The superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea Southwood 1956 is closely related to the Lygaeoidea and the Coreoidea, and was placed by many authors as a subfamily of the Lygaeidae. It was recognized as a separate family by Amyot and Serville in 1843 under the name ‘Cecigenes’ and they divided it into two groups ‘Pyrrhocorides’ and ‘Largides’. These two names became recognized as subfamilies of the Pyrrhocoridae, the family name being established by Fieber (1861). Hussey (1929) quotes Van Duzee (1916), who established the name Euryophthalminae to replace Larginae and divided that subfamily into two tribes Euryophthalmini and Physopeltini. This nomenclature was dealt with in detail by China (1954) who established that Larginae is still the correct subfamily name. Van Duzee's tribe Euryophthalmini is confined to American genera. China (1954) states that because of their differing affinities, the Larginae being more closely related to the Lygaeidae and the Pyrrhocorinae to the Coreidae, both these subfamilies should assume family status. This change in status was followed by China and Miller (1959). Southwood (1956), following a study of the eggs of the Heteroptera, had also suggested that the families Largidae and Pyrrhocoridae together formed the superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea. This view was accepted and confirmed by Schaefer (1964) following detailed morphological investigations of representatives of the Lygaeoidea, Coreoidea and Pyrrhocoroidea. Schaefer also summarised the conclusions of other workers who had undertaken comparative studies of morphological characters within the three superfamilies.
China and Miller (1959) used the following characters to typify the Pyrrhocoroidea:
Abdominal trichobothria present
Scutellum small, shorter than the clavus, a distinct claval commisure present
Antennophores visible from above
Antennae four segmented
Ocelli absent
Membrane of the hemelytra usually with two basal cells, from which 7 - 8 branching longitudinal veins extend to the apical margin
Medium to large, brightly colored, usually phytophagous bugs
Only 13 out of the 18 genera now recognised in the Ethiopian Region can be said to be brightly colored; the other five genera being dark in general coloration. The two families are: Largidae - Sixth visible (seventh actual) ventral abdominal segment in the female cleft in the middle; Pyrrhocoridae -Sixth visible ventral abdominal segment entire in both sexes. There does not seem to be any way to key out the males of the African Largidae (Physopelta) without dissection.
Hussey (1929) lists 360 species worldwide in the superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea Southwood 1956 with 77 African species, in 13 genera, the genus Dysdercus containing 15 of these species. Since then, a number of new species have been described. This catalogue is based on the literature up to 2000 and the study of material in the National Museum of Kenya (NMK), Nairobi, which includes my own collections from east Africa, mainly Tanzania. The present check-list gives 102 species in 18 genera.
The literature contains few references to the biology and ecology of the superfamily, being largely taxonomic. Only the genus Dysdercus, containing the ‘cotton stainers’ is of economic importance, and for that genus the literature is very extensive. For this reason the genus Dysdercus and the literature pertaining to it has been excluded from the present paper, except that, for completeness, it has been included in the list of species and the key to genera. Some of the other genera in the superfamily must be regarded as rare, few specimens being available in collections and in some, descriptions have been done on the basis of one or two specimens, sometimes only a single sex being known. Madagascar has been considered as being outside the scope of this work, as have the Mascarene Islands.
KEY TO THE AFRICAN GENERA
The first key to separate the African genera was by Stål (1865). The next key specifically intended for genera in the Ethiopian Region was by Villiers and Dekeyser (1951), to allow placement of their newly described genus Sicnatus. The characters used by Stål (1865) and Villiers and Dekeyser (1951) are similar. The present key has been altered from theirs only to accommodate recently described genera. It is expected to be accurate only within the Ethiopian Region. Much information has been published in recent years on the detailed structure of the male and female genitalia, differences that are particularly useful in the determination of species, and which are quite diagnostic for some genera, for example, the crossed parameres of the genus Cenaeus. So far, however, less than half the species have been adequately studied and generic keys based on these characters should wait until knowledge is more complete.
1.Sixth visible abdominal segment in the female cleft longitudinally, entire in the male. Medium to large insects (10 - 16 mm). General color red and black (Family Largidae).
-Sixth visible abdominal segment entire in both sexes (Family Pyrrhocoridae).
2.Form exceedingly ant-like. Smaller insects (6 - 8 mm). General color black, or black and red. Mostly brachypterous, but macropterous individuals known.
-Form not exceedingly ant like, at least not in the adult. Most genera macropterous.
3.Head strongly bent down in front of the eyes. Medium sized insects (8 - 11 mm). Brightly colored. Brachypterous.
-Head not strongly bent down in front of the eyes. Various sizes and colors. Usually not brachypterous.
4.Head transversely narrowed and depressed behind the eyes. Larger insects (14 - 17 mm). General color red and black.
-Head not as above, usually more or less horizontal.
5.Apex of corium acute. Larger brighter colored insects, (12 - 20 mm). General color black and red or brown. The ‘cotton stainers’. Venter usually with contrasting stripes.
-Apex of corium rounded. Other characters different.
6.Apical borders of third and fourth visible sternites straight, not sinuate laterally. Rostrum very long. Large insects, (25 - 32 mm). General color reddish and black.
-Apical borders of third and fourth visible sternites sinuate laterally. Usually without a very long rostrum.
7.Apex of of corium much longer than the corial-claval suture. Large slender insects, (18 - 24 mm). General color red and black.
-Apex of the corium subequal to the corial-claval suture.
8.Anterior discal area of pronotum not limited laterally by a furrow. Medium to large sized insects, (10 - 23 mm). General color ochre to brownish.
-Anterior discal area of pronotum limited by a clear lateral furrow, sometimes punctate, at least towards the front.
9.Anterior discal area of pronotum circumscribed by an impressed continuous furrow. Borders of pronotum convex and regularly curved at anterior and posterior angles. Body often hairy. Medium sized insects, (8 - 14 mm). General color red and black, or brownish.
-Anterior and posterior discal areas of pronotum separated by a furrow, which may or may not be punctate. Borders of the pronotum more or less concave at the middle.
10.Anterior and posterior discal areas of pronotum separated by a furrow which is not punctate. Eyes sessile. Body never hairy. Insects of medium size, (7 - 14 mm). General color black, red and brownish.
-Pronotum not as above. Other characters different.
11.Anterior and posterior discs of pronotum of different textures and colors separated by a row of punctures. Eyes more or less prominent, not sessile. Smaller oval insects, (7 - 14 mm). General color ochre or brownish. Some species brachypterous.
-Pronotum not as above. Eyes sessile.
12.Anterior discal area of pronotum clearly limited by a deeply punctate furrow. The first segment of the rostrum thick, not longer than the head. Larger insects, (15 mm). General color black and reddish or cream.
-First segment of rostrum not thick. Anterior discal area of pronotum not as above.
13.The first segment of rostrum equal to half the length of the head. Small species, (7 - 10 mm). General color black, with some red. Majority brachypterous.
-First segment of rostrum not as above, sometimes exceeding the length of the head.
14.First segment of rostrum reaching the apex of the prosternum. Antennae with many bristles. Front femora swollen and the front tibiae curved. Small insects, (6 - 8 mm). General color blackish. Mostly brachypterous.
-First segment of rostrum not as above. Antennae without many bristles.
15.Third segment of antennae thickened, much bulkier than the fourth. Small insects, (6 - 9 mm). General color dark brown or black. Brachypterous.
-Antennae not of this form.
16.Fourth segment of antennae strongly thickened in the middle. Small insects, (6 mm). General color black. Brachypterous.
-Antennae not of this form. Color not wholly black.
17.First segment of antennae longer than the second. Anterior disc of pronotum limited anteriorly and posteriorly by distinct punctures. Medium sized insects, (8 - 12 mm). General color black and orangish. Mostly brachypterous.
-First segment of antennae shorter than the second. Apex of first segment of rostrum does not reach prosternum. Smallish insects, (8 mm). General color black and reddish.
FAMILY LARGIDAE
The family Largidae was established by Amyot and Serville (1843), under the name Largides, which can be regarded as a valid group name based on the generic name Largus Hahn 1831 (China 1954). It is represented in Africa only by three species in the large genus Physopelta Amyot and Serville 1843. The last generic description was by Stål (1865) and was done before all the African species had been described. Some of the detailed characters given by Stål, therefore, do not fit the African species too well. For example the description of the antennae only holds good for Physopelta festiva (Fabricius 1803).
PHYSOPELTA Amyot & Serville 1843
Type species: Physopelta erythrocephala Amyot & Serville 1843. (=Physopelta albofasciata (De Geer 1773) Designated by Distant (1903) and quoted as a logotype by (Hussey 1929)
Country of origin of type species: Java
Type depository: not known
Illustrations: see Physopelta festiva
Physopelta Amyot & Serville 1843
Physopelta Am. & Serv.
Stål 1861: 195
Physopelta A. & S.
Stål 1863: 390
Physopelta A. & S.
Stål 1866: 2
Physopelta A. & S.
Stål 1870: 91 and 99
Physopelta Amyot & Serville
Physopelta Am. & Serv.
Breddin 1901: 175
Physopelta Stål
Physopelta Amy. & Serv.
Distant 1904: 97
Physopelta Amyot & Serville
Hussey 1929: 28
Physopelta Amyot & Serville
Schmidt 1931: 45
KEY TO THE AFRICAN SPECIES MODIFIED FROM LESTION (1969)
1.Head plus body length more than 15 mm. Corium with a black band. Side of the abdomen red, with black lines of varying width anteriorly on each segment. Anal segment black.
-Head plus body length less than 15 mm.
2.Corium with a black spot. Pronotum with the front half orange. Side of the abdomen reddish with the last two segments black. (12 - 13 mm).
-Corium with a nearly complete black band. Pronotum with the frontal half pitchy-black. Side of the abdomen wholly black (10 - 12 mm).
Physopelta analis (Signoret 1858)
Type depository: Vienna: Naturhistoriches Museum
Country of origin of type: Nigeria (Old Calabar)
Distribution: Cameroon (Barombi); Gabon; Ghana (Addah); ‘Guinea’; Ivory Coast; Nigeria (Old Calabar)
Measurements: length 12–13mm; width 4–5mm (1 male)
Physopelta analis Signoret 1858
Signoret 1858: 306
description
Pyrrhocoris analis Sign.
