Helenus hirsutus Champion, 1898

Heiss, Ernst, 2016, Review of the Neotropical genus Helenus White, 1879, with description of a new species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae), Zootaxa 4088 (4), pp. 555-562 : 557

Helenus hirsutus Champion, 1898

( Figs. 2, 5 , 9 , 12 )

Type specimen examined: Male ( Fig. 2 ) (glued on card, right antennal segment III+IV, left and right mesotarsus missing) labeled ( Fig. 5 ): “ Type ” (pr., round label with red margin) // “Bugaba / 800–1500 ft / Champion” (pr) // “ B.C.A. Rhyn.II (pr) / Helenus (pr) / hirsutus (hw) / ♂ Ch “ (hw) // “sp.figured” (pr) // “ cleaned and remounted / E.Heiss X 2015 ” (pr) // “ BMNH / 1705803 ” (pr) // .

As indicated by the author (p.75) the description was based on male and female specimens who are considered syntypes. The male specimen borrowed is also figured (Tab.V, fig. 16) and therefore selected as lectotype in accordance with article 74B ICZN. It is designated here and labeled: “ Lectotype ♂ / Helenus / hirsutus / Champion 1898 / des. E.Heiss 2015” (pr, red label) //. Deposited in BMNH.

Additional material. 3♂ 1♀ “ Costa Rica / Carrara Nat. Res. / Westküste / 1–8 II 87 Heiss” (pr) //; 1♂ “ Nicaragua: Rio San Juan / Bartola Field Stn. 70–100m / 10°58’21’’N, 84°20’21’’W / leg. Schuh 7–11 VI 2005 ” (pr) // CEHI.

Measurements. Lectotype. Length 8.2mm, head length / width 28/22; pronotum l/w 34/60; length of antennal segments I/II/III/IV = 23/ 13/18/11; ratio length of antennae / width of head 2.95; width of abdomen across deltg IV and V 3.55mm.

Distribution. The so far available record data reaching from Panama to Costa Rica and Nicaragua indicate a distribution restricted to Central America. ( Fig.14 )

Discussion. Size, colouration and habitus of hirsutus is similar to hesiformis and wachteli n. sp. but characterized and distinguished from them both by the less pilose body, abdominal margins with produced peangles of deltg II–VI and the shape of pygophore and parameres.

Figures

FIGURE 14. Distribution of Helenus species in Northern South and Central America.

FIGURES 1 – 5. Helenus spp.: 1 — Helenus hesiformis, holotype male, dorsal view; 2 — Helenus hirsutus, lectotype male, dorsal view; 3 — labels attached to holotype of hesiformis; 4 — ditto, reverse side; 5 — labels attached to holotype of hirsutus.

FIGURES 6 – 10. Helenus spp.: 6 — Helenus wachteli n. sp., holotype male, dorsal view; 7 — Helenus wachteli n. sp., paratype female, dorsal view; 8 – 10. Male pygophore: 8 — hesiformis; 9 — hirsutus; 10 — wachteli n. sp.

FIGURES 11 — 13. Left paramere of Hesus spp.: 11 — hesiformis; 12 — hirsutus; 13 — wachteli n. sp.