The generic status of Microsandalus Stål, 1867 stat. rev. is discussed and formally revalidated. The type species of this genus, M. umbrosus Stål, 1867, is redescribed and illustrated with an emphasis on sexual dimorphism. The lectotype of M. umbrosus is designated. Pirates sobrius Walker, 1873 is found to be the brachypterous female of M. umbrosus, and therefore, a previous synonymy, which had recently gone unnoticed, is confirmed. A key to help separate peiratine genera distributed in Australia is provided.
The African shieldbug genus Afrius Stål, 1870 is revised. Cantheconidea migratoria Distant, 1913 and A. williamsi Miller, 1952 are proposed as junior synonyms of A. (Subafrius) flavirostrum (Signoret, 1861) whereas Canthecona marmorata Dallas, 1851, Canthecona annulipes Dallas, 1851 and A. rubromarginatus Bergroth, 1903 are proposed as junior synonyms of A. (Afrius) purpureus (Westwood, 1837) based on the general morphology and genitalia of the species. The three valid species, viz. A. (Subafrius) flavirostrum, A. (Afrius) kolleri Schouteden, 1911 and A. (Afrius) purpureus, are redescribed with details of male and female genitalia morphology, and a lectotype is designated for A. (Afrius) kolleri. A key to identify the species as well as an update of the geographical distribution for each species are provided, including new records for A. (Afrius) purpureus.
The presumed lost type of Arma pallipes Dallas is found and Thomas’s (1992) neotype is hereby set aside (ICZN 1999, Art. 75.8). A. pallipes is proposed as junior subjective synonym of Podisus ventralis (Dallas). A lectotype designation by inference of holotype (Gaedike 1971) is accepted for the female typical specimen of P. neniator deposited at Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut (SDEI, Müncheberg, Germany) (ICZN 1999, Art. 74.6). Two new species of Podisus Herrich-Schäffer are described: Podisus graziae Brugnera, Roell & Lemaître sp. nov. and Podisus thomasi Lemaître, Roell & Brugnera sp. nov. Photographs of all types as well as of live specimens are provided.
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