Review of the Newly Established amictus-Subgroup of the Genus Leptocoris (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhopalidae), with the Description of a New Species from the Arabian Peninsula

Abstract

Leptocoris arabicus new species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhopalidae: Serinethinae) is described based on 55 specimens of both sexes collected in various localities of southern Oman and southeastern Yemen; a hypothesis is proposed as to its host plant. The new species is close to Leptocoris amictus Germar, 1838 and to Leptocoris ruber Göllner-Scheiding, 1980, new status, due to the presence of a produced horned process along the posterior ventral margin of the genital capsule. It is distinguished from both by differences in colour pattern and morphology. An informal L. amictus species-subgroup is proposed to accommodate these three species within the Leptocoris hexophthalmus species-group sensu Göllner-Scheiding (1980). The following new faunistic records are also provided: L. amictus from Ethiopia, Mozambique and Zambia; L. ruber from Central African Republic. The occurrence of L. chevreuxi (Noualhier, 1893) in Oman is confirmed. The list of all available species-group names assigned to Leptocoris Hahn, 1833 (gender masculine) and their synonyms is compiled and the gender agreement is corrected in the species names when appropriate. The nomenclatural problem concerning Leptocoris living on Marshall Islands discovered by Kerzhner (2003) is discussed and the following corrections are provided: Leptocoris rufus rufus Hahn, 1833, new status = Leptocoris lariversi Usinger, 1952, new synonymy, and Leptocoris rufus isolatus (Distant, 1914) new status.