The Pyrrhocoroidea (Hemiptera – Heteroptera) of the Ethiopian region

Abstract

The superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea Southwood 1956 is closely related to the Lygaeoidea and the Coreoidea, and was placed by many authors as a subfamily of the Lygaeidae. It was recognized as a separate family by Amyot and Serville in 1843 under the name ‘Cecigenes’ and they divided it into two groups ‘Pyrrhocorides’ and ‘Largides’. These two names became recognized as subfamilies of the Pyrrhocoridae, the family name being established by Fieber (1861). Hussey (1929) quotes Van Duzee (1916), who established the name Euryophthalminae to replace Larginae and divided that subfamily into two tribes Euryophthalmini and Physopeltini. This nomenclature was dealt with in detail by China (1954) who established that Larginae is still the correct subfamily name. Van Duzee's tribe Euryophthalmini is confined to American genera. China (1954) states that because of their differing affinities, the Larginae being more closely related to the Lygaeidae and the Pyrrhocorinae to the Coreidae, both these subfamilies should assume family status. This change in status was followed by China and Miller (1959). Southwood (1956), following a study of the eggs of the Heteroptera, had also suggested that the families Largidae and Pyrrhocoridae together formed the superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea. This view was accepted and confirmed by Schaefer (1964) following detailed morphological investigations of representatives of the Lygaeoidea, Coreoidea and Pyrrhocoroidea. Schaefer also summarised the conclusions of other workers who had undertaken comparative studies of morphological characters within the three superfamilies. China and Miller (1959) used the following characters to typify the Pyrrhocoroidea: Abdominal trichobothria present Scutellum small, shorter than the clavus, a distinct claval commisure present Antennophores visible from above Antennae four segmented Ocelli absent Membrane of the hemelytra usually with two basal cells, from which 7 - 8 branching longitudinal veins extend to the apical margin Medium to large, brightly colored, usually phytophagous bugs Only 13 out of the 18 genera now recognised in the Ethiopian Region can be said to be brightly colored; the other five genera being dark in general coloration. The two families are: Largidae - Sixth visible (seventh actual) ventral abdominal segment in the female cleft in the middle; Pyrrhocoridae -Sixth visible ventral abdominal segment entire in both sexes. There does not seem to be any way to key out the males of the African Largidae (Physopelta) without dissection. Hussey (1929) lists 360 species worldwide in the superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea Southwood 1956 with 77 African species, in 13 genera, the genus Dysdercus containing 15 of these species. Since then, a number of new species have been described. This catalogue is based on the literature up to 2000 and the study of material in the National Museum of Kenya (NMK), Nairobi, which includes my own collections from east Africa, mainly Tanzania. The present check-list gives 102 species in 18 genera. The literature contains few references to the biology and ecology of the superfamily, being largely taxonomic. Only the genus Dysdercus, containing the ‘cotton stainers’ is of economic importance, and for that genus the literature is very extensive. For this reason the genus Dysdercus and the literature pertaining to it has been excluded from the present paper, except that, for completeness, it has been included in the list of species and the key to genera. Some of the other genera in the superfamily must be regarded as rare, few specimens being available in collections and in some, descriptions have been done on the basis of one or two specimens, sometimes only a single sex being known. Madagascar has been considered as being outside the scope of this work, as have the Mascarene Islands. KEY TO THE AFRICAN GENERA The first key to separate the African genera was by Stål (1865). The next key specifically intended for genera in the Ethiopian Region was by Villiers and Dekeyser (1951), to allow placement of their newly described genus Sicnatus. The characters used by Stål (1865) and Villiers and Dekeyser (1951) are similar. The present key has been altered from theirs only to accommodate recently described genera. It is expected to be accurate only within the Ethiopian Region. Much information has been published in recent years on the detailed structure of the male and female genitalia, differences that are particularly useful in the determination of species, and which are quite diagnostic for some genera, for example, the crossed parameres of the genus Cenaeus. So far, however, less than half the species have been adequately studied and generic keys based on these characters should wait until knowledge is more complete. 1. 1.Sixth visible abdominal segment in the female cleft longitudinally, entire in the male. Medium to large insects (10 - 16 mm). General color red and black (Family Largidae). PHYSOPELTA - -Sixth visible abdominal segment entire in both sexes (Family Pyrrhocoridae). 2 2. 2.Form exceedingly ant-like. Smaller insects (6 - 8 mm). General color black, or black and red. Mostly brachypterous, but macropterous individuals known. MYRMOPLASTA - -Form not exceedingly ant like, at least not in the adult. Most genera macropterous. 3 3. 3.Head strongly bent down in front of the eyes. Medium sized insects (8 - 11 mm). Brightly colored. Brachypterous. SIANGO - -Head not strongly bent down in front of the eyes. Various sizes and colors. Usually not brachypterous. 4 4. 4.Head transversely narrowed and depressed behind the eyes. Larger insects (14 - 17 mm). General color red and black. ANTILOCHUS - -Head not as above, usually more or less horizontal. 5 5. 5.Apex of corium acute. Larger brighter colored insects, (12 - 20 mm). General color black and red or brown. The ‘cotton stainers’. Venter usually with contrasting stripes. DYSDERCUS - -Apex of corium rounded. Other characters different. 6 6. 6.Apical borders of third and fourth visible sternites straight, not sinuate laterally. Rostrum very long. Large insects, (25 - 32 mm). General color reddish and black. CALLIBAPHUS - -Apical borders of third and fourth visible sternites sinuate laterally. Usually without a very long rostrum. 7 7. 7.Apex of of corium much longer than the corial-claval suture. Large slender insects, (18 - 24 mm). General color red and black. ROSCIUS - -Apex of the corium subequal to the corial-claval suture. 8 8. 8.Anterior discal area of pronotum not limited laterally by a furrow. Medium to large sized insects, (10 - 23 mm). General color ochre to brownish. ODONTOPUS - -Anterior discal area of pronotum limited by a clear lateral furrow, sometimes punctate, at least towards the front. 9 9. 9.Anterior discal area of pronotum circumscribed by an impressed continuous furrow. Borders of pronotum convex and regularly curved at anterior and posterior angles. Body often hairy. Medium sized insects, (8 - 14 mm). General color red and black, or brownish. SERICOCORIS - -Anterior and posterior discal areas of pronotum separated by a furrow, which may or may not be punctate. Borders of the pronotum more or less concave at the middle. 10 10. 10.Anterior and posterior discal areas of pronotum separated by a furrow which is not punctate. Eyes sessile. Body never hairy. Insects of medium size, (7 - 14 mm). General color black, red and brownish. NEODINDYMUS - -Pronotum not as above. Other characters different. 11 11. 11.Anterior and posterior discs of pronotum of different textures and colors separated by a row of punctures. Eyes more or less prominent, not sessile. Smaller oval insects, (7 - 14 mm). General color ochre or brownish. Some species brachypterous. CENAEUS - -Pronotum not as above. Eyes sessile. 12 12. 12.Anterior discal area of pronotum clearly limited by a deeply punctate furrow. The first segment of the rostrum thick, not longer than the head. Larger insects, (15 mm). General color black and reddish or cream. GROMIERUS - -First segment of rostrum not thick. Anterior discal area of pronotum not as above. 13 13. 13.The first segment of rostrum equal to half the length of the head. Small species, (7 - 10 mm). General color black, with some red. Majority brachypterous. SCANTIUS - -First segment of rostrum not as above, sometimes exceeding the length of the head. 14 14. 14.First segment of rostrum reaching the apex of the prosternum. Antennae with many bristles. Front femora swollen and the front tibiae curved. Small insects, (6 - 8 mm). General color blackish. Mostly brachypterous. ADERRHIS - -First segment of rostrum not as above. Antennae without many bristles. 15 15. 15.Third segment of antennae thickened, much bulkier than the fourth. Small insects, (6 - 9 mm). General color dark brown or black. Brachypterous. DERMATINUS - -Antennae not of this form. 16 16. 16.Fourth segment of antennae strongly thickened in the middle. Small insects, (6 mm). General color black. Brachypterous. NEOINDRA - -Antennae not of this form. Color not wholly black. 17 17. 17.First segment of antennae longer than the second. Anterior disc of pronotum limited anteriorly and posteriorly by distinct punctures. Medium sized insects, (8 - 12 mm). General color black and orangish. Mostly brachypterous. SCHMITZIANA - -First segment of antennae shorter than the second. Apex of first segment of rostrum does not reach prosternum. Smallish insects, (8 mm). General color black and reddish. SICNATUS FAMILY LARGIDAE The family Largidae was established by Amyot and Serville (1843), under the name Largides, which can be regarded as a valid group name based on the generic name Largus Hahn 1831 (China 1954). It is represented in Africa only by three species in the large genus Physopelta Amyot and Serville 1843. The last generic description was by Stål (1865) and was done before all the African species had been described. Some of the detailed characters given by Stål, therefore, do not fit the African species too well. For example the description of the antennae only holds good for Physopelta festiva (Fabricius 1803). PHYSOPELTA Amyot & Serville 1843 Type species: Physopelta erythrocephala Amyot & Serville 1843. (=Physopelta albofasciata (De Geer 1773) Designated by Distant (1903) and quoted as a logotype by (Hussey 1929) Country of origin of type species: Java Type depository: not known Illustrations: see Physopelta festiva Physopelta Amyot & Serville 1843 Amyot and Serville 1843: 271 Physopelta Am. & Serv. Stål 1861: 195 Physopelta A. & S. Stål 1863: 390 Physopelta A. & S. Stål 1866: 2 Physopelta A. & S. Stål 1870: 91 and 99 Physopelta Serv. Walker 1873: 17 key Physopelta Amyot & Serville Lethierry and Severin 1894: 241 Physopelta Am. & Serv. Breddin 1901: 175 Physopelta Stål Kirkaldy and Edwards 1902: 165 Physopelta Amy. & Serv. Distant 1904: 97 Physopelta Amyot & Serville Hussey 1929: 28 Physopelta Amyot & Serville Schmidt 1931: 45 Physopelta Amyot & Serville 1843 Leston 1969: 225 key KEY TO THE AFRICAN SPECIES MODIFIED FROM LESTION (1969) 1. 1.Head plus body length more than 15 mm. Corium with a black band. Side of the abdomen red, with black lines of varying width anteriorly on each segment. Anal segment black. Physopelta festiva (Fabricius 1803) - -Head plus body length less than 15 mm. 2 2. 