Diagnose of the nominal subgenus of Edessa and description<br>of the E. sexdens group (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Edessinae)

Abstract

The subgenus Edessa, the largest and to date the most confusing taxon of Edessa is diagnosed here, comprising 79 species listed in this work. The subgenus is characterized by the humeral angles conical, somewhat developed, and projected, with apex rounded or somewhat acuminated, but never acute, shyny and impunctate or with a few punctures. The E. sexdens group, composed of 22 species, is proposed here to the subgenus Edessa. This group can be characterized by the anterior arms of the metasternal process with excavated apex; connexival segments with a pair of dark spots; ventral side of the abdomen raised medially; rounded shallow excavation near each spiracle; area between dorsal rim of the pygophore and posterolateral angles grooved; superior process of the genital cup laminar and continued ventrally by a carina, oblique to the parameres; parameres with three lobes; area between dorsal rim of the pygophore and posterolateral angles grooved. The species of the E. sexdens group are distributed in the Neotropical region, from Mexico to Argentina. Descriptions, measurements, and illustrations are provided. An identification key and distributional map are presented. The species Edessa suturata Dallas, 1851 is considered junior synonym of E. alces Erichson, 1848; E. inclyta Walker, 1868, E. fuscidorsata Distant, 1881, and E. gnu Breddin, 1905 are considered junior synonyms of E. electa Walker, 1868; E. olivacea Stål, 1862 and E. ventralis Walker, 1868 are considered junior synonym of E. phoenicopus Dallas, 1851; E. nigromarginata Distant, 1881 is considered junior synonym of E. sexdens Fabricius, 1803; E. subandina Breddin, 1994 is considered a valid species; Edessa dentata (Dallas, 1851) and Edessa excellens (Walker, 1868) are considered junior synonym of E. (E.) urus Erichson, 1848.