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Three new species of Rasahus, with clarifications on the identities of three other Neotropical corsairs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Peiratinae)

September 2018
Zootaxa 4471(3):446

DOI:10.11646/zootaxa.4471.3.2

Authors:

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Three new peiratine species in the genus Rasahus Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Peiratinae) are described: Rasahus nesiotes sp. nov. from Grand Bahama, Rasahus deliquus sp. nov. from Panama, and Rasahus abolitus sp. nov. from French Guiana. Rasahus castaneus Coscarón, 1983 is reported for the first time from French Guiana. The identity of Reduvius scutellaris Fabricius, 1787 is clarified, resulting in the following taxonomic and nomenclatural changes: Rasahus rufiventris (Walker, 1873) is considered a junior synonym of Rasahus scutellaris (Fabricius, 1787) stat. rev. et syn. nov., and Pirates myrmecinus Erichson, 1848 is resurrected and transferred, resulting in Rasahus myrmecinus (Erichson, 1848) stat. rev. et comb. nov. Most records of Rasahus scutellaris auct. (nec Fabricius) prior to this study remain indeterminate. Additionally, the peiratine fauna known from Panama and French Guiana are enumerated, and an updated key to the species of Rasahus is provided. Lastly, Pirates digramma Walker, 1873 (p. 102), tentatively considered to belong to Rasahus by previous authors, is discussed and transferred to Tydides Stål, 1866, resulting in Tydides digramma (Walker, 1873) comb. nov.

Rasahus nesiotes sp. nov., adult female (holotype): (A) dorsal habitus; (B) lateral habitus; (C) pronotum, dorsal view; (D) terminalia, caudal view; (E) labels. Scale bar = 2 mm.

…

Rasahus deliquus sp. nov., adult male (holotype): (A) dorsal habitus; (B) lateral habitus; (C) pronotum, dorsal view; (D) pygophore, caudal view; (E) labels. Scale bar = 2 mm.

…

Rasahus abolitus sp. nov., adult male (holotype): (A) dorsal habitus; (B) lateral habitus; (C) pronotum, dorsal view; (D) pygophore, caudal view; (E) labels. Scale bar = 2 mm.

…

Map indicating type locality of Rasahus nesiotes sp. nov., R. deliquus sp. nov., and R. abolitus sp. nov.

…

Male external genitalia: (A-C) Rasahus deliquus sp. nov.: (A) median process of pygophore; (B) left paramere; (C) right paramere; (D-F) R. abolitus sp. nov.: (D) median process of pygophore; (E) left paramere; (F) right paramere; (G-I) R. myrmecinus stat. rev. et comb. nov.: (G) median process of pygophore; (H) left paramere; (I) right paramere.

…

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446

Accepted by D. Redei: 24 Jul. 2018; published: 6 Sept. 2018

ZOOTAXA

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Zootaxa 4471 (3): 446

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Article

https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4471.3.2

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3E6513AE-948D-4474-97CA-389AE05F9931

Three new species of Rasahus, with clarifications on the identities of

three other Neotropical corsairs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Peiratinae)

DANIEL R. SWANSON

Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 320 Morrill Hall, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL

61801. Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1816 South Oak

Street, Champaign, IL 61820-6960. E-mail: drswanny@gmail.com

Abstract

Three new peiratine species in the genus Rasahus Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae:

Peiratinae) are described: Rasahus nesiotes sp. nov. from Grand Bahama, Rasahus deliquus sp. nov. from Panama, and

Rasahus abolitus sp. nov. from French Guiana. Rasahus castaneus Coscarón, 1983 is reported for the first time from

French Guiana. The identity of Reduvius scutellaris Fabricius, 1787 is clarified, resulting in the following taxonomic and

nomenclatural changes: Rasahus rufiventris (Walker, 1873) is considered a junior synonym of Rasahus scutellaris (Fab-

ricius, 1787) stat. rev. et syn. nov., and Pirates myrmecinus Erichson, 1848 is resurrected and transferred, resulting in

Rasahus myrmecinus (Erichson, 1848) stat. rev. et comb. nov. Most records of Rasahus scutellaris auct. (nec Fabricius)

prior to this study remain indeterminate. Additionally, the peiratine fauna known from Panama and French Guiana are enu-

merated, and an updated key to the species of Rasahus is provided. Lastly, Pirates digramma Walker, 1873 (p. 102), ten-

tatively considered to belong to Rasahus by previous authors, is discussed and transferred to Tydides Stål, 1866, resulting

in Tydides digramma (Walker, 1873) comb. nov.

Key words: Assassin bug, systematics, taxonomy, Tydides

Introduction

The corsairs, as members of the assassin bug subfamily Peiratinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) are

commonly called, are represented in the New World by 11 genera and 69 species (Swanson, unpublished; updated

from Putshkov & Putshkov 1985, 1987; Maldonado 1990). Its members are swift, robust, ground-hunting predators

that are most frequently encountered nocturnally at lights (Miller 1971). They also are known for particularly

painful “bites” (Readio 1927).

Rasahus Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843, is the most speciose of the New World genera. The genus currently

contains 28 species, approximately 41% of the New World peiratine fauna (Swanson, unpublished; updated from

Putshkov & Putshkov 1985, 1987; Maldonado 1990), distributed from the northern United States to Argentina.

Coscarón’s (1983a) revision of the genus remains the most recent to date. Three species were described

subsequently (i.e., Coscarón 1986, Coscarón & Maldonado 1988, Bérenger et al. 2007). Other work examined the

relationships within the genus (Coscarón 1990, Coscarón et al. 1994, Morrone & Coscarón 1998). There also exists

circumstantial evidence that members of the group readily feed on triatomines (and bed bugs) (e.g., Walsh & Riley

1869, Carpintero 1981, Coscarón 1983a), making them of interest as potential predators of medically-important

insects.

While identifying reduviids from the Illinois Natural History Survey Collection and University of Michigan

Museum of Zoology, specimens in the genus Rasahus were encountered in each collection that could not be

identified as any previously known species. They are herein described as Rasahus nesiotes sp. nov. from Grand

Bahama, Rasahus deliquus sp. nov. from Panama, and Rasahus abolitus sp. nov. from French Guiana. Rasahus

castaneus Coscarón, 1983 is reported from from French Guiana for the first time, and the peiratine species known

from Panama and French Guiana are enumerated (Table 1). Additionally, the identities of Reduvius scutellaris

447

THREE NEW RASAHUS

Fabricius, 1787; Pirates myrmecinus Erichson, 1848; and Pirates digramma Walker, 1873 are clarified. To

accommodate these new species and taxonomic changes, as well as other taxa described since Coscarón’s (1983a)

revision, a new key to the species of Rasahus was synthesized.

TABLE 1 . List of Peiratinae known from Panama and French Guiana. Compiled from Coscarón (1983b, 1995),

Maldonado (1990), and Bérenger et al. (1996, 2007).

Materials and methods

Identification. The genus was confirmed using Gil-Santana & Costa (2003), Cai & Taylor (2006), and Gil-Santana

et al. (2015). Identification of species in Rasahus and synthesis of the updated key to species was accomplished

using Coscarón’s (1983a) key and habitus plates, supplemented with subsequent new descriptions of species (i.e.,

Coscarón 1986, Coscarón & Maldonado 1988, Bérenger et al. 2007).

Description. Terminology of the hemelytral venation, as well as the genitalia, follows Weirauch (2008).

Species Panama French Guiana

Froeschnerisca vittata (Coscarón, 1983) X

Melanolestes morio (Erichson, 1848) X

Phorastes femoratus (DeGeer, 1773) X

Phorastes incognitus van Doesburg, 1981 X

Rasahus abolitus n. sp. X

Rasahus albomaculatus (Mayr, 1865) X

Rasahus arcuiger (Stål, 1862) X

Rasahus bifurcatus Champion, 1899 X

Rasahus biguttatus (Say, 1831) X

Rasahus brasiliensis Coscarón, 1983 X

Rasahus castaneus Coscarón, 1983 X

Rasahus deliquus n. sp. X

Rasahus flavovittatus Stål, 1872 X

Rasahus guttatipennis (Stål, 1862) X

Rasahus hamatus (Fabricius, 1781) X

Rasahus myrmecinus (Erichson, 1848) stat. rev. et comb. nov. X

Rasahus scutellaris Fabricius, 1787 stat. rev. X

Rasahus setosus Bérenger et al., 2007 X

Rasahus sulcicollis (Audinet-Serville, 1831) X X

Rasahus surinamensis Coscarón, 1983 X

Sinnamarynus rasahusoides Maldonado & Bérenger, 1996 X

Sirthenea amazona Stål, 1866 X

Sirthenea dubia Willemse, 1985 X

Sirthenea pedestris Horváth, 1909 X

Sirthenea plagiata Horváth, 1909 X

Sirthenea stria (Fabricius, 1794) X X

Sirthenea vidua Horváth, 1909 X

Sirthenea vittata Distant, 1902 X

Thymbreus crocinopterus Stål, 1862 X

Tydides quatuor Lent & Jurberg, 1967 X

Tydides rufus (Audinet-Serville, 1831) X

SWANSON

448

Measurements were made with a 10-mm ocular micrometer on a Bausch & Lomb StereoZoom 4 dissecting

microscope.

I have eschewed destructive processes, i.e., excision, in regards to examining the male genitalia when the

species is based on a single individual (i.e., when no paratypes are available), limiting examination to an extruded

pygophore. Pygophores were extruded from pinned specimens by submersing the abdominal apex in hot water

(80–90°C) for 2–3 minutes. The pygophore was gripped by the base and then gently pulled caudally until it was

fully extended from the abdomen. Insect pins (size 00, 000, or minutens) were slid between the parameres and the

pygophore in order to push the parameres laterad, viz. away from the pygophore. The pins were left in this position

and the insect was placed in a desiccator overnight.

Key. Use of brackets in the key follows my prior methods (i.e., Swanson 2015).

Figures. Specimens were photographed using a Canon EOS 5D SLR camera with a Canon MP-E 65mm macro

lens attached to a StackShot Automated Focus Stacking Macro Rail motorized carriage mounted to a Keiser copy

stand. Paired Neewer CN-216 LED video lights were used for additional lighting. Extruded genitalia were

photographed using a Zeiss AxioCam HRc Rev. 3 digital camera mounted to Zeiss SteREO Discovery V.20

stereomicroscope with PlanApo S 0.63x objective. Unprocessed images were focus-stacked using Helicon Focus

version 5.3 (Helicon Soft Ltd., Kharkov, Ukraine), and the resulting composite was processed using Adobe

Photoshop CSS (Adobe Systems Inc., San Jose, CA). Figures were generally constructed with Adobe Illustrator

CC (Adobe Systems Inc., San Jose, CA). The map was created with ArcGIS (Esri, Inc., Redlands, CA), with a

cross-blended hypsometric tint overlaid from Natural Earth (www.naturalearthdata.com). All photographs of non-

new type material included are the property of their respective institutions; this is indicated in the caption of each

figure.

