Review of the plant bug tribe Eccritotarsini (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) of India and Sri Lanka with description of two new genera and six new species

The fauna of the bryocorine plant bug tribe Eccritotarsini from India and Sri Lanka is reviewed and updated. Ten genera and 20 species are reported from the region including two genera and six species described as new: Harpedona vittlaensis sp. nov., Lopidolon dandeliensis sp. nov., Mertila rubrocephala sp. nov., Namyatovia gen. nov. for N. castlerockensis gen. et sp. nov. (as the type species) and N. sirsiensis gen. et sp. nov., and Stonedahlia gen. nov. for S. mishmiensis gen. et sp. nov. The genus Bromeliaemiris Schumacher, 1919 is synonymized with Lopidolon Poppius, 1911. Dioclerus lutheri (Poppius, 1912) and Ernestinus ramkeshariae Yasunaga & Ishikawa, 2016 are reported from India for the first time. Differential diagnoses, keys, habitus photographs, illustrations of male genitalic structures, host and distributional information are provided for all genera and species.


Introduction
India is recognized as a megadiverse country harboring more than 65 000 described insect species (e.g., Venkataraman & Sivaperuman 2018), with many more awaiting description. This is particularly true for Miridae Hahn, 1831, the largest family of true bugs (Heteroptera Latreille, 1810), containing 11 300 species (Schuh & Weirauch 2020), more than 250 of which have been described within the last eight years (Cassis & Schuh 2012;Schuh & Weirauch 2020). This study focuses on the subfamily Bryocorinae Baerensprung, 1860 and represents part of a larger eff ort (Yeshwanth 2014(Yeshwanth , 2015Yeshwanth & Chérot 2015, 2019 to document the hyper diverse plant bug family in the Indian subcontinent. European Journal of Taxonomy 745: 1-69 (2021) 2 The Bryocorinae are a morphologically diverse group, encompassing more than 1000 species assigned to 200 genera, and showing higher species richness in tropical and subtropical areas. Despite recent taxonomic eff orts (Yasunaga 2000;Hu & Zheng 2003;Yasunaga & Duwal 2007;Mu & Liu 2012;Konstantinov & Knyshov 2015;Henry & Howard 2016;Yasunaga & Ishikawa 2016;Namyatova & Cassis 2013, 2015, 2016a, 2016bCassis et al. 2016;Menard & Schwartz 2018;Henry & Menard 2020) many new taxa remain to be discovered in this large subfamily. Four tribes are currently recognized within the group, with Eccritotarsini Berg, 1883 being the largest and comprising almost two-thirds of total bryocorine genera (Namyatova et al. 2016). Although the vast majority of eccritotarsine species are restricted to the New World, available data indicate an Oriental origin of the clade (Konstantinov et al. 2018).
Surveys of eccritotarsines in India and Sri Lanka are basically limited to the works of Distant (1904bDistant ( , 1911b and Stonedahl (1988). The latter author provided an excellent treatment of six Oriental eccritotarsine genera and laid a solid ground for subsequent studies. In the present paper we summarize our knowledge of the tribe for India and Sri Lanka. Ten genera and 20 species are treated in detail, including two genera and six species described as new.

Material and Methods
Observations, measurements and digital images of habitus were made with a Leica M205C stereo microscope equipped with a DFC 425 camera. Drawings and images of male genitalia were taken using a Leica DM2000 microscope equipped with a camera lucida and a DFC 425 camera. Partially focused images of each specimen or structure were stacked using the Zerene Stacker T2018-07-19-1515 software (http://zerenesystems.com/). The terminology used for male genitalia follows Konstantinov (2003Konstantinov ( , 2019. All measurements (see Table 1) are given in millimetres. Holotypes of all species described in this paper are deposited in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. Distant, 1911 Figs 2A, 5H, 12, 26D-F Ernestinus mimicus Distant, 1911: 311.

Diagnosis
Recognized by the following characters: antenna dark brown except base of segment I, with relatively long segments II and III; scutellum uniformly black; transverse dark spot in medioapical part of corium roughly T-shaped, laterally reaching but not surpassing submarginal vein; cuneus whitish, with extreme apex slightly darkened, cells dark brown except narrow inner area adjoining to cuneus, remaining part of membrane without color pattern (Figs 2A,5H); left paramere with distinctly swollen body, apical process abruptly bent at base, very slightly and gradually curved along entire length and terminating with a small hook; right paramere fl ag-shaped, forming roughly rectangular plate apically (Fig. 12).

Host
According to the original description (Distant 1911a), the type series was collected on aroid plants on a riverbank in Sri Lanka. Adults and larvae sampled for this study were found breeding on Lagenandra sp. (Araceae) (Fig. 26D-F).

Distribution
The species had been previously known only from Haragama, a type locality in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Here we report it from the Karnataka state of India for the fi rst time. Yasunaga & Ishikawa, 2016 Figs 2B, 13, 26A-C Ernestinus ramkeshariae Yasunaga & Ishikawa, 2016: 36-38.

Diagnosis
Distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: antennal segment I and sometimes basal half of segment II yellowish white, remaining segments brown; antennal segment II short, subequal in length to segment III and head width; scutellum orange-yellow medially; transverse dark spot on medioapical part of corium roughly T-shaped, at sides always reaching submarginal vein (India) or costal margin (Nepal); apical ⅓ of cuneus dark brown; cells entirely dark brown but remaining part of membrane without color-pattern (Fig. 2B); left paramere question mark-shaped; right paramere bulbous, simple, with slight subapical constriction and small subapical outgrowth (Fig. 13).

Host
In India, nymphs and adults were found aggregating in large numbers on the under surfaces of leaves ( Fig. 26A-C) and damaging the cultivated edible aroid Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott (Araceae). Yasunaga & Ishikawa (2016) provided detailed observations on the biology of E. ramkeshariae in Nepal and reported C. esculenta as a host, suggesting it could become a pest given the severe damage observed in a vegetable garden in Kathmandu.

Distribution
Nepal, northeastern and southwestern India.