Stål 1863: 391
Physopelta analis Sign.
Stål 1870: 101
Physopelta analis Sign.
Walker 1873: 17
Physopelta analis Sign.
Reuter 1882: 28
Physopelta analis Signoret
Physopelta analis Sign.
Haglund 1895: 464
Physopelta analis Sign.
Physopelta analis (Signoret)
Hussey 1929: 29
Physopelta analis Sign.
Blöte 1931: 99
Physopelta analis Signoret
Schmidt 1931: 46
Physopelta analis (Signoret 1858)
Leston 1969: 225
Physopelta analis (Signoret)
Linnavuori 1988: 13
Physopelta festiva (Fabricius 1803)
Type depository: Copenhagen: Zoologisch Museum
Country of origin of type: Guinea. Distribution: Cameroon; Central African Republic; Congo (Brazzaville); Ghana; ‘Guinea’; Ivory Coast; Nigeria (Old Calabar); Uganda
Measurements: average length, male 18.7 mm (7); female 19.3 mm (6)
Pyrrhocoris festivus Fabr.
Burmeister 1835: 285
Physopelta festiva Fabr.
Stål 1870: 101.
Physopelta festiva Fabricius
Physopelta festiva Fabr.
Haglund 1895: 463
Physopelta festiva (Fabricius)
Hussey 1929: 30
Physopelta festiva F.
Blöte 1931: 99
Physopelta festiva (Fabricius)
Villiers 1967: 370
Physopelta festiva
Leston 1969: 225
Physopelta festiva (Fabricius)
Linnavuori 1988: 13
Physopelta melanoptera Distant 1904
Type depository: London: Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Cameroon. Distribution - Benin (Dahomey); Cameroon; Central African Republic; Congo (Brazzaville); Ghana; Ivory Coast; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda
Measurements: average length, male 10.6 mm (47); female 11.5 mm (43)
Physopelta melanoptera Dist.
Distant 1909: 78
Physopelta melanoptera Dist.
Bergroth 1913a: 167
Physopelta melanoptera Distant
Hussey 1929: 32
Physopelta melanoptera Distant
Villiers 1967: 370
Physopelta melanoptera
Leston 1969: 225
Physopelta melanoptera Distant
Linnavuori 1988: 13
Collected in Tanzania October–May. In West Africa associated with Mallotus oppositifolius (Euphorbiaceae) (Leston, 1969; Duviard, 1974).
FAMILY PYRRHOCORIDAE
ANTILOCHUS Stål 1863
This is a large genus, mainly found in the Oriental and Australasian Regions. Three species are recorded from the Ethiopean region by Hussey (1929) but on examination of material in the National Museum of Kenya it was found that the third species, Antilochus violaceus Carlini 1892, is not a member of this genus at all, but definitely belongs to the genus Odontopus Laporte. An unnamed specimen of Odontopus in the NMK collection, from Somalia, matches Carlini's description very closely. Consequently, only two species of the Genus Antilochus are present in the Ethiopian Region, one is West African, the other is confined to Eastern and Southern Africa.
Type species: Antilochus coqueberti (Fabricius 1803) quoted as type species by Distant (1904) and as a logotype by Hussey (1929)
Country of origin of type species: India
Type depository: not known
Synonyms: Neaeretus Reuter 1887
Illustrations: see Antilochus boerhaviae
Antilochus Stål
Stål 1866: 3 and 4
Antilochus Stål
Stål 1870: 101 and 103
Odontopus De Lap.
Walker 1872: 174
Antilochus Stål
Antilochus Stål
Bergroth 1894a: 358
Antilochus Stål
Breddin 1901: 175
Antilochus Stål
Antilochus Stål
Distant 1904: 100
Antilochus Stål
Hussey 1929: 36
Antilochus Stål
Schmidt 1932: 236
The two species of Antilochus can easily be separated by the very different appearance of the pronotum and elytra:
1.Pronotum black, surrounded by a continuous narrow yellow band. Elytra black with irregular narrow yellowish bands that appear to enclose a large irregular black spot. Sides of the thorax predominantly black. Sides of the abdomen red, with narrow whitish lines anteriorly on each segment. The whitish lines vary in thickness and there may be some black coloration towards the rear of the abdomen. Anal segment, red.
2.Pronotum black, the borders reddish-orange with the red color being wider at the posterior corners. The elytra black with reddish patches separated to leave a central area in the form of a black cross. The pattern is rather variable, but distinctly different from Antilochus boerhaviae. Sides of the thorax reddish, sometimes darker. Sides of the abdomen red with whitish lines on the anterior of each segment, which vary somewhat in thickness. No black coloring is present. Anal segment, red.
Antilochus boerhaviae (Fabricius 1794)
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: ‘Guinea’
Distribution: British East Africa; Cameroon; Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Gabon; ‘Guinea’; Nigeria; Senegal; Sudan
Synonyms: Antilochus submaculatus Kirkby 1896
Measurements: length, male 15.5 mm (1); female 18.2 mm (1)
Lygaeus boerhaviae Fabricius 1794
Fabricius 1794: 152
Lygaeus boerhaviae Fabricius
Fabricius 1803: 220
Antilochus boerhaviae Fabr.
Stål 1866: 4
Antilochus boerhaviae Fabr.
Stål 1868: 81
Antilochus boerhaviae Fabr.
Stål 1870: 104
Odontopus boerhaviae Fabr.
Walker 1872: 176
Antilochus boerhaviae Fabricius
Antilochus boerhaviae (F.)
Karsch 1894: 106
Antilochus boerhaviae Fabr.
Distant 1902b: 36
Antilochus boerhaviae Fabr.
Distant 1902b: 36
Antilochus boerhaviae (Fabr.)
Antilochus boerhaviae Fabricius
Courteaux 1922: 285
Antilochus boerhaviae (Fabricius)
Hussey 1929: 37
Antilochus boerhaviae F.
Blöte 1931: 102
Antilochus boerhaviae Fabricius
Schmidt 1932: 240
Antilochus boerhaviae Fabricius
Villiers 1953: 298
Antilochus boerhaviae Fabricius
Antilochus boerhaviae (Fabricius)
Linnavuori 1988: 13
The illustration given by Kirby (1896) of the specimen he described as Antilochus submaculatus is not the same as a typical specimen of A. boerhaviae, with which it was synonymised by Distant (1902)37, but may be an extreme form.
Antilochus nigrocruciatus (Stål 1855119)
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: South Africa (Natal, Caffraria)
Distribution: Kenya; South Africa (Natal, Caffraria)
Measurements: average length, male 14.5 mm (21); female 16.6 mm (23)
Stål 1855a: 35
Antilochus nigro-cruciatus Stål
Stål 1863: 395
Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål
Stål 1866: 5
Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål
Stål 1870: 104
Antilochus nigrocruciatus (Fabr.)
Walker 1872: 176
Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål
Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål
Bergroth 1920: 17
Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål
Hussey 1929: 40
Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål
Blöte 1931: 104
Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål
Schmidt 1932: 240
Antilochus nigrocruciatus St.
Mancini 1961: 31
CALLIBAPHUS Stål 1868
The genus Callibaphus (Stål 1868) is confined to the Ethiopian Region and only three species have been described. These insects are very large and are rare in collections. Distribution is very much West African in published papers, reaching as far east as Uganda. Bergroth (1906) described a third species Callibaphus gigas from the Comoro Islands which are outside the Ethiopean Region, but it is included because Bergroth himself indicated that he thought his specimen to be conspecific with Callibaphus longirostris (Drury 1782). C. gigas has never formally been synonymised, probably because of the great gap between its location and those of all the other published records. The type would have to be examined before a decision could be reached.
Type species: Callibaphus longirostris (Drury 1782). Quoted as a monotype by Hussey 1929
Country of origin of type species: Sierra Leone
Type depository: London: Natural History Museum
Illustrations: see Callibaphus longirostris
Callibaphus Stål
Stål 1870: 108
Callibaphus Stål
Callibaphus Stål
Hussey 1929: 50
Callibaphus Stål
Schmidt 1932: 246
The two African species may be separated quite easily, although the black markings both species bear on the pronotum and elytra are quite similar and are not useful as characters for separating the species:
1.Head dark red with a longitudinal black mark between and behind the eyes. Color above dark red, dull, with little variation among the available specimens. Membrane translucent. Sides of the thorax black, with dark red stripes at the rear of each segment. Sides of the abdomen dark red with black bands of varying width at the anterior of each segment, the black becoming dominant on the last two segments. Color changes diffuse. Anal segment dark red.
2.Head orange to red without any black markings. Color above bright orange to red. Membrane black. Sides of thorax and abdomen black, with yellow lines of varying width at the rear of each segment. Color changes sharply defined. Anal segment orange to red.
Callibaphus albipennis Distant 191443
Type depository: London: Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Uganda
Distribution: Kenya; Uganda
Measurements: length, male 26.9 mm(1); female 31.7 mm (1)
Callibaphus albipennis Distant
Hussey 1929: 51
Callibaphus longirostris (Drury 1782)
Type depository London: Natural History Museum.
Country of origin of type: Sierra Leone.
Distribution: Cameroon; Congo (Brazzaville); (probably) Comoro Islands; Guinea; Nigeria; Sierra Leone; Tanzania; Togo.
Synonyms: Roscius fasciatus Walker 1872; Callibaphus gigas Bergroth 1906 (probably)
Measurements: length, male 30.1 mm (1)
Cimex longirostris Drury
Stål 1870: 108
Callibaphus longirostris Drury
Callibaphus longirostris Dru.
Distant 1902b: 37
Callibaphus longirostrus (Drury)
Callibaphus gigas Bergr.
Bergroth 1913a: 169
Callibaphus gigas Bergroth
Hussey 1929: 51
Callibaphus longirostris (Drury)
Hussey 1929: 51
Callibaphus longirostris Drury
Blöte 1931: 108
Callibaphus longirostris Drury
Schmidt 1932: 246
Callibaphus longirostris Drury
Villiers 1953: 298
Callibaphus longirostris (Drury)
Villiers 1967: 371
Callibaphus longirostris (Drury)
Linnavuori 1988: 13
Earlier data indicate that this species is confined to West Africa, Cameroon and Congo (Brazzaville). Bergroth (1906) described C. gigas from the Comoro Islands and indicated that it seemed very likely to be a variety of C. longirostris. A record from Tanzania in the National Museum of Kenya provides a possible link between the very widely separated populations in West Africa and the Comoro Islands.