Repositories. Collections are designated as follows: Illinois Natural History Survey Insect Collection,

University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois (INHS); University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Insect Collection,

Ann Arbor, Michigan (UMMZ); Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universität, Berlin, Germany (ZMHB);

and Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark (ZMUC).

Results and discussion

Rasahus Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843

Rasahus Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843: 325. Type species: Peirates sulcicollis Audinet-Serville, 1831: 219, by subsequent

designation: Van Duzee (1916: 29).

Macrosandalus Stål, 1866: 251, 259. Type species: Pirates albomaculatus Mayr, 1865: 438, by subsequent designation: Van

Duzee (1917: 251). Synonymized by Stål (1872: 106).

Sphodrocoris Stål, 1866: 251, 261. Type species: Reduvius maculipennis Lepeletier & Serville, 1825: 276, by subsequent

designation: Van Duzee (1917: 251). Synonymized by Stål (1872: 106).

Diagnosis: Easily diagnosed from all New World peiratine genera but Froeschnerisca Coscarón, 1996 by the

following combination of characters: head with preocellar transverse groove deeply impressed; eyes large, as wide

as or wider than interocular distance in dorsal view; metapleural sulcus distinctly curved along or near lateral

margin of supporting sclerite; procoxae elongate, apical third to half extended caudad of prosternal process;

protibial fossula spongiosa occupying apical half to three-quarters of protibia; and mesotibial fossula spongiosa

present. Rasahus is diagnosed from Froeschnerisca by possessing a simple basal plate in the male genitalia and

lacking projection on the tenth tergite of the female genitalia; see discussion under Key to Species of Rasahus and

Froeschnerisca.

Remarks: The following morphological characters are present in all species herein described. This does not

necessarily constitute a redescription of the genus Rasahus, as I have not examined all species in the genus and

cannot account for the states of some characters in unexamined species:

Structure: Head fusiform, integument smooth, pilose (including short pile and much longer thin setae).

Anteocular region triangular, long, narrower at base than postocular region, unarmed, pilose, clypeus slightly

raised above mandibular plates. Postocular region with transverse, convex sulcus delimiting ocellar tubercle,

region converging to distinct neck. Neck dorsally glabrous, with distinct 1+1 lateral tubercles. Ventral surface of

head covered in sparse short setae, slightly tumid anteriorly in lateral view.

449

THREE NEW RASAHUS

Antennae with all segments cylindrical. Scape slightly clavate, with pedicel and flagellum progressively

thinner than previous antennomere. Scape with four long thick semi-erect setae on mesal margin in basal half,

apical half with shorter thick oblique setae and appressed fine pile. Pedicel generally covered with short dense

oblique setae, with a long strong seta at base and apex of pedicel, and with sparse trichobothria. Basi- and

distiflagellum with short dense oblique pilosity less than diameter of segment and sparse semi-erect setae slightly

longer than diameter of segment generally over whole length.

Eyes large, reniform (concave posteroventrally), glabrous.

Ocelli present. Rostrum curved, first segment cylindrical, second segment essentially cylindrical but very

slightly swollen basally on ventral surface (= opposite ventral face of head at rest), third segment conical, with

sparse, scattered setae on all segments.

Pronotum: Anterior pronotal lobe roundly quadrangular, integument smooth and glabrous inbetween sulci

(when present), with collar having conspicuous large rounded tubercles, anterior margin concave between these

tubercles, disc lacking spines or tubercles. Posterior pronotal lobe short, arcuately-trapezoidal, disc lacking spines

or tubercles, humeri more or less rounded, posterior margin smoothly arcuate.

Scutellum triangular, disc slightly depressed, laterally with short, rounded carina, apex prolonged into

moderately long, slightly recurved spine.

Pleura: Propleuron generally with short setae, unarmed, anteroventral corner bulging. Mesopleuron smooth to

slightly wrinkled, with sparse setae, unarmed. Metapleuron with sulcus arched, bent sharply anteriorly and

beginning near the posterior end of the suture separating the mesepimeron and mesepisternum.

Sterna: All sterna generally smooth and with sparse short setae. Prosternum with rostral groove margined by

short and long setae. Mesosternum midlongitudinally carinate.

Hemelytra: Insect macropterous, hemelytra narrower than abdomen, distinctly exposing connexiva, costa with

short dense more or less appressed setae and longer sparse oblique setae at base.

Forelegs: Procoxa elongate, separated by prosternal groove, unarmed, setose on anterior face, cavity open

posteriorly. Protrochanter setose, unarmed. Profemur straight, incrassate basally, narrowed apically, much thicker

than other femora, unarmed, pilose on all surfaces (more so ventrally) with ventral setae arranged in two or more

rows. Protibia cylindrical, slightly recurved to apex, pilose dorsally (more densely so apically), lacking spines or

tubercles, fossula spongiosa present, extending beyond apex of protibia. Protarsus three-segmented, cylindrical,

pilose (more densely so ventrally). Protarsal claws simple.

Middle legs: Mesocoxa globose, mesofemur less strongly thickened than profemur. Otherwise similar to

forelegs.

Hind legs: Metafemur cylindrical, not at all thickened, not reaching abdominal apex, metatibial fossula

spongiosa absent, femur and tibia more regularly setose. Otherwise similar to middle legs.

Abdomen elongate-oval, connexival margin entire/smooth, venter evenly rounded, spiracles close to

connexival margin and midway between anterior and posterior margin, ventrites with sparse setae along posterior

margins, second ventrite carinate medially.

Included species: Rasahus abolitus sp. nov.; Rasahus aeneus (Walker, 1873); Rasahus albomaculatus (Mayr,

1865); Rasahus amapaensis Coscarόn, 1983; Rasahus angulatus Coscarόn, 1986; Rasahus arcitenens Stål, 1872;

Rasahus arcuiger (Stål, 1862); Rasahus argentinensis Coscarόn, 1983; Rasahus atratus Coscarόn, 1983; Rasahus

bifurcatus Champion, 1899; Rasahus biguttatus (Say, 1832); Rasahus brasiliensis Coscarόn, 1983; Rasahus

castaneus Coscarόn, 1983; Rasahus costaricensis Coscarόn & Maldonado, 1988; Rasahus deliquus sp. nov.;

Rasahus flavovittatus Stål, 1872; Rasahus grandis Fallou, 1889; Rasahus guttatipennis (Stål, 1862); Rasahus

hamatus (Fabricius, 1781); Rasahus limai Pinto, 1935; Rasahus maculipennis (Lepeletier & Audinet-Serville,

1825); Rasahus myrmecinus (Erichson, 1848) stat. rev. et comb. nov.; Rasahus nesiotes sp. nov.; Rasahus

paraguayensis Coscarόn, 1983; Rasahus peruensis Coscarόn, 1983; Rasahus setosus Bérenger, Gil-Santana, Pluot-

Sigwalt & Blanchet, 2007; Rasahus scutellaris (Fabricius, 1787) stat. rev.; Rasahus sulcicollis (Audinet-Serville,

1831); Rasahus surinamensis Coscarόn, 1983; Rasahus thoracicus Stål, 1872.

Three species are newly-described in the genus Rasahus:

SWANSON

450

Rasahus nesiotes sp. nov.

(Fig. 1)

Diagnosis: Easily separated from all other species of Rasahus by the small size, the black connexiva, and the

presence of a small pale macula occupying the apex of the medial cell of the hemelytral membrane.

Coloration: Black, except the following reddish-testaceous: all antennal segments (lighter apically), femora to

tarsi of all legs (but these, especially the femur, suffused with both slightly lighter red and black), and fossula

spongiosa of protibia and mesotibia. Connexiva and abdominal tergites suffused with dark castaneous. Second and

third rostral segment also slightly lighter, becoming dark castaneous but may be due to preservation. The following

spots of the hemelytra tawny or luteous: apical third of clavus, adjacent portion of corium covering apical half of

claval margin, faint short vitta on membrane adjacent to corial apex, and oval spot well-contained in medial cell of

membrane.

Structure: Anteocular region covered on all surfaces with short silvery pile. Interocular region with width

subequal to width of eye, with setae and silvery pile dorsally. Postocular region with short longitudinal sulcus

reaching cephalad from transverse sulcus. Neck laterally and ventrally with short pile.

Antennae: as per description under Rasahus.

Eyes in lateral view nearly reaching dorsal margin and not reaching ventral margin.

Ocelli moderate-sized, slightly raised, separated from each other by slightly more than diameter of one ocellus

and from eye by approximate width of one ocellus.

Rostrum: as per description under Rasahus.

Pronotum: Anterior pronotal lobe with sulci distinct and granulate within, sparse short and long setae in sulci.

Posterior pronotal lobe with small granules immediately posterior to transverse pronotal suture on apical third of

disc medially, this granulate area diminishing laterally, otherwise smooth, with few scattered setae near lateral and

posterior margins.

Scutellum obscured by pin, apex prolonged in apically-rounded spine.

Pleura: Propleuron with integument granulate, delimited laterally from dorsal face by distinct carina.

Mesopleuron with integument more sparsely granulate. Metapleuron with integument conspicuously granulate,

glabrous except coxal sheath densely silvery pilose, metapleural sulcus narrow between carinae.

Sterna: Metasternum convex medially, more or less rounded posteriorly.

Hemelytra reaching apex of seventh tergite, base of corium (usually veins) and outer margin of clavus with

rows of distinct black setae.

Forelegs: Profemur with ventral setae arranged in two rows. Protibia slightly thickened apically, with thick

brush of setae at anterior face at apex, fossula spongiosa long, covering almost three-fourths length of tibia.

Middle legs: Tarsus with thick black spinose setae ventrally, second tarsal segment longest. All else as

forelegs.

Hind legs: as per description under Rasahus.

Abdomen with connexiva with long thin seta at posterolateral angle, disc of seventh ventrite densely

pubescent.

Female genitalia: Of general peiratine form. Visible portion of eighth tergite short, posterior margin convex.

Ninth tergite trapezoidal. Tenth tergite trapezoidal to subtriangular, apex subrounded. Lobes of valvifer 1 (=part of

eighth segment) hemispherical. Valvulae 1 somewhat elongate, convex apicolaterally, apex roundly acute. All

segments with integument smooth (except few rugulae ventrally on valvifer 1), lacking spines or tubercles, with

abundant short pale appressed pubescence and sparse scattered long semi-erect setae. Tenth tergite with long

golden setae of moderate length, more densely so along lateral and apical margins.

Male: unknown.

