The pleidae (Hemiptera, heteroptera) of thailand, with the descriptions of two new species and a discussion of species from southeast asia

Abstract

The family Pleidae is represented in Thailand by four species in the genus Paraplea. Two of these species, P. frontalis and P. liturata, are widespread and relatively common in Southeast Asia. Two other species, P. lateromaculata Cook, sp. nov. and P. melanodera Cook, sp. nov., are described and only known from Thai-land. Full descriptions are provided for all four species. The distributions of these species are discussed, with an emphasis on Thailand. Paraplea frontalis, P. liturata, and P. lateromaculata Cook, sp. nov. are relatively widespread within Thailand and have overlapping distributions whereas P. melanodera Cook, sp. nov. appears restricted to small brackish ponds near western coastal areas of peninsular Thailand.