The Tribal Classification of the Rhyparochrominae (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)1

Abstract

Recent contributions to the tribal classification of the Rhyparochrominae are discussed. The tribes Plinthisini and Megalonotini are substantiated. A new stridulatory mechanism in Plinthisus is described. A key is given to the 14 tribes of Rhyparochrominae as they are presently understood. The cleradine and myodochine complexes are analyzed in detail, and their constituent tribes are described. In the cleradine complex, the following proposals are made: that the Cleradini be restricted to the original concept of Stål, to include a group of haematophagous lygaeids; that the Stygnocorini be restricted to Guide's original concept; that the Phasmosominae of Kiritshenko be reduced to a tribe of the Rhyparochrominae; and that the Ozophorini, a new tribe with an essentially Pantropical distribution, be established. In the myodochine complex, a new tribe, Udeocorini, is segregated from the Myodochini; it is concentrated in Australia, but has a few genera in the New World. Several small taxonomic changes are made.