Remarks
This species was recently described from Nepal, where it was found in subtropical areas and urbanized zones of Katmandu (Yasunaga & Ishikawa 2016). The authors provided a detailed description and suggested that this species was introduced to northern Nepal as a pest of cultivated Colocasia esculenta.
Here we report this species from northeastern (Manipur province) and southwestern (Karnataka province) India. Indian specimens diff er slightly from Nepalese specimens in the color pattern, particularly in having pale labial segment I, uniformly whitish tibiae and slightly less pronounced transverse medioapical spot on the corium, which does not reach costal margin so that the adjoining part of embolium remains whitish yellow or only slightly infuscate. Specimens of E. ramkeshariae from Nepal have a brown labial segment I, red tinged tibia and a transverse spot on the corium that extends to the costal margin (Yasunaga & Ishikawa, 2016). Otherwise, Indian and Nepalese specimens show no other distinctions in coloration, measurements, and male and female genitalia.

Distribution
Known from Sri Lanka, southwestern and northern India to Fukien Prov. of China, Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands (Stonedahl 1988).

Remarks
This genus was revised by Stonedahl (1988) and, with addition of the recently described Harpedona stonedahli Yasunaga & Ishikawa, 2016, it currently comprises 13 species. Only Harpedona sanguinipes Distant, 1909 was known from India prior to our study; the description of a new species from the Karnataka state of India is given below. Harpedona marginata Distant, 1904, the most frequently collected and widely distributed species of the genus was originally described from Sri Lanka and may likely be found in India with more sampling eff ort.

Diagnosis
Distinguished by the following combination of characters: dorsum impunctate, dark brown, hemelytron somewhat paler than head, pronotum and scutellum, sometimes with a pale brown embolium (Fig. 5J)

Diagnosis
Recognized by the following characters: dorsum impunctate, brown to dark brown, pronotum and scutellum darker than hemelytron; antennal segments, all femora and bases of tibiae with a distinct reddish tinge, remaining parts of legs yellow (Fig. 2C); head width across eyes 0.78, vertex width 0.46; frons without median sulcus in both sexes; labium surpassing hind coxa; genital capsule with a long, narrow, medially projecting process of right wall, prominent projection of left wall, and large, dorsally directed process of ventral wall ( Fig. 15A-B); left paramere strongly twisted at middle, apical process with subapical prong and rounded apex (

Diagnosis
Easily recognized from all congeners by the following characters: dorsum dirty pale brown, with an orange brown head and pronotal collar, and dark brown scutellum (Fig. 2D); pronotum heavily punctate, distinctly transverse, about 1.7× as wide as long, with an indistinct impressed line behind calli; labium long, reaching at least IV abdominal segment, apex of segment III surpassing hind coxa; genital capsule without spinelike processes and complex sclerotization on dorsal wall, with large, lobate ventral process (Fig. 16A).

Etymology
Named after the type locality, Vittla, India.

C
. Dirty pale brown (Fig. 2D). Head orange brown, with a transverse diff use brown band on vertex and dark brown apex of clypeus; eye black; antennal segment I with pale chestnut base and darkened apex, segments II-IV dark brown; labium pale brown with darkened apex of segment IV; pronotum pale brown, with a yellow brown pronotal collar and slightly darkened calli; scutellum dark brown; thoracic pleurites dark brown, posterior margin of mesopleuron with yellowish edging; hemelytron uniformly pale brown, membrane semitransparent, fuscous; legs uniformly pale brown, tibiae with an indistinct reddish tinge; abdomen brown.

S
. Body elongate-oval, 2.9× as long as basal width of pronotum, total length 3.1. Head: transverse, moderately produced anteriad of eyes in dorsal view, somewhat wider than high in frontal view; frons weakly convex, without longitudinal sulcus, epistomal suture slightly depressed; eyes sessile, relatively small, oval, about half height of head in lateral view, posterior margin almost contiguous with pronotal collar; vertex convex, twice as wide as dorsal width of one eye; antennal fossa located just above ventral margin of eye, at small distance from inferior margin of eye; antennal segment I short, tubular, narrowed at base, subequal to width of vertex, segment II subequal to head width, segments III and IV fi liform, subequal in length; labium long, reaching abdominal segment 4 or 5. Thorax: pronotum 1.7× as wide as long, with a prominent, medially concave collar posteriorly delimited by a deep impressed line; calli raised, contiguous and reaching lateral margins of pronotum, with a deep pit in between, posteriorly delimited by a weak punctate line distinctly constricted at sides; disc weakly convex; lateral margins of pronotum sinuate, posterior margin nearly straight; mesoscutum almost entirely covered by pronotum; scutellum broadly triangular, slightly raised and anteromedially excavated; peritreme of metathoracic scent-gland lanceolate, extended posteriorly along ventral margin of metapleuron; evaporative area reduced to a narrow falciform area along dorsal margin of peritreme and devoid of characteristic mushroom bodies (Fig. 25A). Hemelytron: semitransparent, corium with almost straight lateral margin, R+M vein well developed, reaching apex of corium, medial fracture distinct, reaching medioapical area of corium; cuneus narrow, twice as long as wide at base; membrane with single angulate cell slightly surpassing apex of cuneus. Legs: all femora relatively long, cylindrical; tibiae straight, subequal to length of respective femur; tarsi three-segmented, with distinctly swollen segment III; claw bent close to apex, inner surface of claw with large semicircular pulvillus equipped with pulvillar combs.

G
. Genital capsule with large, roughly rectangular right lateral process and contrastingly long, tongue-shaped and posteriorly oriented ventral process exceeding length of genital capsule (Fig. 16A); aedeagus small, with entirely membranous phallotheca, simple sac-like endosoma and spine-like ductus seminis sclerotized along almost entire length except base (Fig. 16F); parameres larger and more robust than in other congeners, left paramere with strongly upturned and hooked apex ( Fig. 16B-C), right paramere subquadrate, with short and strongly curved apical process ( Fig. 16D-E).

Female
Similar to male.

Host
Unknown.