2.Corium with a black spot. Pronotum with the front half orange. Side of the abdomen reddish with the last two segments black. (12 - 13 mm). Physopelta analis (Signoret 1858) - -Corium with a nearly complete black band. Pronotum with the frontal half pitchy-black. Side of the abdomen wholly black (10 - 12 mm). Physopelta melanoptera Distant 1904 Physopelta analis (Signoret 1858) Type depository: Vienna: Naturhistoriches Museum Country of origin of type: Nigeria (Old Calabar) Distribution: Cameroon (Barombi); Gabon; Ghana (Addah); ‘Guinea’; Ivory Coast; Nigeria (Old Calabar) Measurements: length 12–13mm; width 4–5mm (1 male) Physopelta analis Signoret 1858 Signoret 1858: 306 description Odontopus analis Stål 1858 Stål 1858: 441 description Pyrrhocoris analis Sign. Stål 1863: 391 Pyrrhocoris analis Sign. Stål 1866: 2 description Physopelta analis Sign. Stål 1870: 101 Physopelta analis Sign. Walker 1873: 17 Physopelta analis Sign. Reuter 1882: 28 Physopelta analis Signoret Lethierry and Severin 1894: 241 Physopelta analis Sign. Haglund 1895: 464 Physopelta analis Sign. Kirkaldy and Edwards 1902: 172 Physopelta analis (Signoret) Hussey 1929: 29 Physopelta analis Sign. Blöte 1931: 99 Physopelta analis Signoret Schmidt 1931: 46 Physopelta analis (Signoret 1858) Leston 1969: 225 Physopelta analis (Signoret) Linnavuori 1988: 13 Physopelta festiva (Fabricius 1803) Type depository: Copenhagen: Zoologisch Museum Country of origin of type: Guinea. Distribution: Cameroon; Central African Republic; Congo (Brazzaville); Ghana; ‘Guinea’; Ivory Coast; Nigeria (Old Calabar); Uganda Measurements: average length, male 18.7 mm (7); female 19.3 mm (6) Lygaeus festivus Fabricius 1803 Fabricius 1803: 220 description Pyrrhocoris festivus Fabr. Burmeister 1835: 285 Physopelta festiva Fabr. Stål 1868: 79 description Physopelta festiva Fabr. Stål 1870: 101. Physopelta festiva Fabr. Walker 1873: 17 description Physopelta festiva Fabricius Lethierry and Severin 1894: 242 Physopelta festiva Fabr. Haglund 1895: 463 Physopelta festiva F. Aulmann 1912: 120 illustration, description Physopelta festiva (Fabricius) Hussey 1929: 30 Physopelta festiva F. Blöte 1931: 99 Physopelta festiva (Fabricius) Villiers 1967: 370 Physopelta festiva Leston 1969: 225 Physopelta festiva (Fabricius) Linnavuori 1988: 13 Physopelta melanoptera Distant 1904 Type depository: London: Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Cameroon. Distribution - Benin (Dahomey); Cameroon; Central African Republic; Congo (Brazzaville); Ghana; Ivory Coast; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda Measurements: average length, male 10.6 mm (47); female 11.5 mm (43) Physopelta melanoptera Distant 1904 Distant 1904: 61 description Physopelta melanoptera Dist. Distant 1909: 78 Physopelta melanoptera Dist. Bergroth 1913a: 167 Physopelta melanoptera Distant Hussey 1929: 32 Physopelta melanoptera Distant Villiers 1967: 370 Physopelta melanoptera Leston 1969: 225 Physopelta melanoptera Distant Linnavuori 1988: 13 Collected in Tanzania October–May. In West Africa associated with Mallotus oppositifolius (Euphorbiaceae) (Leston, 1969; Duviard, 1974). FAMILY PYRRHOCORIDAE ANTILOCHUS Stål 1863 This is a large genus, mainly found in the Oriental and Australasian Regions. Three species are recorded from the Ethiopean region by Hussey (1929) but on examination of material in the National Museum of Kenya it was found that the third species, Antilochus violaceus Carlini 1892, is not a member of this genus at all, but definitely belongs to the genus Odontopus Laporte. An unnamed specimen of Odontopus in the NMK collection, from Somalia, matches Carlini's description very closely. Consequently, only two species of the Genus Antilochus are present in the Ethiopian Region, one is West African, the other is confined to Eastern and Southern Africa. Type species: Antilochus coqueberti (Fabricius 1803) quoted as type species by Distant (1904) and as a logotype by Hussey (1929) Country of origin of type species: India Type depository: not known Synonyms: Neaeretus Reuter 1887 Illustrations: see Antilochus boerhaviae Antilochus Stål 1863 Stål 1863: 393 Antilochus Stål Stål 1866: 3 and 4 Antilochus Stål Stål 1870: 101 and 103 Odontopus De Lap. Walker 1872: 174 Neaeretus Reuter 1887 Reuter 1887: 92 (syn. Bergroth 1894 ) Antilochus Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 243 Antilochus Stål Bergroth 1894a: 358 Antilochus Stål Breddin 1901: 175 Antilochus Stål Kirkaldy and Edwards 1902: 166 Antilochus Stål Distant 1904: 100 Antilochus Stål Hussey 1929: 36 Antilochus Stål Schmidt 1932: 236 The two species of Antilochus can easily be separated by the very different appearance of the pronotum and elytra: 1. 1.Pronotum black, surrounded by a continuous narrow yellow band. Elytra black with irregular narrow yellowish bands that appear to enclose a large irregular black spot. Sides of the thorax predominantly black. Sides of the abdomen red, with narrow whitish lines anteriorly on each segment. The whitish lines vary in thickness and there may be some black coloration towards the rear of the abdomen. Anal segment, red. Antilochus boerhaviae (Fabricius 1794) 2. 2.Pronotum black, the borders reddish-orange with the red color being wider at the posterior corners. The elytra black with reddish patches separated to leave a central area in the form of a black cross. The pattern is rather variable, but distinctly different from Antilochus boerhaviae. Sides of the thorax reddish, sometimes darker. Sides of the abdomen red with whitish lines on the anterior of each segment, which vary somewhat in thickness. No black coloring is present. Anal segment, red. Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål 1855 Antilochus boerhaviae (Fabricius 1794) Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: ‘Guinea’ Distribution: British East Africa; Cameroon; Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Gabon; ‘Guinea’; Nigeria; Senegal; Sudan Synonyms: Antilochus submaculatus Kirkby 1896 Measurements: length, male 15.5 mm (1); female 18.2 mm (1) Lygaeus boerhaviae Fabricius 1794 Fabricius 1794: 152 Lygaeus boerhaviae Fabricius Fabricius 1803: 220 Antilochus boerhaviae Fabr. Stål 1866: 4 Antilochus boerhaviae Fabr. Stål 1868: 81 Antilochus boerhaviae Fabr. Stål 1870: 104 Odontopus boerhaviae Fabr. Walker 1872: 176 Antilochus boerhaviae Fabricius Lethierry and Severin 1894: 343 Antilochus boerhaviae (F.) Karsch 1894: 106 Antilochus submaculatus Kirby 1896 Kirby 1896: 268 (syn. Distant 1902 ) Antilochus boerhaviae Fabr. Distant 1902b: 36 Antilochus boerhaviae Fabr. Distant 1902b: 36 Antilochus boerhaviae (Fabr.) Kirkaldy and Edwards 1902: 172 Antilochus boerhaviae Fabricius Courteaux 1922: 285 Antilochus boerhaviae (Fabricius) Hussey 1929: 37 Antilochus boerhaviae F. Blöte 1931: 102 Antilochus boerhaviae Fabricius Schmidt 1932: 240 Antilochus boerhaviae Fabricius Villiers 1953: 298 Antilochus boerhaviae Fabricius Linnavuori 1978: 7 Antilochus boerhaviae (Fabricius) Linnavuori 1988: 13 The illustration given by Kirby (1896) of the specimen he described as Antilochus submaculatus is not the same as a typical specimen of A. boerhaviae, with which it was synonymised by Distant (1902) , but may be an extreme form. Antilochus nigrocruciatus (Stål 1855 ) Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: South Africa (Natal, Caffraria) Distribution: Kenya; South Africa (Natal, Caffraria) Measurements: average length, male 14.5 mm (21); female 16.6 mm (23) Odontopus nigrocruciatus Stål 1855 Stål 1855a: 35 Antilochus nigro-cruciatus Stål Stål 1863: 395 Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål Stål 1866: 5 Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål Stål 1870: 104 Antilochus nigrocruciatus (Fabr.) Walker 1872: 176 Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 243 Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål Bergroth 1920: 17 Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål Hussey 1929: 40 Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål Blöte 1931: 104 Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål Schmidt 1932: 240 Antilochus nigrocruciatus St. Mancini 1961: 31 CALLIBAPHUS Stål 1868 The genus Callibaphus (Stål 1868) is confined to the Ethiopian Region and only three species have been described. These insects are very large and are rare in collections. Distribution is very much West African in published papers, reaching as far east as Uganda. Bergroth (1906) described a third species Callibaphus gigas from the Comoro Islands which are outside the Ethiopean Region, but it is included because Bergroth himself indicated that he thought his specimen to be conspecific with Callibaphus longirostris (Drury 1782). C. gigas has never formally been synonymised, probably because of the great gap between its location and those of all the other published records. The type would have to be examined before a decision could be reached. Type species: Callibaphus longirostris (Drury 1782). Quoted as a monotype by Hussey 1929 Country of origin of type species: Sierra Leone Type depository: London: Natural History Museum Illustrations: see Callibaphus longirostris Roscius (Callibaphus) Stål 1868 Stål 1868: 82 description Callibaphus Stål Stål 1870: 108 Callibaphus Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 245 Callibaphus Stål Hussey 1929: 50 Callibaphus Stål Schmidt 1932: 246 The two African species may be separated quite easily, although the black markings both species bear on the pronotum and elytra are quite similar and are not useful as characters for separating the species: 1. 1.Head dark red with a longitudinal black mark between and behind the eyes. Color above dark red, dull, with little variation among the available specimens. Membrane translucent. Sides of the thorax black, with dark red stripes at the rear of each segment. Sides of the abdomen dark red with black bands of varying width at the anterior of each segment, the black becoming dominant on the last two segments. Color changes diffuse. Anal segment dark red. Callibaphus albipennis Distant 1914 2. 2.Head orange to red without any black markings. Color above bright orange to red. Membrane black. Sides of thorax and abdomen black, with yellow lines of varying width at the rear of each segment. Color changes sharply defined. Anal segment orange to red. Callibaphus longirostris (Drury 1782) Callibaphus albipennis Distant 1914 Type depository: London: Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Uganda Distribution: Kenya; Uganda Measurements: length, male 26.9 mm(1); female 31.7 mm (1) Callibaphus albipennis Distant 1914 Distant 1914 : 180 description Callibaphus albipennis Distant Hussey 1929: 51 Callibaphus longirostris (Drury 1782) Type depository London: Natural History Museum. Country of origin of type: Sierra Leone. Distribution: Cameroon; Congo (Brazzaville); (probably) Comoro Islands; Guinea; Nigeria; Sierra Leone; Tanzania; Togo. Synonyms: Roscius fasciatus Walker 1872; Callibaphus gigas Bergroth 1906 (probably) Measurements: length, male 30.1 mm (1) Cimex longirostris Drury 1782 Drury 1782: 60 description, illustration Lygaeus guineensis Fabricius 1803 Fabricius 1803: 216 description (syn. Stål 1868) Roscius (Callabaphis) longirostris Drury Stål 1868: 83 description Cimex longirostris Drury Stål 1870: 108 Roscius longirostris Drury Walker 1872: 173 description Roscius fasciatus Walker 1872 Walker 1872: 174 (syn. Leth. & Serv. 1894) Callibaphus longirostris Drury Lethierry and Severin 1894: 245 Callibaphus longirostris Dru. Distant 1902b: 37 Callibaphus longirostrus (Drury) Kirkaldy and Edwards 1902: 172 Callibaphus gigas Bergroth 1906 Bergroth 1906: 199 description Callibaphus gigas Bergr. Bergroth 1913a: 169 Callibaphus gigas Bergroth Hussey 1929: 51 Callibaphus longirostris (Drury) Hussey 1929: 51 Callibaphus longirostris Drury Blöte 1931: 108 Callibaphus longirostris Drury Schmidt 1932: 246 Callibaphus longirostris Drury Villiers 1953: 298 Callibaphus longirostris (Drury) Villiers 1967: 371 Callibaphus longirostris (Drury) Linnavuori 1988: 13 Earlier data indicate that this species is confined to West Africa, Cameroon and Congo (Brazzaville). Bergroth (1906) described C. gigas from the Comoro Islands and indicated that it seemed very likely to be a variety of C. longirostris. A record from Tanzania in the National Museum of Kenya provides a possible link between the very widely separated populations in West Africa and the Comoro Islands. ROSCIUS Stål 1866 The genus Roscius is confined to the Ethiopian region and five species have been described. The genus is characterized by the fact that the apical border of the corium is much longer than the commisure of the corium-clavus. This character reflects the slender elongate shape of all the species in the genus. Type species: Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853) Country of origin of type species: Mozambique Type depository: not known Illustrations: see Roscius circumdatus and Roscius illustris Roscius Stål 1866 Stål 1866: 8 Roscius Stål Stål 1870: 102 Roscius Stål Walker 1872: 173 Roscius Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 245 Roscius Stål Hussey 1929: 51 Roscius Stål Schmidt 1932: 246 Five species are described in the published literature, although the status of Roscius elongatus and Roscius quadriplagiatus, both originally described by Schaum in 1853, is doubtful. As no authentic specimen of Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853) is available it has been left out of the key below. 