canaries. Ann. SOC. enf. Fr. 52 : 8. SCHOUTEDEN, H., 1909, Catalogues raisonnes de la faune entomologique du Congo Belge. Hernip-

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contenant des iZZustrafions d‘insectes nouveaux ou raws 2 : 289. Paris. -- 1860, Faune des Hbmiptkres de Madagascar (suite et fin). 2e Partie. Hetkroptkes. Ann. SOC.

ent. Fr. (3) 8 : 917-72. S T ~ L , C., 1858, Hemipterologiska Bidrag. Ofvers. VetenskAkud. Forh., Stockh. 15 : 433-54. __ 1865. Hemiotera Africana. Vol. 1. Holmiae. VIDAL, J.,’ 1949,’Hemipkres de I’Afrique du Nord et des pays circum-mediterrankens. Mern. SOC.

WAGNER, E. , 1959, Zur Systematik der Gattung Acrosternum Fieber. Bull. SOC. ent. Egypte43 : 413-8. Sci. nut. Maroc, Rabat 48 : 1-238.