Remarks
This new species diff ers from all congeners by several unique features, including a comparatively wide pronotum with an indistinct line delimiting the calli posteriorly and a heavily punctate disc, the exceptionally long labium reaching at least the fourth abdominal sternite, and the pale brown coloration of dorsum. Many Harpedona spp. have two-celled membrane with a small, narrow secondary cell near inner margin of the cuneus, but this secondary cell is missing in H. vittlaensis sp. nov. Additionally, the genital capsule of this new species is relatively simple and devoid of complex bulbous and spine-like processes on the dorsal wall, which are typical for most species of the genus. However, H. vittlaensis sp. nov. shares all essential features of the genus mentioned in the diagnosis viz., body shape and proportions, the structure of pronotal collar and calli, the constriction of pronotum behind calli, the presence of a large, lobate process on the right wall of the genital capsule, the characteristically simple aedeagus, and the shape of both parameres. Carvalho, 1981

Diagnosis
The genus may be distinguished by the following characters: antennal segment I bottle-shaped, with a distinctly narrowed basal part, somewhat longer than vertex width; head, pronotum and scutellum with dense coarse punctures; pronotum with collar fl at and not delimited posteriorly, calli notably expanded, with posterior depression, disc strongly raised, covering mesonotum, basal half of scutellum and bases of hemelytra; disc of pronotum with narrow, impunctate, whitish carina along midline; legs long and thin, with all femora somewhat swollen apically; hemelytra slightly constricted on basal fourth, with costal margin sinuate, concave on basal half and nearly straight apically ( Fig. 6A-B).

Remarks
Carvalho (1981b) described a single female from Ranikhet, northern India, as a new species and new monotypic genus Jessopocoris scutellatus. He noted that the new genus diff ers from all other genera by the shape of pronotum, strongly expanded posteriorly and covering a substantial part of scutellum. Subsequently, Mu & Liu (2012) described two more species of the genus from Guangxi and Yunnan provinces of China. According to the original description, both Chinese species of Jessopocoris have a boat-shaped, non-modifi ed genital capsule, a large, L-shaped left paramere located in an entirely closed paramere socket and apparently absent right paramere. The only Indian species of the genus, J. scutellatus, is still known only from the female holotype.
Jessopocoris is superfi cially similar to Ernestinus spp. due to the body proportions, raised and punctate pronotal disc and uniformly brown to dark brown coloration on the clavus, transverse spot on the medioapical part of corium, apex of cuneus and cells contrasting with the whitish-yellow remaining part of hemelytron and legs. However, it clearly diff ers from that genus in all other characters mentioned in the diagnosis. Carvalho, 1981

Diagnosis
Although all three species of the genus are quite similar in structure, main body proportions and coloration, Jessopocoris scutellatus Carvalho, 1981 can be easily distinguished from J. aterovittatus Mu &Liu, 2012 andJ. yunnananus Mu &Liu, 2012 by the uniformly whitish-yellow antennal segment II, pale brown head and calli, and exceptionally long segment IV, which is twice as long as segment III and about 1.6× as long as segment II.

Host
Unknown.

Distribution
Known only from the type locality, Ranikhet, Uttarakhand state of India.

Diagnosis
Recognized by the following characters: Antenna short, with segment I distinctly shorter than vertex width, segment II 1.0-1.3× as long as head width, segment III distinctly shorter than head width, segment IV shorter than segment I; body clothed with dense, long and thin, erect to semierect simple setae; dorsum with shallow punctures, pale brown to reddish yellow coloration with dark longitudinal interrupted stripes; eyes sessile, somewhat removed from anterior margin of pronotum by characteristically welldeveloped postocular region of vertex (Figs 6D-J, 7); labium reaching hind coxa; pronotal collar wide, slightly narrowing towards midline; calli almost confl uent, separated by a small deep pit; pronotal collar and calli separated by impressed lines forming characteristic subtriangular region in between; posterior margin of pronotum sinuate, mesonotum broadly exposed; membrane two-celled, with larger cell angulate, extending far beyond apex of cuneus and smaller cell narrow, located along inner margin of cuneus; genital capsule highly modifi ed, with large, lobate posterior process and usually with additional lateral outgrowths (Figs 17C-D, 18A-B); parameres and aedeagus reduced, very small ( Fig. 18C-E); aedeagus with entirely membranous phallotheca, simple membranous endosoma and a sclerotized, spine-like apical part of the ductus seminis (Fig. 18F).

Remarks
The genus Lopidolon was originally described to accommodate L. sordidus Poppius, 1911 known from a single female collected from Pattipola, Sri Lanka (Poppius 1911). Lopidolon pallescens, also known from a single female, was described a year later from Pulney, Tamil Nadu province of India (Poppius 1912). No information on the genus has been published since then. In the current work, we add a new species, Lopidolon dandeliensis sp. nov., based on specimens collected from Karnataka province, India.
The genus Bromeliaemiris Schumacher, 1919 is known from Mayanmar, Java, Borneo, Philippines, New Guinea, and Australia and currently contains 11 species (Hsiao 1944;Carvalho 1981a). Hsiao (1944) noted that Bromeliaemiris might be a synonym of Lopidolon but refrained from formal synonymy due to lack of material. Stonedahl (1988) did not specifi cally addressed the genera Bromeliaemiris and Lopidolon but outlined the putatively monophyletic group of six Oriental genera, viz. Anthropophagiotes Kirkaldy, 1908, Bromeliaemiris, Harpedona, Lopidolon, Mertila Distant, 1904, and Notidius Hsiao, 1944. According to Stonedahl, the defi ning characters of this group include the relatively long labium always reaching mesocoxae, the characteristic area with faint trichia at base of antennal segment II, the weakly infl ated peritreme, the two-celled hemelytral membrane with narrow smaller cell stretching along inner margin of cuneus, and the greatly reduced parameres and aedeagus. Members of this group also have distinct calli, with an anteriorly and posteriorly delimited area with deep depression, which usually gives an impression of a second pronotal collar (Figs 6D, 7F).
Within the Harpedona-group, Lopidolon is most similar to Mertila. Anthropophagiotes, a monotypic genus described from a single female from Fiji, clearly diff ers from other Harpedona-group genera in the distinctly protruding head, strongly dilated antennal segment II, and shape of the pronotum. The monotypic genus Notidius, also described and still known from a single female collected in Borneo, diff ers in having a large and strongly declivent head, oval body with a gradually convex costal margin of hemelytron, cuneus only slightly longer than wide, and dark castaneous coloration. Harpedona may be easily distinguished by the narrow body with basal width of pronotum not exceeding 1.5× of the head width and the distinct constriction at the sides of pronotum just behind the calli.
Representatives of the genus Mertila ( Fig. 8) diff er from those of Lopidolon by the head shape with a weakly convex, slightly protruding frons and large eyes without a postocular region, by the narrow pronotal collar, the comparatively short vestiture, and the characteristically reddish and bluish coloration.