Measurements (in mm): total length (apex of head to apex of hemelytra): 13.3; head length: 2.4; head width

(across eyes): 1.5; anteocular length: 1.2; postocular length: 0.4; neck length: 0.4; scape length: 1.0; pedicel length:

2.1; basiflagellum length: 2.2; distiflagellum length: 2.3; antennal segment ratio: 1.0 : 2.1 : 2.2 : 2.3; eye length:

0.8; eye width: 0.5; rostral segment 1 length: 0.9; rostral segment 2 length: 1.5; rostral segment 3 length: 0.9;

rostral segment ratio: 1.0 : 1.7 : 1.0; prothorax length: 3.2; prothorax width (across humeri): 3.2; anterior pronotal

lobe length: 2.3; posterior pronotal lobe length: 0.9; scutellum length: 1.6; scutellum width (at base): 1.4; hemelytra

length: 8.7; procoxa length: 1.7; protrochanter length: 0.9; profemur length: 3.1; protibia length: 2.8; protibial

451

THREE NEW RASAHUS

fossula spongiosa length: 2.6 (0.6 of which overhangs tibial apex); protarsi length: 1.2; protarsal segment ratio:

approximately 1.0 : 1.5 : 1.7; mesocoxa length: 0.7; mesotrochanter length: 0.7; mesofemur length: 2.9; mesotibia

length: 2.5; mesotibial fossula spongiosa length: 2.1; mesotarsi length: 1.4; mesotarsal segment ratio:

approximately 1.0 : 2.0 : 1.5; metacoxa length: 1.0; metatrochanter length: 1.0; metafemur length: 4.1; metatibia

length: 4.4; metatarsi length: 2.4; metatarsal segment ratio: approximately 1.0 : 3.0 : 2.0; abdomen length: 7.1;

abdomen (widest) width: 4.1.

Material examined: [THE BAHAMAS:] Grand Bahama Island: 27–28 December 1965, R. D. Alexander [1

female, holotype] (UMMZ).

Distribution: Known only from the type locality (Fig. 4).

Etymology: The specific epithet, a noun in apposition, comes from the Greek νησιώτης, Latinized nesiotes,

‘islander’ and references the type locality.

Remarks: This species is easily referred to the complex of species with a circular macula well-contained in the

medial cell of the hemelytral membrane (= hamatus group; see Key to Species of Rasahus and Froeschnerisca).

This group consists of R. amapaensis, R. angulatus, R. arcitenens, R. arcuiger, R. argentinensis, R. biguttatus, R.

grandis, R. hamatus, R. limai, R. thoracicus, and R. scutellaris stat. rev. (see next section).

Among these, it seems that R. nesiotes sp. nov. is most closely related to R. hamatus, based on a more similar

color pattern, including the lack of a pale arcuate spot of the cubital cell and the black costal margins, as well as

close geographical proximity. However, R. nesiotes sp. nov. differs from R. hamatus in various ways. First, the

female holotype of R. nesiotes sp. nov. (ca. 13 mm) is much smaller than females of R. hamatus (17–18 mm). The

spots of the hemelytra differ subtly as well. In R. nesiotes sp. nov., the postscutellar macula is limited to the apical

third of the clavus and is essentially obsolete in the basal third of the adjacent part of the corium. Conversely, the

postscutellar macula occupies the apical half of the clavus and reaches to the bases (although narrowed) in the

adjacent region of the corium in R. hamatus. The round spot of the membranal medial cell also differs in size

between the two species, being smaller and clearly not occupying most of the cell in R. nesiotes sp. nov. versus

essentially filling the cell in R. hamatus. Lastly, the connexiva of R. nesiotes sp. nov. are wholly black, whereas

they are either wholly stramineous (males) or distinctly bicolorous yellow-black (females) in R. hamatus.

This is the only peiratine species currently known from the Bahamas.

Rasahus deliquus sp. nov.

(Fig. 2)

Diagnosis: Easily separated from all other species of Rasahus by the combination of lacking any major pale

maculae in the apical half of the hemelytral membrane, particularly in or posteriad of the medial cell, the nearly

completely luteous margin of the connexiva. The external genitalia of the male also are unique in possessing the

combination of a moderately-slender, weakly-bent median process of the pygophore and two subequally-deeply-

lobed parameres.

Coloration: Generally dark castaneous, except base and apex of clavus, corium adjacent to clavus, very faint

transverse suffusion in cubital cell of membrane, small spot on hemelytra membrane adjacent to corial apex, basal

fourth to third of mesofemur, basal half of metafemur, all tarsi, and all connexiva dorsally and ventrally (except

small fuscous spot at mesoposterior corner) pale. Posterior pronotal lobe slightly darker than anterior lobe.

Hemelytra blackish, darker than body (except for pale spots). Ventrites 3–7 distinctly tawny, with area around

spiracles and sublateral area faintly suffused with fuscous. Ventral surface of connexiva luteous and distinctly

contrasting tawny ventrites.

Structure: Anteocular region covered with short golden pile, laterally with few long dark setae. Interocular

region with width much narrower than width of eye, more or less glabrous. Neck generally glabrous.

Antennae: as per description under Rasahus.

Eyes in lateral view surpassing dorsal margin and reaching ventral margin.

Ocelli large, raised, separated from each other by width or slightly less of one ocellus and from eye by half-

width of one ocellus.

Rostrum: as per description under Rasahus.

Pronotum: Anterior pronotal lobe with sulci and granules within sulci distinct, sparse long setae in remains of

SWANSON

452

sulci. Posterior pronotal lobe with small longitudinal wrinkles coming from transverse pronotal suture, otherwise

smooth, not granulose or rugulose, pilose along lateral and posterior margins.

Scutellum with apex prolonged in apically-rounded spine.

Pleura: Propleuron with integument sparsely granulate, delimited laterally from dorsal face by distinct carina.

Mesopleuron with integument generally smooth, slightly punctate, with dense patch of pile near ventral margin.

Metapleuron with integument transversely wrinkled and granulate, glabrous, metapleural sulcus narrow between

carinae.

Sterna: Mesosternum damaged by pin. Metasternum convex medially, granulate, slightly carinate posteriorly.

Hemelytra distinctly exceeding abdominal apex, appearing glabrous, membranal cells minutely wrinkled.

Forelegs: Profemur with ventral setae multiseriate. Protibia slightly expanded at apex, protibial fossula

spongiosa long, greater than half-length of tibia.

Middle legs: Mesotibial fossula spongiosa long, covering slightly less than one-half of tibia. All else as

forelegs.

Hind legs: Femur and tibia with dense short pile near apex. All else as middle legs.

Abdomen with anterior portion of third ventrite also carinate medially.

Male genitalia: Eighth ventrite extended caudad as median triangular spine. Pygophore sparsely pilose,

posterior margin somewhat concave between median process and base of parameres, median apical process tall,

moderately slender, slightly bent. Parameres large, asymmetrical, both generally spade-shaped and deeply lobate,

moderately pilose, right paramere with median lobe acutely triangular, apex rounded and bent inward, left

paramere with median lobe more rounded, apex broadly rounded. Aedeagus not examined.

Female: unknown.

Measurements (in mm): total length (apex of head to apex of hemelytra): 18.2; head length: 2.8; head width

(across eyes): 2.0; anteocular length: 1.4; postocular length: 0.3; neck length: 0.2; scape length: 1.8; pedicel length:

4.1; basiflagellum length: 2.8; distiflagellum length: 3.0; antennal segmental ratio: 1.0 : 2.25 : 1.5 : 1.7; eye length:

1.1; eye width: 0.7; rostral segment 1 length: 0.9; rostral segment 2 length: 1.9; rostral segment 3 length: 0.9;

rostral segment ratio: 1 : 2 : 1; prothorax length: 3.9; prothorax width (across humeri): 4.2; anterior pronotal lobe

length: 2.4; posterior pronotal lobe length: 1.5; scutellum length: 2.3; scutellum width (at base): 1.8; hemelytra

length: 12.9; procoxa length: 2.1; protrochanter length: 1.1; profemur length: 4.3; protibia length: 3.6; protibial

fossula spongiosa length: 2.6 (of which 0.5 extends beyond apex of protibia); protarsi length: 1.8; protarsal

segment ratio: approximately: 1.0 : 1.7 : 2.4; mesocoxa length: 1.1; mesotrochanter length: 1.1; mesofemur length:

4.4; mesotibia length: 3.8; mesotibial fossula spongiosa length: 1.6; mesotarsi length: 2.1; mesotarsal segment

ratio: approximately 1.0 : 2.1 : 2.3; metacoxa length: 1.2; metatrochanter length: 1.2; metafemur length: 7.0;

metatibia length: 7.3; metatarsi length: 2.8; metatarsal segment ratio: approximately 1.0 : 2.5 : 2.5; abdomen

length: 8.6; abdomen (widest) width: 5.1; pygophore length: 1.6; pygophore width (across widest point): 1.6.

Material examined: PANAMA: Chiriqui Prov., Progreso, 16 April 1923, “390”, F. M. Gaige [1 male,

holotype] (UMMZ).

Distribution: Known only from the type locality (Fig. 4).

Etymology: The specific epithet comes from the Latin adjective deliquus, -a, -um, ‘wanting, lacking’ and

references the absence of any pale macula in the medial membranal cell.

Remarks: The species is closest in coloration to those species lacking any pale maculae in or behind the

medial cell of the hemelytral membrane, i.e., R. atratus and R. guttatipennis. Both differ from R. deliquus sp. nov.

in lacking completely luteous margins of the connexiva. From the former, R. deliquus sp. nov. is easily separated

by the presence of a distinct postscutellar macula (hemelytra wholly black in R. atratus); it is also slightly larger

(16.6 vs. 18.2 mm) as well as geographically separated (Brazil, Peru vs. Panama). From the latter, R. deliquus sp.

nov. may be separated by the absence of the pale macula of the cubital cell in the hemelytral membrane, as well as

the larger size. The holotype possesses a distinctly dark-reddish cast to the head, pronotum, and dark portions of the

legs; however, it is unknown whether this represents a real characteristic of the color pattern or is simply a result of

differential melanization of the cuticle. Based on Coscarón’s (1983a) plates, the genitalia, although generally

similar to congeners, appear to be unique within the genus in possessing the combination of a moderately-slender,

weakly-bent median process of the pygophore (Fig. 5A) and two subequally-deeply-lobed parameres (Fig. 5B, C).

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THREE NEW RASAHUS

FIGURE 1. Rasahus nesiotes sp. nov., adult female (holotype): (A) dorsal habitus; (B) lateral habitus; (C) pronotum, dorsal

view; (D) terminalia, caudal view; (E) labels. Scale bar = 2 mm.

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FIGURE 2. Rasahus deliquus sp. nov., adult male (holotype): (A) dorsal habitus; (B) lateral habitus; (C) pronotum, dorsal

view; (D) pygophore, caudal view; (E) labels. Scale bar = 2 mm.

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THREE NEW RASAHUS

Rasahus abolitus sp. nov.

