A revision of the genusNiesthreaSpinola (Rhopalidae: Hemiptera)

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Abstract
Niesthrea Spinola, a genus of the rhopalid tribe Niesthrini Chopra, is confined to the Western Hemisphere and is very homogeneous, but there seem to be three definite species groups which probably represent natural units. At least eleven formal trivial names have been associated with the genus Niesthrea. The present investigations reveal that five of the earlier described species: sidae, pictipes, vincentii, louisianica and ventralis deserve the specific status. While mexicanus, proximus, nebulosus, anticus and luteolus are synonyms of pictipes; auriantiacus, robustus and ruber are synonyms of vincentii. Five new species have been discovered and named: Niesthrea agnes, N. brevicauda, N. dentatus, N. dignus and N. similis. The genus Niesthrea as now considered contains ten species. These results are primarily based on a comparative study of the male genitalia which present the most reliable taxonomic characters for the classification of this genus. Diagrams and uniform descriptions of all the species are provided for easy identification.