Diagnosis
Recognized by the yellow or orange-yellow ground color with contrasting dark pattern, specifi cally distinguished by the uniformly black antennal segments I and II, dark brown tibiae, presence of black longitudinal stripes at sides of anterior part of pronotum, and the two more stripes close to midline on posterior part and the almost entirely black hemelytron with the apex of clavus, the basal half of cuneus, and the base and extreme apex of endocorium yellow ( Fig. 2E-F).

Etymology
The name of the new species is derived from the type locality, Dandeli city.  (2021) 18 midline; eye silvery with black band along inner margin in frontal view; antennal segments I and II black, remaining segments brown; labium brown. Thorax: pronotal collar and calli with longitudinal black stripes laterally, disc of pronotum with two black stripes close to midline and darkened posterior angles; thoracic venter pale brown, propleura with similar black longitudinal stripe; exposed part of mesoscutum and scutellum yellow to orange-yellow, with lateral black patches at base. Hemelytron: clavus black, with V-shaped yellow region apically; corium yellow to orange yellow, with entirely black exocorium and with three large, almost confl uent, longitudinal black patches separated by branches of R+M vein and occupying most of endocorium except base and extreme apex; cuneus yellow to orange yellow with black apical half. Legs: coxae pale brown to pale yellow; femora yellow with darkened apices and a diff use dark brown ring on apical third; tibiae brown to dark brown, pale yellow medially. Abdomen: yellow to orange yellow, with lateral black patches.

S
. Dorsum fi nely punctate; head, pronotum and hemelytra weakly rugose, with yellow, long, erect simple setae, antenna and legs with setae somewhat longer than elsewhere.

S
. Body elongate-oval, total length 2.5× as long as basal width of pronotum. Head: transverse, with distinctly convex and anteriorly projecting frons; eye sessile, large, occupying half of head height in lateral view, not in contact with anterior margin of pronotum due to well-developed postocular region of vertex; vertex slightly convex; antennal fossa, prominent, round, narrowly separated from eye, located near ventral eye margin; antennal segment I short, subequal to vertex width, tubular and narrowing at base; segment II 1.2× as long as head width, about half as thin as segment I, slightly dilate apically; segments III and IV short, fi liform, subequal in length; labium long, reaching abdominal sternite III. Thorax: pronotum 1.6× as wide as long, with collar concave, distinctly wider than diameter of antennal segment I, slightly narrowing towards midline, posteriorly well delimited by an impressed line; calli raised, anteriorly and posteriorly delimited by impressed lines; disc of pronotum slightly raised, trapeziform, with strongly sinuate posterior margin; mesoscutum largely exposed; scutellum slightly longer than exposed part of mesocutum, slightly raised; metathoracic scent gland eff erent system reduced, with narrow opening and peritreme (Fig. 25B). Hemelytron: costal margin slightly concave, hemelytron broadest at level with apex of clavus; slightly above cuneus, cuneus about 1.5× as long as wide, with distinct cuneal fracture; primary cell of membrane large, far exceeding apex of cuneus, secondary cell narrow.

G
. Genital capsule short and wide, with a large, posteriorly directed aperture (Figs 17, 18A-B); dorsal margin with very large, spoon-shaped lobe more than twice as long as genital capsule and equipped with groove running towards apex; lateral margins of genital capsule with large, slightly asymmetrical lobes resembling parameres; aedeagus and parameres strongly reduced, parameres almost equal in length, located close to each other on ventral margin of capsule; left paramere as in Fig. 18C-D, right paramere as in Fig. 18E. aedeagus with entirely membranous phallotheca, simple membranous endosoma, and ductus seminis with membranous basal part and sclerotized, spine-like apical part (Fig. 18F).

Female
Similar to male but slightly smaller. Coloration as in male but vertex with a longitudinal pale brown marking and eye entirely silver, without any black markings.

Remarks
The new species is most similar to L. pallescens Poppius, 1912 in size, body proportions, vestiture, and general color-pattern but it diff ers from L. dandeliensis sp. nov. in the pale-brown ground color, the diff use, weakly expressed dark markings on the dorsum, and the coloration of antennal segment II and tibiae. Lopidolon sordidus is similar to the new species in the contrasting black and orange coloration but diff ers from it in the largely darkened head, uniformly dark brown antennal segments I-II, reddishbrown tibiae, presence of a pair of uninterrupted black stripes on pronotum running from collar to posterior margin of disc, and longer vestiture. Poppius, 1912 Fig. 6D-F Lopidolon pallescens Poppius, 1912: 14-15.

Diagnosis
Recognized by the following combination of characters: dorsum pale brown, with diff use dark markings; head uniformly pale brown; antennal segment I brown, half as long as vertex width, segment II brown with pale brown middle third, 1.1× as long as head width; pronotal collar and calli with longitudinal brown stripes at sides, disc of pronotum with two brown stripes close to midline and darkened posterior angles (Fig. 6D), propleura with similar brown longitudinal stripe; clavus brown with pale brown apical third; exocorium pale brown, apically darkened; endocorium on apical two thirds with three large brown patches separated by branches of R+M vein; tibia pale brown, darkened at middle.

Distribution
Known only from the type locality, Pulney Hills, Tamil Nadu province of India.

Remarks
The holotype of this species is faded in color and dark stripes on dorsum are hardly visible ( Fig. 6D-E). The diagnosis is based on examination of pictures of the holotype in combination with the original description (Poppius 1912). Refer to Remarks section of L. dandeliensis sp. nov. for discussion of distinctions between Lopidolon spp. Poppius, 1911 Fig. 6G-J Lopidolon sordidus Poppius, 1911: 7.

