Urhai gen. nov., um novo gênero para Edessinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

Edessinae is the second most diverse subfamily of Pentatomidae, with approximately 500 described species distributed in 17 genera. This taxon is considered monophyletic, supported by molecular evidence and morphological characteristics. Among the genera, Edessa stands out for harboring more than 300 species, but it faces taxonomic challenges, including problems of nomenclature and classification, and is often considered a "species repository". This work aims to describe a new genus with three species previously allocated to Edessa and five new species. For the study, 94 specimens from national and foreign institutions were analyzed. Urhai gen. nov. is easily recognized by the morphology of the body, mainly presenting the head with median punctuations forming two vertical stripes on the clypeus, antennal articles I–III with small dark circular spots, pronotum with developed humeral angle; flattened and punctuated dorsoventrally; distal margin laminar; posterior angle spiniform, posterior margin of the pronotum covering the anterior part of the scutellum, metasternal process flattened; anterior arms of the bifurcation reaching or nearly reaching the limit of the propleura; distal margin generally straight. Diagnoses, species identification key and distribution maps were presented. This study is of great importance in understanding the diversity of Edessinae.