(Figs. 3, 10B, 11C)

Diagnosis: Easily separated from all other species of Rasahus by the combination of small size (male less than 12

mm) and the obsolete pronotal sulci and granules. The external genitalia of the male also are unique in possessing

the combination of a strongly-bent, apically-tapering median process of the pygophore.

Coloration: Blackish, except apical spine of scutellum, apical interior of clavus from scutellar spine to apex,

adjacent part of corium from base to apex of clavus, three spots on hemelytral membrane (ovoidal spot near base,

narrow arcuate spot near apex of corium, and forked spot at apex), anterior half of connexiva (dorsally and

ventrally, with adjacent part of ventrite), apex of coxae, base of metafemur, base of all tibiae, and meso- and

metatarsi whitish. Incisures of antennal segments (plus, base of scape), protarsi, and fossula spongiosa brownish.

Structure: Anteocular region covered on all surfaces with short silvery pile, laterally with few long dark setae.

Interocular region with width subequal to width of eye, with three setae in triangle and silvery pile dorsally (less so

than anteocular but possibly abraided). Postocular region with short longitudinal sulcus reaching cephalad from

transverse sulcus. Neck dorsally glabrous, laterally and ventrally with short pile.

Antennae: as per description under Rasahus.

Eyes in lateral view surpassing dorsal margin and nearly reaching ventral margin.

Ocelli large, somewhat raised, separated from each other by width of one ocellus, separated from eye by less

than width of one ocellus.

Rostrum: as per description under Rasahus.

Pronotum: Anterior pronotal lobe with sulci essentially obliterated, short and long setae in remains of sulci,

glabrous inbetween, disc unarmed, deep sulcus on midline in front of transverse suture that extends cephalad to

middle of lobe. Posterior pronotal lobe smooth, without wrinkles or sulci, pilose along lateral and posterior

margins.

Scutellum mostly obscured by pin, apex prolonged in dorsally-setose spine.

Pleura: Propleuron smooth. Metapleuron slightly transversely wrinkled, glabrous, metapleural sulcus narrow

between carinae.

Sterna: Metasternum medially obscured by pin, possibly carinate midlongitudinally.

Hemelytra slightly but distinctly exceeding abdominal apex, veins of corium bearing semi-erect setae.

Forelegs: Profemur with ventral setae arranged in two rows. Protibial fossula spongiosa long, greater than half-

length of tibia.

Middle legs: Tibia generally more pilose (more densely so ventrally) and with fewer distinct dorsal setae,

mesotibial fossula spongiosa relatively shorter, about half-length of tibia. All else as fore legs.

Hind legs: as per description under Rasahus.

Abdomen connexiva with long thin seta at posterolateral angle, sutures poorly indicated. Apex of seventh

ventrite strongly pilose.

Male genitalia: Eighth ventrite extended caudad as median triangular spine. Pygophore sparsely pilose,

posterior margin concave between median process and base of parameres, median apical process tall, strongly

sinuate (left margin strongly curved, right margin weakly so), broad and bent sinistral in basal half, curving dextral

in apical half, apically tapering to acuminate point. Parameres large, asymmetrical, both spade-shaped, more pilose

than pygophore, especially near apex, left paramere larger, with attenuated, mesally-bent, somewhat flattened apex,

right paramere slightly broader with non-attenuated tectiform apex. Aedeagus not examined.

Female: unknown.

Measurements (in mm): total length (apex of head to apex of hemelytra): 10.2; head length: 1.7; head width

(across eyes): 1.2; anteocular length: 0.7; postocular length: 0.3; neck length: 0.3; scape length: 0.8; pedicel length:

2.2; basiflagellum length: 1.8; distiflagellum length: 2.3; antennal segment ratio: 1.0 : 2.75 : 2.25 : 2.9; eye length:

0.7; eye width: 0.4; rostral segment 1 length: 0.6; rostral segment 2 length: 1.0; rostral segment 3 length: 0.6;

rostral segment ratio: 1.0 : 1.67 : 1.0; prothorax length: 2.4; prothorax width (across humeri): 2.5; anterior pronotal

lobe length: 1.7; posterior pronotal lobe length: 0.7; scutellum length: 1.2; scutellum width (at base): 0.9; hemelytra

length: 8.1; procoxa length: 1.6; protrochanter length: 0.6; profemur length: 2.7; protibia length: 2.5; protibial

fossula spongiosa length: 2.0; protarsi length: 0.6; protarsal segment ratio: 1.0 : 1.6 : 1.6; mesocoxa length: 0.7;

mesotrochanter length: 0.6; mesofemur length: 2.9; mesotibia length: 2.4; mesotibial fossula spongiosa length: 1.5;

mesotarsi length: 1.1; mesotarsal segment ratio: 1.0 : 2.1 : 2.1; metacoxa length: 0.8; metatrochanter length: 0.7;

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metafemur length: 4.4; metatibia length: 5.0; metatarsi length: 1.9; metatarsal segment ratio: 1.0 : 2.5 : 2.0;

abdomen length: 5.7; abdomen (widest) width: 2.7; pygophore length: 1.4; pygophore width (across widest point):

1.1.

Material examined: FRENCH GUIANA: Kaw Mountains, 2 km N. Route D6, MV light, 4°33.91’N,

52°9.38’W, 22 December 2000, V. R. Block, INHS Insect Collection 780,124 [1 male, holotype] (INHS).

Distribution: Known only from the type locality (Fig. 4).

Etymology: The specific epithet is the Latin adjective abolitus, -a, -um, formed from the Latin verb aboleo ‘to

destroy, abolish, efface, annihilate, check the growth of, retard, decay’. This name was chosen to highlight the

“effaced” sulci and granulations of the pronotal lobes.

Remarks: The new species is very similar to Rasahus scutellaris auct. (nec Fabricius, 1787) (see below) in

structure, color pattern, and small size (both 10–10.5 mm in males). The color pattern also is similar to R.

sulcicollis and to a lesser extent, R. castaneus, although their larger size precludes any of these species and their

associated junior synonyms from being conspecific with R. abolitus sp. nov.

Morphologically, however, R. abolitus sp. nov. and R. scutellaris auct. differ markedly in the structure of the

pronotum. Coscarón (1983a) noted in her redescription of R. scutellaris auct.: “[English transl.] Anterior [pronotal]

lobe with granulations in the sulci and more or less well-marked basal depression where joins the lateral internal

sulci.” In contrast, the anterior pronotal sulci of the new species are not at all well marked, being rather

obsolescent. Granulations also appear to be essentially absent in the lateral internal sulci, but in the external and

middle lateral sulci minor sculpturing is apparent under higher magnification (Fig. 3C). Coscarón (1983a) also

noted of R. scutellaris auct.: “[English transl.] Posterior [pronotal] lobe with granulation, rugosities, and hairs.”,

and the posterior pronotal lobe of the new species is very smooth, lacking any granulation (ignoring

microsculpture). The anteocular part of the head also is a slightly longer, composing a larger proportion of the

overall head length than in R. scutellaris auct. Two other species, i.e., R. albomaculatus and R. surinamensis, also

lack granulations and well-defined sulci, but each possesses more extensive pale patterning on the hemelytra and is

much larger (21–25 mm in R. albomaculatus and 16–18 mm in R. surinamensis). Based on Coscarón’s (1983a)

plates, the genitalia closely resembles R. scutellaris auct., although R. abolitus sp. nov. might differ in possessing a

more acuminated apex of the median process (Fig. 5D) and a less attenuated left paramere (Fig. 5E, F).

As mentioned, the color pattern is very similar to R. scutellaris auct. In addition to generally sharing the same

pale maculations, both species appear to be distinctive in their bicolorous scutellum: black with a whitish spine.

However, a few differences exist. First, the claval stripe does not extend beyond the base of the scutellar spine in R.

abolitus sp. nov., occupying approximately the apical third of the clavus, whereas in R. scutellaris auct. the claval

stripe extends well beyond the base of the scutellar spine, occupying at least the apical half of the clavus. Second,

the oblique pale corial stripe adjacent to the clavus (paraclaval stripe) is essentially complete in R. abolitus sp.

nov., whereas it is nearly interrupted near the base in R. scutellaris auct. Third, a pale marginal stripe connects the

paraclaval stripe to the central corial spot and continues along the posterior margin of the hemelytra in R. abolitus

sp. nov.; yet, this pale marginal stripe appears to be missing or obsolete in R. scutellaris auct. Fourth, the connexiva

are pale in the basal half in R. abolitus sp. nov., rather than in the basal two-thirds in R. scutellaris auct. Finally, the

apical pale spot of the membrane appears to follow the two apical veins, forming an inverted “Y”, in R. abolitus sp.

nov., whereas the spot appears as a regular oval, enveloping the area between the two apical veins, in R. scutellaris

auct. It is recognized that some of these color characters might be shown to vary intraspecifically in one or both

species, as more specimens are examined.

Two other species of Rasahus were taken syntopically with R. abolitus sp. nov.: a single adult male of R.

sulcicollis (INHS Insect Collection 780,186) and a single adult female of R. castaneus (Fig. 6A). The two

specimens bear an identical locality label to the holotype of R. abolitus sp. nov. and were determined by the author.

The latter specimen represents the first record of R. castaneus from French Guiana.

The identity of Reduvius scutellaris Fabricius, 1787. In order to confirm that R. abolitus sp. nov. was not

conspecific with R. scutellaris, images of the holotype of Reduvius scutellaris from ZMUC were studied. The

species was described from “Cajennae” [=Cayenne, French Guiana] by Fabricius (1787), and Stål (1868) later

reported that the single type specimen was greatly damaged, with only portions of the head, thorax, scutellum,

clavus, [hemelytral] membrane, and [hind] wings remaining. Receiving these images (Fig. 7) confirmed this

highly-damaged status. However, the images also revealed that Rasahus scutellaris auct. (nec Fabricius, 1787) is

not the same species as Reduvius scutellaris Fabricius, 1787. Coscarón (1983a) apparently had not studied the type

of Reduvius scutellaris, nor had she examined material of this species from French Guiana.

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THREE NEW RASAHUS

FIGURE 3. Rasahus abolitus sp. nov., adult male (holotype): (A) dorsal habitus; (B) lateral habitus; (C) pronotum, dorsal

view; (D) pygophore, caudal view; (E) labels. Scale bar = 2 mm.

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FIGURE 4. Map indicating type locality of Rasahus nesiotes sp. nov., R. deliquus sp. nov., and R. abolitus sp. nov.