Diagnosis
Distinguished by the following characters: coloration contrastingly orange and brown; head with largely darkened frons and black clypeus; antennal segment I black, 0.7× as long as vertex width; segment II black, slightly longer than head width; pronotum with two wide, longitudinal, dark brown stripes running from collar to posterior margin of disc, remainder of pronotum including posterior angles orange ( Fig. 6G); propleura with a brown longitudinal stripe (Fig. 6I); clavus and endocorium almost entirely dark brown with orange bases, exocorium orange, apically darkened; tibiae uniformly orange-brown.

Distribution
Central Sri Lanka. According to the original description (Poppius 1911), the holotype specimen was collected in Pattipola at an altitude of 2000 m, on February 22, 1902.

Remarks
Refer to Remarks section of L. dandeliensis sp. nov. for discussion on distinctions between Lopidolon spp.

Diagnosis
Recognized by the following combination of characters: antennae short, segment I thin, slightly shorter than vertex width, segment II shorter than or subequal to head width; dorsum shiny, with dense, whitish, erect simple setae; head reddish, pronotum, scutellum, and base of hemelytron reddish or bluish black to black, apical part of hemelytron bluish black to black (Figs 3A-B, 8A, D, G); disc of pronotum with faint punctures, hemelytron smooth or faintly wrinkled; head broad, with weakly convex frons, broadly depressed lateral margin bordering eye, and indistinct postocular lobe; eyes large, projecting laterally beyond anterolateral angles of pronotum; labium reaching hind coxa; pronotal collar narrow, equals in length to diameter of antennal segment I; calli weakly raised, separated by shallow impressed lines; anterior part of pronotum with shallow subtriangular area between lines delimiting pronotal collar and calli; posterior margin of pronotum slightly convex, moderately exposing mesonotum; membrane twocelled, with large, angulate and distinctly concave larger cell; genital capsule highly modifi ed, short, with posteriorly directed wide aperture, lateral and dorsal margins of capsule with complex posterior processes (Figs 3C, 8C, F, H, 19); parameres and aedeagus reduced, very small; aedeagus with entirely membranous phallotheca, simple membranous endosoma and sclerotized, spine-like apical part of ductus seminis (Fig. 20A-E).

Host
Host data are available for Mertila malayensis based on US port interceptions from Java, Philippines and Singapore (Stonedahl 1988). Similarly to several Lopidolon spp., this species was taken from Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume, Renanthera storiei Rchb.f., and Vanda sp. (Orhidaceae). A single female of M. bhamo Stonedahl, 1988 intercepted from India was also taken on Vanda sp. (Stonedahl 1988).

Remarks
Prior to this study, the genus comprised four species, M. sabah Stonedahl, 1988, M. sarawak Stonedahl, 1988, M. malayensis (Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia), and M. bhamo (Burma). Stonedahl (1988) also recorded the last species from India based on a single female without locality data from the US port interception material. Description of one new Mertila species from India is given below.
Species of Mertila may be recognized among other eccritotarsines by the bicolored, bright reddish and bluish black dorsum, shape of transverse head, structure of the anterior part of the pronotum and the male genitalia. Refer to discussion of Lopidolon for details.

Diagnosis
Recognized by the following characters: Total length 5.5-6.3; antennal segment II dark brown, subequal to head width; anterior part of body broadly reddish, head, pronotum and scutellum bright reddish, base of hemelytron reddish at level with apex of scutellum, remainder bluish black (Fig. 8A); tibiae brown; genital capsule dorsally with two strongly twisted, tapering, hollow tubular processes (Fig. 8C).

Diagnosis
Easily recognized from all congeners by the uniformly black pronotum, scutellum and entire hemelytron with only head dark reddish (Fig. 3A-B) and the structure of male genitalia devoid of two strongly twisted and tapering, hollow tubular processes of the dorsal wall of genital capsule (Fig. 19).

Etymology
The species epithet refers to the distinctive red head of the new species. . Black; head dark reddish, antennal segment I and labium reddish, antennal segment II reddish with apex brown; legs reddish with darkened tarsi; pronotum, scutellum and hemelytron black; membrane dark brown; body ventrally dark brown or black with genital capsule brown ventrally ( Fig. 3A-C).

S
. Body oval, total length 5.2, twice as long as basal width of pronotum. Head: transverse, moderately produced anterior to eyes, slopping; eye large, occupying half the head height in lateral view and projecting laterally beyond anterior margin of pronotum; vertex 1.7× as wide as dorsal width of one eye, almost fl at, postocular lobe not developed; antennal fossa large, located close to inferior margin of eye; antennal segment I tubular, basally narrow, subequal to vertex width, segment II shorter than head width; labium long, stout, reaching abdominal segment III. Thorax: pronotum 1.6× as wide as long, trapeziform, with weakly concave lateral margin and broadly convex posterior margin; mesoscutum narrowly exposed; scutellum broadly triangular, slightly raised; metathoracic scent-gland eff erent system reduced, peritreme tongue shaped, of typical eccritotarsine structure (Fig. 25C). Hemelytron: costal margin slightly convex; cuneus broadly triangular, length subequal to basal width; large cell of membrane concave, apically angulate, well surpassing apex of cuneus, secondary cell small. Legs: femora comparatively short, moderately fl attened; tibiae subequal in length to respective femora; tarsal segment I short, segments II and III subequal in length.

G
. Genital capsule (Fig. 19) wide and short, with wide, posteriorly directed, V-shaped aperture, produced into three very large processes; lateral processes somewhat resembling parameres, distinctly longer than genital capsule; left lateral process elongate, rectangular with long and fl attened spine-like apex; right lateral process longer than left one, gradually curved towards midline, broadly rounded apically; dorsal wall of genital capsule produced into median process, fl attened oblong structure broadly rounded apically; parameres and aedeagus greatly reduced, located close to each other at ventralmost point of aperture of genital capsule; aedeagus typical of Harpedona-group; phallotheca with slightly sclerotized dorsal wall, membranous elsewhere, endosoma simple, sac-like, without sclerotization; ductus seminis with sclerotized base followed by short membranous segment and strongly sclerotized, spine-like apical half (Fig. 20E); left paramere hooked, strongly twisted ( Fig. 20A-B); right paramere spoon-shaped, with short upturned apical process (Fig. 20C-D).

