Abstract
The African shieldbug genus Afrius Stål, 1870 is revised. Cantheconidea migratoria Distant, 1913 and A. williamsi Miller, 1952 are proposed as junior synonyms of A. (Subafrius) flavirostrum (Signoret, 1861) whereas Canthecona marmorata Dallas, 1851, Canthecona annulipes Dallas, 1851 and A. rubromarginatus Bergroth, 1903 are proposed as junior synonyms of A. (Afrius) purpureus (Westwood, 1837) based on the general morphology and genitalia of the species. The three valid species, viz. A. (Subafrius) flavirostrum, A. (Afrius) kolleri Schouteden, 1911 and A. (Afrius) purpureus, are redescribed with details of male and female genitalia morphology, and a lectotype is designated for A. (Afrius) kolleri. A key to identify the species as well as an update of the geographical distribution for each species are provided, including new records for A. (Afrius) purpureus.
Highlights
The subfamily Asopinae is the only predatory subfamily of Pentatomidae. It is an important economic group, containing many species used as biological control agents for pest management (Grazia et al 2015)
After examining type and other material of all species, we here provide a revision of the genus, with habitus and genitalia figures and descriptions of each species, new synonymies and new records
The idea that insects can control agricultural pests is old, and the success of biological control has already been demonstrated in many countries (Caltagirone 1981; McFadyen 1998; Bellows 2001; Parra et al 2002)
Summary
The subfamily Asopinae is the only predatory subfamily of Pentatomidae It is an important economic group, containing many species used as biological control agents for pest management (Grazia et al 2015). (Afrius) flavirostris (Signoret, 1861), characterized within the inclusive genus by abdominal lateral margins convex and anterior femora armed with spines. In his synopsis of the Old World asopine genera, Thomas (1994) presented a diagnosis of the genus and mentioned the lack of a species identification key and the necessity of revisionary studies on the genus. After examining type and other material of all species, we here provide a revision of the genus, with habitus and genitalia figures and descriptions of each species, new synonymies and new records
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