1. 1.Head red without any black markings. Front half of the pronotum raised, black, separated from the rear half by a marked impressed furrow which curves backwards to the sides. The front half of the pronotum having no yellow, or having only a very narrow line of yellow on the anterior edge, which may be reduced to two yellow lateral anterior spots. The elytra with the anterior yellow marking sub-triangular, not an irregular shape. Sides of the abdomen with the first two visible segments markedly yellow or pale, the next two almost wholly black. Anal segment red. Roscius illustris Gerstäcker 1873 - -Head red, but having at least some black markings between and behind the eyes 2 2. 2.Pronotum wholly surrounded by a narrow yellow border. The elytra with narrow elongate yellowish markings, the rear pair forming a border between the corium and the membrane. Roscius circumdatus Distant 1881 - -Pronotum not as above. Markings on the elytra and the sides of the abdomen different. 3 3. 3.Pronotum flattened, with a marked wide orange anterior border and wide lateral orange borders. At most a very narrow band of orange posteriorly. The elytra with the anterior orange spots not triangular, but elongate and irregular, reaching to the shoulder. Sides of the abdomen much like Roscius illustris, but the first two visible segments red, with black coloration towards the connexivium, the next two segments almost wholly black. Anal segment red. Roscius guilielmi Bergroth 1926 - -Pronotum raised and divided by a curved furrow, but the yellow markings usually form a border on all four sides, narrowest and sometimes missing on the anterior half, laterally. Always with a yellow anterior border. The yellow markings being broadest at the posterior lateral corners. The elytra with the anterior yellow markings not triangular, irregular and extending forwards to the shoulder. Sides of the abdomen red, with black lines anteriorly on each segment. The width of the black varies, but the stripes are widest on the third and fourth visible abdominal segments. Anal segment red. Roscius quadriplagiatus (Schaum 1853) Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853) Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Mozambique Distribution: Angola; Congo (Brazzaville); Gabon; Mozambique; Tanzania; Zanzibar Measurements: length 24 mm, width 8 mm (ex. Lit.) Pyrrhocoris elongatus Schaum 1853 Schaum1853: 358 description Pyrrhocoris elongatus Schaum Schaum 1862: 46 description Roscius elongatus Schaum Stål 1866: 8 description Roscius elongatus Schaum Stål 1870: 109 Roscius elongatus Schaum Walker 1872: 173 Roscius elongatus Schaum Gerstäcker 1892: 50 Roscius elongatus Schaum Bergroth 1893: 126 Roscius elongatus Schaum Lethierry and Severin 1894: 245 Roscius elongatus Schaum Montandon 1899 Roscius elongatus (Schaum) Hussey 1929: 51 Roscius elongatus Schaum Blöte 1931: 108 Roscius elongatus Schaum Schmidt 1932: 247 Roscius elongatus Schaum Villiers 1967: 372 This species is widely distributed in southern and eastern Africa. It seems to be very closely related to Roscius quadriplagiatus (Schaum 1853) according to the written descriptions (Schaum 1853, repeated in 1862): Pyrrhocoris quadriplagiatus Schaum; Supra niger, capite thoracisque marginibus rufus, elytrorum maculis duabus flavis, subtus rufus, pectoris lateribus antennis pedibusque nigris. Long 8 lin (= 16.8 mm). Pyrrhocoris elongatus Schaum; Supra niger, epistomate, thoracis margine antico et postico, elytrorum maculis duabus rufis, anteriori sublunata, subtus rufus, pectoris lateribus pedibusque nigris. Long 10 lin (= 21.0 mm). Roscius guilielmi Bergroth 1926 Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo Distribution: Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Guinea; Uganda Measurements: length, male 17.0 mm (1); female 20.0 mm (1) Roscius guilielmi Bergroth 1926 Bergroth 1926: 11 description Roscius guilielmi Bergroth Hussey 1929: 52 Roscius guilielmi Bergroth Villiers 1953: 298 Roscius guilielmi Bergroth Villiers 1967: 372 This spceies has a West African distribution, and specimens in the NMK collection from western Uganda probably reflect the eastern limit of its range. Roscius illustris Gerstäcker 1873 Type depository: Berlin Museum Country of origin of type: Kenya Distribution: Kenya; Mozambique; Tanzania; Zanzibar Measurements: average length, male 14.4 mm (6), female 18.3 mm (7) Roscius illustris Gerstäcker 1873 Gerstäcker 1873: 414 description, illustration Roscius illustris Gerst. Gerstäcker 1892: 50 Roscius illustris Gerstaecker Lethierry and Severin 1894: 245 Roscius illustris Gerstäcker Hussey 1929: 52 Roscius illustris Gerst. Blöte 1931: 108 Roscius illustris Gerstäcker Schmidt 1932: 247 Roscius quadriplagiatus (Schaum 1853) Type depository: Berlin Museum Country of origin of type: Mozambique Distribution: Gabon; Kenya; Mozambique; Tanzania Measurements: average length, male 16.6 mm (8), female 21.8 mm (5) Pyrrhocoris quadriplagiatus Schaum 1853 Schaum 1853: 358 description Pyrrhocoris quadriplagiatus Schaum Schaum 1862: 45 description Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum Stål 1870: 108 Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum Walker 1872: 173 Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum Lethierry and Severin 1894: 245 Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum Hussey 1929: 52 Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum Blöte 1931: 108 Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum Schmidt 1932: 247 In the published literature this species is recorded from Mozambique and Gabon, but specimens in the NMK collection extend the range. The written descriptions of Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853) and Roscius quadriplagiatus (Schaum 1853), as given above, make it doubtful if this species is different from Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853) Roscius circumdatus Distant 1881 Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Nigeria (Calabar) Distribution: Nigeria (Calabar); Cameroon; Ivory Coast; Democratic Republic of Congo Synonyms: Antilochus arcifer Bergroth 1920 Measurements: length 19 mm (ex. Lit.). Roscius quadriplagiatus Schaum Walker 1872: 173 description Roscius circumdatus Distant 1881 Distant 1881: 275 description, illustration Roscius circumdatus Distant Haglund 1895: 465 Roscius circumdatus Dist. Bergroth 1920: 3 description Antilochus arcifer Bergroth 1920 Bergroth 1920: 3 (syn. Schmidt 1932) Antilochus arcifer Bergroth Hussey 1929: 36 Roscius circumdatus Distant Schmidt 1932: 247 description Roscius circumdatus Distant Linnavuori 1988: 16 ODONTOPUS Laporte 1832 Hussey (1929) listed fifteen species in this genus, of which only six occurred in the Ethiopian Region. Since Hussey's catalogue was published two more species and one new variety have been described from the Ethiopian Region. All the members of the genus have a very similar appearance and all seem to be associated with the plant families Sterculiaceae and Malvaceae. In 1904 Kirkaldy proposed the name Probergrothius for this genus as a replacement for Odontopus Laporte 1832, on the grounds that the name was preoccupied by a genus of Coleoptera, described by Siebermann. The details of priority had already been established by Alluaud (1889) fifteen years before Kirkaldy made his proposal. Kirkaldy himself realised that the name Odontopus was not validly preoccupied (Kirkaldy 1905), and this view was supported by Distant (1919). Only Hesse (1925) accepted the new name. However, Stehlik (1966) renewed the claim that Odontopus Laporte 1832 is preoccupied by a genus of Coleoptera described under the name Odontopus by Say (1831). Stehlik therefore proposes that the name Probergrothius Kirkaldy 1904 be reinstated for the Ethiopian and Oriental species in the genus (the Madagascaran species having been transferred to a new genus). In this work, the name Odontopus is retained in the hope that the renaming of this large genus will be referred to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature for their consideration. Type species: Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte 1832. Quoted as a monotype by Hussey 1929 Country of origin of type species: Senegal Type depository: not known. Synonyms: Probergrothius Kirkaldy 1904 Illustrations: see Odontopus notabilis Distant 1902 , Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte 1832 Odontopus Laporte 1832 Laporte 1832: 37 description Odontopus Lap. Amyot and Serville 1843: 270 description Odontopus Herrich-Schaffer 1853: 174 description Odontopus Lap. Stål 1861: 196 Odontopus Lap. Stål 1866: 3 description Odontopus Lap. Stål 1870: 102 description Odontopus Laporte Alluaud 1889: LXV Odontopus de Castelnau Lethierry and Severin 1894: 246 Odontopus Laporte Distant 1903: 108 description Probergrothius Kirkaldy 1904 Kirkaldy 1904: 280 (syn Distant 1919) Odontopus Kirkaldy 1905: 79 Odontopus Laporte Distant 1919: 2 KEY TO THE AFRICAN SPECIES Odontopus angolensis Distant 1902 and Odontopus obscurellus Blöte 1933 , which is only known from Zimbabwe, are not included because I have not seen specimens. 1. 1.Larger species (16 - 23 mm) with one pair of large black rounded spots posteriorly on the elytra. (A variety, O. notabilis var. kambovensis lacks the black spots). Body mainly unicolorous, ochraceus. Antennae with the first segment red and the other three segments dark. Pronotum with the frontal part limited by two fairly deeply impressed black lines. Scutellum black. Thorax with the sterna black. Abdomen with the incisures marked with narrow blackish lines. Odontopus notabilis Distant 1902 - -Elytra not showing this pattern. Pronotum and other body parts different. 2 2. 2.Large species (16.0 mm) with the elytra having one pair of round black spots posteriorly and a pair of black bands anteriorly. Head whitish. Pronotum with the frontal area whitish. Scutellum the same color as the elytra. Membrane milky. Thorax with the sterna whitish. Sides of the abdomen whitish ventrally, but darkening in the dorsal half. Antilochus violaceus (Carlini 1892) (See discussion of Antilochus) - -Elytra not having this pattern. Body colors different. 3 3. 3.Species with not more than two pairs of small spots on the elytra. Sometimes the anterior pair are very small or missing. 4 - -Species with three pairs of spots on the elytra, sometimes the two anterior pairs are partially joined. 6 4. 4.Species (14 - 20 mm) markedly unicolorous, ochraceus, without red legs. At most narrow reddish stripes marking the abdominal incisures. Head quite pale, ochraceus. Frontal area of the pronotum limited by two dark lines. Last two segments of the antennae dark. Odontopus modestus Distant 1902 - -Species with red legs and generally much brighter coloring than the above. 5 5. 5.Species (16 mm) with the central lobe of the head having a longitudinal black stripe running the whole length of the head. Head, other than the central black longitudinal stripe, orange. Pronotum with a pale anterior collar, the frontal area orange, limited by two distinct black lines. Scutellum orange. Membrane darker than the elytra. Antennae dark red, getting darker towards the tip. Legs red. Thorax with the sterna reddish with dark borders, sometimes all darker. Sides of the abdomen reddish, with wide blackish bands of variable width at the anterior of each segment. Odontopus exsanguis (Gerstäcker 1892) - -Species (14 - 17 mm) with the central lobe of the head with a red longitudinal stripe running the whole length of the head. Head, other than the central red longitudinal stripe, ochraceus. Pronotum with a pale anterior collar and the frontal area ochraceus, sometimes darker shaded, bounded by two marked black lines. Antennae red, third and fourth segments darker. Legs reddish. Thorax with the sterna dark reddish. Membrane much the same color as the elytra. Sides of the abdomen yellowish, with broad but regular black stripes anteriorly on each segment. Odontopus confusus Distant 1902 6. 