ROSCIUS Stål 1866
The genus Roscius is confined to the Ethiopian region and five species have been described. The genus is characterized by the fact that the apical border of the corium is much longer than the commisure of the corium-clavus. This character reflects the slender elongate shape of all the species in the genus.
Type species: Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853)
Country of origin of type species: Mozambique
Type depository: not known
Illustrations: see Roscius circumdatus and Roscius illustris
Roscius Stål
Stål 1870: 102
Roscius Stål
Walker 1872: 173
Roscius Stål
Roscius Stål
Hussey 1929: 51
Roscius Stål
Schmidt 1932: 246
Five species are described in the published literature, although the status of Roscius elongatus and Roscius quadriplagiatus, both originally described by Schaum in 1853, is doubtful. As no authentic specimen of Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853) is available it has been left out of the key below.
1.Head red without any black markings. Front half of the pronotum raised, black, separated from the rear half by a marked impressed furrow which curves backwards to the sides. The front half of the pronotum having no yellow, or having only a very narrow line of yellow on the anterior edge, which may be reduced to two yellow lateral anterior spots. The elytra with the anterior yellow marking sub-triangular, not an irregular shape. Sides of the abdomen with the first two visible segments markedly yellow or pale, the next two almost wholly black. Anal segment red.
-Head red, but having at least some black markings between and behind the eyes
2.Pronotum wholly surrounded by a narrow yellow border. The elytra with narrow elongate yellowish markings, the rear pair forming a border between the corium and the membrane.
-Pronotum not as above. Markings on the elytra and the sides of the abdomen different.
3.Pronotum flattened, with a marked wide orange anterior border and wide lateral orange borders. At most a very narrow band of orange posteriorly. The elytra with the anterior orange spots not triangular, but elongate and irregular, reaching to the shoulder. Sides of the abdomen much like Roscius illustris, but the first two visible segments red, with black coloration towards the connexivium, the next two segments almost wholly black. Anal segment red.
-Pronotum raised and divided by a curved furrow, but the yellow markings usually form a border on all four sides, narrowest and sometimes missing on the anterior half, laterally. Always with a yellow anterior border. The yellow markings being broadest at the posterior lateral corners. The elytra with the anterior yellow markings not triangular, irregular and extending forwards to the shoulder. Sides of the abdomen red, with black lines anteriorly on each segment. The width of the black varies, but the stripes are widest on the third and fourth visible abdominal segments. Anal segment red.
Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853)
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Mozambique
Distribution: Angola; Congo (Brazzaville); Gabon; Mozambique; Tanzania; Zanzibar
Measurements: length 24 mm, width 8 mm (ex. Lit.)
Roscius elongatus Schaum
Stål 1870: 109
Roscius elongatus Schaum
Walker 1872: 173
Roscius elongatus Schaum
Gerstäcker 1892: 50
Roscius elongatus Schaum
Bergroth 1893: 126
Roscius elongatus Schaum
Roscius elongatus Schaum
Roscius elongatus (Schaum)
Hussey 1929: 51
Roscius elongatus Schaum
Blöte 1931: 108
Roscius elongatus Schaum
Schmidt 1932: 247
Roscius elongatus Schaum
Villiers 1967: 372
This species is widely distributed in southern and eastern Africa. It seems to be very closely related to Roscius quadriplagiatus (Schaum 1853) according to the written descriptions (Schaum 1853, repeated in 1862): Pyrrhocoris quadriplagiatus Schaum; Supra niger, capite thoracisque marginibus rufus, elytrorum maculis duabus flavis, subtus rufus, pectoris lateribus antennis pedibusque nigris. Long 8 lin (= 16.8 mm). Pyrrhocoris elongatus Schaum; Supra niger, epistomate, thoracis margine antico et postico, elytrorum maculis duabus rufis, anteriori sublunata, subtus rufus, pectoris lateribus pedibusque nigris. Long 10 lin (= 21.0 mm).
Roscius guilielmi Bergroth 1926
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo
Distribution: Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Guinea; Uganda
Measurements: length, male 17.0 mm (1); female 20.0 mm (1)
Roscius guilielmi Bergroth
Hussey 1929: 52
Roscius guilielmi Bergroth
Villiers 1953: 298
Roscius guilielmi Bergroth
Villiers 1967: 372
This spceies has a West African distribution, and specimens in the NMK collection from western Uganda probably reflect the eastern limit of its range.
Roscius illustris Gerstäcker 1873
Type depository: Berlin Museum
Country of origin of type: Kenya
Distribution: Kenya; Mozambique; Tanzania; Zanzibar
Measurements: average length, male 14.4 mm (6), female 18.3 mm (7)
Roscius illustris Gerst.
Gerstäcker 1892: 50
Roscius illustris Gerstaecker
Roscius illustris Gerstäcker
Hussey 1929: 52
Roscius illustris Gerst.
Blöte 1931: 108
Roscius illustris Gerstäcker
Schmidt 1932: 247
Roscius quadriplagiatus (Schaum 1853)
Type depository: Berlin Museum
Country of origin of type: Mozambique
Distribution: Gabon; Kenya; Mozambique; Tanzania
Measurements: average length, male 16.6 mm (8), female 21.8 mm (5)
Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum
Stål 1870: 108
Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum
Walker 1872: 173
Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum
Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum
Hussey 1929: 52
Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum
Blöte 1931: 108
Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum
Schmidt 1932: 247
In the published literature this species is recorded from Mozambique and Gabon, but specimens in the NMK collection extend the range. The written descriptions of Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853) and Roscius quadriplagiatus (Schaum 1853), as given above, make it doubtful if this species is different from Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853)
Roscius circumdatus Distant 1881
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Nigeria (Calabar)
Distribution: Nigeria (Calabar); Cameroon; Ivory Coast; Democratic Republic of Congo
Synonyms: Antilochus arcifer Bergroth 1920
Measurements: length 19 mm (ex. Lit.).
Roscius circumdatus Distant
Haglund 1895: 465
Antilochus arcifer Bergroth
Hussey 1929: 36
Roscius circumdatus Distant
Linnavuori 1988: 16
ODONTOPUS Laporte 1832
Hussey (1929) listed fifteen species in this genus, of which only six occurred in the Ethiopian Region. Since Hussey's catalogue was published two more species and one new variety have been described from the Ethiopian Region. All the members of the genus have a very similar appearance and all seem to be associated with the plant families Sterculiaceae and Malvaceae.
In 1904 Kirkaldy proposed the name Probergrothius for this genus as a replacement for Odontopus Laporte 1832, on the grounds that the name was preoccupied by a genus of Coleoptera, described by Siebermann. The details of priority had already been established by Alluaud (1889) fifteen years before Kirkaldy made his proposal. Kirkaldy himself realised that the name Odontopus was not validly preoccupied (Kirkaldy 1905), and this view was supported by Distant (1919). Only Hesse (1925) accepted the new name. However, Stehlik (1966) renewed the claim that Odontopus Laporte 1832 is preoccupied by a genus of Coleoptera described under the name Odontopus by Say (1831). Stehlik therefore proposes that the name Probergrothius Kirkaldy 1904 be reinstated for the Ethiopian and Oriental species in the genus (the Madagascaran species having been transferred to a new genus). In this work, the name Odontopus is retained in the hope that the renaming of this large genus will be referred to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature for their consideration.
Type species: Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte 1832. Quoted as a monotype by Hussey 1929
Country of origin of type species: Senegal
Type depository: not known.
Synonyms: Probergrothius Kirkaldy 1904
Illustrations: see Odontopus notabilis Distant 190237, Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte 1832
Odontopus Lap.
Stål 1861: 196
Odontopus Laporte
Alluaud 1889: LXV
Odontopus de Castelnau
Odontopus
Kirkaldy 1905: 79
Odontopus Laporte
Distant 1919: 2
KEY TO THE AFRICAN SPECIES
Odontopus angolensis Distant 190237 and Odontopus obscurellus Blöte 193321, which is only known from Zimbabwe, are not included because I have not seen specimens.
1.Larger species (16 - 23 mm) with one pair of large black rounded spots posteriorly on the elytra. (A variety, O. notabilis var. kambovensis lacks the black spots). Body mainly unicolorous, ochraceus. Antennae with the first segment red and the other three segments dark. Pronotum with the frontal part limited by two fairly deeply impressed black lines. Scutellum black. Thorax with the sterna black. Abdomen with the incisures marked with narrow blackish lines.
-Elytra not showing this pattern. Pronotum and other body parts different.
2.Large species (16.0 mm) with the elytra having one pair of round black spots posteriorly and a pair of black bands anteriorly. Head whitish. Pronotum with the frontal area whitish. Scutellum the same color as the elytra. Membrane milky. Thorax with the sterna whitish. Sides of the abdomen whitish ventrally, but darkening in the dorsal half.
-Elytra not having this pattern. Body colors different.
3.Species with not more than two pairs of small spots on the elytra. Sometimes the anterior pair are very small or missing.
-Species with three pairs of spots on the elytra, sometimes the two anterior pairs are partially joined.
4.Species (14 - 20 mm) markedly unicolorous, ochraceus, without red legs. At most narrow reddish stripes marking the abdominal incisures. Head quite pale, ochraceus. Frontal area of the pronotum limited by two dark lines. Last two segments of the antennae dark.
-Species with red legs and generally much brighter coloring than the above.
5.Species (16 mm) with the central lobe of the head having a longitudinal black stripe running the whole length of the head. Head, other than the central black longitudinal stripe, orange. Pronotum with a pale anterior collar, the frontal area orange, limited by two distinct black lines. Scutellum orange. Membrane darker than the elytra. Antennae dark red, getting darker towards the tip. Legs red. Thorax with the sterna reddish with dark borders, sometimes all darker. Sides of the abdomen reddish, with wide blackish bands of variable width at the anterior of each segment.
