Polytes obscurus (Dallas)

Eger, J. E., 1990, Revision of the Genus Polytes Stål (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae), Annals of the Entomological Society of America 83 (2), pp. 115-141 : 125-127

Polytes obscurus (Dallas)

(Fig. 38-50)

Pachycoris obscurus Dallas 1851: 34 ; Walker 1867: 49.

Polytes obscurus : Stal 1870: 8; Distant 1887: 57 (listed); Schouteden 1904b: 50 (listed); Kirkaldy 1909: 287 (listed).

Polytes grisescens Breddin 1904: 49 ; Schouteden 1904b: 50 (listed); Bergroth 1908: 142 (listed); Kirkaldy 1909: 287 (listed); Gaedike 1971: 87 (type disposition). NEW SYNONYMY.

Description. Dorsum light brown to brown; punctation dark brown to black, frequently connected to form short fasciae; thin, impunctate, mesial vitta usually present along length of body. Ven-ter stramineous to light brown, densely punctured with dark brown to black; abdomen usually dark brown mesially, at least on anterior margin of 2nd and 3rd visible sternites and all or part of striated area. Length 7.7-9.4.

Head broadly rounded anteriorly, 1.8-2.2 long, 2.5-2.8 broad across eyes; densely punctate, less so mesially on tylus and juga. Juga with very thin, marginal carina laterally. Venter of head dark brown to black. First antennal segment light brown, dark brown apically, remaining segments dark brown; length of antennal segments 1-5: 0.4-0.6; 0.5-0.6; 0.5-0.7; 1.0-1.2; 1.2-1.3. Rostrum reaching or slightly surpassing anterior margin of 2nd visible abdominal sternite, pale brown basally, becoming darker posteriorly.

Pronotum 2.3-3.1 long at meson, 4.8-5.9 wide across humeri. Punctation connected to form short fasciae, these frequently arranged in vague, longitudinal rows. Anterolateral margins straight to moderately convex, with thin, marginal carina. Legs light brown, with numerous round, dark brown macules, these frequently coalescing into larger macules.

Scutellum 4.5-6.1 long, 4.3-5.4 broad at widest point. Connexiva densely punctate, anterior half of each segment yellow to light orange, posterior half black. Sternites convex. Spiracles light brown to brown.

Ventral surface of male genital cup moderately punctate, with distinct mesial elevation on posterior margin (Fig. 38); posterior margin with mesial convexity bordered by shallow concavity on either side (Fig. 39). Parameres hookshaped, variable, shank moderately long, head elongate at northern localities, becoming broader and shorter with increasing southern latitude, ental surface shagreened (Fig. 45-48). First conjunctival diverticula elongate, membranous. Sclerotized apices of 2nd conjunctival diverticula with well-defined enlarged base, acute apically, somewhat variable (Fig. 41 and 42). Sclerotized apices of 3rd conjunctival diverticula lacking distinct, enlarged base; apices variable, acute or broad and denticulate (Fig. 43 and 44).

First gonocoxae contiguous mesially, with narrow, submarginal impression mesially. Ninth paratergites slightly overlapping mesially, with submarginal impression mesially (Fig. 49). Spermathecal duct short, stout, opening into elongate, vaguely striated dilation. Distal and proximal flanges of spermathecal pump well-developed. Spermathecal bulb round, jointed to pump by long, convoluted duct (Fig. 50).

Type Material. The holotype of Pachycoris ob-scurus , a male in the BMNH, was examined. Gaedike (1971) stated that the holotype of Polytes gri-sescens Breddin was located in the DEI. However, an additional specimen was located in the RISNB which also was labeled "type." The following are designated: LECTOTYPE: <5, labeled: (a) Peru, Amazonas. (b) Polytes grisescens n. sp. (c) Holotypus. (d) Coll. Breddin. (e) DEI Eberswalde ( DEI).

PARALECTOTYPE: 6, labeled: (a) Coll. R. I. Sc. N. B., ex. Coll. Schouteden. (b) Polytes grisescens Bredd. (c) Polytes grisescens Br. Typ. (d) Syntype ( RISNB).

Breddin's specimens are typical of P. obscurus except that the paralectotype is more darkly colored and the legs are mostly dark brown.

Distribution. Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, northern Argentina, Brasil?. Walker (1867) listed Brasil as a collection locality. Three specimens examined by me were labeled " Brazil, " but the specific localities (Tucuman, Raco) are in Tucuman Province, Argentina. Thus the specimens are probably from Argentina rather than Brasil. P. obscurus may occur in western Brasil.

Comment. The variation in parameres is unusual for species of Polytes .