It can be clearly seen that Reduvius scutellaris is a species of Rasahus in which a small pale spot is fully

contained in the apical portion of the medial membranal cell, as opposed to R. abolitus sp. nov., the species

referred to Rasahus scutellaris examined by Champion (1899: pl. 13, fig. 9), and the species referred to Rasahus

scutellaris figured by Coscarón (1983a: pl. 18, fig. A). Contrary to Coscarόn’s (1983a) redescription, Stål (1868)

stated that the length of Reduvius scutellaris was 15 mm. The true identity of Reduvius scutellaris, based on plates

in the revision (i.e., Coscarόn 1983a), should be one of the following species: R. amapaensis, R. arcitenens, R.

arcuiger, or Rasahus rufiventris (Walker, 1873), as Coscarόn (1983a) had examined the type of each. Of these, R.

arcitenens and R. arcuiger have a strong pale postscutellar macula (not apparent in holotype of R. scutellaris) and a

larger pale spot of the medial membranal cell. Similarly, R. amapaensis also possesses a postscutellar spot,

although it is not as striking. Conversely, R. rufiventris (Fig. 6B) matches well the damaged holotype of Reduvius

scutellaris in the lack of a distinct postscutellar spot, the shape of the arcuate spot of the cubital membranal cell,

and the small spot of the medial membranal cell.

Thus, Pirates rufiventris Walker, 1873 is here considered to be a junior synonym of Reduvius scutellaris

Fabricius, 1787 syn. nov. Additional specimens from the type locality compared with the remains of Fabricius’

mutilated type material will be useful to corroborate this status.

The identity of Pirates myrmecinus Erichson, 1848. Given the confounded identity of R. scutellaris, images

of the holotype of Pirates myrmecinus from ZMHB were also studied. This is the only junior synonym of R.

scutellaris, which was established by Stål (1868); Cimex scutatus Gmelin, 1788 is clearly a misspelling of

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THREE NEW RASAHUS

Fabricius’ specific epithet, as Gmelin referred to Fabricius’ original description. Like R. scutellaris, the holotype of

P. myrmecinus (Fig. 8) is badly damaged. Despite this damage, some important morphological features are still

visible, allowing the status of this taxon to be further clarified. Simultaneously under study by me were two

complete specimens from Belize that share these conspicuous morphologies (see Remarks below) and agree well

with the holotype in other general facies. Thus, the taxon Pirates myrmecinus Erichson, 1848, is here resurrected as

a valid species, transferred to Rasahus, and redescribed, based on the Belizean specimens:

FIGURE 5. Male external genitalia: (A–C) Rasahus deliquus sp. nov.: (A) median process of pygophore; (B) left paramere;

(C) right paramere; (D–F) R. abolitus sp. nov.: (D) median process of pygophore; (E) left paramere; (F) right paramere; (G–I)

R. myrmecinus stat. rev. et comb. nov.: (G) median process of pygophore; (H) left paramere; (I) right paramere.

Rasahus myrmecinus (Erichson, 1848) stat. rev. et comb. nov.

(Figs. 8, 9, 10A, 11A–B)

Pirates myrmecinus Erichson, 1848: 613.

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Rasahus scutellaris (nec Fabricius, 1787): Champion, 1899: 215, 218.

Coloration: Blackish, except apical spine of scutellum, apical half of clavus, adjacent part of corium from base to

apex of clavus (with small interruption at midway), three spots on hemelytral membrane (ovoidal spot near base,

narrow arcuate spot near apex of corium, and ovoidal spot at apex), anterior two-thirds of connexiva (dorsally and

ventrally, with adjacent part of ventrite), base of trochanter and metafemur whitish. Tarsi and fossula spongiosa

brownish. Head and pleura laterally with metallic blue-black tint.

Structure: Anteocular region covered on all surfaces with short silvery pile, laterally with few long setae.

Interocular region with width 1.5 times width of eye in male, 1.3 times width of eye in female, with silvery pile

dorsally. Postocular region with short longitudinal sulcus reaching cephalad from transverse sulcus. Neck

appearing glabrous.

Antennae: as per description under Rasahus.

Eyes in lateral view surpassing dorsal margin and nearly reaching ventral margin.

Ocelli large, slightly raised on inconspicuous tubercle, separated from each other by twice width of one ocellus

in male and 1.5 times width in female, separated from eye by slightly more than width of one ocellus in both but

slightly more distant in male.

Rostrum: as per description under Rasahus.

Pronotum: Anterior pronotal lobe with sulci present and hirsute, integument of sulci with inconspicuous

granules, short and long setae in sulci, deep foveolar sulcus on midline in front of transverse suture. Posterior

pronotal lobe with long wrinkles emanating from transverse suture, lots of setae along lateral and posterior regions.

Scutellum with minute granules, with long and short pile on disc, apex prolonged in dorsally-setose spine.

Pleura: Propleuron smooth. Metapleuron slightly transversely wrinkled, glabrous, metapleural sulcus wide

between carinae.

Sterna: Metasternum evenly convex, slightly pustulate.

Hemelytra slightly but distinctly exceeding abdominal apex in male, not but nearly reaching apex in female,

veins of corium bearing semi-erect setae.

Forelegs: Profemur with ventral setae arranged in two rows. Protibial fossula spongiosa present, about half-

length of tibia.

Middle legs: Mesoibia generally more pilose and with fewer distinct dorsal setae, mesotibial fossula spongiosa

relatively shorter, slightly less than one-third length of tibia, more densely setose ventrally. All else as forelegs.

Hind legs: Metatibia densely setose apicolaterally although less so in female. All else as middle legs.

Abdomen connexiva with long thin seta at posterolateral angle, sutures poorly indicated, third ventrite also

carinate medially in male. Apex of seventh ventrite strongly pilose.

Male genitalia: Eighth ventrite extended caudad as median triangular spine. Pygophore sparsely pilose,

posterior margin concave between median process and base of parameres, median apical process tall, strongly

sinuate (left margin strongly curved, right margin weakly so), broad and bent sinistral in basal half, curving dextral

in apical half, apex broadly triangular with acute point. Parameres large, asymmetrical, both spade-shaped and with

apices acutely rounded, densely pilose on outer surface, left paramere slightly larger, basal lobe more shallow, with

attenuated, mesally-bent, somewhat flattened apex, right paramere slightly broader, deeply lobate with greatest

width skewed to basal-third, with non-attenuated tectiform apex. Aedeagus not examined.

Female genitalia: Of general peiratine form. Visible portion of eighth tergite short, posterior margin convex.

Ninth tergite trapezoidal. Tenth tergite trapezoidal, apices subrounded. Lobes of valvifer 1 (= part of eighth

segment) hemispherical. Valvulae 1 somewhat elongate, convex apicolaterally, apex roundly acute. All segments

with integument smooth (except few rugulae ventrally on valvifer 1), lacking spines or tubercles, with abundant

short pale appressed pubescence and sparse scattered long semi-erect setae. Tenth tergite with long golden setae of

moderate length, more densely so along lateral and apical margins.

Measurements (in mm): total length (apex of head to apex of hemelytra): male: 11.2, female: 11.7; head length:

1.6; head width (across eyes): male: 1.5, female: 1.6; anteocular length: male: 0.6, female: 0.7; postocular length:

0.3; neck length: 0.7; scape length: male: 0.9, female: 1.0; pedicel length: male: 2.4, female: 2.3; basiflagellum

length: [male: 2.4, female: 2.1; distiflagellum length: male: 2.4, female: 2.1; antennal segment ratio: 1.0 : 2.5 : 2.3 :

2.3; eye length: 0.4; eye width: 0.3; rostral segment 1 length: 0.6; rostral segment 2 length: 0.9; rostral segment 3

length: 0.5; rostral segment ratio: 1.0 : 1.5 : 0.8; prothorax length: male: 2.5, female: 2.6; prothorax width (across

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THREE NEW RASAHUS

humeri): male: 2.8, female: 3.0; anterior pronotal lobe length: 1.6; posterior pronotal lobe length: male: 0.9, female:

1.0; scutellum length: male: 1.4, female: 1.5; scutellum width (at base): male: 1.3, female: 1.5; hemelytra length:

male: 7.5, female: 8.0; procoxa length: 1.4; protrochanter length: 0.7; profemur length: 2.6; protibia length: male:

2.2, female: 2.4; protibial fossula spongiosa length: male: 1.1, female: 1.0; protarsi length: male: 1.2, female: 1.3;

protarsal segment ratio: 1.0 : 1.8 : 2.5; mesocoxa length: 0.7; mesotrochanter length: 0.7; mesofemur length: male:

2.4, female: 2.8; mesotibia length: male: 2.3, female: 2.7; mesotibial fossula spongiosa length: male: 0.7, female:

0.8; mesotarsi length: male: 1.2, female: 1.4; mesotarsal segment ratio: male: 1.0 : 2.0 : 2.0, female: 1.0 : 2.1 : 2.3;

metacoxa length: male: 0.7, female: 0.8; metatrochanter length: male: 0.6, female: 0.7; metafemur length: male:

3.9, female: 4.0; metatibia length: male: 4.2, female: 4.4; metatarsi length: 1.8; metatarsal segment ratio: male: 1.0

: 2.6 : 3.0, female: 1.0 : 2.3 : 2.3; abdomen length: male: 5.6, female: 6.2; abdomen (widest) width: male: 3.1,

female: 3.8; pygophore length: 1.5; pygophore width (across widest point): 0.9.

FIGURE 6. Dorsal habitus: (A) Reduvius castaneus, adult female. Label data: FRENCH GUIANA: Kaw Mountains, 2 km N.

Route D6, MV light, 4°33.91’N, 52°9.38’W, 22 December 2000, V. R. Block, INHS Insect Collection 780,125 [1 female]

(INHS); (B) Reduvius scutellaris stat. rev. (=R. rufiventris), adult male. Label data: BRAZIL: Pará, Jacareacanga, (6°16’S,

57°44’W), 110 m., Dec. 1968, Moacir Alvarenga, Rasahus rufiventris (Walk.) det. J. Maldonado C. 1986, Rasahus scutellaris

det. D. R. Swanson 2017 [1 male] (UMMZ). Scale bar = 2 mm.

Material examined: BELIZE: Toledo District, Midway Village, collected under bark, 16° 07.3"N, 88° 57'

37.3"W, 16–17 July 2005, P. W. Kovarik, det. D. R. Swanson 2017 [1 male, 1 female] (UMMZ).

Distribution: Belize, Panama, Guyana.

Remarks: The specimens on which this redescription is based were initially identified as Rasahus scutellaris,

then placed in an undescribed genus owing to conspicuous differences in the length of the protibial fossula

spongiosa, the length and segmental ratio of the protarsi, and the metapleural sulcus. These morphologies match

those found in Pirates myrmecinus, as observed in images of the holotype (despite the missing abdomen, the sex of

the holotype of Pirates myrmecinus appears to be male, based on the thickness of the protibia compared with the

Belizean male and female) (Fig. 9). These discrepancies with the generic diagnosis or, in the very least the protibial

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462

fossula spongiosa, seem to have gone unnoticed by Coscarόn (1983a), as she purportedly examined Erichson’s

holotype.

