Higher Systematics of the Pentatomoidea 103
The hemelytral membrane is reticulate. The rostrum reaches the middle coxae. The male genitalia pos-
sess at least feebly developed parandria (probably not true parandria, but rather simply processes on
the lateral rims of the pygophore); some species have a narrow thecal shield; there is also a pair of rigid
‘struts’ directed upwards at the base of the conjunctiva. The female spermathecal duct has a dilation and
a sclerotized rod; the spermathecal bulb is ball-shaped with a pair of tubular diverticula.
Gross (1975b) stated that “this group does not appear to have any particular close relatives in the
Pentatomidae except the following Tholosanus group and exotic forms which may be related to that
group.” In his discussions of the Tholosanus group, he indicated that there might be a relationship with
the African members of the tribe Myrocheini (see Section 2.2.10.7.29). So, it is possible that members of
this group, as well as those of the Tholosanus group, could be referred to the Myrocheini.
2.2.10.7.44.8 Tholosanus Group This group was proposed to contain two Australian genera – Arniscus
(Figure 2.22F) and Tholosanus Distant. Gross (1975b) indicated that, based on external morphology,
members of this group were difficult to distinguish from the Dictyotus group. He stated that Tholosanus
group members were slightly larger, and that they lacked the reticulate venation in the hemelytral mem-
brane. He also indicated that the male parameres of Arniscus are quite similar to those of Dictyotus, but
the parameres of Tholosanus are more F-shaped. He further indicated that there were several differences
in the structure of the aedeagus.
Gross (1975b) stated that this group was closely related to the Dictyotus group, but either or both may
be related to a group of African genera now included in the tribe Myrocheini (see Section 2.2.10.7.29).
He personally compared these genera with two myrocheine genera, Laprius and Dorpius Distant
(= Myrochea) and found them to be quite similar. It is possible that the genera included in this group
could be referred to the Myrocheini.
2.2.10.7.44.9 Poecilotoma Group This group is monotypic, containing a single Australian genus,
Poecilotoma (Figure 2.24G). Gross (1975b) indicated that members of this genus have a similar appear-
ance as members of the Halys group (= Halyini), although they are smaller than most members of that
tribe. Characters that the two groups share include the prominent humeral angles, the crenulate antero-
lateral pronotal margins, the antennifers forming a hook or flap laterally, the juga extending beyond the
apex of the tylus, and the four-segmented antennae.
Gross (1975b) indicated that many of these same characters are found in some members of the
Diemenia group (= Diemeniini), but both the halyines and the genus Poecilotoma lack the stridula-
tory mechanism on the abdominal venter characteristic of diemeniines. The thoracic sterna are sulcate,
lacking a medial carina (which is present in the Halyini and Diemeniini). The male parameres show no
particular resemblance to those of either group; the aedeagus has a thecal shield, similar to that seen in
the Asopinae. More recently, Faúndez and Rider (2014) noted a resemblance between Poecilotoma and
the South American genus Thestral, a genus that appears to be related to the genus Acledra.
2.2.10.7.44.10 Kapunda Group Traditionally, the Australian members of this group had been placed
into three genera: Adelaidena Distant, Kapunda Distant, and Sciocoris. Gross (1976), after studying
pertinent type material, determined that Adelaidena was a good genus, but the Australian members
of ‘Sciocoris’ were congeneric with Kapunda. Gross (1976) further indicated that at least based on
internal male genitalia, the Australian members of this group were not related to European sciocorines,
although this may not be as important as Gross thought because Gapon and Baena (2005) determined
that the genitalic structure of the European sciocorines was particularly heterogenous. He concluded that
the male genitalia more closely resembled that of members of the Diemenia group or the Poecilotoma
group. The members of the Kapunda group lack the abdominal stridulatory structures characteristic of
the diemeniines.
Members of this group are relatively small (less than 7 mm); they are oval in shape with a relatively
broad and magnate head which is flat dorsally, and the juga and tylus are subequal in length. The pro-
notum is relatively flat with explanate margins. The scutellum is subtriangular and relatively flat. All
thoracic pleura are sulcate without sharply raised margins; there is a short medial carina on the anterior
portion of the mesosternum.