6.Species (14 - 21 mm) occurring in two color forms, red and black, but in both cases the elytra with two pairs of smallish spots anteriorly (rather larger and partially joined together in the black form) and a single pair of larger spots posteriorly. Details of the black color form. Body color ochraceus. Head with a central black area at the rear, tylus red. Pronotum with the frontal area black. Scutellum black. Elytra with the black spots arranged as in the illustration. Thorax with the sterna black. Abdomen with the sides reddish-yellow, and with black stripes anteriorly on each segment. Details of the red color form. Body ochraceus with a reddish tinge. Head with the rear central area and the tylus red. Pronotum with the frontal area red, but limited by black lines. Scutellum red or blackish red. Elytra with the black spots arranged as in the illustration. Thorax with the sterna black. Abdomen with the sides reddish-yellow, more strongly diffused with red ventrally, and black stripes anteriorly on every segment. Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte 1832 - -Species (15 - 18 mm) with two pairs of small separate black spots anteriorly on the elytra. A single pair of small black spots posteriorly. Odontopus somaliensis Goursat 1931 Odontopus angolensis 1902 Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Angola Distribution: Angola; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of Congo; Namibia; Zambia Measurements: length 18 - 21 mm (ex. Lit.) Odontopus angolensis Distant 1902 Distant 1902b: 38 description Odontopus angolensis Dist. Bergroth 1913a: 169 Odontopus angolensis Distant Hussey 1929: 52 Odontopus angolensis Dist. Blöte 1931: 108 Odontopus angolensis Distant Schmidt 1932: 249 Odontopus confusus Distant 1902 Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Eritrea; Tanzania; Zanzibar Measurements: average length, male 14.5 mm (17), female 17.6 mm (19) Odontopus confusus Distant 1902 Distant 1902b: 39 description Odontopus confusus Dist. Bergroth 1913a: 169 Odontopus confusus Distant Hussey 1929: 52 Odontopus confusus Dist. Blöte 1931: 108 Odontopus confusus Distant Schmidt 1932: 249 Breeding on or in association with Sterculia appendiculata, Sterculia quinqueloba, Sterculia africana, Adansonia digitata (Baobab) and Ceiba pentandra (Kapok). Also a few in association with cotton, dolichos, castor, cassava, pigeonpea, Sida sp.and Calotropis procera, although none of these need be considered as important hosts. At Ukiriguru (Tanzania) batches of eggs were laid by caged pairs and averaged 28 eggs (24–36) per batch. Odontopus exsanguis (Gerstäcker 1892) Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Zanzibar Distribution: Tanzania; Zanzibar. Synonyms: Odontopus schoutedeni Bergroth 1903 Measurements: average length, male 13.8 mm (15), female 15.8 mm (16) Cenaeus exsanguis Gerstäcker 1892 Gerstäcker 1892:50 description Odontopus schoutedeni Bergroth 1903 Bergroth 1903: 290 description (syn. Distant 1919) Odontopus schoutedeni Berg. Bergroth 1906: 371 Cenaeus exsanguis Gerst. Bergroth 1913a: 169 Odontopus confusus Distant Distant 1919: 219 Odontopus exsanguis (Gerstäcker) Hussey 1929: 53 Odontopus exsanguis Gerstäcker Schmidt 1932: 249 Most specimens are recorded as having been collected on Sterculia sp. Odontopus modestus Distant 1902 Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Kenya Distribution: Ethiopia; Kenya; Somalia Measurements: average length, male 15.7 mm (14), female 19.0 mm (20) Odontopus modestus Distant 1902 Distant 1902b: 38 description Odontopus modestus Dist. Bergroth 1903: 291 Odontopus modestus Dist. Schouteden 1905: 1 Odontopus modestus Dist. Bergroth 1913a: 170 Odontopus modestus Distant Hussey 1929: 53 Probergrothius modestus (Distant 1902 ) Linnavuori 1986: 109 Odontopus notabilis Distant 1902 Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Uganda Distribution: Angola; Burundi; Democratic Republic of Congo; Uganda; Tanzania Synonyms: Odontopus aulmanni Aulmann 1912 Measurements: average length, male 16.2 mm (6), female 19.1 mm (6) Odontopus notalilis Distant 1902 Distant 1902a: 42 description, illustration Odontopus notabilis Distant Bergroth 1903: 291 description Odontopus aulmanni Schumacher Schumacher 1912: 121 description, illustration, (syn. Bergroth 1913 ) Odontopus notabilis Dist. Bergroth 1913a: 170 Odontopus notabilis Distant Hussey 1929: 54 Odontopus notabilis Dist. Blöte 1931: 108 Odontopus notabilis Distant Goursat 1931b: 266 description, illustration Odontopus notabilis Distant Schmidt 1932: 249 Odontopus notabilis Distant 1902 var. kambovensis Goursat 1931 This variety of O. notabilis was described by Goursat 1931 from a specimen originating in Kambove (Democratic Republic of Congo, Shaba). The main difference between it and the nominate form is that it lacks the distinct rounded black spot at the apex of the corium. This variety is well represented in the National Museums of Kenya collection and the specimens come from two of the same localities in western Tanzania as did the nominate species, obviously part of the same collections. Measurements: average length, male 16.7 mm (8), female 21.0 mm (5) Odontopus obscurellus Blöte 1933 Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Zimbabwe Distribution: Zimbabwe Measurements : length of male 10.5 mm (ex. Lit.) Odontopus obscurellus Blöte 1933 Blöte 1933b: 592. description Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte 1832 Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Senegal Distribution: Angola; Burkino Fassa; Chad; Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Mozambique; Namibia; Nigeria; Rwanda; Senegal; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Sudan; Tanzania Measurements: Red form, average length, male 15.1 mm (5), female 18.7 mm (6). Black form, average length, male 17.3 mm (2), female 16.9 mm (5) Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte 1832 Laporte 1832: 37 description, illustration Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap. Spinola 1837: 178 Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap. Amyot and Serville 1843: 271 description Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap. Guerin-Meneville 1849: 341 illustration Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap. Herrich-Schaffer 1850: 178 Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte Schaum 1862: 44 Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap. Stål 1863: 392 Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap. Stål 1866 : 6 description Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap. Stål 1870: 109 Odontopus sexpunctatus de Lap. Walker 1872: 175 Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap. Bergroth 1893: 126 Odontopus sexpunctatus de Castelnau Lethierry and Severin 1894: 246 Odontopus sexpunctatus (Lap.) Distant 1900: 48 Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap. Bergroth 1913b: 239 Probergrothius sexpunctatus de Castelnau Hesse 1925: 86 Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte Hussey 1929: 55 Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap. Blöte 1931: 108 Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte Schmidt 1932: 248 Odontopus sexpunctatus Castelnau Villiers 1950a: 323 Odontopus sexpunctatus Lap. Risbec 1951: 248 Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte Schouteden 1957: 263 Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte Villiers 1967: 372 Odontopus sexpunctatus (Lp.) Linnavuori 1978: 7 Probergrothius sexpunctatus (Laporte de Castelnau) Linnavuori 1988: 16 This species is very widespread in the Ethiopian Region. There are two distinct forms, one with a blackish appearance, the other being reddish, although in both the spots on the corium are black. The reddish form is the one originally described by Laporte de Castelnau in 1832, from Senegal, and his illustration (Plate IX, Figs. 5 and 5a) shows two separate spots near the base of each corium; in this form the anterior area of the pronotum is red. It is also illustrated by Stehlik 1966b (Plates III and IV). The other form, illustrated in Guerin-Meneville (1847–51, Plate 6, Fig. 6) and referred to in the caption as Astemma percheroni, shows the two basal spots on the corium coalesced into a single transverse spot, retaining the single spot near the apex of the corium. In this form the anterior area of the pronotum is black. The NMK collection has specimens of the black form from Kenya, Sudan and Uganda and the red form from Tanzania. Odontopus somaliensis Goursat 1931 Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Somalia Distribution: Somalia Measurements: male, length 15 mm, width 6 mm; female, length 18 mm, width 7 mm (ex. Lit.) Odontopus somaliensis Goursat 1931 Goursat 1931a: 167 description Odontopus somaliensis Goursat Mancini 1954: 166 Antilochus violaceus Carlini 1982 Type depository: Natural History Museum, Genoa Country of origin of type: Somalia Distribution: Somalia Measurements: length 16 mm; width 6 mm (ex. Lit.) Antilochus violaceus Carlini 1982 Carlini 1892: 532 description Antilochus violaceus Carlini Lethierry & Severin 1894: 243 Antilochus violaceus Carlini Hussey 1929: 41 SERICOCORIS Karsch 1892 This genus, first described by Karsch (1892) and based on hairy insects collected in Cameroon, was revised by Stehlik in 1965. Stehlik's treatment of the genus concentrated on the use of the details of the male and female genitalia to determine species and this represented a major advance in the knowledge of the taxonomy of the superfamily. Hussey 1929 listed only two species in the genus, but following Stehlik 1965a the number now stands at fourteen. Only one of these is a new species, Sericocoris obuduanus Linnavuori 1988. The rest have been transferred, by Stehlik 1965a, from other genera on the basis of detailed study of the genitalia. The genus is confined to the Ethiopian Region and the species are mostly rare in collections. Little is recorded in the published literature about the ecology of the species, although from the distribution and localities in which they have been found, they are most likely to be associated with forest habitats. Five of the fourteen species in the genus have been recorded as occurring in Eastern Africa, including Rwanda; the rest are West African, with Democratic Republic of Congo being the most easterly country. In a large genus such as this, when many species are not available for study, the older written published descriptions have been found to be inadequate. The problem is mainly that authors have not followed a standard pattern of description and one is often left wondering about what has been left out. This lack is emphasized by the detailed and well illustrated paper of Stehlik 1965a. Type species: Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch 1892. Quoted as a monotype by Hussey 1929 Country of origin of type species: Cameroon Type depository: not known Synonyms: Hathor Kirkaldy and Edwards 1902 Sericocoris Karsch 1892 Karsch 1892: 132 Sericocoris Karsch Lethierry and Severin 1894: 245 Sericocoris Karsch Karsch 1894: 106 Hathor Kirkaldy & Edwards 1902 Kirkaldy and Edwards 1902: 168 (syn. Bergroth 1912 ) Sericocoris Karsch Bergroth 1912 : 316 Sericocoris Karsch Bergroth 1913a: 169 Sericocoris Karsch Distant 1919: 220 Sericocoris Karsch Hussey 1929: 50 Sericocoris Karsch Schmidt 1932: 245 Sericocoris Karsch Stehlik 1965a: 220 Stehlik divided the genus into three subgenera depending on the degree of hairiness of the species: Sericocoris , hairy Sericocoriopsis , dorsal surface of the body almost hairless, but some pubescence on the ventral surface. This character seems quite variable. Pseudocenaeus , hairless. This subgenus contains species that are smaller and more slender than the two subgenera noted above. Sericocoris (Sericocoris) acromelanthes Karsch 1892 Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Cameroon Distribution: Cameroon; Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Guinea; Ivory Coast; Togo; Uganda Synonyms: Hathor zoraida Kirkaldy & Edwards 1902, Sericocoris cosmohymen Strand 1910 Measurements: average length, male 10.2 mm (2), female 13.2 mm (2) Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch 1892 Karsch 1892: 133 illustration Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Lethierry and Severin 1894: 245 Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Karsch 1894: 106 Hathor zoraida Kirkaldy & Edwards 1902 Kirkaldy and Edwards 1902: 168 illustration, (syn. Bergroth 1913 ) Sericocoris cosmohymen Strand 1910 Strand 1910: 151 illustration, (syn. Bergroth 1913 ) Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Schumacher 