FIGURE 7. Holotype of Reduvius scutellaris housed in ZMUC: (A) ventral habitus; (B) ventral habitus of head and pronotum;

(ZMUC); used with permission.

The length of the protibial fossula spongiosa is the most conspicuous morphological difference between

Pirates myrmecinus and species of Rasahus. In both the male and the female from Belize, the fossula spongiosa

covers at most half of the length of the protibia (Fig. 10A). The protibial fossula spongiosa also appears to be a

similar length in Erichson’s holotype (Fig. 8D). This contrasts other species of Rasahus, which have the protibial

fossula spongiosa occupying three-fourths of the tibial length (Fig. 10B). The state of this character is heavily

relied upon for segregating peiratine genera (e.g., Stål 1872, 1874; Villiers 1948; Gil-Santana & Costa 2003).

However, some genera well-delimited by other morphologies (i.e., Sirthenea Spinola, 1837; Tydides Stål, 1866) are

known to possess limited degrees of intrageneric variation in the length of the protibial fossula spongiosa

(Willemse 1985, Lent 1955, Lent & Jurberg 1967). Among the known species of Rasahus, this is the only known

case of such variation.

The protarsi differ markedly as well. In the Belizean specimens, the protarsi are long, being 1.2–1.3 mm, with

a relatively longer apical tarsomere (segmental ratio: 1.0 : 1.8 : 2.5) (Fig. 9C, F); again, this is present in the

Erichson’s holotype (Fig. 8D). This contrasts the ratio in some similar-sized Rasahus, such as R. abolitus sp. nov.

(Fig. 10B) and R. nesiotes sp. nov., in which the penultimate and ultimate tarsomere are subequal (segmental ratio:

1.0 : 1.6 : 1.6) and the protarsi are shorter, being only 0.6 mm (other appendages remain similar in size). However,

the segmentation ratio of the protarsi differs interspecifically in ways previously unappreciated; for example, R.

deliquus sp. nov., despite being much larger, shares a similar ratio with the Belizean specimens. Additionaly, the

metatarsal ratios also vary, with the second tarsomere being the longest in R. abolitus sp. nov. and R. nesiotes sp.

nov., whereas the second and third tarsomere are subequal in R. deliquus sp. nov., and R. setosus, as well as the

Belizean specimens. Tarsal differences have been used to delimit genera in Peiratinae (i.e., Fusius Stål, 1862:

Villiers 1948); yet, further study is needed to assess the utility of this variation in Rasahus and related genera.

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THREE NEW RASAHUS

Lastly, the form of the metapleural sulcus has been an important character for generic diagnoses, albeit

exclusively for New World taxa. Most genera, including Rasahus, possess a curved marginally-positioned

metapleural sulcus. However, in the Belizean specimens, the sulcus appears wider and the anterior end starts higher

on the metapleuron (Fig. 11A, B) than in examined species of Rasahus (Fig. 11C–G) and other genera (Fig. 11H, I).

Despite being out of focus, this appears to be the form of the sulcus in Erichson’s holotype too (Fig. 8E). However,

this structure has largely been characterized bimodally (straight/medially-positioned vs. curved/laterally-

positioned), and it remains questionable to what extent this character varies in other peiratine genera.

FIGURE 8. Holotype of Pirates myrmecinus housed in ZMHB: (A) lateral habitus, left side; (B) dorsal habitus; (C) ventral

habitus; (D) head, pronotum, and forelegs, left lateral view; (E) thoracic pleura, right lateral view; (F) labels. Photographed by

Jürgen Deckert (ZMHB); used with permission.

The color pattern of the Belizean specimens strongly mirrors that of R. abolitus sp. nov. However, it is true that

a similar color pattern, viz. postscutellar spot + median corial discal spot + apical corial marginal spot + apical

membranal spot, is found in multiple species of Rasahus (e.g., R. brasiliensis, R. castaneus; R. sulcicollis), and

small variations thereof are found in other genera of New World Peiratinae (e.g., Phorastes, Tydides). Vestiges of

the postscutellar spot and spot of the hemelytral cubital cell are visible in Erichson’s damaged holotype (Fig. 8B).

Additionally, the metallic atrocyaneous tint of the head and pleura in the Belizean specimens is absent in the

similarly-patterned R. abolitus sp. nov., although metallic tints are known in other species of Rasahus, i.e., R.

maculipennis, as well as other New World genera (i.e., Phorastes Kirkaldy, 1900). In Erichson’s holotype, the

metallic tint is not conspicuous, given the low level of lighting, but it is plausible that it is present. The Belizean

male and female match in color pattern, although this leaves the level of intraspecific variation completely

unknown.

The generic placement of Pirates myrmecinus thus becomes clear. Rasahus is the only described genus to

which P. myrmecinus might belong, based on keys in Gil-Santana & Costa (2003), Cai & Taylor (2006), and Gil-

Santana et al. (2015). As the tarsal ratios vary intragenerically and the metapleural sulcus differs only in minor

degree, only the length of the protibial fossula spongiosa is found to differ markedly from other species of Rasahus.

As a few other genera in the New World show intrageneric variation in this character, I have refrained from

erecting a monotypic genus for a species that shows such strong similarity to as speciose and potentially

morphologically variable a genus as Rasahus.

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464

FIGURE 9. Belizean specimens of Rasahus myrmecinus stat. rev. et comb. nov.: (A–C) adult male: (A) dorsal habitus; (B)

caudal view of terminalia; (C) lateral habitus; (D–F) adult female: (D) dorsal habitus; (E) caudal view of terminalia; (F) lateral

habitus.

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THREE NEW RASAHUS

FIGURE 10. Protibial fossula spongiosa, lateral view: (A) Belizean male of Rasahus myrmecinus stat. rev. et comb. nov.; and

(B) R. abolitus sp. nov. (holotype).

Regarding its specific identity, Pirates myrmecinus Erichson, 1848, remains distinct. It clearly differs from

Rasahus scutellaris stat. rev. in size, length of the anteocular region, and hemelytral color pattern; therefore, it is

resurrected from synonymy (stat. rev.) and transferred, becoming Rasahus myrmecinus (Erichson, 1848) comb.

nov. Rasahus myrmecinus stat. rev. et comb. nov. is easily diagnosed among its congeners by the small size (10–

13 mm), the color pattern (atrocyaneous tint of the head and pronotum and postscutellar spot + median cubital spot

+ apical corial marginal spot + apical membranal spot), and the protibial fossula spongiosa occupying only half of

the length of the protibia in both sexes. The external genitalia of the male are distinctive in the strongly-bent,

moderately-broad median process of the pygophore (Fig. 5G–I); it is somewhat similar in the median process to R.

setosus (but differs in many other characters) and very similar in both process and parameres to R. scutellaris auct.

figured by Coscarόn (1983a). Additionally, the generic diagnosis of Rasahus has been modified to include species

with the protibial fossula spongiosa occupying half or more the length of the protibia.

A final note: the erection of R. abolitus sp. nov. and the revised status of R. myrmecinus stat. rev. et comb.

nov. almost completely confound records of Rasahus scutellaris auct. (nec Fabricius). Only those specimens

collected and examined by Champion (1899) from Bugaba District, Panama seem to belong unambiguously to R.

myrmecinus stat. rev. et comb. nov., as he mentioned the the aeneous coloration, short protibial fossula spongiosa,

long apical metatarsomere, and small size. It seems likely that some records of other authors might apply to the

former and some to the latter, given the strong similarity in habitus and the probable overlap in geographic

distribution. Furthermore, it is unclear whether Coscarόn’s (1983a) description of R. scutellaris corresponds to R.

abolitus sp. nov. or R. myrmecinus stat. rev. et comb. nov., as both are small (10–13 mm), similarly-patterned

species known from Central America and/or northern South America, although it seems more likely that the

description corresponds to the latter, given the obsolete condition of the pronotal sulci and granules in R. abolitus

sp. nov., as well as a few genitalic details. Regardless, a careful inventory and re-evaluation of previous records

will be needed to disentangle the distributions of these species. Currently, R. abolitus sp. nov. is known only from

the type locality in French Guiana and R. myrmecinus stat. rev. et comb. nov. is known from Guyana (type

locality), Panama (Champion 1899), and Belize (present study).

Key to species of Rasahus and Froeschnerisca. The following key will facilitate separation of the species

included in Rasahus and Froeschnerisca. This key is more reliant on color pattern, as differences in the macular

pattern of the hemelytra are more conspicuous than those of the genitalia. As a result, this updated key was loosely

informed by the iteration provided by Coscarón’s (1983a), although her habitus plates will still greatly aide in

identification.

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466

FIGURE 11. Metapleural sulcus, lateral view: (A) Belizean specimen of Rasahus myrmecinus stat. rev. et comb. nov., adult

male; (B) idem., adult female; (C) R. abolitus sp. nov. (holotype); (D) R. albomaculatus; (E) R. biguttatus; (F) R. setosus; (G)

R. sulcicollis; (H) Melanolestes picipes; and (I) Sirthenea stria carinata. Solid lines separate genera, dashed lines separate

species.

The species of Rasahus fall into two distinctive groups. This is strongly suggested by two corresponding sets

of characters: Group 1, the sulcicollis group, has the pale macula of the hemelytral apex absent or not contained by

medial cell and males with expanded to deeply lobate parameres, whereas Group 2, the hamatus group, has the

round pale macula well-contained in medial cell of the hemelytral membrane and males with slender, clavate

parameres. Monophyly of these groups was supported by Morrone & Coscarón’s (1998) cladistic analysis

(although F. vittata was not included). This division occurs at couplet 5 in the key below, although all species in

couplets 1–4 belong to the sulcicollis group. Of the new species erected herein, R. deliquus sp. nov. and R. abolitus

sp. nov. undoubtedly belong to the sulcicollis group. Although only the female is known, it seems very likely that

R. nesiotes sp. nov. belongs to the hamatus group.

It should be noted that the coloration of the connexiva requires additional study regarding its diagnostic use. In

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THREE NEW RASAHUS

some species, notably R. biguttatus and R. hamatus, this color pattern is sexually dimorphic, with males having

predominantly yellow connexiva and females having distinctly bicolorous (yellow-black) connexiva (Swanson,

pers. obs.). In cases where connexival color is used in the key, consulting other characters in the current and

subsequent couplets should relieve difficulty in segregating pairs or clusters of species.

