Revision of the genus Melanolestes Stål (Heteroptera, Reduviidae, Peiratinae).

COSCARON, MC; CARPINTERO, D.L.

Entomológica Scandinavica

Scandinavian Entomology Ltd.

Lugar: Copenhagen; Año: 1994 p. 361 - 381

1343-8786

Melanolestes is a Nearctic and Neotropical genus of predatory reduviid bugs. It is revised and a diagnosis is given. The species up to date includes: M. argentinus Berg, M. degener Walker, M. morio Erichson, M. picicornis Stål, M. picinus Stål and M. picipes (Herrich-Schaeffer) and all are redescribed. Three new species, M. goiasensis, M. lugens and M. minutus, are described. A key is presented and the main taxonomic characters (head, pronotum, scutellum, male and female genitalia) are illustrated. Distribution maps and a table with measurements and ratios are included.