1912: 319 Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Bergroth 1913a: 169 Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Hussey 1929: 50 Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Blöte 1931: 108 Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Schmidt 1932: 245 Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Villiers 1950b: 640 illustration Var. unifasciata Villiers 1950 Var. nigrithorax Villiers 1950> Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Villiers 1953: 298 Sericocoris (Sericocoris) acromelanthes Karsch Stehlik 1965a: 222 illustration Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Villiers 1967: 371 Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Linnavuori 1988: 13 Sericocoris (Sericocoris) cuneatus Villiers 1951 Type depository: Paris, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle Country of origin of type: Congo (Brazzaville) Distribution: Congo (Brazzaville) Measurements: length 12 mm (ex. Lit.) Sericocoris cuneatus Villiers 1951 Villiers 1951: 145 description, illustration Sericocoris (Sericocoris) cuneatus Villiers Stehlik 1965a: 222 illustration Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) johnstoni (Distant 1902 ) Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Uganda Distribution: Nigeria; Rwanda; Uganda Synonyms: Sericocoris acromelanthes Haglund 1895, Sericocoris acromelanthes var. nigricornis Schouteden 1957 Measurements: average length, female 13.2 mm (3) Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Haglund 1895: 464 description Sericocoris johnstoni Distant 1902 Distant 1902a: 43 description Sericocoris acromelanthes Karsch Schouteden 1957: 262 description Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) johnstoni Distant Stehlik 1965a: 223 illustration Sericocoris johnstoni Distant Linnavuori 1988: 13 Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) dispar (Schouteden 1957) Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Rwanda Distribution: Rwanda Measurements: length, 10 mm (ex. Lit.) Cenaeus dispar Schouteden 1957 Schouteden 1957: 265 description Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) dispar (Schouteden) Stehlik 1965a: 223 illustration Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) sanguinolentus (Haglund 1895) Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum Country of origin of type: Cameroon Distribution: Cameroon Synonyms: Sericocoris sanguineus Villiers 1951 Measurements : length 8.5 - 11 mm, width 3 - 4 mm (ex. Lit.) Cenaeus sanguinolentus Haglund 1895 Haglund 1895: 465 Cenaeus sanguinolentus Hagl. Schumacher 1912: 319 Cenaeus sanguinolentus Hagl. Bergroth 1913a: 171 Cenaeus sanguinolentus Haglund Hussey 1929: 67 Sericocoris sanguineus Villiers 1951 Villiers 1951: 146 illustration (syn. Stehlik 1965) Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) sanguinolentus (Haglund) Stehlik 1965a: 146 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) nigriceps (Stål 1855) Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum Country of origin of type: South Africa Distribution: Kenya; Rwanda; Soth Africa; Sudan; Tanzania Synonyms: Dindymus natalensis Distant 1902 , Cenaeus kilimanus Schouteden 1910, Cenaeus usambarae Schouteden 1910, Cenaeus ornatus Villiers 1951 Measurements: average length 8.75 - 12 mm, width 4.5 mm (ex. Lit.) Pyrrhocoris nigriceps Stål 1855 Stål 1855a: 35 Cenaeus nigriceps Stål Stål 1861: 196 Odontopus nigriceps Stål Stål 1866: 7 Dindymus nigriceps Stål Stål 1870: 113 Odontopus nigriceps Stål Walker 1872: 175 Dindymus nigriceps Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 247 Dindymus natalensis Distant 1902 Distant 1902b: 40 (syn. Stehlik 1965) Cenaeus kilimanus Schouteden 1910 Schouteden 1910: 152 (syn. Stehlik 1965) Cenaeus usambarae Schouteden 1910 Schouteden 1910: 152 (syn. Stehlik 1965) Dindymus natalensis Dist. Bergroth 1913a: 170 Dindymus nigriceps (Stål) Hussey 1929: 60 Cenaeus kilimanus Schouteden Hussey 1929: 67 Cenaeus usambarae Schouteden Hussey 1929: 68 Cenaeus ornatus Villiers 1951 Villiers 1951: 143 illustration (syn. Stehlik 1965) Cenaeus kilimanus Schouteden Schouteden 1957: 264 Cenaeus usambarae Schouteden Schouteden 1957: 264 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) nigriceps (Stål) Stehlik 1965a: 223 illustration Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) luridus (Reuter 1882) Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Ghana Distribution: Cameroon; Central African Republic; Democratic Republic of Congo; Ghana; Guinea; Ivory Coast; Nigeria; Sudan; Uganda Synonyms: Cenaeus gowdeyi Bergroth 1912 , Cenaeus ochraceus Blöte 1932 Measurements: average length, male 9.2 mm (1), female 11.8 mm (8) Cenaeus luridus Reuter 1882 Reuter 1882: 28 Cenaeus luridus Reuter Lethierry and Severin 1894: 248 Cenaeus gowdeyi Bergroth 1912 Bergroth 1912b: 194 (syn. Stehlik 1965) Cenaeus gowdeyi Bergroth Bergroth 1913a: 171 Cenaeus gowdeyi Berg. Bergroth 1926: 12 Cenaeus gowdeyi Bergroth Hussey 1929: 66 Cenaeus luridus Reuter Hussey 1929: 67 Cenaeus ochraceus Blöte 1933 Blöte 1933a: 2 (syn. Stehlik 1965) Cenaeus luridus Reuter Villiers 1953: 298 Cenaeus ochraceus Blöte Villiers 1953: 29 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) luridus (Reuter) Stehlik 1965a: 224 illustration Sericocoris luridus R. Linnavuori 1978: 8 Sericocoris luridus Reuter Linnavuori 1988: 13 Sericocoris gowdeyi Bergroth Linnavuori 1988: 13 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) distinguendus (Blöte 1933 ) Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Ghana Distribution: Ghana; Ivory Coast; Nigeria; Uganda Measurements: average length, male 8.8 mm (1), female 11.7 mm (2) Cenaeus distinguendus Blöte 1933 Blöte 1933b: 594 description Cenaeus distinguendus Blöte Villiers 1953: 299 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) distinguendus (Blöte) Stehlik 1965a: 224 Sericocoris distinguendus (Blöte) Linnavuori 1988: 13 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) obscuratus (Blöte 1933 ) Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Sierra Leone Distribution: Sierra Leone Measurements: length 10.75 mm (ex. Lit.) Cenaeus obscuratus Blöte 1933 Blöte 1933b: 593 description Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) obscuratus (Blöte) Stehlik 1965a: 225 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) roseus (Villiers 1951) Type depository: Paris, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle Country of origin of type: Guinea Distribution: Guinea Measurements: length of male 11 mm (ex. Lit.) Cenaeus roseus Villiers 1951 Villiers 1951: 141 description Cenaeus roseus Villiers Villiers 1953: 298 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) roseus (Villiers) Stehlik 1965a: 225 illustration Sericocoris roseus (Villiers) Linnavuori 1988: 14 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) montanus (Villiers 1951) Type depository: Paris, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle Country of origin of type: Ivory Coast Distribution: Ivory Coast Measurements: average length of female 13 - 14 mm (ex. Lit.) Cenaeus montanus Villiers 1951 Villiers 1951: 142 description Cenaeus montanus Villiers Villiers 1953: 298 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) montanus (Villiers) Stehlik 1965a: 225 Sericocoris montanus (Villiers) Linnavuori 1988: 13 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) plebejus (Haglund 1895) Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum Country of origin of type: Cameroon Distribution: Cameroon Measurements: length 11 mm, width 3.5 mm, female (ex. Lit.) Cenaeus plebejus Haglund 1895 Haglund 1895: 466 description Cenaeus plebejus Hagl. Bergroth 1913a: 171 Cenaeus plebejus Haglund Hussey 1929: 67 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) plebejus (Haglund) Stehlik 1965a: 225 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) apicicornis (Fairmaire 1858) Type depository: Paris, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle Country of origin of type: Gabon Distribution: Cameroon; Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Gabon; Guinea; Uganda Measurements: average length of female 13.5 mm (2) Odontopus apicicornis Fairmaire 1858 Fairmaire 1858: 307 Cenaeus apicicornis Fairm. Stål 1863: 404 Cenaeus apicicornis Fairm. Stål 1866: 9 Cenaeus apicicornis Fairm. Stål 1870: 113 Pyrrhocoris apicicornis Fairm. Walker 1872: 170 Cenaeus apicicornis (Fairm.) Karsch 1894: 106 Cenaeus apicicornis Fairmaire Lethierry and Severin 1894: 248 Cenaeus apicicornis Fairm. Haglund 1895: 465 Cenaeus apicicornis (Fairmaire) Hussey 1929: 65 Cenaeus apicicornis Fairm. Blöte 1931: 115 Cenaeus apicicornis Fairmaire Schmidt 1932: 255 Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) apicicornis (Fairmaire) Stehlik 1965a: 225 Cenaeus apicicornis (Fairmaire) Villiers 1967: 373 Specimens in the NMK collection extend the range of the species to DRC and Uganda, but maintain its West African affinities. Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) obuduanus Linnavuori 1988 Type depository: in collection, of R. Linnavuori, Raisio, Finland Country of origin of type: Nigeria Distribution: Nigeria Measurements: length of male 14.5 mm, female 15.5–16.5 mm (ex. Lit.) Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) obuduanus Linnavuori 1988 Linnavuori 1988: 14 illustration MYRMOPLASTA Gerstäcker 1892 The species in this genus are ant-like. In this they differ from all the other genera of the Ethiopian Pyrrhocoroidea. All the species have a short rounded abdomen, which is strongly rounded below and with the upper surface rounded to some extent, with the thorax extended and restricted giving the appearance of a petiole. The genus is restricted to Eastern Africa, the most westerly record being in Democratic Republic of Congo. Type species: Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker 1892 Country of origin of type species: Tanzania Type depository: not known Illustrations: see Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker 1892, Myrmoplasta potteri Martin 1900 Myrmoplasta Gerstäcker 1892 Gerstäcker 1892: 51 description Myrmoplasta Gerstäcker Lethierry and Severin 1894: 242, 250 Myrmoplasta Gerstäcker Martin 1900: 20 Myrmoplasta Gerstäcker Hussey 1929: 70 Myrmoplasta Gerstäcker Schmidt 1932: 257 Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker 1892 Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Tanzania Measurements: average length, male 7.5 mm (1), female 10.3 mm (3) Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker 1892 Gerstäcker 1892: 51 description, illustration Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker Lethierry and Severin 1894: 242, 250 Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker Hussey 1929: 70 Myrmoplasta mira Gerstäcker Schmidt 1932: 257 Myrmoplasta mira Gerst. Schouteden 1957: 266 Myrmoplasta potteri Martin 1900 Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Ethiopia Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Kenya; Rwanda; Tanzania; Uganda Measurements: average length, male 6.2 mm (6), female 7.8 mm (16) Myrmoplasta potteri Martin 1900 Martin 1900: 20 description Myrmoplasta potteri Mart. Distant 1909: 79 Myrmoplasta potteri Mart. Bergroth 1913 : 167 Myrmoplasta potteri Martin Courteaux 1922: 285 description, illustration Myrmoplasta potteri Martin Hussey 1929: 70 Myrmoplasta potteri Mart. Blöte 1931: 115 Myrmoplasta potteri Martin Izzard 1950: 192 description, illustration Myrmoplasta potteri Martin Schouteden 1957: 266 Myrmoplasta potteri Mart. Linnavuori 1978: 8 This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, the abdomen of the male being mostly black, while that of the female is striped black and yellow. The species is probably synonymous with M. vittiventris (see below). It is also recorded that the species may be brachypterous, the most common condition, or macropterous. Myrmoplasta vittiventris Carlini 1894 Type depository: Genoa Museum Country of origin of type: Uganda Distribution: Uganda Measurements: length 8 mm, width 3.5 mm (female) (ex. Lit.) Myrmoplasta vittiventris Carlini 1894 Carlini 1894: 471 description Myrmoplasta vittiventris Carl. Bergroth 1913a: 167 Myrmoplasta vittiventris Carlini Hussey 1929: 70 Carlini described the species from a single female specimen. Comparing the texts of Carlini (1894) and Martin (1900) indicates that Myrmoplasta vittiventris Carlini 1894 and Myrmoplasta