Schizopteridae, the largest of the five families of Dipsocoromorpha or litter bugs, currently comprise 48 genera and ∼235 species in three subfamilies. Due to their small size (1–2 mm), cryptic habits, high diversity in the tropics, and the fact that few contemporary experts focus on the group, a significant proportion of schizopterid diversity remains undocumented. Based on one female and three male specimens, Voragocoris schuhi, n. gen. n. sp., is here described from the Andean foothills in Southeastern Peru. Specimens were collected by sweeping low vegetation and suspended leaf litter. The new taxon is placed in the subfamily Schizopterinae and belongs to the Corixidea genus group. The unique modification of the ventral surface of the male pygophore differentiates this taxon from all remaining Schizopterinae and Schizopteridae. Color images of habitus and details of the thorax and abdomen are provided together with scanning electron microscopical documentation and drawings.
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24 January 2013
Voragocoris schuhi, a New Genus and Species of Neotropical Schizopterinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Schizopteridae)
Christiane Weirauch
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Entomologica Americana
Vol. 118 • No. 1
January 2012
Vol. 118 • No. 1
January 2012
Dipsocoromorpha
litter bugs
Neotropics
new genus