Pseudotheraptus wayi, a new Genus and Species of Coreid (Hemiptera) injurious to Coconuts in East Africa

Abstract

A new genus, Pseudotheraptus, is described for a Coreid bug, Ps. wayi, sp. n., Causing early nutfall of coconuts in East Africa. Two other species, Ps. devastans (Dist.) and Ps. ugandae, sp. n., are placed in this genus, with descriptions and a key for determination of the three species.The taxonomic relation of Pseudotheraptus to other genera is discussed, with particular reference to Theraptus, in which the species now described as Ps. wayi was formerly placed provisionally, and to Amblypelta, of which one species (A. cocophaga China) is the cause of identical damage to coconuts in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate.A key is given for the determination of the two species now remaining in the genus Theraptus.