The monotypic genus Froeschnerisca Coscarón, 1996 strongly resembles species in Rasahus, with the single

species being originally erected within that genus by Coscarón (1983a). Diagnostic characters of Froeschnerisca

include a “very accuminated” scutellum (vs. not accuminated in Rasahus), a subrectangular pygophore (vs.

quadrangular to rounded in Rasahus), a complex basal plate of the male genitalia (vs. simple in Rasahus), and

female tenth tergites with a projection (vs. without a projection in Rasahus) (Coscarón 1990, 1995). This generic

diagnosis might easily be based on characters that are either autapomorphic (basal plate, tenth tergite) and/or

variable (scutellum, shape of pygophore) within the context of Rasahus, and like the general case of R. myrmecinus

stat. rev. et comb. nov., the taxon easily fits within the diagnosis of Rasahus, despite slight morphological

variability. Thus, the genus should probably be subsumed into Rasahus. As I lack any examined material of this

species or the means to test this in a phylogenetic context, I have refrained from doing so at this time. However, the

single species is included in the key to Rasahus to facilitate identification of this clearly closely-related taxon.

Key to the species of Rasahus and Froeschnerisca

1 Hemelytra lacking pale spots posteriad to those of clavus and adjacent portion of corium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

- Hemelytra with conspicuous pale markings in apical two-thirds of hemelytra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

2 (1) Connexiva of male black (female unknown); median process of pygophore somewhat thickened; apical half of right

paramere somewhat attenuated; size slightly smaller, length of male 16.5–16.6 mm; known from Peru, Brazil . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. atratus

- Connexiva of male luteous (female unknown); median process of pygophore slender; outer margin of right paramere more

or less evenly convex to apex, not distinctly attenuated; size slightly larger, length of male 18.2 mm; known from Panama .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. deliquus sp. nov.

3 (1’) Hemelytra with wide pale continuous midlongitudinal stripe from base of hemelytra to apex of hemelytra . . R. flavovittatus

- Hemelytra with discrete pale markings, not one continuous stripe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

4 (3’) Hemelytra lacking pale macula in medial membranal cell or at hemelytral apex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. guttatipennis

- Medial membranal cell or hemelytra apex with pale spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

5 (4’) Hemelytral membrane with round pale macula well-contained in medial cell; parameres slender, more or less clavate (hama-

tus group). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

- Pale macula of hemelytral apex not contained by medial cell, extending, usually caudad, outside of cell; at least one

paramere expanded at middle, often deeply lobate (sulcicollis group) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

6 (5) Hemelytra with discrete pale arcuate spot crossing apex of cubital and/or base of medial membranal cells about halfway

between scutellum and apex of hemelytra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

- Hemelytra either lacking arcuate pale spot or entire middle portion of hemelytra pale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

7 (6) Corium with pale longitudinal stripe between R and M vein; clavus more or less entirely dark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. scutellaris (=R. rufiventris) stat. rev.

- Corium dark between R and M vein, lacking longitudinal stripes; clavus pale in apical portion near scutellar spine. . . . . . .8

8 (7’) Connexiva of male completely luteous (female unknown); [lacking conspicuous white pilosity on head; size medium, length

15–16 mm] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. amapaensis

- Connexiva of males and females distinctly bicolorous, yellow-black (except female of R. angulatus unknown). . . . . . . . . .9

9 (8’) Head with conspicuous white pile; size smaller, length generally less than 16 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

- Head with pilosity darker, not white; size larger, length 19 mm or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

10 (9) Anterior pronotal lobe lacking white pilosity; connexiva yellow in basal half; venter with limited whitish pilosity . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. arcitenens

- Anterior pronotal lobe with conspicuous white pilosity; connexiva yellow in basal two-thirds; venter with abundant whitish

pilosity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. arcuiger

11 (9’) Hemelytral surface smooth, not velvety; margins of postocular region angulate; legs wholly dark . . . . . . . . . . R. angulatus

- Hemelytra velvety; margins of postocular region rounded; legs with, at least, anterior face of profemur and base and apex of

protibia yellow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .R. limai

12 (6’) Anterior pronotal lobe distinctly darker than posterior pronotal lobe; [costal margin of hemelytra distinctly pale] . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. thoracicus

- Anterior pronotal lobe concolorous with posterior pronotal lobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

13 (12’) Costal margin of hemelytra dark, lacking pale coloration; size smaller, length usually less than 18 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

- Costal margin of hemelytra distinctly pale (sometimes weakly so in R. argentinensis); size larger, length usually greater than

18 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

14 (13) Connexiva of males predominantly yellow and in females bicolored yellow-black; postscutellar macula occupying apical

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468

half of clavus, reaching base (although narrowed) in adjacent region of corium; pale spot of medial membranal cell larger,

essentially filling cell; size larger, length usually 16 mm or greater (some males only reaching 13 mm); widely distributed

throughout New World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .R. hamatus

- Connexiva, at least in female, black; postscutellar macula limited to apical third of clavus, essentially obsolete in basal third

of adjacent part of corium; pale spot of medial membranal cell smaller, occupying only apical portion of cell; size small,

length less than 15 mm; known only from Grand Bahamas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. nesiotes sp. nov.

15 (13’) Legs, particularly hind legs, predominantly pale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .R. biguttatus

- All legs more or less wholly dark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

16 (15’) Pale markings of hemelytra more extensive, medially reaching caudad to cover cubital cell of membrane; connexiva of male

predominantly pale (female unknown); margins of postocular region generally rounded; male with triangular prolongation

of eighth ventrite acute, not emarginate; median process of pygophore apically pointed; size slightly smaller, length gener-

ally 18–20 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. argentinensis

- Pale markings of hemelytra less extensive, costal margin not as strongly pale and cubital cell of membrane mostly dark; con-

nexiva of male and female predominantly dark; margins of postocular region angulate; male with triangular prolongation of

eighth ventrite minutely emarginate at apex; median process of pygophore apically rounded; size slightly larger, length 20

mm or more. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .R. grandis

17 (5’) Yellow macula of corium (extending onto membrane) forming single large X-shape; males and females submacropterous . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .R. bifurcatus

- Pale markings of hemelytra comprising multiple discrete spots; males and females macropterous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

18 (17’) Sulci of anterior pronotal lobe and posterior pronotal lobe essentially lacking granulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

- Sulci of anterior pronotal lobe and disc of posterior pronotal lobe with granulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

19 (18) Hemelytra with costal and radial cell black, without pale markings (except latter at extreme base); pale spot at apex of mem-

brane forked, distinctly following two apical veins; scutellar spine white, contrasting blackish scutellum; size small, length

less than 12 mm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. abolitus sp. nov.

- Costal cell of hemelytra pale at apex, radial cell mostly pale; pale spot at apex of membrane oval, including area between

two apical veins; scutellum unicolorous, blackish; size larger, length greater than 15 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

20 (19’) Hemelytral membrane attenuated, more acute at apex; stripe of radial cell complete; arcuate spur of posterior marginal pale

stripe lacking transverse spot; male with well-delimited 1+1 submedian oval setal patches on venter, each covering fifth,

sixth and base of seventh ventrite; size very large, length greater than 25 mm; [scutellar spine rounded apically; clavus pale

only near base; legs unicolorous, castaneous] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .R. setosus

- Hemelytral membrane broadly rounded apically; stripe of radial cell often interrupted or obsolete along length; arcuate spur

of posterior marginal pale stripe connected to transverse spot that spans part of inner discal cell; venter lacking distinctive

setal patches; size smaller, length 15–25 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

21 (20’) Scutellar spine rounded apically; clavus pale at base and apex; legs blackish or castaneous with bases yellow; lateral lower

margin of eighth ventrite of male more sclerotized, without two setae; size larger, greater than 20 mm. . . . R. albomaculatus

- Scutellar spine acute apically; clavus pale only near base; legs unicolorous, castaneous; lateral margin of eighth ventrite of

male unsclerotized, with two setae; size smaller, length less than 20 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. surinamensis

22 (18’) Hemelytra with transverse arcuate (distally concave) fascia passing through cubital cell of membrane that fully crosses hem-

elytra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

- Pale arcuate marking of cubital membranal cell, when present, spot-like, not fasciate and not fully crossing hemelytra, sepa-

rated from M vein on outer side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

23 (22) Legs conspicuously marbled; transverse pale fascia of hemelytra narrow, covering only middle third of cubital cell; M vein

and cu-pcu of corium pale; pale macula of hemelytral apex irregular, not rounded, strongest along veins; pronotal length and

width subequal or slightly longer than wide; pronotum lacking metallic gloss; size smaller, length 10 mm or less . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. aeneus

- Legs generally uniform in color; transverse pale fascia of hemelytra broad, covering most of cubital cell; M vein and cu-pcu

of corium dark; pale macula of hemelytral apex large, round, uniformly occupying apical area; anterior pronotal lobe wider

than long; pronotum with metallic gloss; size larger, length 13 mm or greater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. maculipennis

24 (22’) Corium with conspicuous narrow pale longitudinal stripe along M vein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

- Corium dark along M vein or whole region of corium pale, lacking conspicuous longitudinal stripes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

25 (24) Hemelytra with discrete pale arcuate spot crossing cubital cell of membrane; corium adjacent to clavus pale; connexiva of

male essentially wholly luteous (female unknown); legs wholly dark; median process of pygophore thick, strongly curved,

with apex acute; size slightly larger, length 16 mm or greater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. paraguayensis

- Hemelytra lacking arcuate pale spot, cubital cell dark; boundary between clavus and corium dark, except near apex; con-

nexiva of male and female bicolorous, yellow-black; apex of profemur and bases of meso- and metafemur pale; median pro-

cess of pygophore slender, gently curved, with apex rounded; size slightly smaller, length 13–15 mm . . . . . . . . . . . F. vittata

26 (24’) Hemelytra with large irregularly rounded pale spot covering apical half of cubital cell and basal third of medial membranal

cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. peruensis

- Pale spot of cubital cell generally limited to that cell, often straight or arcuate (concave posteriorly) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

27 (26’) Connexiva more or less unicolorous, predominantly yellow; size large, length 15 mm or greater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

- Connexiva distinctly bicolorous, yellow-black; size smaller, length generally 13 mm or less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

28 (27) Clavus predominantly yellow, including base, only dark on mesal margin in middle third; legs essentially wholly dark; size

larger, length 20 mm or greater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. brasiliensis

- Clavus predominantly dark, pale only at apex surrounding scutellar spine; femora with bases pale; size smaller, length gen-

469

THREE NEW RASAHUS

erally 16–19 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .R. sulcicollis

29 (27’) Hemelytra predominantly light brownish, particularly from costal margin to M vein of corium, and less strongly contrasting

pale maculae, strongly contrasting black region in and laterally surrounding medial membranal cell; anterior pronotal lobe

narrower, approximately 55–60% as wide as posterior pronotal lobe across humeri; known only from Costa Rica . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. costaricensis

- Hemelytra predominantly blackish to dark castaneous, with strongly contrasting pale maculae; anterior pronotal lobe wider,

approximately 65–70% as wide as posterior pronotal lobe across humeri; widespread from Central America to Brazil . . . 30

30 (29’) Protibial fossula spongiosa occupying about apical three-quarters of protibia; head distinctly longer than wide; head lacking

metallic gloss; scutellar spine dark, concolorous with rest of scutellum; size slightly larger, length generally 13–14 mm. . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .R. castaneus

- Protibial fossula spongiosa occupying, at most, apical half of protibia; length and width of head subequal; head, pronotum,

and thoracic pleura with slight atrocyaneous metallic gloss; scutellar spine yellow, contrasting rest of scutellum; size slightly

smaller, length generally 10–12 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. myrmecinus stat. rev. et comb. nov.

