Review of the Neotropical genus Rhyncholepta with descriptions of three new species-group taxa (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)

Abstract

The genus Rhyncholepta Bergroth, 1911 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Chlorocorini) is redescribed and five species-group taxa are recognized, keyed, their diagnostic characters illustrated, and the distribution reviewed. Among the five taxa, two species and one subspecies are recognized as new: Rhyncholepta grandicallosa grandicallosa Bergroth, 1911 (Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname), Rhyncholepta grandicallosa centroamericana subsp. n. (Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama), Rhyncholepta henryi sp. n. (French Guiana), Rhyncholepta meinanderi Becker & Grazia-Vieira, 1971 (Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru), and Rhyncholepta wheeleri sp. n. (Guyana). The structure of the male genital capsule was found to be the only reliable character for identifying species-group taxa. For this reason, a simultaneous application has been submitted to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to set aside the non-informative female lectotype of Rhyncholepta grandicallosa grandicallosa and replace it with the male neotype suggested herein. Based on the available label data and our field experience, most of the specimens were collected by various types of light traps in or near dense forests. Adults can be collected throughout the year.