Kernegaster farctus (Germar, 1839) 2025, new combination
Creators: name: Schmitz, Luís Ricardo
name: Barcellos, Aline
name: Eger, Joseph
name: Bianchi, Filipe Michels
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hemiptera
Scutelleridae
Kernegaster
Kernegaster farctus

description: Kernegaster farctus (Germar, 1839) new combination, revalidated
(Fig. 1 F; Fig. 4 G – I; Fig. 7 C; Fig. 8 C; Fig. 9 C; Fig. 10 C; Fig. 12 C, L; Fig. 13 F and G)
Pachycoris farctus Germar, 1839:92 (description); Stål, 1862:81; Walker, 1867:47.
Pachycoris guttipes Walker, 1867:47–48 (description); Eger and Lattin, 1997:414.
Tetyra farcta Stål, 1870:5 (new combination and senior synonymy); Distant, 1880:14, plt 3, Fig. 1 (illustration and notes); Uhler, 1886:1; Howard, 1889:188; Distant, 1880:310; Lethierry and Severin 1893:31; Schouteden, 1904:47 (junior synonymy); Kirkaldy, 1909:284; Maes, 1994:27; Maes, 1998:478.
Tetyra pinguis Lethierry, 1881:8; Gibson and Carrillo, 1959:28; Maes, 1994:28; Maes, 1998:478; Meurgey and Ramage, 2020:36; Lupoli, 2023:130 (Fig. 43).
Type material: The holotype of P. farctus is a male from M´exico, and can be found in the Benedict Dybowski Zoological Museum of the National University of Lviv (compared by picture). The holotype of P. guttipes, a female, can be found in the British Museum, labelled as follows (each number corresponds to a different label): (1) Type [green circle], (2) Mex., (3) “11. P. guttipes ”, (4) BRIT. MUS. TYPE. No. Hem. 545 (checked by the third author).
Material examined (254): USA, Texas: Cameron Co., Brownsville, Chinese Tallow, (2F), VIII.1979, Gage E.V. (JEEC); MEXICO, Tamaulipas: 4 mi N Ciudad Mante, at light, (1F), 3.IX.1964, Whitehead D.R. (JEEC); Salamanca, 7 mi E Jaumave, (1M), 25.VII.1981, Ratcliff B.C. & Messenger C.L. (JEEC); Sinaloa: 9 km NE Loberas, (2M), 30.IX.1990, Turnbow R. (UGCA); La Lobera, microwave sta., (1M), 22.VI.1992, no collector (DBTC); 1–21 km N La Capilla del Taxte, (1M), 6.X.2008, Skillman & Turnbow (FSCA); 35–36 km N La Capilla del Taxte, (1F, 2M), 1.X.1990, Turbow R. (UGCA); Mazatlan, (1M), 20.VIII.1975, Aalbu R.L. (DBTC);. 3 mi N San Ignacio, (1F), 5.X.2008, Turbow R. (UGCA); Durango: 50–58 km NE La Capilla del Taxte, (4F, 3M), 1.X.1990, Turnbow R. (UGCA); Km 164 Carretara Durango - Mozatlan, 2400 msnm, (2M), 26.X.2005, Marino ˜R. & Rakitov R. (UNAM); 10 km E La Ciudad, (1M), 1.X.1990, Turbow R. (UGCA); Nayarit: Jala (12–16 km S, Volcan Ceboruco), (1F), 10.X.1992, Turbow R. (UGCA); San Luis Potosí: El Planíto, Mpio. Cd. Del Maíz, (1F), 27.VII.1984, Welling E.C. (JEEC); El Salto Falls, BL trap, (1F), 14.VI.1963, Woodruff R.E. (FSCA); Jalisco: Mpio. Lahuerta, Chamela Biol. Sta., (1F), 27.VII.1996, Godwin W.M. (JEEC); ibid., (1F), 20.VIII.1977, Gurcola H.A. (UNAM); ibid., (1F), 9–19.VII.1993, Huether J. (DBTC); ibid., (1M), 27.VIII.1990, Mayorga C., Cadena A. & Martinez J. (UNAM); ibid., (1M), 29.VI.1990, Ramirez E. (UNAM); ibid., (1M), 7.XI.1989, Ortega G. & Cardena A. (UNAM); ibid., (2M), 18–20.VII.1980, Pescador A. (UNAM); ibid., (4M), 28–30. VII.1980, Pescador A. (UNAM); ibid., (1F), 6.IX.1979, Brailovsky H. (UNAM); La Primavera, 1600 m, (1F), 15.VII.1998, Nogueira G. (UNAM); Playa Blanca, (1M), X.1975, Decelle J. (RISNB); Rio San Nicolas, (1M), 7.VII.1989, Ramirez E. (UNAM); Sierra de