potteri Martin 1900 are one species although this cannot be resolved without examination of the type specimens. This, if correct, would then give Myrmoplasta vittiventris Carlini 1894 the priority. SIANGO Blöte 1933 Type species: Siango variegata Blöte 1933 Country of origin of type species: Uganda Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Illustrations: in Siango variegata Blöte 1933 Siango Blöte 1933 Blöte 1933b: 596 The genus is confined to Eastern Africa. Siango variegata Blöte 1933 Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Uganda Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Kenya; Uganda Measurements: average length, male 10.1 mm (2), female 10.5 mm (1) Siango variegata Blöte 1933 Blöte 1933b: 597 description, illustration Siango blötei Schouteden 1933 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo Measurements: length of male 8 mm, length of female 10.5–11 mm (ex. Lit.) Siango Blötei Schouteden 1933 Schouteden 1933: 338 description GROMIERUS Villiers 1951 Type species: Gromierus rufipes Villiers 1951 Country of origin of type species: Cameroon Type depository: Paris, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle Illustrations: In Gromierus rufipes Villiers 1951 Gromerius Villiers 1951 Villiers 1951: 143 description Gromierus Villiers Stehlik 1979: 177 description, key Gromierus rufipes Villiers 1951 Type depository: Paris, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle Country of origin of type: Cameroon Distribution: Cameroon; Democratic Republic of Congo; Rwanda Measurements: length 15.5 mm. There are also detailed measurements in Stehlik 1979. Gromerius ruficeps Villiers 1951 Villiers 1951: 144 description, illustration Gromerius ruficeps Villiers Schouteden 1957; 263 Gromierus ruficeps Villiers Stehlik 1979: 186 description, illustration Gromierus schmitzi Stehlik 1979 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo Illustrations: in Stehlik 1979 Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1979. Gromierus schmitzi Stehlik 1979 Stehlik 1979: 187 description, illustration Gromierus fumatus Stehlik 1979 Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Uganda (E. Ruwenzori) Distribution: Uganda Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1979. Gromierus schmitzi Stehlik 1979 Stehlik 1979: 190 description, illustration Gromierus dollingi Stehlik 1979 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1979. Gromierus dollingi Stehlik 1979 Stehlik 1979: 192 description, illustration Gromierus minor Stehlik 1979 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1979. Gromierus minor Stehlik 1979 Stehlik 1979: 194 description, illustration SICNATUS Villiers and Dekeyser 1951 Type species: Sicnatus leyei Villiers and Dekeyser 1951 Country of origin of type species: Senegal Type depository: Dakar, L'Institut Francais de l'Afrique Noire Illustrations: see Sicnatus leyei Villiers and Dekeyser 1951 Sicnatus Villiers & Dekeyser 1951 Villiers and Dekeyser 1951: 19 description Sicnatus Villiers & Dekeyser Stehlik 1965a: 235 Sicnatus leyei Villiers and Dekeyser 1951 Type depository: Dakar, L'Institut Francais de l'Afrique Noire Country of origin of type: Senegal Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Senegal Measurements: length 8 mm (ex. Lit.) Sicnatus leyei Villiers & Dekeyser 1951 Villiers and Dekeyser 1951: 19 description, illustration Sicnatus leyei Villiers Villiers 1953: 299 Sicnatus leyei Villiers & Dekeyser Schouteden 1957: 264 Sicnatus leyei Villiers Linnavuori 1988: 17 NEOINDRA Stehlik 1965 Type species: Neoindra basilewskyi Stehlik 1965 Country of origin of type species: Tanzania Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Illustrations: see Neoindra basilewskyi Stehlik 1965 Neoindra Stehlik 1965 Stehlik 1965a: 237 description Neoindra basilewskyi Stehlik 1965 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Tanzania Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1965. Neoindra basilewskyi Stehlik 1965 Stehlik 1965a: 240 description, illustration SCHMITZIANA Stehlik 1977 The genus has three species, all of which are very rare, and is distributed very widely. The type species, Schmitziana pilosa Stehlik 1977 comes from South Africa (Transvaal) and is only known in a brachypterous form. Schmitziana polymorpha Stehlik 1977 comes from Democratic Republic of Congo (Upemba N.P.) and is known in both brachypterous and macropterous forms. Schmitziana grandis (Stehlik 1965) comes from Tanzania (Usambara Mtns., Mombo). Only the holotype is known and it is macropterous. Type species: Schmitziana pilosa Stehlik 1977 Country of origin of type species: South Africa (Transvaal) Type depository: In the collection of J.A. Slater, Storrs, Connecticutt, USA. Schmitziana Stehlik 1977 Stehlik 1977: 133 description, illustration, key Schmitziana pilosa Stehlik 1977 Type depository: In the collection of J.A. Slater, Storrs, Connecticutt, USA. Country of origin of type: South Africa (Transvaal) Distribution: South Africa Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1977. Schmitziana pilosa Stehlik 1977 Stehlik 1977: 137 description, illustration Schmitziana polymorpha Stehlik 1977 Type depository: Brussels, Institute royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1977. Schmitziana polymorpha Stehlik 1977 Stehlik 1977: 139 description, illustration Schmitziana grandis (Stehlik 1965) Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Tanzania Synonyms: Sicnatus grandis Stehlik 1965 Illustrations: In Stehlik 1965, Plate VIII; In Stehlik 1977 Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1977 Sicnatus grandis Stehlik 1965 Stehlik 1965a: 236 description, illustration Schmitziana grandis (Stehlik) Stehlik 1977: 141 description, illustration NEODINDYMUS Stehlik 1965 Hussey in 1929 listed 47 species in the genus Dindymus. Only five of these came from the Ethiopian Region, the others being either Asian or Australasian. In 1965, Stehlik re-examined the genus and decided that the African species were not congeneric with the rest, and he created the new genus Neodindymus Stehlik 1965 to contain them. At present the genus is considered to contain thirteen species in the Ethiopian Region, eight of which have been recorded from Eastern Africa. The NMK collection contains at least one, and probably two, species that do not correspond to published descriptions. Type species: Neodindymus basilewskyi (Schouteden 1957). Designated by Stehlik 1965 Country of origin of type species: Democratic Republic of Congo Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Synonyms: Dindymus Stål 1861 Illustration: many illustrations, see under individual species Dindymus Stål 1861 Stål 1861: 196 description (syn. Stehlik 1965) Dindymus Stål Stål 1870: 103 description Dindymus Stål Lethierry and Severin: 246 Dindymus Stål Breddin 1901: 175 Dindymus Stål Distant 1903: 110 Dindymus Stål Distant 1914b: 342 Dindymus Stål Taeuber 1927: 185 Dindymus Stål Hussey 1929: 56 Dindymus Stål Freeman 1947: 383 description Neodindymus Stehlik 1965 Stehlik 1965a: 225 description Neodindymus acutus Stehlik 1965 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Tanzania Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1965 Neodindymus acutus Stehlik 1965 Stehlik 1965a: 228 description, illustration Neodindymus antennatus (Distant 1881) Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Nigeria Distribution: Guinea; Nigeria Measurements: length 12 mm (ex. Lit.) Dysdercus antennatus Distant 1881 Distant 1881: 275 description, illustration Dysdercus antennatus Distant Lethierry and Severin 1894: 252 Dysdercus antennatus Dist. Bergroth 1920: 4 Dysdercus antennatus Distant Hussey 1929: 86 Dindymus antennatus Distant Blöte 1931: 117 Neodindymus antennatus Stehlik 1965 Stehlik 1965a: 228 Neodindymus antennatus (Distant) Linnavuori 1988: 16 Neodindymus basilewskyi (Schouteden 1957) Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo Distribution: Tanzania; Democratic Republic of Congo Measurements: average length of male 11.6 mm (7), of female 13.2 mm (7) Dindymus basilewskyi Schouteden 1957 Schouteden 1957: 264 description Neodindymus basilewskyi (Schouteden) Stehlik 1965a: 227 illustration Neodindymus bipustulatus (Stål 1874) Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum Country of origin of type: Zanzibar Distribution: Tanzania; Zanzibar Synonyms: Dindymus maculipennis Villiers 1951 Measurements: average length of male 11.3 mm (25), of female 13.7 mm (20) Dindymus bipustulatus Stål 1874 Stål 1874: 168 description Dindymus bipustulatus Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 246 Dindymus bipustulatus Stål Hussey 1929: 57 Dindymus maculipennis Villiers 1951 Villiers 1951: 144 description, illustration, (syn. Stehlik 1965) Neodindymus bipustulatus (Stål) Stehlik 1965a: 228 All the specimens in the NMK collection were collected at a UV light trap in eastern Tanzania, just inland from Tanga. The only previous records have been from Zanzibar, so the species seems to be restricted to the coastal areas of northern Tanzania. Neodindymus brunneus Stehlik 1965 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Tanzania Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1965. Neodindymus brunneus Stehlik 1965 Stehlik 1965a: 232 description, illustration Neodindymus flavipes (Signoret 1858) Type depository: Vienna, Naturhistorische Museum Country of origin of type: Gabon Distribution: Congo (Brazzaville); Gabon; Guinea; Ivory Coast; Nigeria Synonyms: Dysdercus nigrotarsus Signoret 1858 Measurements: length 7–12 mm, width 4–4.5 mm (ex. Lit.) Dysdercus flavipes Signoret 1858 Signoret 1858: 308 description Dysdercus nigrotarsus Signoret 1858 Signoret 1858: 308 (syn. Stål 1863) Dysdercus flavipes Sign. Stål 1863: 403 description Odontopus flavipes Sign. Stål 1866: 7 description Dindymus flavipes Sign. Stål 1870: 113 Odontopus flavipes Sign. Walker 1872: 175 Dindymus flavipes Sign. Signoret 1886: 27 Dindymus flavipes Signoret Lethierry and Severin 1894: 247 Sericocoris flavipes (Sign.) Distant 1919: 220 Dindymus flavipes (Signoret) Hussey 1929: 59 Dindymus flavipes Sign. Sauvaut 1949: 154 description, illustration Dindymus flavipes Signoret Villiers 1953: 298 Neodindymus flavipes (Signoret) Stehlik 1965a: 227 illustration Neodindymus flavipes (Signoret) Villiers 1967: 373 Neodindymus flavipes (Signoret) Linnavuori 1988: 15 Neodindymus leleupi Stehlik 1965 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Tanzania Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1965. There are four specimens in the NMK collection, all from the Usambara mountains in Tanzania. The type locality is in the Uluguru Mountains, about 200 km to the south. Neodindymus leleupi Stehlik 1965 Stehlik 1965a: 230 description, illustration Neodindymus migratorius (Distant 1903) Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Malawi Distribution: Benin; Congo (Brazzaville); Guinea; Ivory Coast; Kenya; Malawi; Tanzania; Uganda Synonyms: Cenaeus argillosus Bergroth 1912 Measurements: average length, male 10.8 mm (5), female 11.3 mm (17) Dysdercus migratorius Distant 1903 Distant 1903: 120 description Dysdercus migratorius Dist. Schouteden 1912: 304 description Cenaeus argillosus Bergroth 1912 Bergroth 1912a: 315 description (syn stehlik 1965) Cenaeus argillosus Bergr. Bergroth 1913a: 171 Dysdercus migratorius Dist. Bergroth 1913a: 173 Cenaeus argillosus Bergroth Hussey 1929: 66 Dysdercus migratorius Distant Hussey 1929: 95 Neodindymus migratorius (Distant) Stehlik 1965a: 228 description, illustration Neodindymus migratorius (Distant) Villiers 1967: 372 Neodindymus migratorius (Distant) Linnavuori 1988: 15 Neodindymus relatus (Distant 1902 ) Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Tanzania Measurements: length 12 mm (ex. Lit.) Dindymus relatus Distant 1902 Distant 1902b: 40 description Dindymus relatus Dist. Bergroth 1913a: 171 Dindymus relatus Distant Hussey 1929: 61 Neodindymus relatus Distant Stehlik 1965a: 228 Neodindymus schoutedeni Stehlik 1965 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Kenya Distribution: Kenya Measurements: Detailed measurements and also a comparison of the measurements of several related species are given in Stehlik 1965. Neodindymus schoutedeni Stehlik 1965 Stehlik 1965a: 233 description, illustration Neodindymus sjostedti (Schouteden 1910) Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Kenya; Rwanda; Tanzania Measurements: average length of male 10.8 mm (2), of female 13.4 mm (3) Cenaeus sjostedti Schouteden 1910 Schouteden 1910: 152 description Cenaeus sjostedti Schout. Bergroth 1913a: 171 Cenaeus sjostedti Schouteden Hussey 1929: 68 Cenaeus sjostedti Schouteden Schouteden 1957: 265 Neodindymus sjostedti (Schouteden) Stehlik 1965a: 228 illustration Neodindymus tenebrosus (Blöte 1933 ) Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Tanzania Measurements: length of male 12.5 mm (ex. lit.) Dindymus tenebrosus Blöte 1933 Blöte 1933b: 593 Dindymus tenebrosus (Blöte) Stehlik 1965a: 228 Neodindymus elegans Linnavuori 1988 Type depository: In the collection of R.E. Linnavuori, Raisio, Finland Country of origin of type: Nigeria Distribution: Nigeria Illustrations: in Linnavuori 1988 Measurements: length 14.5 mm (ex. Lit.) Neodindymus elegans Linnavuori 1988 Linnavuori 1988: 15 CENAEUS Stål 186 Type species: Cenaeus carnifex (Fabricius 1775). Designated as lagotype by Hussey 1929 Country of origin of type species: South Africa Type depository: not known Synonyms: Obstetrixella Schmidt 1932 Illustrations: see Cenaeus abortivus Gerstäcker 1873; Cenaeus basilewskyi Stehlik 1965; Cenaeus carnifex (Fabricius 1775); Cenaeus semiflavus Distant 1902 Cenaeus Stål 1861 Stål 1861: 196 description Cenaeus Stål Stål 1866: 3 description Cenaeus Stål Stål 1870: 102 Cenaeus Stål Walker 1872: 164 Cenaeus Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 248 Cenaeus Stål Hussey 1929: 65 Cenaeus Stål Schmidt 1932: 254 Obstetrixella Schmidt 1932 Schmidt 1932: 256 (syn. Stehlik 1965) Cenaeus Stål Stehlik 1965a: 216. description Cenaeus abortivus Gerstäcker 1873. Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Kenya Distribution: Ethiopia; Kenya; Rwanda; Tanzania Synonyms: Obstetrixella abortiva Schmidt 1932 Measurements: average length, male 7.8 mm (4), female 8.8 mm (12) Cenaeus abortivus Gerstäcker 1873 Gerstäcker 1873: 413 description, illustration Cenaeus abortivus Gerstäcker Lethierry and Severin 1894: 248 Cenaeus abortivus Gerstaecker Schouteden 1910: 152 Cenaeus abortivus Gerstäcker Hussey 1929: 65 Cenaeus abortivus Gerstäcker Schmidt 1932: 255 description Obstetrixella abortivus Gerstäcker Schouteden 1957: 266 Cenaeus abortivus Gerst. Mancini 1961: 31 Cenaeus abortivus Gerstäcker Stehlik 1965a: 218 Cenaeus annulifer Bergroth 1912 Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Guinea Distribution: Congo(Brazzaville); Guinea; Ivory Coast Measurements: length 12 mm (female). (ex. Lit.) Cenaeus annulifer Bergroth 1912 Bergroth 1912a: 314 description Cenaeus annulifer Bergroth Bergroth 1913a: 171 Cenaeus annulifer Bergroth Hussey 1929: 65 Cenaeus annulifer Bergroth Stehlik 1965a: 225 Cenaeus annulifer Bergroth Villiers 1967: 373 Cenaeus basilewskyi Stehlik 1965 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Sudan; Tanzania Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1965. Cenaeus basilewskyi Stehlik 1965 Stehlik 1965a: 218 description, illustration Cenaeus basilewskyi Stlk. Linnavuori 1978: 8 Cenaeus bifasciatus Haglund 1895 Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum Country of origin of type: Cameroon Distribution: Cameroon; Congo (Brazzaville); Fernando Poo; Gabon Measurements : length 12 mm; width 4.5 mm. (Female). (ex. Lit.) Cenaeus bifasciatus Haglund 1895 Haglund 1895: 465 description Cenaeus bifasciatus Haglund Bergroth 1913a: 171 Cenaeus bifasciatus Haglund Hussey 1929: 66 Cenaeus bifasciatus Haglund Schmidt 1932: 255 Cenaeus bifasciatus Hagl. Stehlik 1965a: 225 Cenaeus bifasciatus Haglund Villiers 1967: 373 Cenaeus carnifex (Fabricius 1775) Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: South Africa Distribution: South Africa (other countries in the literature are stated by Hussey 1929 to be in error) Synonyms: Cimex capensis-ruber De Geer 1778, Lygaeus immaculatus Thunberg 1822, Pyrrhocoris scutellaris Hahn 1834, Pyrrhocoris sanguineus Fieber 1861 Measurements : length 7.5–10 mm, width 4 mm (ex. lit.) Cimex carnifex Fabricius 1775 Fabricius 1775: 721 description Cimex carnifex Fabric. Goeze 1778: 258 Cimex capensis ruber De Geer 1778: 619 description, illustration, (syn. Burmeister 1835) Cimex carnifex Fabricius 1781: 366 Cimex capensis ruber Retzius 1783: 85 Cimex carnifex Fabricius 1787: 301 Cimex carnifex Gmelin 1788: 2174 Cimex carnifex Fabricius 1794: 160 Lygaeus carnifex Fabr. Fabricius 1803: 226 Lygaeus carnifex Fabric. Thunberg 1822: 1 description Lygaeus immaculatus Thunberg 1822 Thunberg 1822: 1 (syn. Stål 1855 ) Pyrrhocoris scutellaris Hahn 1834 Hahn 1834: 118 description (syn. Blanchard 1840) Pyrrhocoris carnifex Fabr. Burmeister 1835: 286 Astemma carnifex Blanchard 1840 Blanchard 1840: 129 description Dysdercus carnifex Herrich-Schaffer 1850: 177 Lygaeus immaculatus Thunberg Stål 1855> : 347 Dysdercus carnifex Fab. Uhler 1861: 229 Pyrrhocoris sanguineus Fieber 1861 Fieber 1861: 162 description (syn. Stål 1870) Pyrrhocoris carnifex F. Stål 1861: 196 Cenaeus carnifex Fabr. Stål 1866: 9 description Cenaeus carnifex Fabr. Stål 1866: 255 Cenaeus carnifex Fabr. Mayr 1868: 134 Cenaeus carnifex Fabr. Stål 1870: 114 Pyrrhocoris carnifex Fabr. Walker 1872: 168 Cenaeus carnifex Fabricius Lethierry and Severin 1894: 248 Cenaeus carnifex Fabricius Hussey 1929: 66 Cenaeus carnifex F. Blöte 1931: 115 Cenaeus carnifex Fabricius Schmidt 1932: 254 Cenaeus carnifex (Fabricius) Stehlik 1965a: 218 illustration Cenaeus dimidiaticeps Bergroth 1894 Type depository: not known. Country of origin of type: Cameroon. Distribution: Cameroon; Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Gabon. Measurements: length 12–12.3 mm. (ex. Lit.) Cenaeus dimidiaticeps Bergroth 1894 Bergroth 1894b: 539 description Cenaeus dimidiaticeps Bergroth Bergroth 1913a: 171 Cenaeus dimidiaticeps Bergroth Hussey 1929: 66 Cenaeus dimidiaticeps Bergroth Schmidt 1932: 255 description Cenaeus dimidiaticeps Bergroth Stehlik 1965a: 225 Cenaeus dimidiaticeps Bergroth Villiers 1967: 373 Cenaeus longulus Bergroth 1894 Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Gabon Distribution: Gabon Measurements : length 14 mm (female) (ex. Lit). Cenaeus longulus Bergroth 1894 Bergroth 1894b: 540 description Cenaeus longulus Bergroth Bergroth 1913a: 171 Cenaeus longulus Bergroth Hussey 1929: 67 Cenaeus longulus Bergroth Stehlik 1965a: 225 Cenaeus pectoralis (Stål 1855 ) Type depository: not known. Country of origin of type: Republic of South Africa Distribution: Ethiopia; Mozambique; South Africa Measurements: length, male 7.8 mm (1), female 8.7 mm (1) Pyrrhocoris pectoralis Stål 1855 Stål 1855a: 36 description Cenaeus pectoralis Stål Stål 1861: 196 Cenaeus pectoralis Stål Stål 1866: 9 description Cenaeus pectoralis Stål Stål 1870: 114 Pyrrhocoris pectoralis Stål Walker 1872: 170 Cenaeus pectoralis Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 248 Cenaeus pectoralis Stål Montandon 1899: 218 Cenaeus pectoralis Stål Courteaux 1922: 285 Cenaeus pectoralis (Stål) Hussey 1929: 67 Cenaeus pectoralis Stål Schmidt 1932: 255 Cenaeus pectoralis (Stål) Stehlik 1965a: 218 Cenaeus semiflavus Distant 1902 Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Uganda Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Rwanda; Uganda Measurements: average length male 7.2 mm (2), female 9.3 mm (3) Cenaeus semiflavus Distant 1902 Distant 1902b: 41 description, illustration Cenaeus semiflavus Dist. Distant 1909: 79 Cenaeus semiflavus Dist. Bergroth 1913a: 171 Cenaeus semiflavus Distant Hussey 1929: 67 Cenaeus semiflavus Distant Schouteden 1957: 264 Cenaeus semiflavus Distant Stehlik 1965a: 218 Cenaeus suspectus Schouteden 1957 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Democratic Republic of Congo Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo Measurements : length 11.5–12.5 mm. (ex. Lit.) Cenaeus suspectus Schouteden 1957 Schouteden 1957: 265 description Cenaeus suspectus Schout. Stehlik 1965a: 225 DERMATINUS Stål 1853 Hussey (1929) listed ten species in the genus Dermatinus Stål 1853, two from India and the rest from the Ethiopian Region. However, when Stehlik (1965) re-examined specimens he came to the conclusion that many of the species were not congeneric with Dermatinus Stål 1853. He indicated that further revision was needed and that “with certainty” he only accepted Dermatinus limbifer Stål 1855 and Dermatinus lugens Stål 1854 as correctly placed in the genus Dermatinus. Since then Dermatinus apicalis Reuter 1881 has been transferred to Aderrhis by Linnavuori (1988). As matters stand at present, pending further revision, there are four species of the genus Dermatinus in the Ethiopian Region. Type species: Dermatinus lugens (Fabricius). Quoted as a monotype by Hussey 1929, because when Stål named the genus in 1853 he did not name a type species. The type species was then named in the 1854 paper. Country of origin of type species: South Africa. Type depository: not known Dermatinus Stål 1853 Stål 1853: 260 description Dermatinus Stål Stål 1854: 236 Dermatinus Stål Stål 1855a: 36 Dermatinus Stål Stål 1861: 196 description Dermatinus Stål Stål 1866: 4 description Dermatinus Stål Stål 1870: 102 Pyrrhocoris Fall. Walker 1872: 167 Dermatinus Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 249 Dermatinus Stål Distant 1903: 115 description Dermatinus Stål Hesse 1925: 86 Dermatinus Stål Hussey 1929: 68 Dermatinus Stål Schmidt 1932: 256 Dermatinus aethiopicus Lethierry 1883 Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Ethiopia Distribution: Ethiopia Measurements : length 8 mm (ex. Lit.) Dermatinus aethiopicus Lethierry 1883 Lethierry 1883: 749 description Dermatinus aethiopicus Lethierry Lethierry and Severin 1894: 249 Dermatinus aethiopicus Lethierry Hussey 1929: 68 Dermatinus aethiopicus Leth. Mancini 1961: 31 From the description of Dermatinus aethiopicus given by Lethierry 1883, it may well be conspecific with Dermatinus limbifer Dermatinus limbifer Stäl 1855 Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: South Africa (Natal) Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Mozambique; Namibia; South Africa. Measurements: average length, male 7.0 mm (1), female 8.2 mm (2) Dermatinus limbifer Stål 1855 Stål 1855a: 36 description Dermatinus limbifer Stål Stål 1866: 12 description Dermatinus limbifer Stål Stål 1870: 114 Pyrrhocoris limbifer Stål Walker 1872: 170 Dermatinus limbifer Stål Wallengren 1875: 134 Dermatinus limbifer Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 249 Dermatinus limbifer Stål Montandon 1899: 218 Dermatinus limbifer Stål Distant 1903: 115 Dermatinus limbifer Stål Hesse 1925: 86 Dermatinus limbifer Stål Hussey 1929: 68 Dermatinus limbifer Stål Schmidt 1932: 256 Dermatinus limbifer Stål Schouteden 1957: 266 Dermatinus lugens Stål 1854 Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: South Africa Distribution: South Africa Measurements : length 6–7 mm, width 2.5–3.5 mm (ex. Lit.) Dermatinus lugens Stål 1854 Stål 1854: 236 description Pyrrhocoris lugens Stål Stål 1860: 253 description Dermatinus lugens Stål Stål 1866: 12 description Dermatinus lugens Stål Stål 1870: 114 Pyrrhocoris lugens Stål Walker 1872: 170 Dermatinus lugens Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 249 Dermatinus lugens Stål Hussey 1929: 69 Dermatinus notatus Wallengren 1875 Type depository: University of Lund, Zoological Institute Country of origin of type: South Africa Distribution: South Africa Measurements : length 6–8 mm (ex. Lit.) Dermatinus notatus Wallengren 1875 Wallengren 1875: 134 description Dermatinus notatus Wallengren Lethierry and Severin 1894: 249 Dermatinus notatus Wallengren Hussey 1929: 69 Aderrhis notata (Wallengren) Stehlik 1966a: 325 Stehlik 1965, without pursuing the matter, indicated that he considered Dermatinus notatus Wallengren 1875 to belong to Aderrhis. ADERRHIS Bergroth 1906 Type species: Aderrhis pulla Bergroth 1906 Country of origin of type species: Zanzibar Type depository: not known Illustrations: see Aderrhis flavipes Stehlik 1966, Aderrhis hirsuta Stehlik 1966, Aderrhis minuta Stehlik 1966, Aderrhis pulla Bergroth 1906, Aderrhis schultzi (Schouteden 1910), Aderrhis thoracica Stehlik 1965, Aderrhis apicalis (Reuter 1881) Adherris Bergroth 1906 Bergroth 1906: 199 description Aderrhis Bergroth Bergroth 1906: 251 Aderrhis Bergroth Bergroth 1913a: 171 Aderrhis Bergroth Hesse 1925: 87 Aderrhis Bergroth Hussey 1929: 69 Aderrhis Bergroth Schmidt 1932: 257 Aderrhis Bergroth Stehlik 1965a: 