A New Species of Cistalia from Brazil and Comments on Systematic Characters in the Lethaeini (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)

Abstract

Cistalia micans a new species from Brazil, is described and figured. The highly modified nature of the sperm reservoir in the Lethaeini is discussed. The potential importance of sperm reservoir morphology in understanding phylogenetic relationships within the tribe is noted. The iridescent head patches of Cistalia are discussed in relation to other genera and to sperm reservoir modifications. Figures of the sperm reservoir, clasper, genital capsule, and SEM photographs of the iridescent head patches are included. The genus Cistalia Stal is a small genus of chiefly Neotropical lygaeids. The systematics of the genus has been reviewed by Slater and Baranowski (1973). Recently a striking new species from Brazil has become available for study. The male phallus of this species is so strikingly different from those of other lethaeines with which we were familiar that we were led to investigate representatives of several additional genera in an effort to better understand the position of Cistalia within the tribe.