Description d'un nouveau Plinthisus du Sud-Est de la France (Heteroptera, Rhyparochromidae, Plinthisinae)

Abstract

Description of a new Plinthisus from Southeast France (Alpes-Maritimes) (Heteroptera, Rhyparochromidae, Plinthisinae). - Plinthisus heteroclitus n. sp is described from Southeast France (Alpes-Maritimes), based on three brachypterous males. Habitus, abdomen, evaporatory area and male genitalia are illustrated. The species can be easily distinguished from all West Palaearctic species by its relatively large size (3.9-4 mm), the absence of ocular setae ; and by the presence of a large tooth-like spur on the protibia, and a pair of metapleural conical tubercles located on each side between the terminal lobe of the metathoracic glands and the outer margin of the metapleuron. Until now such metapleural tubercles have never been described in the genus Plinthisus. The presence of a large protibial spur characterizes the male representatives of the subgenus Dasythisus Wagner, 1964, comprised currently of five East Palaearctic species. However, P. heteroclitus n. sp. also shares numerous characters with the representatives of the subgenus Nanoplinthisus Wagner, 1963, particularly hemelytra apices transversely truncate and devoid of membrane. For this reason, the new species remains unclassified within the genus which, according to all specialists, is in great need of revision.