A new synonymy in the Lethaeini of the Neotropics (Heteroptera: Rhyparochromidae), with new country records for Petissius spinipes (Stål)

Abstract

Lethaeini is a diverse tribe within Rhyparochromidae, with Lethaeus Dallas being the mostspeciose genus. This study is focused on the poorly documented Lethaeus lepidus White, theonly species in the genus recorded from the Neotropics. Through a reexamination, this species isconsidered a new synonym of Petissius spinipes Stål. The examined material is sourced fromrecent field expeditions in natural areas in Brazil, as well as from entomological collections. Inaddition, the types of the described species were studied from high-definition photographs. Thedistribution of P. spinipes is updated, indicating that the species is widely distributed in theNeotropics, and filling a large geographic gap with many new locality records. Distribution mapincluding the new records and high-definition illustrations of the species and diagnostic charactersare provided. As a result of the findings presented, there are currently no documentedrepresentatives of the genus Lethaeus in the New World. With the previouly significant geographicalgap between Argentina and Guyana, the 12 new Brazilian state records substantiallyamplify our undertanding into the species’ range. This emphasizes the indispensable role ofentomological collections and the need for dedicaded sampling expeditions to enhance ourundertanding of overlooked taxa, as is often the case for Rhyparochromidae.