Female
Unknown.

Host
Unknown. All specimens were attracted to light.

Etymology
The new genus is named after Anna A. Namyatova in recognition of her important contributions to bryocorine taxonomy. The gender is feminine.

C
. Dorsum lemon yellow to dirty yellow (Figs 3D-E, 4A-B); antenna entirely or basally dark brown; head and pronotum dark yellow, somewhat darker than hemelytron, scutellum apically or entirely darkened; hemelytron lemon yellow, with narrowly darkened claval commissure and costal margin, sometimes darkened at base and with diff use brown spot in medioapical area of corium; membrane semitransparent, with brown vein; legs lemon yellow; thorax ventrally yellow, with brown pleurites Figs 3F, 4C), abdominal venter yellow with lateral pleural region pale brown.

S
. Elongate-oval, total length 3.2-3.7. Head: distinctly transverse in dorsal view, frons convex, extending anteriorly about half-length of eye; vertex with deep transverse depression posteriorly between eyes; eye large, projecting posteriorly almost to level of posterior margin of pronotal collar, occupying half-length of head in lateral view; antennal fossa large, located at level of middle eye height, narrowly removed from eye margin; antennal segment I cylindrical, basally narrow, slightly longer than width of vertex, segment II subequal to head width, segments III and IV subequal in length, slightly thinner than segment II; labium short and stout, reaching mesocoxa. Thorax: pronotum trapeziform, strongly narrowed anteriorly, lateral margins concave, posterior margin broadly rounded laterally and weakly concave medially; pronotal collar fl at, distinctly broader than diameter of antennal segment I, posteriorly delimited by weak depression; calli large, weakly raised, extending to lateral margins of pronotum, medially separated by small deep pit; mesoscutum moderately exposed; scutellum broadly triangular, with somewhat extended apex and shallow medial depression; scent eff erent system with well-developed, lanceolate peritreme extending along ventral margin of metapleuron and reduced, narrow evaporatory area dorsal to peritreme (Fig. 25E-F). Hemelytron: broadly rounded laterally, widest at level of claval apex; embolium well delimited, of same width along almost entire length; cuneus long, falciform, reaching apex of single-celled membrane; cuneal incisure shallow; membrane from base to apex subequal in length to distance between wing base and base of membrane; cell of membrane large, with almost straight vein apically curving towards cuneus and terminating close to apex of cuneus. Legs. elongate, all femora cylindrical, slightly fl attened dorsoventrally, tibia cylindrical, hind leg more elongate; tarsus three-segmented, apically dilated, with long guard setae, all segments subequal in length; claw bent close to apex, with large semicircular pulvillus equipped with pulvillar comb on inner surface.

Host
Unknown; all specimens were collected at light.

Distribution
Southwestern India, Karnataka state.

Remarks
The new genus is most closely related to Thaumastomiris Kirkaldy, 1902 andTaricoris Carvalho, 1981, based on the following common characters: vertex with transverse depression between eyes; body wide, with broadly arcuate costal margin; cuneus long, narrow, falciform, almost reaching apex of YESHWANTH H.M. & KONSTANTINOV F.V., Eccritotarsini of India and Sri Lanka 25 membrane; aedeagus C-shaped, narrowly tubular, evenly sclerotized, with one or several membranous lobes apically. The genus Thaumastomiris (Figs 9G-H, 10) currently contains seven species distributed from northern India and Sri Lanka to New Guinea whereas Taricoris was described by Carvalho (1981) to accommodate two species from Papua New Guinea. Stonedahl (1988) considered a sister group relationship between these two genera based on the bifurcate apex of the left paramere and the presence of a spine-like sclerotized subapical process of the aedeagus. He also suggested that Thaumastomiris dissimilis (Philippines, Fig. 9I-J) may in fact belong to the genus Taricoris.
Namyatovia gen. nov. clearly diff ers from Thaumastomiris in the lemon-yellow general coloration, the shorter labium reaching mesocoxa, the absence of spinelike processes on the genital capsule, and the shape of both parameres and aedeagus. Thaumastomiris spp. have brightly reddish coloration of dorsum (Fig. 10) and robust labium reaching or surpassing hind coxa, with segment II somewhat longer than segments III and IV combined. Thaumastomiris is further characterized by the presence of two or single spines on left distal margin of the genital capsule, the almost straight right paramere, and the apically bifurcate apex of the left paramere (Stonedahl 1988: fi gs 96-100).

Etymology
Named after the type locality, Castle Rock, a village in the Western Ghats Mts, Karnataka.

C
. Dorsum pale lemon yellow to pale brown (Fig. 3D-E); head pale yellow, antennal segments dark brown to reddish brown; pronotum yellow, sometimes with pale brown anterior angles; pro-, meso-and metathorax laterally brown, ventrally pale brown or yellow; scutellum pale brown to dark brown; hemelytron uniformly lemon yellow, with narrowly brown or black costal margin and claval commissure; legs uniformly yellow; abdomen yellow ventrally, pale brown at sides.

S
. Total length 3.2-3.5; body 3.5-3.7× as long as basal width of pronotum; head transverse, vertex 1.8-2.0× as wide as dorsal width of one eye, 0.8-0.9× as wide as length of antennal segment I; segment II 0.8-0.9× as long as head width, 0.6× as long as basal width of pronotum; pronotum 1.8-1.9× as wide as long.

Female
Unknown.

Host
Unknown. All specimens were attracted to light.

Distribution
Southwestern India, Karnataka state.

Remarks
The new species is easily distinguished from N. sirsiensis gen. et sp. nov. by its more uniform dorsal coloration and striking features of the male genitalia. A peculiar sclerotized outgrowth originating from the extreme base of the aedeagus seems to be a unique feature within eccritotarsines.

Etymology
Named after the type locality, Sirsi village. as wide as dorsal width of one eye, 0.8-0.9× as wide as length of antennal segment I; antennal segment II 0.6-0.7× as long as basal width of pronotum, 0.9× as long as width of head; pronotum 1.9-2.0× as wide as long.
G . Genital capsule roughly trapeziform, short and broad, about twice as wide as long, without spines or processes (Fig. 22A); aperture of genital capsule large, right lateral wall somewhat excavated.
Left paramere L-shaped, with slightly swollen body and almost straight apical process (Fig. 22B). Right paramere slightly larger than left one, scythe-shaped, gradually curved along entire length (Fig. 22C).

Female
Unknown.

Host
Unknown. All specimens were attracted to light.

Distribution
Southwestern India, Karnataka state.

Diagnosis
Recognized by the following combination of characters: body elongate, gracile, with long appendages (Figs 9A, C, E, 27C); head vertical, strongly protruded ventrally; eyes more or less pedunculate, distinctly separated from anterior margin of pronotum; vertex with shallow longitudinal sulcus along midline; antennal segment I bottle-shaped, with narrowed basal one-fourth; pronotum punctate, campaniform, with narrow anteriorly and distinctly expanded behind calli; pronotal collar wide, fl at, posteriorly not delimited by impressed line; hemelytron translucent, long, with slightly or strongly convex costal margin, apex of abdomen reaching or barely surpassing only apex of clavus; cuneus elongate, falciform, 3-4× as long as broad at base; left paramere falciform, with elongate, gradually tapering apical process; aedeagus tubular, C-shaped, sclerotized throughout except membranous lobe at apex.

Distribution
Widely distributed in the Indo-Pacifi c Region, spanning from tropical western Africa to the Philippines, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands (Stonedahl 1988).

Remarks
Prodromus is widely distributed in the Old World tropics and after the revision of Stonedahl (1988) includes 26 species. Of these, P. clypeatus and P. subfl avus are known from Sri Lanka and the former species was also recorded from South India (Anitha & Rajamony 1991). The elongate body form, coloration, and vertical head with pedunculate eyes allow for easy discrimination of this genus from other Oriental eccritotarsines. Prodromus is most closely related to the exclusively African genus Duducoris Odhiambo, 1962 but diff ers from that genus in the shape of head and male genitalia structure (see Stonedahl 1988).

Key to species of the genus Prodromus of India and Sri Lanka
1. Cell of membrane not surpassing apex of cuneus, with vein weakly curved distally. Sclerotized part of aedeagus with a long row of spinules apically (Stonedahl 1988

Diagnosis
Recognized by the following combination of characters: body pale yellow, usually with brown to pale brown scutellum; eyes distinctly elevated, slightly less than anterior half of eye raised above vertex in frontal view; frons and clypeus weakly convex, with weak depression in between; antennal segment II 2.2-2.4× as long as fi rst, narrowly reddish apically, rarely entire segment with reddish tinge; apex of cuneus well surpassing apex of cell (Fig. 9A), membranal vein weakly and gradually curved apically; sclerotized portion of aedeagus with long, curved subapical row of spicules, apical membranous lobe without any sclerotization.

Remarks
This widely distributed species is best distinguished from P. subfl avus by the shape of the membranal cell and structure of the aedeagus mentioned in the key. Additional features of P. subfl avus that vary from P. clypeatus include comparatively short antennal segment II which is about twice as long as segment I (2.2-2.4× in P. clypeatus), and broadly subtriangular concave posterior margin of pronotum (broadly concave, without weakly angulate midpoint in P. clypeatus). According to Stonedahl (1988), P. clypeatus further diff ers in having weakly elevated eyes and labium reaching only middle of mesosternum. However, the eyes in all studied specimens including the holotype are distinctly elevated, with slightly less than anterior half of eye raised above vertex in frontal view, while labium is reaching or almost reaching middle coxa. Distant, 1904 Fig. 9C-D Prodromus subfl avus Distant, 1904b: 437.

Diagnosis
Recognized by the following combination of characters: body uniformly pale yellow; eyes distinctly elevated; frons fl at in lateral view, clypeus weakly convex, epistomal suture weakly depressed; antennal segment II twice as long as fi rst, with base and apical one-fourth reddish (Fig. 9C); cell of membrane broadly rectangular apically, slightly surpassing apex of cuneus; sclerotized part of aedeagus without subapical row of spinules, basal third of apical membranous lobe densely covered with numerous spinules.

Distribution
Sri Lanka, Central Highlands region of Vietnam.

Remarks
Refer to the Remarks section of P. clypeatus for discussion of distinctive features.

Diagnosis
Recognized by the following combination of characters: Total length 4.4-4.7; coloration uniformly pale yellow to pale brownish yellow, only apices of tarsi, labium, and sometimes antennal segments II-IV darkened (Fig. 4D); body long and gracile, parallel-sided, 3.7-4.0× as long as basal width of pronotum; head vertical, strongly produced ventrally but not produced anteriad of antennal fossae in dorsal view; antennal segment I subequal to head width; eyes small, not in contact with pronotum, vertex about 3× as wide as eye (Fig. 4E); pronotum heavily punctate, with wide and fl at pronotal collar, weakly raised calli and distinctly expanded disc; hemelytron translucent, long, apex of abdomen not reaching or barely surpassing cuneal fracture (Fig. 4F); cuneus elongate, 2.5-3.0× as along as broad; single cell of membrane forming almost right angle and reaching apex of cuneus; legs elongate; genital capsule boatshaped, with spinelike subapical process on left side of aperture (Fig. 23); left paramere hook-shaped ( Fig. 24E-F); aedeagus tubular, C-shaped, sclerotized throughout except at apex (Fig. 24G); endosoma not clearly separated from phallotheca, non-retractable, entirely expanded from phallotheca in repose; apex of aedeagus membranous, with anchor-shaped apex formed by three oppositely directed processes.

Etymology
The genus is named after Gary M. Stonedahl in recognition of his outstanding contribution to plant bug taxonomy and particularly his seminal studies of eccritotarsines. The gender is feminine.

S
. Body elongate, parallel sided, 3.7-4.0× as long as basal width of pronotum. Head: vertical, strongly produced ventrally below eyes; in dorsal view transverse, not produced anteriad of antennal fossae, with small sessile eyes separated from pronotum by distance almost equal to eye length; vertex broad, 3.0-3.2× as wide as dorsal width of one eye, with shallow transverse depression; eye occupying about one-third of head height in lateral view; frons weakly convex, vertical, clypeus not prominent oriented ventroposteriorly; mandibular and maxillary plates comparatively large, subquadrate; antennal fossa located close to inferior eye margin at mid-height of eye in frontal view; antennal segment I tubular, about twice diameter of segment II, slightly longer than head width, segment II 1.9-2.0× as long as head width, 1.0-1.1× as long as pronotum width; segments II and III fi liform, subequal in length and slightly shorter than segment II; labium reaching mesocoxa, with segment I long, reaching procoxa, length of segment II subequal to segment I, segments III and IV combined subequal in length to segment II. Thorax: pronotum 1.4-1.5× as wide as long, campaniform; pronotal collar wide and fl at, more than twice as wide as diameter of antennal segment I, not delimited by impressed line posteriorly; calli weakly raised and poorly demarcated, reaching lateral margins of pronotum, separated by small deep pit; disc of pronotum behind calli noticeably widened, trapeziform, raised, with slightly convex lateral margins, rounded posterior angles and somewhat concave medially posterior margin; mesoscutum almost entirely covered with pronotum, separated from scutellum by distinct recession; scutellum slightly raised above hemelytron; metathoracic scent eff erent system typical for eccritotarsines (Fig. 25D). Hemelytron: translucent, long, with nearly straight costal margin, distance between base of hemelytron and apex of clavus subequal to distance between apex of clavus and cuneal fracture, apex of abdomen not reaching or barely surpassing cuneal fracture; embolium infl ated; cuneus elongate, 2.5-3.0× as along as broad, cuneal fracture obsolete; single cell of membrane forming almost right angle and reaching apex of cuneus. Legs: elongate, slender, hind femur surpassing apex of abdomen, tibiae cylindrical, slightly dilated apically; tarsi 2-segmented with apical segment elongate, slightly swollen; pretarsus typical eccritotarsine.
Female S , S V . As in male.
G . Not examined.

Host
Similarly to Ernestinus spp., specimens of this monotypic genus were found in large groups breeding on under surfaces of Colocasia (Araceae) leaves (Fig. 27D).

Remarks
The new genus undoubtedly belongs to a group of six genera outlined by Stonedahl (1988) and related to Ernestinus (see relevant Remarks section for additional details). Within this group, Stonedahlia gen. nov. appears to be most closely related to Myiocapsus Poppius, 1914. Both genera may be easily distinguished from Eofurius, Ernestinus, Microbryocoris, Palaeofurius, and Stylopomiris by the ventrally produced head with vertical frons, pale yellow coloration, and genital capsule with spinelike process on the left wall. Myiocapsus spp. diff er from Stonedahlia gen. nov. in having distinctly larger eyes contacting anterior margin of pronotum and projecting laterally beyond anterolateral angles of pronotum, and male genitalia structure, particularly the simple, straight, gradually tapering right paramere (Stonedahl 1988: fi gs 49e, 50e, 51g), and the apex of aedeagus with small membranous lobes and one or two sclerotized appendages (Stonedahl 1988: fi gs 49g, 50g, 51d).
Based on gracile body, ventrally produced head, slender legs, and pale yellow coloration, the new genus is superfi cially similar to Prodromus Distant, 1904 (compare Fig. 27C-D) but the distinctly stylate eyes, longitudinal sulcus on vertex, strongly narrowed basal part of antennal segment I, sickle-shaped left paramere, entirely sclerotized aedeagus, and other characters of the latter genus suggest that the two taxa are only distantly related.

C
. Pale yellow to pale brownish yellow (Fig. 4D-F). Dorsum pale yellow, sometimes scutellum and claval commissure brown yellow; eye dark reddish-brown; antennal segment I with diff use brown longitudinal stripe laterally and reddish tinge apically, segment II with dark reddishbrown apex, segments, III and IV brown with paler bases; labium pale yellow with darkened apex of segment IV; thoracic pleurites and abdomen pale yellow; legs pale yellow with brown apical part of tarsal segment III.

S
. Total length 4.4-4.6; body 4.0-4.1× as long as basal width of pronotum. vertex 2.9-3.0× as wide as dorsal width of one eye, 0.6-0.7× as wide as length of antennal segment I; antennal segment II 1.0-1.1× as long as basal width of pronotum, 1.8-1.9× as long as width of head; pronotum 1.5× as wide as long.

C
. As in male.

S
. Total length 4.4-4.7; body 3.7-3.8× as long as basal width of pronotum. vertex 2.8-2.9× as wide as dorsal width of one eye, 0.5-0.6× as wide as length of antennal segment I; antennal segment II subequal to basal width of pronotum, 1.9× as long as width of head; pronotum 1.4-1.5× as wide as long.

Distribution
Arunachal Pradesh state of India.

Distribution
From Sri Lanka, southwestern and northern India in the west to Philippines, Lombok and New Guinea in the east (Stonedahl 1988).

Remarks
This genus comprises six species ranging from northern India and Sri Lanka to New Guinea and recognized among other eccritotarsines by the reddish orange coloration, distinct transverse depression on vertex, characteristically long, curved cuneus, and bifurcate apex of the left paramere. Thaumastomiris dissimilis (Fig. 9I-J), one more species of this genus described by Hsiao (1944) from the Philippines, was considered not congeneric with the type species and was excluded from Thaumastomiris (Stonedahl 1988). Stonedahl also suggested that Th. dissimilis may in fact belong to the genus Taricoris but refrained from establishing a new combination before examination of the type species, Taricoris wauensis Carvalho, 1981. Only two species are currently known from the studied area, viz. Th. piceatus Distant, 1911 (Northern India) and Th. sanguinalis (Sri Lanka).

Key to species of genus Thaumastomiris Kirkaldy, 1902 of India and Sri Lanka
1. Medioapical part of corium and apical part of clavus with a diff use brown spot. (Fig. 10C, E). