Taxonomic revision of Montina (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from Colombia with description of three new species

Abstract

The Neotropical assassin bug genus Montina Amyot & Serville, 1843 (Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) is revised for Colombia. Montina has not been adequately explored taxonomically, with its last described species published in 1867. It has ten valid species distributed in tropical areas of Central and South America, but none of them have been formally recorded from Colombia. We describe three new species, M. calarca Mejía-Soto & Forero sp. nov., M. gladiator Mejía-Soto & Forero sp. nov., M. tikuna Mejía-Soto & Forero sp. nov., and report seven species as new records for the country: M. confusa (Stål, 1859), M. distincta (Stål, 1859), M. fumosa (Stål, 1867), M. lobata Stål, 1859, M. ruficornis (Fabricius, 1803), M. scutellaris Stål, 1859, and M. testacea (Stål, 1859). Montina calarca sp. nov. is distinguished by the reddish coloration with black head and legs; densely setose pronotum; connexival margin rounded on segments 4, 5, and 6 without protuberances, connexivum black with a narrow red band on margin; and translucent yellow membrane with hyaline cells and darkened veins. Montina gladiator sp. nov. is distinguished by the red coloration, with black legs, scutellum, and abdomen; connexival margin 4–5 lobed, 6 straight, segments 2–4 with acute posterior process on each segment, connexivum dark brown to black with a narrow red band on its margin. Montina tikuna sp. nov. is distinguished by the reddish-brown coloration, with black scutellum and abdomen; connexival margin nearly straight, segments 2–4 with small posterior acute process, 5–6 with obtuse process, connexivum black; ventral laterotergites only with black scattered erect setae. New characters help delimit Montina and differentiate it from Ploeogaster Amyot & Serville, 1843, its most similar genus. For all species we provide a diagnosis, images, documentation of genitalia, and distribution maps. A key to all the species of Montina is provided.