Neoplea

Cook, Jerry L., Mondragón-F, Silvia P. & Morales, Irina, 2020, Description of two new species of Neoplea Esaki & China (Hemiptera: Pleidae) from Colombia, Zootaxa 4860 (1), pp. 55-66 : 65

Key to the species of Neoplea of Colombia

There is considerable variation among individuals of Neoplea species in Colombia, making it unreliable to base a species identification on a single specimen. For example, most specimens of N. melanosoma n. sp. have a pattern of dark markings on the prothorax and hemelytra but there is much variation in the size and shape of these dark markings. The following key should work for the majority of specimens, although accuracy is improved if a series of specimens or the most common form of the series is used.

1. Pronotum and hemelytra with large brown to black patches ( Fig. 8 )............................................. 2

- Pronotum and hemelytra without large brown to black patches ( Figs. 1 , 2 )........................................ 3

2. More than 1.9 mm in length, markings usually light brown, center of ovipositor without row of at least 7 teeth between apex and base.................................................................................. N. tenuistyla

- Less than 1.9 mm in length, markings usually dark brown to black, center of ovipositor with row of at least 7 teeth between apex and base ( Fig. 11B )................................................................... N. melanosoma n. sp.

3. More than 1.8 mm in length, claval suture complete ( Fig. 1A ), honeycombing on prothorax and hemelytra common ( Figs. 1A, B ) and cuticle shining only between honeycombs........................................... N. hyaloderma n. sp.

- Less than 1.8 mm in length, claval suture incomplete, honeycombing usually absent resulting in a mostly shiny cuticle................................................................................................. N. lingula

Figures

FIGURE 1. Female of Neoplea hyaloderma n. sp. (A) dorsal view, (B) left lateral view, (C) frontal view.

FIGURE 2. Male of Neoplea hyaloderma n. sp. (A) dorsal view, (B) left lateral view, (C) frontal view.

FIGURE 8. Male of Neoplea melanosoma n. sp. (A) dorsal view, (B) left lateral view, (C) face view.

FIGURE 11. Female structures of Neoplea melanosoma n. sp.: (A) genital plate, (B) ovipositor showing apical teeth (A1 – A), 6 primary teeth (line of teeth below P), secondary teeth (line of teeth below S) and tertiary teeth (unlabeled teeth posterior to