Annotated catalogue of the flower bugs from India (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae, Lasiochilidae)

Abstract

The present paper provides a checklist of the flower bug families Anthocoridae and Lasiochilidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) of India based on literature and newly collected specimens including eleven new records. The Indian fauna of flower bugs is represented by 73 species belonging to 26 genera under eight tribes of two families. Generic transfers of Blaptostethus pluto (Distant, 1910) comb. nov. (from Triphleps pluto Distant, 1910) and Dilasia indica (Muraleedharan, 1978) comb. nov. (from Lasiochilus indica Muraleedharan, 1978) are provided. A lectotype is designated for Blaptostethus pluto. Previous, as well as new, distributional data and bibliographical references for each taxon are included. The following 11 species are recorded from India for the first time: Amphiareus ruficollaris Yamada & Hirowatari, 2003 (Tamil Nadu); Anthocoris dimorphus Zheng, 1984 (Himachal Pradesh); Bilia burma Yasunaga & Yamada, 2016 (Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka); Cardiastethus kathmandu Yamada, 2016 (Uttarakhand); Lippomanus brevicornis Yamada & Hirowatari, 2004 (Karnataka, Mizoram, Tripura); Montandoniola bellatula Yamada, 2007 (Karnataka); Physopleurella armata Poppius, 1909 (Karnataka); P. flava Carayon, 1958 (Karnataka); P. pessoni Carayon, 1956 (Tamil Nadu); Rajburicoris stysi Carpintero & Dellapé, 2008 (Tamil Nadu); and Xylocoris (Proxylocoris) cerealis Yamada & Yasunaga, 2006 (Karnataka). The paper provides synthesis of the regional taxonomical work carried out until now, along with biological notes (habitats, prey types, etc.). The paper will serve as baseline data for future studies on Anthocoridae and Lasiochilidae.