241 description Aderrhis Bergroth Stehlik 1966a: 321 description Aderrhis africana (Courteaux 1907) Type depository: Paris, Museum de Histoire Naturelle Country of origin of type: Ethiopia Distribution: Ethiopia; Kenya; Uganda Measurements: average length male 5.9 mm (3), female 8.1 mm (3) Dermatinus aethiopicus Courteaux 1907 Courteaux 1907: 330 description Dermatinus africanus Courteaux 1908 Courteaux 1908: 192 Aderrhis aethiopica Court. Bergroth 1912a: 316 Aderrhis aethiopica Court. Bergroth 1913a: 171 Dermatinus africanus Courteaux Courteaux 1922: 385 description Aderrhis africana Courteaux Hussey 1929: 69 Aderrhis apicalis (Reuter 1882) Type depository: not known. Country of origin of type: Ghana Distribution: Ghana Measurements: length 7.5 mm. (male) (ex. Lit.) Dermatinus apicalis Reuter 1882 Reuter 1882: 28 description Dermatinus apicalis Reuter Lethierry and Severin 1894: 249 Dermatinus apicalis Reuter Hussey 1929: 68 Aderrhis apicalis Reuter Stehlik 1966a: 327 Aderrhis apicalis Reuter Linnavuori 1988: 16 Aderrhis flavipes Stehlik 1966 Type depository: Brno, Department of Entomology, Moravian Museum Country of origin of type: Uganda Distribution: Uganda Measurements : Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1966. Aderrhis flavipes Stehlik 1966 Stehlik 1966a: 321 description, illustration Aderrhis flavipes Stlk. Linnavuori 1978: 8 Aderrhis flavipes Stehlik Linnavuori 1988: 16 illustration Aderrhis hirsuta Stehlik 1966 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Senegal Distribution: Senegal Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1966. Aderrhis hirsuta Stehlik 1966 Stehlik 1966a: 325 description, illustration Aderrhis minuta Stehlik 1966 Type depository: Brno, Department of Entomology, Moravian Museum Country of origin of type: South Africa. Distribution: South Africa. Measurements : Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1966. Aderrhis minuta Stehlik 1966 Stehlik 1966a: 323 description, illustration Aderrhis pulla Bergroth 1906 Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Zanzibar (Pemba Is.) Distribution: Namibia; South Africa; Zanzibar. Measurements: length 5–5.5 mm (male) (ex. Lit.) Aderrhis pulla Bergroth 1906 Bergroth 1906: 200 description, illustration Aderrhis pulla Bergroth Bergroth 1913a: 171 Aderrhis pulla Bergr. Hesse 1925: 87 illustration Aderrhis pulla Bergroth Hussey 1929: 70 Aderrhis schulzi (Schouteden 1910) Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Tanzania; Kenya. Synonyms: Dermatinus distinctus Schouteden 1910. Measurements: Detailed measurements are given in Stehlik 1965. Dermatinus schulzi Schouteden 1910 Schouteden 1910: 153 description Dermatinus distinctus Schouteden 1910 Schouteden 1910: 153 (syn. Stehlik 1965) Dermatinus distinctus Schout. Bergroth 1913a: 171 Dermatinus schulzi Schout. Bergroth 1913a: 171 Dermatinus distinctus Schouteden Hussey 1929: 68 Dermatinus schulzi Schouteden Hussey 1929: 69 Aderrhis schulzi (Schouteden) Stehlik 1965a: 241 description, illustration Aderrhis tartarea (Stål 1855) Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum Country of origin of type: South Africa (Natal) Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Namibia; South Africa; Tanzania Synonyms: Pyrrhocoris truncatipennis Fallou 1891 Measurements: length 7–8 mm, width 3 mm (male) (ex. Lit.) Dermatinus tartarea Stål 1855 Stål 1855a: 36 description Dermatinus tartareus Stål Stål 1866: 12 Dermatinus tartareus Stål Stål 1870: 114 Pyrrhocoris tartareus Stål Walker 1872: 170 Pyrrhocoris truncatipennis Fallou 1891 Fallou 1891: 8 description (syn. Bergroth 1892) Dermatinus tartareus Stål Bergroth 1892: 262 Dermatinus tartareus Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 249 Dermatinus tartareus Stål Courteaux 1922: 285 Dermatinus tartareus Stål Hesse 1925: 86 description, illustration Dermatinus tartareus Stål Hussey 1929: 69 Dermatinus tartareus Stål Schmidt 1932: 256 Dermatinus tartareus Stål Schouteden 1957: 266 Aderrhis tartareus (Stål) Stehlik 1965a: 245 description Aderrhis thoracica Stehlik 1965 Type depository: Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Country of origin of type: Tanzania Distribution: Kenya: Tanzania Synonyms: Dermatinus tartareus Schouteden 1910 Measurements: Detailed measuremants are given in Stehlik 1965 Dermatinus tartareus Stål 1855 Schouteden 1910: 153 (syn. Stehlik 1965) Dermatinus tartareus Schouteden Hussey 1929: 69 Aderrhis thoracica Stehlik 1965 Stehlik 1965a: 243 description, illustration SCANTIUS Stål 1866 Hussey (1929) listed thirteen species in this genus, six from Asia, one from Madagascar, one from North Africa, and six from the Ethiopian Region. Stehlik (1965) examined many specimens from different sources and synonymised Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar 1879 with Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781). He also gave strong reasons for synonymising Scantius volucris (Gerstäcker 1873) with Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781) but it has been retained as a separate species in this paper. Here, therefore, pending further revision, five species of the genus Scantius are recognised in the Ethiopian Region. The members of the genus cover almost the whole of the Ethiopian Region and Scantius forsteri spreads into North Africa the Middle East. There are considerable differences in morphology and color over the whole range, and this is discussed in some detail by Stehlik (1965) in respect to Scantius forsteri. Type species: Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781). Quoted as a Lagotype by Hussey 1929. Country of origin of type species: South Africa. Type depository: not known. Illustrations: see Scantius caraboides Bergroth 1920, Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781), Scantius volucris (Gerstäcker 1873). Scantius Stål 1866 Stål 1866: 3 description Scantius Stål Stål 1870: 102 description Pyrrhocoris Fall. Walker 1872: 167 Scantius Stål Reuter 1885: 230 description Scantius Stål Lethierry and Severin 1894: 251 Scantius Stål Distant 1903: 117 description Scantius Stål Hesse 1925: 87 Scantius Stål Hussey 1929: 80 Scantius Stål Schmidt 1932: 259 Scantius Stål Stehlik 1965a: 246 Scantius aethiopicus (Distant 1919) Type depository: London, Natural History Museum Country of origin of type: Cameroon Distribution: Cameroon; Gambia Measurements: length 7 - 8 mm (ex. Lit.) Delacampius aethiopicus Distant 1919 Distant 1919: 220 description Scantius aethiopicus Dist. Blöte 1931: 116 Scantius caraboides Bergroth 1920 Type depository: Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseum. Country of origin of type: Kenya. Distribution: Ethiopea; Kenya; Tanzania. Measurements: average length male 7.3 mm (4) Scantius caraboides Bergroth 1920 Bergroth 1920: 3 description Scantius caraboides Bergroth Hussey 1929: 82 Scantius caraboides Bergr. Mancini 1954: 166 Scantius caraboides Bergroth Stehlik 1965a: 248 description, illustration Scantius caraboides Bergroth Linnavuori 1982: 14 Scantius circumcinctus (Lethierry 1883) Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Ethiopia Distribution: Congo (Brazzaville); Ethiopia; Zambia Synonyms: Delacampius rhodesianus Distant 1919 Measurements: average length, male 8.2 mm (4), female 7.5 mm (4) Pyrrhocoris circumcinctus Lethierry 1883 Lethierry 1883: 747 description Scantius circumcinctus Lethierry Lethierry and Severin 1894: 251 Scantius circumcinctus Leth. Bergroth 1906: 371 description Delacampius rhodesianus Distant 1919 Distant 1919: 220 description (syn. Blote 1931) Scantius circumcinctus (Lethierry) Hussey 1929: 82 Scantius rhodesianus (Distant) Blöte 1931: 117 Scantius circumcinctus Leth. Blöte 1933b: 599 description Sicnatus circumcinctus (Lethierry) Linnavuori 1988: 17 Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781) Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: South Africa Distribution: Angola; Congo (Brazzaville); Democratic Republic of Congo; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Kenya; Mali; Mozambique; Namibia; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Africa; Tanzania; Zanzibar Synonyms: Cimex clavimanus Fabricius 1781, Cimex deustus Thunberg 1784, Dermatinus centralis Signoret 1861, Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar 1879 Measurements: average length, male 7.7 mm (25), female 7.9 mm (25) Cimex forsteri Fabricius 1781 Fabricius 1781: 368 description Cimex clavimanus Fabricius 1781 Fabricius 1781: 368 (syn. Stål 1862) Cimex deustus Thunberg 1784 Thunberg 1784: 58 description (syn. Stål 1855) Cimex forsteri Fabricius Fabricius 1787: 302 Cimex clavimanus Fabricius Fabricius 1787: 302 Cimex deustus Thunb. Gmelin 1788: 2168 Cimex forsteri Fabr. Gmelin 1788: 2177 Lygaeus forsteri Fabr. Fabricius 1794: 164 Lygaeus clavimanus Fabr. Fabricius 1794: 165 Lygaeus forsteri Fabricius Fabricius 1803: 230 Lygaeus clavimanus Fabricius Fabricius 1803: 231 Lygaeus deustus Thunberg Thunberg 1822: 3 Lygaeus forsteri Fabr. Burmeister 1835: 286 Pyrrhocoris clavimanus Fabricius Herrich-Schaffer 1847: 102 description Pyrrhocoris forsteri Fabricius Herrich-Schaffer 1847: 102 Scantius forsteri Fabr. Stål 1855b: 346 Pyrrhocoris forsteri Fab. Uhler 1861: 229 Dermatinus centralis Signoret 1861 Signoret 1861: 952 description (syn. Stål 1866) Lygaeus forsteri Fab. Stål 1862: 500 Pyrrhocoris forsteri Herrich-Schaffer Schaum 1862: 44 Scantius forsteri Fabr. Stål 1866: 10 description Pyrrhocoris deustus Thunb. Mayr 1868: 135 Scantius forsteri Fabr. Stål 1870: 117 Pyrrhocoris forsteri Fabr. Walker 1872: 169 Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar 1879 Bolivar 1879: 142 description (syn. Stehlik 1965) Pyrrhocoris forsteri Fab. Puton 1881: 4 Scantius foersteri Fabr. Lethierry 1883: 747 Scantius forsteri Fabr. Reuter 1885: 231 Scantius forsteri (Fabr.) Reuter 1888: 216 Scantius forsteri Fabr. Bergroth 1893: 126 Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar Lethierry and Severin 1894: 251 Scantius forsteri Fabricius Lethierry and Severin 1894: 251 Scantius forsteri Montandon 1899: 219 Scantius abyssinicus Bol. Schouteden 1905a: 10 description Scantius forsteri Fabr. Distant 1910: 98 description Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar Schouteden 1910: 153 Scantius foersteri Fabricius Schouteden 1910: 153 Scantius forsteri F. Oshanin 1912: 26 Scantius forsteri Fabr. Bergroth 1914: 5 Scantius forsteri Fabr. Hesse 1925: 87 Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar Hussey 1929: 82 Scantius forsteri (Fabricius) Hussey 1929: 82 Scantius abyssinicus Bol. Blöte 1931: 116 Scantius forsteri F. Blöte 1931: 116 Scantius forsteri Fabricius Schmidt 1932: 259 Scantius abyssinicus Bolivar Schmidt 1932: 259 Scantius forsteri Fabricius Villiers 1950a: 323 Scantius forsteri Fabricius Villiers 1953: 299 Scantius forsteri Fabricius Schouteden 1957: 267 Scantius forsteri F. Mancini 1961: 31 Scantius forsteri (Fabricius) Stehlik 1965a: 246 description, illustration Scantius forsteri Fabricius Villiers 1967: 374 Scantius forsteri (F.) Linnavuori 1977: 61 Scantius forsteri (F.) Linnavuori 1978: 8 Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781) Linnavuori 1982: 13 Scantius forsteri (Fabricius 1781) Linnavuori 1986: 109 Scantius forsteri (Fabricius) Linnavuori 1988: 17 Scantius volucris (Gerstäcker 1873) Type depository: not known Country of origin of type: Kenya Distribution: Angola; Ethiopia; Kenya; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia Measurements: length 7 - 9 mm, width 3.75 (ex. Lit.) Pyrrhocoris volucris Gerstäcker 1873 Gerstäcker 1873: 413 description Scantius volucris Gerstäcker Lethierry and Severin 1894: 251 Scantius volucris Gerst. Distant 1901: 590 Scantius volucris Gerstäcker Distant 1903: 117 description, illustration Scantius volucris Gerst. Lefroy 1909: 326 Scantius volucris Gerst. Distant 1910: 98 Scantius volucris Gerstäcker Hussey 1929: 83 Scantius volucris Gerst. Blöte 1931: 117 Scantius volucris Gerst. Stehlik 1965a: 247 description DYSDERCUS Guerin 1831 Subgenus Dysdercus Stehlik 1965 superstitiosus (Fabricius 1775) (=volkeri Schmidt 1932) (syn. Freeman 1947) nigrofasciatus Stål 1855 melanoderes Karsch 1892 fasciatus Signoret 1861 cardinalis Gerstäcker 1873 Subgenus Neodysdercus Stehlik 1965 intermedius Distant 1902 orientalis Schouteden 1910 pretiosus Distant 1902 haemorrhoidalis Signoret 1858 Subgenus Paradysdercus Stehlik 1965 festivus Gerstäcker 1892