Synopsis of the remarkable family Phloeidae (Hemiptera: Pentatomoidea): species identification, chromatic polymorphism and updated distribution

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Neotropical family Phloeidae includes three species within two genera, Phloea Lepeletier and Serville, 1825 and Phloeophana Kirkaldy, 1908, distributed in South America. Due to their large size and notable morphological features, such as cryptic colouration, extreme body flattening and lateral expansions around the body, these insects became known as Neotropical bark bugs. These characteristics also make them easily recognisable; nonetheless, the correct identification of the species is still tricky, even more so for the nymphs. In this work, we clarify the identity of the species, present new diagnoses for the family, both genera and all species, and provide an updated identification key to both adults and nymphs of the three species. We also describe and illustrate chromatic variation in Phloea subquadrata Spinola, 1837, and high-resolution photos of the three species and important diagnostic characters are provided. Literature information is synthesised and updated, and an exhaustive synonymic list is provided for the three species, including two nomenclatural corrections: Phloeocoris paradoxus Burmeister, 1835 is removed from synonymy with Phloeophana longirostris (Spinola, 1837) and considered a new junior synonym of Phloea corticata (Drury, 1773); and Phlaea paradoxa Signoret, 1863 is removed from synonymy with Phloea corticata and considered a new junior synonym of Phloeophana longirostris. Lastly, we review the distribution of the species based on collection specimens and citizen science data and, for the first time, present distribution maps for the three species of Phloeidae.