Petascelis

Brailovsky, Harry, 2008, Notes on the genus Petascelis Signoret and description of one new species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae: Coreinae: Petascelini), Zootaxa 1749, pp. 18-26 : 19-20

Key to the males species of Petascelis

1. Antennal segment IV gently clavate; middle third of metasternum remarkably produced into two large lobes, freely directed downward ( Fig. 4 ); midportion of posterior margin of abdominal sternite III extending posteriorly onto sternite IV to produce a truncate and flat wide tubercle ( Fig. 10 ).. P. inconditus n.sp.

1’. Antennal segment IV fusiform, not apically clavate; middle third of metasternum not armed with two large lobes ( Fig. 2 ); midportion of abdominal sternite III with another condition ( Figs. 7–9 )...................2

2. Junction between abdominal sterna III and IV produced into a distinct bifid tubercle, each tubercle large and conical ( Fig. 7 ).............................................................................................................. P. affinis Dallas

2’. Junction between abdominal sterna III and IV without bifid tubercle, always with a single expansion.....3

3. Midpoint of abdominal sternite III armed with small tubercle, this conspicuously depressed at the center ( Fig. 11 )..................................................................................................................... P. laminipes Fairmaire

3’. Midpoint of abdominal sternite III armed with medium to large size tubercle, not depressed at the center ( Figs. 7–9 )....................................................................................................................................................4

4. Antennal segment IV fusiform with apex acute; midpoint of abdominal sternite III armed with mediumsized tubercle ( Fig. 9 ).................................................................................................. P. foliaceipes Distant

4’. Antennal segment IV fusiform with apex not acute; midpoint of abdominal sternite III with large, stout median tubercle, directed slightly forward ( Fig. 8 )........................................................ P. remipes Signoret

Figures

FIGURE 1 – 6. Petascelis spp. 1. Antennae of P. inconditus n. sp. 2 – 6. Mesothorax, metathorax and abdominal sterna in lateral view. 2. Petascelis affinis Dallas. 3. Petascelis remipes Signoret. 4. Petascelis inconditus n. sp. 5. Petascelis foliaceipes Distant. 6. Petascelis laminipes Fairmaire.

FIGURE 7 – 11. Mesosternum, metasternum and abdominal sterna of Petascelis spp. 7. Petascelis affinis Dallas. 8. Petascelis remipes Signoret. 9. Petascelis foliaceipes Distant. 10. Petascelis inconditus n. sp. 11. Petascelis laminipes Fairmaire.