-Species (14 - 17 mm) with the central lobe of the head with a red longitudinal stripe running the whole length of the head. Head, other than the central red longitudinal stripe, ochraceus. Pronotum with a pale anterior collar and the frontal area ochraceus, sometimes darker shaded, bounded by two marked black lines. Antennae red, third and fourth segments darker. Legs reddish. Thorax with the sterna dark reddish. Membrane much the same color as the elytra. Sides of the abdomen yellowish, with broad but regular black stripes anteriorly on each segment.
6.Species (14 - 21 mm) occurring in two color forms, red and black, but in both cases the elytra with two pairs of smallish spots anteriorly (rather larger and partially joined together in the black form) and a single pair of larger spots posteriorly.
-Species (15 - 18 mm) with two pairs of small separate black spots anteriorly on the elytra. A single pair of small black spots posteriorly.
Odontopus angolensis 190237
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Angola
Distribution: Angola; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of Congo; Namibia; Zambia
Measurements: length 18 - 21 mm (ex. Lit.)
Odontopus angolensis Dist.
Bergroth 1913a: 169
Odontopus angolensis Distant
Hussey 1929: 52
Odontopus angolensis Dist.
Blöte 1931: 108
Odontopus angolensis Distant
Schmidt 1932: 249
Odontopus confusus Distant 190237
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Eritrea; Tanzania; Zanzibar
Measurements: average length, male 14.5 mm (17), female 17.6 mm (19)
Odontopus confusus Dist.
Bergroth 1913a: 169
Odontopus confusus Distant
Hussey 1929: 52
Odontopus confusus Dist.
Blöte 1931: 108
Odontopus confusus Distant
Schmidt 1932: 249
Breeding on or in association with Sterculia appendiculata, Sterculia quinqueloba, Sterculia africana, Adansonia digitata (Baobab) and Ceiba pentandra (Kapok). Also a few in association with cotton, dolichos, castor, cassava, pigeonpea, Sida sp.and Calotropis procera, although none of these need be considered as important hosts. At Ukiriguru (Tanzania) batches of eggs were laid by caged pairs and averaged 28 eggs (24–36) per batch.
Odontopus exsanguis (Gerstäcker 1892)
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Zanzibar
Distribution: Tanzania; Zanzibar. Synonyms: Odontopus schoutedeni Bergroth 1903
Measurements: average length, male 13.8 mm (15), female 15.8 mm (16)
Odontopus schoutedeni Berg.
Bergroth 1906: 371
Cenaeus exsanguis Gerst.
Bergroth 1913a: 169
Odontopus confusus Distant
Distant 1919: 219
Odontopus exsanguis (Gerstäcker)
Hussey 1929: 53
Odontopus exsanguis Gerstäcker
Schmidt 1932: 249
Most specimens are recorded as having been collected on Sterculia sp.
Odontopus modestus Distant 190237
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Kenya
Distribution: Ethiopia; Kenya; Somalia
Measurements: average length, male 15.7 mm (14), female 19.0 mm (20)
Odontopus modestus Dist.
Bergroth 1903: 291
Odontopus modestus Dist.
Odontopus modestus Dist.
Bergroth 1913a: 170
Odontopus modestus Distant
Hussey 1929: 53
Probergrothius modestus (Distant 190237)
Linnavuori 1986: 109
Odontopus notabilis Distant 190237
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Uganda
Distribution: Angola; Burundi; Democratic Republic of Congo; Uganda; Tanzania
Synonyms: Odontopus aulmanni Aulmann 1912
Measurements: average length, male 16.2 mm (6), female 19.1 mm (6)
Odontopus notabilis Dist.
Bergroth 1913a: 170
Odontopus notabilis Distant
Hussey 1929: 54
Odontopus notabilis Dist.
Blöte 1931: 108
Odontopus notabilis Distant
Schmidt 1932: 249
Odontopus notabilis Distant 190237 var. kambovensis Goursat 193162
This variety of O. notabilis was described by Goursat 193162 from a specimen originating in Kambove (Democratic Republic of Congo, Shaba). The main difference between it and the nominate form is that it lacks the distinct rounded black spot at the apex of the corium. This variety is well represented in the National Museums of Kenya collection and the specimens come from two of the same localities in western Tanzania as did the nominate species, obviously part of the same collections.
Measurements: average length, male 16.7 mm (8), female 21.0 mm (5)
Odontopus obscurellus Blöte 193321
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Zimbabwe
Distribution: Zimbabwe
Measurements : length of male 10.5 mm (ex. Lit.)
Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte 1832
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Senegal
Distribution: Angola; Burkino Fassa; Chad; Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Mozambique; Namibia; Nigeria; Rwanda; Senegal; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Sudan; Tanzania
Measurements: Red form, average length, male 15.1 mm (5), female 18.7 mm (6). Black form, average length, male 17.3 mm (2), female 16.9 mm (5)
Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap.
Spinola 1837: 178
Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap.
Guerin-Meneville 1849: 341
illustration
Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap.
Herrich-Schaffer 1850: 178
Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte
Schaum 1862: 44
Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap.
Stål 1863: 392
Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap.
Stål 1870: 109
Odontopus sexpunctatus de Lap.
Walker 1872: 175
Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap.
Bergroth 1893: 126
Odontopus sexpunctatus de Castelnau
Odontopus sexpunctatus (Lap.)
Distant 1900: 48
Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap.
Bergroth 1913b: 239
Probergrothius sexpunctatus de Castelnau
Hesse 1925: 86
Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte
Hussey 1929: 55
Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap.
Blöte 1931: 108
Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte
Schmidt 1932: 248
Odontopus sexpunctatus Castelnau
Villiers 1950a: 323
Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap.
Risbec 1951: 248
Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte
Schouteden 1957: 263
Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte
Villiers 1967: 372
Odontopus sexpunctatus (Lp.)
Probergrothius sexpunctatus (Laporte de Castelnau)
Linnavuori 1988: 16
This species is very widespread in the Ethiopian Region. There are two distinct forms, one with a blackish appearance, the other being reddish, although in both the spots on the corium are black. The reddish form is the one originally described by Laporte de Castelnau in 1832, from Senegal, and his illustration (Plate IX, Figs. 5 and 5a) shows two separate spots near the base of each corium; in this form the anterior area of the pronotum is red. It is also illustrated by Stehlik 1966b (Plates III and IV). The other form, illustrated in Guerin-Meneville (1847–51, Plate 6, Fig. 6) and referred to in the caption as Astemma percheroni, shows the two basal spots on the corium coalesced into a single transverse spot, retaining the single spot near the apex of the corium. In this form the anterior area of the pronotum is black. The NMK collection has specimens of the black form from Kenya, Sudan and Uganda and the red form from Tanzania.
Odontopus somaliensis Goursat 193162
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Somalia
Distribution: Somalia
Measurements: male, length 15 mm, width 6 mm; female, length 18 mm, width 7 mm (ex. Lit.)
Odontopus somaliensis Goursat
Mancini 1954: 166
Antilochus violaceus Carlini 1982
Type depository: Natural History Museum, Genoa
Country of origin of type: Somalia
Distribution: Somalia
Measurements: length 16 mm; width 6 mm (ex. Lit.)
Antilochus violaceus Carlini
Antilochus violaceus Carlini
Hussey 1929: 41
SERICOCORIS Karsch 1892
This genus, first described by Karsch (1892) and based on hairy insects collected in Cameroon, was revised by Stehlik in 1965. Stehlik's treatment of the genus concentrated on the use of the details of the male and female genitalia to determine species and this represented a major advance in the knowledge of the taxonomy of the superfamily.
Hussey 1929 listed only two species in the genus, but following Stehlik 1965a the number now stands at fourteen. Only one of these is a new species, Sericocoris obuduanus Linnavuori 1988. The rest have been transferred, by Stehlik 1965a, from other genera on the basis of detailed study of the genitalia. The genus is confined to the Ethiopian Region and the species are mostly rare in collections. Little is recorded in the published literature about the ecology of the species, although from the distribution and localities in which they have been found, they are most likely to be associated with forest habitats. Five of the fourteen species in the genus have been recorded as occurring in Eastern Africa, including Rwanda; the rest are West African, with Democratic Republic of Congo being the most easterly country.
In a large genus such as this, when many species are not available for study, the older written published descriptions have been found to be inadequate. The problem is mainly that authors have not followed a standard pattern of description and one is often left wondering about what has been left out. This lack is emphasized by the detailed and well illustrated paper of Stehlik 1965a.
Type species: Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch 1892. Quoted as a monotype by Hussey 1929
Country of origin of type species: Cameroon
Type depository: not known
Synonyms: Hathor Kirkaldy and Edwards 1902
Sericocoris Karsch 1892
Karsch 1892: 132
Sericocoris Karsch
Sericocoris Karsch
Karsch 1894: 106
Hathor Kirkaldy & Edwards 1902
Kirkaldy and Edwards 1902: 168 (syn. Bergroth 191212)
Sericocoris Karsch
Bergroth 191212: 316
Sericocoris Karsch
Bergroth 1913a: 169
Sericocoris Karsch
Distant 1919: 220
Sericocoris Karsch
Hussey 1929: 50
Sericocoris Karsch
Schmidt 1932: 245
Sericocoris Karsch
Stehlik 1965a: 220
Stehlik divided the genus into three subgenera depending on the degree of hairiness of the species:
Sericocoris, hairy
Sericocoriopsis, dorsal surface of the body almost hairless, but some pubescence on the ventral surface. This character seems quite variable.
Pseudocenaeus, hairless. This subgenus contains species that are smaller and more slender than the two subgenera noted above.
Sericocoris (Sericocoris) acromelanthes Karsch 1892
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Cameroon
Distribution: Cameroon; Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Guinea; Ivory Coast; Togo; Uganda
Synonyms: Hathor zoraida Kirkaldy & Edwards 1902, Sericocoris cosmohymen Strand 1910
Measurements: average length, male 10.2 mm (2), female 13.2 mm (2)
Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch
Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch
Karsch 1894: 106
Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch
Schumacher 1912: 319
Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch
Bergroth 1913a: 169
Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch
Hussey 1929: 50
Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch
Blöte 1931: 108
Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch
Schmidt 1932: 245
Var. unifasciata Villiers 1950141
Var. nigrithorax Villiers 1950>141
Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch
Villiers 1953: 298
Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch
Villiers 1967: 371
Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch
Linnavuori 1988: 13
Sericocoris (Sericocoris) cuneatus Villiers 1951
Type depository: Paris, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle
Country of origin of type: Congo (Brazzaville)
Distribution: Congo (Brazzaville)
Measurements: length 12 mm (ex. Lit.)
Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) johnstoni (Distant 190237)
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Uganda
Distribution: Nigeria; Rwanda; Uganda
Synonyms: Sericocoris acromelanthes Haglund 1895, Sericocoris acromelanthes var. nigricornis Schouteden 1957
Measurements: average length, female 13.2 mm (3)
Sericocoris johnstoni Distant
Linnavuori 1988: 13
Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) dispar (Schouteden 1957)
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Rwanda
Distribution: Rwanda
Measurements: length, 10 mm (ex. Lit.)
Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) sanguinolentus (Haglund 1895)
Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum
Country of origin of type: Cameroon
Distribution: Cameroon
Synonyms: Sericocoris sanguineus Villiers 1951
Measurements : length 8.5 - 11 mm, width 3 - 4 mm (ex. Lit.)
Cenaeus sanguinolentus Haglund 1895
Haglund 1895: 465
Cenaeus sanguinolentus Hagl.
Schumacher 1912: 319
Cenaeus sanguinolentus Hagl.
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Cenaeus sanguinolentus Haglund
Hussey 1929: 67
Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) sanguinolentus (Haglund)
Stehlik 1965a: 146
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) nigriceps (Stål 1855)
Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum
Country of origin of type: South Africa
Distribution: Kenya; Rwanda; Soth Africa; Sudan; Tanzania
Synonyms: Dindymus natalensis Distant 190237, Cenaeus kilimanus Schouteden 1910, Cenaeus usambarae Schouteden 1910, Cenaeus ornatus Villiers 1951
Measurements: average length 8.75 - 12 mm, width 4.5 mm (ex. Lit.)
Stål 1855a: 35
Cenaeus nigriceps Stål
Stål 1861: 196
Odontopus nigriceps Stål
Stål 1866: 7
Dindymus nigriceps Stål
Stål 1870: 113
Odontopus nigriceps Stål
Walker 1872: 175
Dindymus nigriceps Stål
Dindymus natalensis Dist.
Bergroth 1913a: 170
Dindymus nigriceps (Stål)
Hussey 1929: 60
Cenaeus kilimanus Schouteden
Hussey 1929: 67
Cenaeus usambarae Schouteden
Hussey 1929: 68
Cenaeus kilimanus Schouteden
Schouteden 1957: 264
Cenaeus usambarae Schouteden
Schouteden 1957: 264
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) luridus (Reuter 1882)
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Ghana
Distribution: Cameroon; Central African Republic; Democratic Republic of Congo; Ghana; Guinea; Ivory Coast; Nigeria; Sudan; Uganda
Synonyms: Cenaeus gowdeyi Bergroth 191212, Cenaeus ochraceus Blöte 1932
Measurements: average length, male 9.2 mm (1), female 11.8 mm (8)
Cenaeus luridus Reuter 1882
Reuter 1882: 28
Cenaeus luridus Reuter
Cenaeus gowdeyi Bergroth
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Cenaeus gowdeyi Berg.
Bergroth 1926: 12
Cenaeus gowdeyi Bergroth
Hussey 1929: 66
Cenaeus luridus Reuter
Hussey 1929: 67
Cenaeus luridus Reuter
Villiers 1953: 298
Cenaeus ochraceus Blöte
Villiers 1953: 29
Sericocoris luridus R.
Sericocoris luridus Reuter
Linnavuori 1988: 13
Sericocoris gowdeyi Bergroth
Linnavuori 1988: 13
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) distinguendus (Blöte 193321)
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Ghana
Distribution: Ghana; Ivory Coast; Nigeria; Uganda
Measurements: average length, male 8.8 mm (1), female 11.7 mm (2)
Cenaeus distinguendus Blöte
Villiers 1953: 299
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) distinguendus (Blöte)
Stehlik 1965a: 224
Sericocoris distinguendus (Blöte)
Linnavuori 1988: 13
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) obscuratus (Blöte 193321)
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Sierra Leone
Distribution: Sierra Leone
Measurements: length 10.75 mm (ex. Lit.)
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) obscuratus (Blöte)
Stehlik 1965a: 225
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) roseus (Villiers 1951)
Type depository: Paris, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle
Country of origin of type: Guinea
Distribution: Guinea
Measurements: length of male 11 mm (ex. Lit.)
Cenaeus roseus Villiers
Villiers 1953: 298
Sericocoris roseus (Villiers)
Linnavuori 1988: 14
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) montanus (Villiers 1951)
Type depository: Paris, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle
Country of origin of type: Ivory Coast
Distribution: Ivory Coast
Measurements: average length of female 13 - 14 mm (ex. Lit.)
Cenaeus montanus Villiers
Villiers 1953: 298
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) montanus (Villiers)
Stehlik 1965a: 225
Sericocoris montanus (Villiers)
Linnavuori 1988: 13
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) plebejus (Haglund 1895)
Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum
Country of origin of type: Cameroon
Distribution: Cameroon
Measurements: length 11 mm, width 3.5 mm, female (ex. Lit.)
Cenaeus plebejus Hagl.
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Cenaeus plebejus Haglund
Hussey 1929: 67
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) plebejus (Haglund)
Stehlik 1965a: 225
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) apicicornis (Fairmaire 1858)
Type depository: Paris, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle
Country of origin of type: Gabon
Distribution: Cameroon; Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Gabon; Guinea; Uganda Measurements: average length of female 13.5 mm (2)
Odontopus apicicornis Fairmaire 1858
Fairmaire 1858: 307
Cenaeus apicicornis Fairm.
Stål 1863: 404
Cenaeus apicicornis Fairm.
Stål 1866: 9
Cenaeus apicicornis Fairm.
Stål 1870: 113
Pyrrhocoris apicicornis Fairm.
Walker 1872: 170
Cenaeus apicicornis (Fairm.)
Karsch 1894: 106
Cenaeus apicicornis Fairmaire
Cenaeus apicicornis Fairm.
Haglund 1895: 465
Cenaeus apicicornis (Fairmaire)
Hussey 1929: 65
Cenaeus apicicornis Fairm.
Blöte 1931: 115
Cenaeus apicicornis Fairmaire
Schmidt 1932: 255
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) apicicornis (Fairmaire)
Stehlik 1965a: 225
Cenaeus apicicornis (Fairmaire)
Villiers 1967: 373
Specimens in the NMK collection extend the range of the species to DRC and Uganda, but maintain its West African affinities.
Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) obuduanus Linnavuori 1988
Type depository: in collection, of R. Linnavuori, Raisio, Finland
Country of origin of type: Nigeria
Distribution: Nigeria
Measurements: length of male 14.5 mm, female 15.5–16.5 mm (ex. Lit.)
MYRMOPLASTA Gerstäcker 1892
The species in this genus are ant-like. In this they differ from all the other genera of the Ethiopian Pyrrhocoroidea. All the species have a short rounded abdomen, which is strongly rounded below and with the upper surface rounded to some extent, with the thorax extended and restricted giving the appearance of a petiole. The genus is restricted to Eastern Africa, the most westerly record being in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Type species: Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker 1892
Country of origin of type species: Tanzania
Type depository: not known
Illustrations: see Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker 1892, Myrmoplasta potteri Martin 1900
Myrmoplasta Gerstäcker
Lethierry and Severin 1894: 242, 250
Myrmoplasta Gerstäcker
Martin 1900: 20
Myrmoplasta Gerstäcker
Hussey 1929: 70
Myrmoplasta Gerstäcker
Schmidt 1932: 257
Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker 1892
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Tanzania
Measurements: average length, male 7.5 mm (1), female 10.3 mm (3)
Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker
Lethierry and Severin 1894: 242, 250
Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker
Hussey 1929: 70
Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker
Schmidt 1932: 257
Myrmoplasta mira Gerst.
Schouteden 1957: 266
Myrmoplasta potteri Martin 1900
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Ethiopia
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Kenya; Rwanda; Tanzania; Uganda
Measurements: average length, male 6.2 mm (6), female 7.8 mm (16)
Myrmoplasta potteri Mart.
Distant 1909: 79
Myrmoplasta potteri Mart.
Bergroth 191314: 167
Myrmoplasta potteri Martin
Hussey 1929: 70
Myrmoplasta potteri Mart.
Blöte 1931: 115
Myrmoplasta potteri Martin
Schouteden 1957: 266
Myrmoplasta potteri Mart.
This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, the abdomen of the male being mostly black, while that of the female is striped black and yellow. The species is probably synonymous with M. vittiventris (see below). It is also recorded that the species may be brachypterous, the most common condition, or macropterous.
Myrmoplasta vittiventris Carlini 1894
Type depository: Genoa Museum
Country of origin of type: Uganda
Distribution: Uganda
Measurements: length 8 mm, width 3.5 mm (female) (ex. Lit.)
Myrmoplasta vittiventris Carl.
Bergroth 1913a: 167
Myrmoplasta vittiventris Carlini
Hussey 1929: 70
Carlini described the species from a single female specimen. Comparing the texts of Carlini (1894) and Martin (1900) indicates that Myrmoplasta vittiventris Carlini 1894 and Myrmoplasta potteri Martin 1900 are one species although this cannot be resolved without examination of the type specimens. This, if correct, would then give Myrmoplasta vittiventris Carlini 1894 the priority.
SIANGO Blöte 193321
Type species: Siango variegata Blöte 193321
Country of origin of type species: Uganda
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Illustrations: in Siango variegata Blöte 193321
Siango Blöte 193321
Blöte 1933b: 596
The genus is confined to Eastern Africa.
Siango variegata Blöte 193321
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Uganda
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Kenya; Uganda
Measurements: average length, male 10.1 mm (2), female 10.5 mm (1)
Siango blötei Schouteden 1933
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo
Measurements: length of male 8 mm, length of female 10.5–11 mm (ex. Lit.)