The identity of Pirates digramma Walker, 1873. Previous authors (i.e., Berg 1879, Lethierry & Severin 1896,

Wygodzinsky 1949, Coscarón 1983a) have suggested that Pirates digramma (=Pirates dimidiatus Walker, 1873:

102, nec Pirates dimidiatus Walker, 1873: 96; the latter is a junior synonym of Pasira basiptera Stål, 1859),

described from “Monte Video”, might belong in Rasahus. The type was declared “non-existent” by Distant (1902),

and Coscarón (1983a) essentially treated the taxon as a nomen dubium. Despite previous assertions, the original

description contains sufficient detail to confidently identify the taxon, and it does not belong in Rasahus. Salient

characters in Walker’s (1873) original description include “spongy furrow of the fore tibiae not more than one-third

of the length of the latter”, “corium with a whitish patch partly occupying the tip of the clavus, and with a whitish

apical patch”, and a body length of 16.9–18 mm (British lines taken to be 1/12”).

Only four other peiratine species are currently known from Uruguay: Melanolestes argentinus Berg, 1879;

Rasahus hamatus (Fabricius, 1781); Sirthenea pedestris Horváth, 1909; and Sirthenea stria stria (Fabricius, 1794).

None of these species match Walker’s description fully: M. argentinus and the two species of Sirthenea do not

possess pale spots in the hemelytral membrane, and R. hamatus has a conspicuously longer protibial fossula

spongiosa. In fact, that this taxon belongs to Rasahus seems dubious given the length of the protibial fossula

spongiosa, despite the exception in R. mymecinus stat. rev. et comb. nov. Furthermore, the biodiversity of

Peiratinae in Uruguay is poorly studied and clearly underrepresented, as various other species are known from

southern Brazil and Argentina (Maldonado 1990).

Among New World peiratines, the aforementioned morphologies, in addition to the tawny coloration, short

head, and lack of pronotal “furrows”, indicate that Pirates dimidiatus belongs in Tydides. In fact, among all

described species of New World Peiratinae, Walker ’s combination of characters is found only in two species, i.e.,

Tydides imitator Lent, 1955 and Tydides rufus (Audinet-Serville, 1831). Tydides obscurus Lent, 1955 lacks an

apical white patch on the hemelytra, and Tydides quatuor Lent & Jurberg, 1967 has an additional spot behind the

claval spot. Furthermore, T. imitator and T. rufu s are known from nearby in southern Brazil and northeastern

Argentina (Lent 1955, fig. 36; Lent & Jurberg 1967, fig. 16). Between these two species, T. imitator is clearly a

better match. T. rufus should be excluded based on the more extensive pale postscutellar patterning of the

hemelytra that extends onto the membrane, the bicolorous mid and hind legs, and the slightly larger size. The

former two characteristics would have been mentioned by Walker in the description, and Walker’s measurement of

body length for P. dimidiatus corresponds perfectly with those given for T. imitator, i.e., males: 17.5 mm, females:

19.5 mm (rather than males at 19 mm in T. rufu s) (Lent 1955). A focused inventory of the peiratine species in

Uruguay likely will corroborate the presence of Tydides, represented by one or both of these species, in Uruguay.

Given the details outlined above, Pirates digramma Walker, 1873 is transferred to Tydides, resulting in Tydides

digramma (Walker, 1873) comb. nov. I have declined to synonymize P. digramma with a species of Tydide s, viz. T.

imitator, in hopes that further studies into the peiratine fauna of Uruguay might corroborate this hypothesis and

provide a suitable neotype for Walker’s species.

Acknowledgments

My thanks to Chris Grinter (INHS) and Mark O’Brien (UMMZ) for the opportunity to study the material under

their care. I also greatly appreciate the time and energy of Henrik Enghoff and Mikkel Post (ZMUC) and Jürgen

Deckert (ZMHB) for the images of the type of Reduvius scutellaris and Pirates myrmecinus, respectively. I am

SWANSON

470

very grateful to Pete W. Kovarik and Steve Chordas III for sending the Belizean material, without which I would

not have made the connection with Erichson’s type. Finally, I thank Hélcio R. Gil-Santana, Dávid Rédei, and an

anonymous third reviewer for their helpful comments which greatly improved earlier versions of the manuscript.

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Full-text available

Oct 2018

Fifty-one species of Reduviidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) are recorded from Belize; literature citations are provided where relevant, and specimen data are included for examined material. Thirteen previously-described species are reported from Belize for the first time, ten of which represent new generic records: Eupheno histrionicus Stål, 1862 (Cetherinae); Ghinallelia signoreti (Dohrn, 1860) (Emesinae); Rasahus albomaculatus (Mayr, 1865) (Peiratinae); Leogorrus interruptus Champion, 1899; Microlestria laevis Champion, 1899; Nalata quadrituberculata Champion, 1899; Nalata setulosa Stål, 1862; Pseudozelurus superbus (Champion, 1899); Zelurus spinidorsis (Gray, 1832) (all Reduviinae); Oncerotrachelus conformis Uhler, 1894; Saica fuscipes Stål, 1862 (both Saicinae); Gnathobleda litigiosa Stål, 1862; and Stenopoda wygodzinskyi Giacchi, 1969 (both Stenopodainae). Among the ten subfamilies reported, Belizean records for one subfamily, Saicinae, are reported for the first time. Accompanying the checklist are the descriptions of Castolus omega Swanson sp. nov. (Harpactorinae) and Pygolampis aptena Swanson sp. nov. (Stenopodainae).

Rasahus hamatus (Fabricius, 1781): NUEVO REGISTRO DE REDUVIIDAE (HEMIPTERA: HETEROPTERA: PEIRATINAE) PARA LA REGIÓN ANDINA DE VENEZUELA

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Jan 2025

THE CORSAIR ASSASSIN BUG Rasahus hamatus (Fabricius, 1781): NEW RECORD OF REDUVIIDAE (HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA: PEIRATINAE) FROM THE VENEZUELAN ANDES REGION The presence of the corsair assassin bug Rasahus hamatus (Fabricius, 1781) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae, Peiratinae) is recorded at the first time in a residential area from La Parroquia Osuna Rodríguez, city of Merida, Merida State, Venezuelan Andes region.

REDUVIIDAE (HEMIPTERA: HETEROPTERA: CIMICOMORPHA) NO TRIATOMINAE DE VENEZUELA

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Apr 2023

Los redúvidos (Hemiptera: Heteroptera, Cimicomorpha: Reduviidae) son insectos terrestres de tamaño variable con distribución cosmopolita y hábitos predatorios (“chinches asesinos”). Se presenta y discute un listado revisado y actualizado de las especies de la familia Reduviidae no Triatominae registradas para Venezuela. Hasta el presente se han reportado 172 especies, distribuidas en 14 subfamilias, 9 tribus y 59 géneros, incluyendo Bactrodinae (1 género, 1 especie), Cetherinae (1 género, 1 especie), Ectrichodiinae (1 tribu, 3 géneros, 6 especies), Emesinae (4 tribus, 8 géneros, 45 especies), Hammacerinae (2 géneros, 3 especies), Harpactorinae (2 tribus, 22 géneros, 55 especies), Peiratinae (6 géneros, 15 especies), Phymatinae (2 tribus, 3 géneros, 15 especies), Physoderinae (1 género, 1 especie), Reduviinae (3 géneros, 15 especies), Saicinae (1 género, 1 especie), Salyavatinae (1 género, 4 especies), Stenopodainae (6 géneros, 9 especies) y Vesciinae (1 género, 1 especie). Zelus championi Zhang & Hart, 2016 y el género Sinea Amyot & Serville, 1843 representan nuevos registros para el país. Adicionalmente, se aporta información sobre presas, plantas hospedadoras o asociadas y distribución geográfica.

The Reduviidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) of Alabama, with a morphological key to species

Article

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Oct 2019

Alabama is one of the most speciose states in the United States, yet many common groups of organisms, including assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae), have yet to be fully documented. The purpose of this manuscript is to identify all known assassin bug species occurring in the state using literature records and specimens from natural history collections, most notably the Auburn University Museum of Natural History Entomology Collection, to provide new state records, a checklist, and a morphological species key of the Alabama Reduviidae. All total, 61 species within 36 genera and 10 subfamilies are reported from Alabama. Additionally, 40 new state literature records are documented: 34 from Alabama and six from other states.

A new generic synonym in the Reduviinae of Australia, with an updated key to genera (Heteroptera: Reduviidae)

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Jan 2015
ZOOTAXA

Daniel R. Swanson

The monotypic genus Horciniella Miller, 1958 is considered a junior synonym of Archilestidium Breddin, 1900 (new synonymy), resulting in the following taxonomic change for its type species: Archilestidium variabile (Miller, 1958) (new combination). The evidence supporting this conclusion and the new composition of the genus are discussed at length. Updated keys to the reduviine genera of Australia and the Australian species of Horcinia Stål, 1874 are included. Habitus images as well as a new distributional record are provided for several Australian reduviines.

Un nouveau genre de Reduviidae de Guyane et notes sur la sous-famille

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Full-text available

Jan 1996

Berenger Jean-michel

Systematic catalogue of the Reduviidae of the world (Insecta: Heteroptera)

Article

Jan 1990

J. Maldonado

Hemiptera Argentina enumeravit speciesque novas descripsit

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C. Berg

Mantissa Insectorum Sistens Eorum Species Nuper Detectus Adjectis Characteribus Genericis Differentiis Specificis, Emendationibus, Observationibus

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Jan 1787

J.C. Fabricius

Bibliographical and nomenclatorial notes on the Hemiptera. No. 3

Article

G.W. Kirkaldy

Catalogue Général des Hémiptères

Article

Hemiptera mexicana enumeravit speciesque novas descripsit

Article

C. Stål

Species insectorum exhibentes eorum differentias specificas, synonyma autorum, loca natalia, metamorphosin adiectis observationibus, descriptionibus

Article

J.C. Fabricius

Assassin Bugs (Reduviidae Excluding Triatominae)

Chapter

Oct 2015

Reduviidae is the largest family of predaceous terrestrial Heteroptera, with about 7,000 described species in 25 subfamilies, and is one of the three most speciose families within Hemiptera. A general overview on Neotropical members of this family is furnished, with an updated account on the taxonomy for each subfamily. Keys to genera of almost all subfamilies are presented

Three new species of Rasahus, with clarifications on the identities of three other Neotropical corsairs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Peiratinae)

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