Higher Systematics of the Pentatomoidea 101
sequence ...”. Given that, we have discussed his generic groups in the same order that he presented them,
still having a general trend from more primitive groups to the more advanced groups.
2.2.10.7.44.1 Ochisme Group Gross (1975b) segregated four genera (Amphidexius Bergroth [Figure
2.24E], Dysnoetus Bergroth, Ochisme Kirkaldy [= Trachyops Dallas; Figure 2.32K], and Turrubulana
Distant), each with a single species, placing them in his Ochisme group. All four genera are endemic to
Australia. Dallas (1851) and Stål (1876) both included Trachyops in the Halyini. Similarly, Distant (1910a)
placed his genus, Turrubulana, in the Halyini, but this was disputed by Bergroth (1916). Bergroth (1918),
based especially on the shape of the pronotum, originally placed Amphidexius near Dandinus Distant,
a member of the Podopinae, or Paranotius Breddin (= Lubentius Stål), a member of the Carpocorini;
he also indicated that the placement of Dysnoetus was questionable, although he discussed a possible
relationship with the Myrocheini or Sciocorini.
Gross (1975b) considered the structure of the thoracic sterna of primary importance, which he char-
acterized as “deeply sulcate pro-, meso- and metasterna; the edges of the prosternal sulcus are sharply
raised as two prominent keels lying forward and on the inner side of the fore coxae.” The rostrum is
elongate, sometimes reaching to abdominal sternite IV (shorter in Dysnoetus). All tibiae are sulcate on
superior surfaces. There may be a shallow sulcus on the first two abdominal sternites. The male para-
meres are C-shaped; the phallosoma sometimes ends in a narrow thecal shield which may possess a pair
of horn-like processes dorsally. The female spermathecal bulb is ball-shaped with two short diverticula.
The sulcate nature of the mesosternum may relate this group to other groups with a sulcate mesosternum
(e.g., Aeptini and Myrocheini; see Sections 2.2.10.7.3 and 2.2.10.7.29, respectively).
2.2.10.7.44.2 Kitsonia Group The generic name, Kitsonia Gross, upon which this group is based, is
preoccupied. Rider (1998b) proposed Kitsoniocoris Rider as a replacement name. This group contains a
single genus and species, endemic to Australia. This genus has a triangular head, the margins of which
appear to be rounded from above, but the edge can be seen from lateral view. The scutellum is enlarged,
reaching to the apex of the abdomen, but it does not cover the lateral margins of the coria. All thoracic
sterna are sulcate; that of the prosternum is bordered on both sides by a sharply elevated carina in front
of the fore coxae.
Gross (1975b), based on the shape of the scutellum and the structure of the prosternum, related this
genus to the Tar isa group [= Podopinae] (see Section 2.2.10.9), but the triangular shape of the head and
the outline of the pronotum and scutellum differ from most podopines. He also noted that the shape of
the scutellum was similar to that seen in Macrocarenus Stål (but again head shape is different), and
Bachesua Gross and Ippatha Distant (both of which differ again in head structure and lack the prosternal
structure).
2.2.10.7.44.3 Kumbutha Group Gross (1975b) established this group to accommodate nine genera
stating that they appeared to form a natural grouping, but its relationship with other groups was far from
clear. He characterized the group as having an enlarged scutellum that covered most of the dorsum or,
if smaller, it was still semi-elliptical in shape (although he stated that the scutellum was about normally
sized in Cooperocoris Gross), and by the medially sulcate prosternum and mesosternum. The prosternal
sulcus is margined on both sides by a keel, or a series of coalescing granules forming a keel, this keel
continues forward and upwards to form a sharp anterior margin to the propleura. The lateral angles of
the pronotum are obtusely rounded.
Gross (1975b) compared this group to a number of other Australian groups, mainly those that had a
similar scutellar structure or a similar structure of the male genitalia. Ultimately, he concluded that the
relationships with other groups were obscure, and further study was needed. The morphology of the head
and the structure of the male internal genitalia, at least of some of the genera, support a relationship with
the Macrocarenus group, discussed below.
2.2.10.7.44.4 Macrocarenus Group Gross (1975b) established this group for two Australian genera -
Macrocarenus, and his new genus Macrocarenoides Gross (Figure 2.32I). Species in these two genera
are over 6 mm in size. This group also has the scutellum greatly enlarged, reaching nearly to the apex of