GROMIERUS Villiers 1951
Type species: Gromierus rufipes Villiers 1951
Country of origin of type species: Cameroon
Type depository: Paris, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle
Illustrations: In Gromierus rufipes Villiers 1951
Gromierus rufipes Villiers 1951
Type depository: Paris, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle
Country of origin of type: Cameroon
Distribution: Cameroon; Democratic Republic of Congo; Rwanda
Measurements: length 15.5 mm. There are also detailed measurements in Stehlik 1979.
Gromerius ruficeps Villiers
Schouteden 1957; 263
Gromierus schmitzi Stehlik 1979
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo
Illustrations: in Stehlik 1979
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1979.
Gromierus fumatus Stehlik 1979
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Uganda (E. Ruwenzori)
Distribution: Uganda
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1979.
Gromierus dollingi Stehlik 1979
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1979.
Gromierus minor Stehlik 1979
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1979.
SICNATUS Villiers and Dekeyser 1951
Type species: Sicnatus leyei Villiers and Dekeyser 1951
Country of origin of type species: Senegal
Type depository: Dakar, L'Institut Francais de l'Afrique Noire
Illustrations: see Sicnatus leyei Villiers and Dekeyser 1951
Sicnatus Villiers & Dekeyser
Stehlik 1965a: 235
Sicnatus leyei Villiers and Dekeyser 1951
Type depository: Dakar, L'Institut Francais de l'Afrique Noire
Country of origin of type: Senegal
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Senegal
Measurements: length 8 mm (ex. Lit.)
Sicnatus leyei Villiers
Villiers 1953: 299
Sicnatus leyei Villiers & Dekeyser
Schouteden 1957: 264
Sicnatus leyei Villiers
Linnavuori 1988: 17
NEOINDRA Stehlik 1965
Type species: Neoindra basilewskyi Stehlik 1965
Country of origin of type species: Tanzania
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Illustrations: see Neoindra basilewskyi Stehlik 1965
Neoindra basilewskyi Stehlik 1965
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Tanzania
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1965.
SCHMITZIANA Stehlik 1977
The genus has three species, all of which are very rare, and is distributed very widely. The type species, Schmitziana pilosa Stehlik 1977 comes from South Africa (Transvaal) and is only known in a brachypterous form. Schmitziana polymorpha Stehlik 1977 comes from Democratic Republic of Congo (Upemba N.P.) and is known in both brachypterous and macropterous forms. Schmitziana grandis (Stehlik 1965) comes from Tanzania (Usambara Mtns., Mombo). Only the holotype is known and it is macropterous.
Type species: Schmitziana pilosa Stehlik 1977
Country of origin of type species: South Africa (Transvaal)
Type depository: In the collection of J.A. Slater, Storrs, Connecticutt, USA.
Schmitziana pilosa Stehlik 1977
Type depository: In the collection of J.A. Slater, Storrs, Connecticutt, USA.
Country of origin of type: South Africa (Transvaal)
Distribution: South Africa
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1977.
Schmitziana polymorpha Stehlik 1977
Type depository: Brussels, Institute royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique
Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1977.
Schmitziana grandis (Stehlik 1965)
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Tanzania
Synonyms: Sicnatus grandis Stehlik 1965
Illustrations: In Stehlik 1965, Plate VIII; In Stehlik 1977
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1977
NEODINDYMUS Stehlik 1965
Hussey in 1929 listed 47 species in the genus Dindymus. Only five of these came from the Ethiopian Region, the others being either Asian or Australasian. In 1965, Stehlik re-examined the genus and decided that the African species were not congeneric with the rest, and he created the new genus Neodindymus Stehlik 1965 to contain them. At present the genus is considered to contain thirteen species in the Ethiopian Region, eight of which have been recorded from Eastern Africa. The NMK collection contains at least one, and probably two, species that do not correspond to published descriptions.
Type species: Neodindymus basilewskyi (Schouteden 1957). Designated by Stehlik 1965
Country of origin of type species: Democratic Republic of Congo
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Synonyms: Dindymus Stål 1861
Illustration: many illustrations, see under individual species
Dindymus Stål
Lethierry and Severin: 246
Dindymus Stål
Breddin 1901: 175
Dindymus Stål
Distant 1903: 110
Dindymus Stål
Distant 1914b: 342
Dindymus Stål
Taeuber 1927: 185
Dindymus Stål
Hussey 1929: 56
Neodindymus acutus Stehlik 1965
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Tanzania
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1965
Neodindymus antennatus (Distant 1881)
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Nigeria
Distribution: Guinea; Nigeria
Measurements: length 12 mm (ex. Lit.)
Dysdercus antennatus Distant
Dysdercus antennatus Dist.
Dysdercus antennatus Distant
Hussey 1929: 86
Dindymus antennatus Distant
Blöte 1931: 117
Neodindymus antennatus Stehlik 1965
Stehlik 1965a: 228
Neodindymus antennatus (Distant)
Linnavuori 1988: 16
Neodindymus basilewskyi (Schouteden 1957)
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo
Distribution: Tanzania; Democratic Republic of Congo
Measurements: average length of male 11.6 mm (7), of female 13.2 mm (7)
Neodindymus bipustulatus (Stål 1874)
Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum
Country of origin of type: Zanzibar
Distribution: Tanzania; Zanzibar
Synonyms: Dindymus maculipennis Villiers 1951
Measurements: average length of male 11.3 mm (25), of female 13.7 mm (20)
Dindymus bipustulatus Stål
Dindymus bipustulatus Stål
Hussey 1929: 57
Neodindymus bipustulatus (Stål)
Stehlik 1965a: 228
All the specimens in the NMK collection were collected at a UV light trap in eastern Tanzania, just inland from Tanga. The only previous records have been from Zanzibar, so the species seems to be restricted to the coastal areas of northern Tanzania.
Neodindymus brunneus Stehlik 1965
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Tanzania
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1965.
Neodindymus flavipes (Signoret 1858)
Type depository: Vienna, Naturhistorische Museum
Country of origin of type: Gabon
Distribution: Congo (Brazzaville); Gabon; Guinea; Ivory Coast; Nigeria
Synonyms: Dysdercus nigrotarsus Signoret 1858
Measurements: length 7–12 mm, width 4–4.5 mm (ex. Lit.)
Dysdercus flavipes Signoret 1858
Signoret 1858: 308
description
Dindymus flavipes Sign.
Stål 1870: 113
Odontopus flavipes Sign.
Walker 1872: 175
Dindymus flavipes Sign.
Signoret 1886: 27
Dindymus flavipes Signoret
Sericocoris flavipes (Sign.)
Distant 1919: 220
Dindymus flavipes (Signoret)
Hussey 1929: 59
Dindymus flavipes Signoret
Villiers 1953: 298
Neodindymus flavipes (Signoret)
Villiers 1967: 373
Neodindymus flavipes (Signoret)
Linnavuori 1988: 15
Neodindymus leleupi Stehlik 1965
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Tanzania
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1965.
There are four specimens in the NMK collection, all from the Usambara mountains in Tanzania. The type locality is in the Uluguru Mountains, about 200 km to the south.
Neodindymus migratorius (Distant 1903)
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Malawi
Distribution: Benin; Congo (Brazzaville); Guinea; Ivory Coast; Kenya; Malawi; Tanzania; Uganda
Synonyms: Cenaeus argillosus Bergroth 191212
Measurements: average length, male 10.8 mm (5), female 11.3 mm (17)
Cenaeus argillosus Bergr.
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Dysdercus migratorius Dist.
Bergroth 1913a: 173
Cenaeus argillosus Bergroth
Hussey 1929: 66
Dysdercus migratorius Distant
Hussey 1929: 95
Neodindymus migratorius (Distant)
Villiers 1967: 372
Neodindymus migratorius (Distant)
Linnavuori 1988: 15
Neodindymus relatus (Distant 190237)
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Tanzania
Measurements: length 12 mm (ex. Lit.)
Dindymus relatus Dist.
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Dindymus relatus Distant
Hussey 1929: 61
Neodindymus relatus Distant
Stehlik 1965a: 228
Neodindymus schoutedeni Stehlik 1965
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Kenya
Distribution: Kenya
Measurements: Detailed measurements and also a comparison of the measurements of several related species are given in Stehlik 1965.
Neodindymus sjostedti (Schouteden 1910)
Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Kenya; Rwanda; Tanzania
Measurements: average length of male 10.8 mm (2), of female 13.4 mm (3)
Cenaeus sjostedti Schout.
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Cenaeus sjostedti Schouteden
Hussey 1929: 68
Cenaeus sjostedti Schouteden
Schouteden 1957: 265
Neodindymus tenebrosus (Blöte 193321)
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Tanzania
Measurements: length of male 12.5 mm (ex. lit.)
Dindymus tenebrosus Blöte 193321
Blöte 1933b: 593
Dindymus tenebrosus (Blöte)
Stehlik 1965a: 228
Neodindymus elegans Linnavuori 1988
Type depository: In the collection of R.E. Linnavuori, Raisio, Finland
Country of origin of type: Nigeria
Distribution: Nigeria
Illustrations: in Linnavuori 1988
Measurements: length 14.5 mm (ex. Lit.)
Neodindymus elegans Linnavuori 1988
Linnavuori 1988: 15
CENAEUS Stål 186
Type species: Cenaeus carnifex (Fabricius 1775). Designated as lagotype by Hussey 1929
Country of origin of type species: South Africa
Type depository: not known
Synonyms: Obstetrixella Schmidt 1932
Illustrations: see Cenaeus abortivus Gerstäcker 1873; Cenaeus basilewskyi Stehlik 1965; Cenaeus carnifex (Fabricius 1775); Cenaeus semiflavus Distant 190237
Cenaeus Stål
Stål 1870: 102
Cenaeus Stål
Walker 1872: 164
Cenaeus Stål
Cenaeus Stål
Hussey 1929: 65
Cenaeus Stål
Schmidt 1932: 254
Cenaeus Stål Stehlik 1965a: 216.
description
Cenaeus abortivus Gerstäcker 1873.
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Kenya
Distribution: Ethiopia; Kenya; Rwanda; Tanzania
Synonyms: Obstetrixella abortiva Schmidt 1932
Measurements: average length, male 7.8 mm (4), female 8.8 mm (12)
Cenaeus abortivus Gerstäcker
Cenaeus abortivus Gerstaecker
Schouteden 1910: 152
Cenaeus abortivus Gerstäcker
Hussey 1929: 65
Obstetrixella abortivus Gerstäcker
Schouteden 1957: 266
Cenaeus abortivus Gerst.