Manantlan, (1F), 13–16.IV.1995, Nogueira G. (UNAM); Sierra de Talpa, 1470 msnm, (3F), 30.VIII.2011, Nogueira G. (UNAM); Veracruz: 2.3 mi sw Totutla, (1M), 6.VIII.1976, Peigler, Gruetzmacher, Schaffner, Murray R. & M., (JEEC); Dos Amales, (1M), 1.VII.1989, Martinez J. (UNAM); Est. Biol. Los Tuxtlas, (1F), 5.X.1989, Colin J.L. & Rojas H. (UNAM); ibid., (1M), 15. IX.1988, Mayorga C. (UNAM); ibid., (1M), 22–23.X.1989, Colin J.L. (UNAM); Lag. Encondida, (1M 2F), 20.IX.1988, Majorda E. & Sinaca J.C. (UNAM); Ixhuatlan del Caf´e, (1M), 6.VIII.1985, Taylor T.W. & Sullivan P.H. (DBTC); Los Tuxtlas, (1F), 20.VI.1977, Higareda Q. (UNAM); ibid., (1M 1F), 17.VI.1986, Cervantes L. (UNAM); ibid., (1M 4F), 26.VIII.1983, Mayorga C. (UNAM); ibid., (1M), 15.IV.1986, Ibarra A. (UNAM); ibid., (1M), 15.IV.1986, Ibarra A. (UNAM); ibid., (1M), 17.VI.1986, Melendez V. (UNAM); ibid., (1M), 28.VIII.1985, Melendez V. (UNAM); ibid., (10M 8F), 22.VIII.1985, Sinaca S. (UNAM); ibid., (4M 2F), 26.VIII.1985, Melendez V. (UNAM); Patla Edo., (1F), 25.VIII.1996, Thomas & Burne (DBTC); Plan del Rio Caseta de Cobro Xalapa, (1F), 3.VII.2004, Carillo A. & de Melho V. (UNAM); San Andres Tuxtla, 710 msnm, (1M), 23–24. VIII.2009, Nogueira G. (UNAM); Tuxtlas VAR, (1M), 10.V.1967, no collector (UNAM); Quintana Roo: Cabo, (8M 6F), VI–XI.2015, Santos C. (JEEC); Quer´etaro: km 4.5 La Lagunita, Tilaco (1M), 8.VIII.1998, Barrera E. & Brailovsky H. (UNAM); km 8 Neblinas Agua Zarca (1M), 19. VIII.1998, Brailovsky H. & Barrera E. (UNAM); Km 8 Neblinas Huazarca (1F), 25.IV.1998, Barrera E. & Mayorga C. (UNAM); San Juan del Rio, (2M 1F), 22.IX.1995, Sanchez C.A. (UNAM); Hidalgo: 10 km N. Tlanchinol, (1M 1F), 1–2.VIII.1985, Taylor T.W. & Sullivan P.H. (DBTC); 3 km N Tlanchinol, 1470 masl, (1M 3F), 7.V.1994, Blakaller J. & Perez A. (UNAM); Chapulhuacan, 762 m, (1F), 16.VI.1979, Taylor T.W. & Sullivan P.H. (DBTC); Hildage, Otongo, (1M 1F), 6.IX.1980, Rivera L. (UNAM); Ixcuicuila, 13 km SO de Huejutla, (1M), 11.V.1999, Brailovsky H. & Barrera E. (UNAM); km 10 Carr. Ixtlahuaco Calnali, (1M), 12. III.1999, Ibarra A. (UNAM); km 9 Carr. Huejutla-Atlapexco, 410 msnm, (2F), 28.VIII.1999, Barrera E. (UNAM); Laguna Azisa, Mocango, (1M), 22.VIII.1979, Zorogoza S. (UNAM); Laguna Azteca, Molango, (1F), 22. VII.1979, Terron´R. (UNAM); Otongo, (4F), 14–15.1980, Rivera L. (UNAM); (1F), 22.VII.1979, Terr´oa R. (UNAM); Tlanchinol, 1500 msnm, (1M), 18–21.VI.1996, Nogueira G. (UNAM); Puebla: La Ceiba, 160 m, (1F), 10.VII.1977, no collector (UNAM); Patla, 180 m, (1M), 27.V.1978, (UNAM); ibid., 450 m, (1F), 5.VI.1997, Sanchez C. & Vargas J. (UNAM); San Diego, (1F), 31.X.1953, no collector (UNAM); Villa Juarez, (1M), 16.IV.1975, Brailovsky H. (UNAM); ibid., 1000 mt, (1F), 19.VIII.1956, Pelaez D. (UNAM); Xicotepec de Juarez, (1F), 29.VIII.1982, Beutelspacher C.B. (UNAM); ibid., (1F), 10.X.1977, (UNAM); ibid., (1F), 9. X.1977, no collector (UNAM); Michoac´an: Coalcoman, km 1.5 Coalcom´an-Tepalcatepec, 1035 m, (1M), 28.VI.2008, Cervantes L. & Brzoska D. (UNAM); M´exico: Km 6, Tecuascaltepec-Teuyuca, (1M), 21.XI.1984, Barrera E. (UNAM); Tomascal-T´opac, (1F), 22.XI.1980, Barrera E. (UNAM); Distrito Federal: Contreras, (1F), 7.XII.1998, Rosos A. (UNAM); Colima: (4M, 2F), VIII–IX, Hoffmann C., (UNAM 70014); Manzanillo, (1F), 6.IX.1979, Brailovsky H. (UNAM); Guerrero: Acapulco, San Marcos, (1F), 20.IX.1978, Lopez W.F.; Copala 5 km to Cihuapoloya, 23 msnm, (1F), 23.IX.2005, Cervantes L. & Carranza R.; km 110 Coyuca de Catalbn-Zihuantanejo, (1F), 16.IV.1988, Garcia M. & Cervantes L.; Tlapa km 39 Tlapa-San Luis Acatl´an, 2095m, (1F), 22. IV.2006, Brailovsky H. & Cervantes L., (UNAM); Oaxaca: Plum Hidalgo, (1M), 1.II.1988, Barrera E., Cadena R. & Ramirez E. (UNAM); Rte. 131, 18.8 km. S. Sola de Vega, 2070 m, cloud forest, in bromeliads, (1F), 18. I.1979, Ball G.E. & K.E. (JEEC); Sta Cruz, Teotilalpa, 1170 msnm, (1M), 28.VI.1998, Nogueira G. (UNAM); Tuxtepec, (3F), no date or collector (RISNB); Valle Nacional San Mateo Yetla, (1F), 14.X.1990, Cadena A., Ramirez E. & Barrera E. (UNAM); ibid., (1F), 20.X.1981, Ibarra R. (UNAM); Chiapas: Ocozocoautla, 3 km W Laguna belgica, (2M, 1F), 5–20.VII.2003, Toledo V.H. & Corona A.M. (UNAM); Palenque, (1F), X.1988, Thomas (DBTC); San Jeronimo, 600 m, (1F), VI.1979, Welling E.C. (JEEC); Simojovel, (2M), VI.1989, Thomas & Mendoza (DBTC); Tapachula, Uni´on Ju´arez, Puente Colorado, (1M), 26.III.1985, Vertiz H. (UNAM); Yaxoquintela, 560 m, (1F, 1M), 17.IX.1978, Rawlins J.E. (CMNH); GUATEMALA, Huehuetenango: Bulej, 2 km N Bosque Ruboso, (1F), 22–23.IX.1998, Bailey C. & Monzon´J. (JEEC); Izabal: Finca Firmeza, (1F, 1M), 17.X.2006, Turnbow R. (UGCA); Zacapa: San Lorenzo, 1000 m, (1M), Turnbow R. (UGCA); Baja Verapaz: Biotopo del Quetzal (Cloud forest near Purulha), (1M 1F), 6–7.X.2007, Warner W.B. (JEEC); Suchitep´equez: Finca Tarrales, Volcan Atitlan, 1200 m, (1F), 15.IX.2008, Heppner J.B. (FSCA); Jutiapa: El Progresso, (1F), 5. IX.1958, Bredo H.J. (RISNB); EL SALVADOR, San Vicente: Volcan, Finca La Paz, (1F), 1.VIII.1959, Bechyne J. (RISNB); DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Barahona: El Arroyo, (1F), 24.VI.1992, Skillman F.W. (JEEC); Filipinas Larimar Mine, at lights, (1M), 20–26.VI.1992, Woodruff R.E. & Skelley P.E. (FSCA); ibid., blacklight trap, (1F), 26.VI–7.VII.1992, Woodruff R.E. & Skelley P.E. (FSCA); Ibid., (1F), 6–11.VII.1993, Woodruff R.W. (FSCA); HONDURAS, Atlantida´, La Ceiba (base of Pico Bonito, black light + hg), (1M), 18.VII.2001, Smith C.L. (UGCA); GUADELOUPE, Basse Terre: Parc National de la Guadeloupe, 5 km E. of Mahaul, black light trap, (5F, 2M), 11.IX.2010, Thomas M.C. & Turnbow R.H. (FSCA); Delauney, (1F, 1M) no date or collector (RISNB); Bois Malher, blacklight trap, (1F), 9.IX.2010, Thomas M.C. & Turnbow R.H. (FSCA); DOMINICA, Saint Paul: Mt Joy, Archbold Tropical Research and Education Center, MV light, (8M), 1–7.VI.1995, Eden R.D., Stieber & Woolley (TAMU); ibid., UV light (1F, 6M), 3.VI.1995, Eden R.D. (TAMU); ibid., MV light, (1M), 28.V.1995, Eden R.D (TAMU); ibid., MV light, (2M), 1–2.VI.1995, Eden R.D., Stieber & Woolley (TAMU); ibid., UV light, (1F, 1M), 28–29.V.1995, Eden R.D., Stieber & Woolley (TAMU); ibid., (1F, 2M), 11–13.VI.1991, Arnold K. & students (TAMU); Canefield, 450 m, (1M), 11–18.VI.1991, Rawlins J.E. & Thompson S.A. (CMNH); Saint George: Rousseau Valley, Chez OPhelia, at light, (2F, 2M), 25.XI.2004, no collector; ibid., (12F, 11M), 29.VI.2004, no collector (JEEC); Copthall, (1M 1F), 29.VI.2004, Turnbow R. (UGCA); COSTA RICA, Guanacaste, Ca˜nas (14 km S.), (1M), 24–31.IV.1990, Parker F.D. (UGCA).
Color pattern. Light to cream yellow with intermittent lighter rows usually with few dark spots and blotches (Fig. 4 G – I). Head. Dorsal surface. Clypeus with posterior spots (Fig. 7 C). Antennomeres I bicolored (first half yellow and distal dark). Rostrum with segments III and IV mostly dark. Thorax. Pronotum and scutellum with dark spots sparsely distributed. Femora distal dark blotch small; tibiae entirely yellow; first and last tarsomeres dark, remaining tarsomere yellow. Abdomen. Connexiva yellow, with a posterior small dark macule. Ventral pattern. Lateral rows usually absent. Median rows with more than one solid blotches, sometimes only one. Inner row with a solid blotch in each sternite, culminating into a larger solid blotch on sternite VII, sometimes absent on sternites IV–VI. Stridulatory areas without blotches. Area adjacent to spiracles dark (Fig. 4 I).
Head. Wider than long. Clypeus slightly surpassing mandibular plates. Mandibular and maxillary plates subequal in length. Rostrum reaching sternite III (Fig. 7 C). Thorax. Pronotum. Anterolateral margins sub-rectilinear, humeral angles obtuse and produce about half the width of the eye (less than half in Antilles specimens) (Fig. 4 G – I). Peritreme spout-like developed, half longer than wide (Fig. 8 C). Abdomen. Posterior margin of sternite VII uniformly concave (Fig. 9 C).
Genital plates. Valvifers VIII elongate subtriangular, anterior margin convex, sutural margins truncate posteriorly, posterior margin sub-rectilinear to shallowly concave. Laterotergites IX subtriangular, anterior margin convex, lateral angles distinctly produced (Fig. 9 C).
Gynatrium. Ring sclerites without thick "leaf-like" sclerotized processes. posteromedian gynatrial pouch with a median larger sub-rectangular sclerite and 1 + 1 globose sclerites about the same size as the median sclerite (Fig. 10 C).
Genital capsule. Posterior margin concave (Fig. 12 C). Ventral rim sub-rectilinear in posterior view. Parameres. Crown not surpassing the width of the stem, apex obtuse (Fig. 12 L). Phallus. Aedeagus sensu stricto constricted medially, abrupted tapered towards apex in ventral view, convex dorsally in lateral view, apically with 1 + 1 parallel thin rounded process with margin jagged, phalotreme curved, positioned sub-apically. Conjunctival processes II with a small strongly curved (half circle shaped) sclerotized process which is broad basally. Conjunctival processes III distally sclerotized into an acute, curved process with a broad base (Fig. 13 F and G).
Measures. Body length (12.1–17.6) and width (8.5–11.9). Head length (2.2–3.1) and width (3.2–4.2).
Distribution: Occurs mainly in Central America, with individuals collected in the southern USA to Costa Rica; it is the only species present in the Antilles, where specimens are smaller compared to the continental specimens. The USA record is the first and only record for Kernegaster species in this country.
Biological notes: Collected with blacklight and mercury vapor light traps. Can be found in bromeliads. Collected on Coffea sp. (Rubiaceae) (Maes, 1998).
Comments: The species differs mainly by the lack of macules and blotches, which can be scarce or even absent ventrally (Fig. 4 I). Usually, the 1 + 1 spots on the anterior portion of the scutellum (right before pronotum) have an adjacent area lighter in color than the remaining surface (Fig. 4 G). The genitalia of both sex could also be used as a diagnosis for the species.
description: Published as part of Schmitz, Luís Ricardo, Barcellos, Aline, Eger, Joseph & Bianchi, Filipe Michels, 2025, Kernegaster gen. nov. (Heteroptera, Scutelleridae, Pachycorinae) and six new species based on genital and polychromatic synapomorphies, pp. 97-123 in Zoologischer Anzeiger 316 on pages 115-116, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2025.03.005