Mancini 1961: 31
Cenaeus abortivus Gerstäcker
Stehlik 1965a: 218
Cenaeus annulifer Bergroth 191212
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Guinea
Distribution: Congo(Brazzaville); Guinea; Ivory Coast
Measurements: length 12 mm (female). (ex. Lit.)
Cenaeus annulifer Bergroth
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Cenaeus annulifer Bergroth
Hussey 1929: 65
Cenaeus annulifer Bergroth
Stehlik 1965a: 225
Cenaeus annulifer Bergroth
Villiers 1967: 373
Cenaeus basilewskyi Stehlik 1965
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Sudan; Tanzania
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1965.
Cenaeus basilewskyi Stlk.
Cenaeus bifasciatus Haglund 1895
Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum
Country of origin of type: Cameroon
Distribution: Cameroon; Congo (Brazzaville); Fernando Poo; Gabon
Measurements : length 12 mm; width 4.5 mm. (Female). (ex. Lit.)
Cenaeus bifasciatus Haglund
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Cenaeus bifasciatus Haglund
Hussey 1929: 66
Cenaeus bifasciatus Haglund
Schmidt 1932: 255
Cenaeus bifasciatus Hagl.
Stehlik 1965a: 225
Cenaeus bifasciatus Haglund
Villiers 1967: 373
Cenaeus carnifex (Fabricius 1775)
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: South Africa
Distribution: South Africa (other countries in the literature are stated by Hussey 1929 to be in error)
Synonyms: Cimex capensis-ruber De Geer 1778, Lygaeus immaculatus Thunberg 1822, Pyrrhocoris scutellaris Hahn 1834, Pyrrhocoris sanguineus Fieber 1861
Measurements : length 7.5–10 mm, width 4 mm (ex. lit.)
Cimex carnifex Fabric.
Goeze 1778: 258
Cimex carnifex
Fabricius 1781: 366
Cimex capensis ruber
Retzius 1783: 85
Cimex carnifex
Fabricius 1787: 301
Cimex carnifex
Gmelin 1788: 2174
Cimex carnifex
Fabricius 1794: 160
Lygaeus carnifex Fabr.
Fabricius 1803: 226
Pyrrhocoris carnifex Fabr.
Burmeister 1835: 286
Dysdercus carnifex
Herrich-Schaffer 1850: 177
Lygaeus immaculatus Thunberg
Stål 1855>119: 347
Dysdercus carnifex Fab.
Uhler 1861: 229
Pyrrhocoris carnifex F.
Stål 1861: 196
Cenaeus carnifex Fabr.
Stål 1866: 255
Cenaeus carnifex Fabr.
Mayr 1868: 134
Cenaeus carnifex Fabr.
Stål 1870: 114
Pyrrhocoris carnifex Fabr.
Walker 1872: 168
Cenaeus carnifex Fabricius
Cenaeus carnifex Fabricius
Hussey 1929: 66
Cenaeus carnifex F.
Blöte 1931: 115
Cenaeus carnifex Fabricius
Schmidt 1932: 254
Cenaeus dimidiaticeps Bergroth 18947
Type depository: not known.
Country of origin of type: Cameroon.
Distribution: Cameroon; Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Gabon.
Measurements: length 12–12.3 mm. (ex. Lit.)
Cenaeus dimidiaticeps Bergroth
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Cenaeus dimidiaticeps Bergroth
Hussey 1929: 66
Cenaeus dimidiaticeps Bergroth
Stehlik 1965a: 225
Cenaeus dimidiaticeps Bergroth
Villiers 1967: 373
Cenaeus longulus Bergroth 18947
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Gabon
Distribution: Gabon
Measurements : length 14 mm (female) (ex. Lit).
Cenaeus longulus Bergroth
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Cenaeus longulus Bergroth
Hussey 1929: 67
Cenaeus longulus Bergroth
Stehlik 1965a: 225
Cenaeus pectoralis (Stål 1855119)
Type depository: not known.
Country of origin of type: Republic of South Africa
Distribution: Ethiopia; Mozambique; South Africa
Measurements: length, male 7.8 mm (1), female 8.7 mm (1)
Cenaeus pectoralis Stål
Stål 1861: 196
Cenaeus pectoralis Stål
Stål 1870: 114
Pyrrhocoris pectoralis Stål
Walker 1872: 170
Cenaeus pectoralis Stål
Cenaeus pectoralis Stål
Montandon 1899: 218
Cenaeus pectoralis Stål
Courteaux 1922: 285
Cenaeus pectoralis (Stål)
Hussey 1929: 67
Cenaeus pectoralis Stål
Schmidt 1932: 255
Cenaeus pectoralis (Stål)
Stehlik 1965a: 218
Cenaeus semiflavus Distant 190237
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Uganda
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Rwanda; Uganda
Measurements: average length male 7.2 mm (2), female 9.3 mm (3)
Cenaeus semiflavus Dist.
Distant 1909: 79
Cenaeus semiflavus Dist.
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Cenaeus semiflavus Distant
Hussey 1929: 67
Cenaeus semiflavus Distant
Schouteden 1957: 264
Cenaeus semiflavus Distant
Stehlik 1965a: 218
Cenaeus suspectus Schouteden 1957
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo
Measurements : length 11.5–12.5 mm. (ex. Lit.)
Cenaeus suspectus Schout.
Stehlik 1965a: 225
DERMATINUS Stål 1853
Hussey (1929) listed ten species in the genus Dermatinus Stål 1853, two from India and the rest from the Ethiopian Region. However, when Stehlik (1965) re-examined specimens he came to the conclusion that many of the species were not congeneric with Dermatinus Stål 1853. He indicated that further revision was needed and that “with certainty” he only accepted Dermatinus limbifer Stål 1855119 and Dermatinus lugens Stål 1854 as correctly placed in the genus Dermatinus. Since then Dermatinus apicalis Reuter 1881 has been transferred to Aderrhis by Linnavuori (1988). As matters stand at present, pending further revision, there are four species of the genus Dermatinus in the Ethiopian Region.
Type species: Dermatinus lugens (Fabricius). Quoted as a monotype by Hussey 1929, because when Stål named the genus in 1853 he did not name a type species. The type species was then named in the 1854 paper.
Country of origin of type species: South Africa.
Type depository: not known
Dermatinus Stål
Stål 1854: 236
Dermatinus Stål
Stål 1855a: 36
Dermatinus Stål
Stål 1870: 102
Pyrrhocoris Fall.
Walker 1872: 167
Dermatinus Stål
Dermatinus Stål
Hesse 1925: 86
Dermatinus Stål
Hussey 1929: 68
Dermatinus Stål
Schmidt 1932: 256
Dermatinus aethiopicus Lethierry 1883
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Ethiopia
Distribution: Ethiopia
Measurements : length 8 mm (ex. Lit.)
Dermatinus aethiopicus Lethierry
Dermatinus aethiopicus Lethierry
Hussey 1929: 68
Dermatinus aethiopicus Leth.
Mancini 1961: 31
From the description of Dermatinus aethiopicus given by Lethierry 1883, it may well be conspecific with Dermatinus limbifer
Dermatinus limbifer Stäl 1855119
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: South Africa (Natal)
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Mozambique; Namibia; South Africa.
Measurements: average length, male 7.0 mm (1), female 8.2 mm (2)
Dermatinus limbifer Stål
Stål 1870: 114
Pyrrhocoris limbifer Stål
Walker 1872: 170
Dermatinus limbifer Stål
Wallengren 1875: 134
Dermatinus limbifer Stål
Dermatinus limbifer Stål
Montandon 1899: 218
Dermatinus limbifer Stål
Distant 1903: 115
Dermatinus limbifer Stål
Hesse 1925: 86
Dermatinus limbifer Stål
Hussey 1929: 68
Dermatinus limbifer Stål
Schmidt 1932: 256
Dermatinus limbifer Stål
Schouteden 1957: 266
Dermatinus lugens Stål 1854
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: South Africa
Distribution: South Africa
Measurements : length 6–7 mm, width 2.5–3.5 mm (ex. Lit.)
Pyrrhocoris lugens Stål
Stål 1860: 253
description
Dermatinus lugens Stål
Stål 1870: 114
Pyrrhocoris lugens Stål
Walker 1872: 170
Dermatinus lugens Stål
Dermatinus lugens Stål
Hussey 1929: 69
Dermatinus notatus Wallengren 1875
Type depository: University of Lund, Zoological Institute
Country of origin of type: South Africa
Distribution: South Africa
Measurements : length 6–8 mm (ex. Lit.)
Dermatinus notatus Wallengren
Dermatinus notatus Wallengren
Hussey 1929: 69
Aderrhis notata (Wallengren)
Stehlik 1966a: 325
Stehlik 1965, without pursuing the matter, indicated that he considered Dermatinus notatus Wallengren 1875 to belong to Aderrhis.
ADERRHIS Bergroth 1906
Type species: Aderrhis pulla Bergroth 1906
Country of origin of type species: Zanzibar
Type depository: not known
Illustrations: see Aderrhis flavipes Stehlik 1966, Aderrhis hirsuta Stehlik 1966, Aderrhis minuta Stehlik 1966, Aderrhis pulla Bergroth 1906, Aderrhis schultzi (Schouteden 1910), Aderrhis thoracica Stehlik 1965, Aderrhis apicalis (Reuter 1881)
Aderrhis Bergroth
Bergroth 1906: 251
Aderrhis Bergroth
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Aderrhis Bergroth
Hesse 1925: 87
Aderrhis Bergroth
Hussey 1929: 69
Aderrhis Bergroth
Schmidt 1932: 257
Aderrhis africana (Courteaux 1907)
Type depository: Paris, Museum de Histoire Naturelle
Country of origin of type: Ethiopia
Distribution: Ethiopia; Kenya; Uganda
Measurements: average length male 5.9 mm (3), female 8.1 mm (3)
Dermatinus africanus Courteaux 1908
Courteaux 1908: 192
Aderrhis aethiopica Court.
Bergroth 1912a: 316
Aderrhis aethiopica Court.
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Aderrhis africana Courteaux
Hussey 1929: 69
Aderrhis apicalis (Reuter 1882)
Type depository: not known.
Country of origin of type: Ghana
Distribution: Ghana
Measurements: length 7.5 mm. (male) (ex. Lit.)
Dermatinus apicalis Reuter
Dermatinus apicalis Reuter
Hussey 1929: 68
Aderrhis apicalis Reuter
Stehlik 1966a: 327
Aderrhis apicalis Reuter
Linnavuori 1988: 16
Aderrhis flavipes Stehlik 1966
Type depository: Brno, Department of Entomology, Moravian Museum
Country of origin of type: Uganda
Distribution: Uganda
Measurements : Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1966.
Aderrhis flavipes Stlk.
Aderrhis hirsuta Stehlik 1966
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Senegal
Distribution: Senegal
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1966.
Aderrhis minuta Stehlik 1966
Type depository: Brno, Department of Entomology, Moravian Museum
Country of origin of type: South Africa.
Distribution: South Africa.
Measurements : Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1966.
Aderrhis pulla Bergroth 1906
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Zanzibar (Pemba Is.)
Distribution: Namibia; South Africa; Zanzibar.
Measurements: length 5–5.5 mm (male) (ex. Lit.)
Aderrhis pulla Bergroth
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Aderrhis pulla Bergroth
Hussey 1929: 70
Aderrhis schulzi (Schouteden 1910)
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Tanzania; Kenya.
Synonyms: Dermatinus distinctus Schouteden 1910.
Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1965.
Dermatinus distinctus Schout.
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Dermatinus schulzi Schout.
Bergroth 1913a: 171
Dermatinus distinctus Schouteden
Hussey 1929: 68
Dermatinus schulzi Schouteden
Hussey 1929: 69
Aderrhis tartarea (Stål 1855)
Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum
Country of origin of type: South Africa (Natal)
Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Namibia; South Africa; Tanzania
Synonyms: Pyrrhocoris truncatipennis Fallou 1891
Measurements: length 7–8 mm, width 3 mm (male) (ex. Lit.)
Dermatinus tartareus Stål
Stål 1866: 12
Dermatinus tartareus Stål
Stål 1870: 114
Pyrrhocoris tartareus Stål
Walker 1872: 170
Dermatinus tartareus Stål
Bergroth 1892: 262
Dermatinus tartareus Stål
Dermatinus tartareus Stål
Courteaux 1922: 285
Dermatinus tartareus Stål
Hussey 1929: 69
Dermatinus tartareus Stål
Schmidt 1932: 256
Dermatinus tartareus Stål
Schouteden 1957: 266
Aderrhis thoracica Stehlik 1965
Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale
Country of origin of type: Tanzania
Distribution: Kenya: Tanzania
Synonyms: Dermatinus tartareus Schouteden 1910
Measurements: Detailed measuremants are given in Stehlik 1965
Schouteden 1910: 153 (syn. Stehlik 1965)
Dermatinus tartareus Schouteden
Hussey 1929: 69
SCANTIUS Stål 1866
Hussey (1929) listed thirteen species in this genus, six from Asia, one from Madagascar, one from North Africa, and six from the Ethiopian Region. Stehlik (1965) examined many specimens from different sources and synonymised Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar 1879 with Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781). He also gave strong reasons for synonymising Scantius volucris (Gerstäcker 1873) with Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781) but it has been retained as a separate species in this paper. Here, therefore, pending further revision, five species of the genus Scantius are recognised in the Ethiopian Region.
The members of the genus cover almost the whole of the Ethiopian Region and Scantius forsteri spreads into North Africa the Middle East. There are considerable differences in morphology and color over the whole range, and this is discussed in some detail by Stehlik (1965) in respect to Scantius forsteri.
Type species: Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781). Quoted as a Lagotype by Hussey 1929.
Country of origin of type species: South Africa.
Type depository: not known.
Illustrations: see Scantius caraboides Bergroth 1920, Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781), Scantius volucris (Gerstäcker 1873).
Pyrrhocoris Fall.
Walker 1872: 167
Scantius Stål
Scantius Stål
Hesse 1925: 87
Scantius Stål
Hussey 1929: 80
Scantius Stål
Schmidt 1932: 259
Scantius Stål
Stehlik 1965a: 246
Scantius aethiopicus (Distant 1919)
Type depository: London, Natural History Museum
Country of origin of type: Cameroon
Distribution: Cameroon; Gambia
Measurements: length 7 - 8 mm (ex. Lit.)
Scantius aethiopicus Dist.
Blöte 1931: 116
Scantius caraboides Bergroth 1920
Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum.
Country of origin of type: Kenya.
Distribution: Ethiopea; Kenya; Tanzania.
Measurements: average length male 7.3 mm (4)
Scantius caraboides Bergroth
Hussey 1929: 82
Scantius caraboides Bergr.
Mancini 1954: 166
Scantius caraboides Bergroth
Linnavuori 1982: 14
Scantius circumcinctus (Lethierry 1883)
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Ethiopia
Distribution: Congo (Brazzaville); Ethiopia; Zambia
Synonyms: Delacampius rhodesianus Distant 1919
Measurements: average length, male 8.2 mm (4), female 7.5 mm (4)
Scantius circumcinctus Lethierry
Scantius circumcinctus (Lethierry)
Hussey 1929: 82
Scantius rhodesianus (Distant)
Blöte 1931: 117
Sicnatus circumcinctus (Lethierry)
Linnavuori 1988: 17
Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781)
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: South Africa
Distribution: Angola; Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Kenya; Mali; Mozambique; Namibia; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Africa; Tanzania; Zanzibar
Synonyms: Cimex clavimanus Fabricius 1781, Cimex deustus Thunberg 1784, Dermatinus centralis Signoret 1861, Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar 1879
Measurements: average length, male 7.7 mm (25), female 7.9 mm (25)
Cimex forsteri Fabricius
Fabricius 1787: 302
Cimex clavimanus Fabricius
Fabricius 1787: 302
Cimex deustus Thunb.
Gmelin 1788: 2168
Cimex forsteri Fabr.
Gmelin 1788: 2177
Lygaeus forsteri Fabr.
Fabricius 1794: 164
Lygaeus clavimanus Fabr.
Fabricius 1794: 165
Lygaeus forsteri Fabricius
Fabricius 1803: 230
Lygaeus clavimanus Fabricius
Fabricius 1803: 231
Lygaeus deustus Thunberg
Lygaeus forsteri Fabr.
Burmeister 1835: 286
Pyrrhocoris forsteri Fabricius
Scantius forsteri Fabr.
Stål 1855b: 346
Pyrrhocoris forsteri Fab.
Uhler 1861: 229
Lygaeus forsteri Fab.
Stål 1862: 500
Pyrrhocoris forsteri Herrich-Schaffer
Schaum 1862: 44
Pyrrhocoris deustus Thunb.
Mayr 1868: 135
Scantius forsteri Fabr.
Stål 1870: 117
Pyrrhocoris forsteri Fabr.
Walker 1872: 169
Pyrrhocoris forsteri Fab.
Puton 1881: 4
Scantius foersteri Fabr.
Lethierry 1883: 747
Scantius forsteri Fabr.
Reuter 1885: 231
Scantius forsteri (Fabr.)
Reuter 1888: 216
Scantius forsteri Fabr.
Bergroth 1893: 126
Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar
Scantius forsteri Fabricius
Scantius forsteri
Montandon 1899: 219
Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar
Schouteden 1910: 153
Scantius foersteri Fabricius
Schouteden 1910: 153
Scantius forsteri F.
Oshanin 1912: 26
Scantius forsteri Fabr.
Scantius forsteri Fabr.
Hesse 1925: 87
Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar
Hussey 1929: 82
Scantius forsteri (Fabricius)
Hussey 1929: 82
Scantius abyssinicus Bol.
Blöte 1931: 116
Scantius forsteri F.
Blöte 1931: 116
Scantius forsteri Fabricius
Schmidt 1932: 259
Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar
Schmidt 1932: 259
Scantius forsteri Fabricius
Villiers 1950a: 323
Scantius forsteri Fabricius
Villiers 1953: 299
Scantius forsteri Fabricius
Schouteden 1957: 267
Scantius forsteri F.
Mancini 1961: 31
Scantius forsteri Fabricius
Villiers 1967: 374
Scantius forsteri (F.)
Linnavuori 1977: 61
Scantius forsteri (F.)
Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781)
Linnavuori 1982: 13
Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781)
Linnavuori 1986: 109
Scantius forsteri (Fabricius)
Linnavuori 1988: 17
Scantius volucris (Gerstäcker 1873)
Type depository: not known
Country of origin of type: Kenya
Distribution: Angola; Ethiopia; Kenya; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia
Measurements: length 7 - 9 mm, width 3.75 (ex. Lit.)
Scantius volucris Gerstäcker
Scantius volucris Gerst.
Distant 1901: 590
Scantius volucris Gerst.
Lefroy 1909: 326
Scantius volucris Gerst.
Distant 1910: 98
Scantius volucris Gerstäcker
Hussey 1929: 83
Scantius volucris Gerst.
Blöte 1931: 117
Subgenus Dysdercus Stehlik 1965
superstitiosus (Fabricius 1775)
(=volkeri Schmidt 1932)
(syn. Freeman 1947)
melanoderes Karsch 1892
fasciatus Signoret 1861
cardinalis Gerstäcker 1873
Subgenus Neodysdercus Stehlik 1965
intermedius Distant 1902
orientalis Schouteden 1910
pretiosus Distant 1902
haemorrhoidalis Signoret 1858
Acknowledgments
I wish to express my appreciation of the help given in the preparation of this paper for publication by the late Professor R.F.Chapman of the Arizona Research Laboratories Division of Neurobiology, University of Arizona. Professor Chapman was a friend and colleague of long standing and encouraged me to finalize this catalog.
Editor's Note
Paper copies of this article will be deposited in the following libraries. Senckenberg Library, Frankfurt Germany; National Museum of Natural History, Paris, France; Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois USA; the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA; the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona USA; Smithsonian Institution Libraries, Washington D.C. U.S.A.; The Linnean Society, London, England.
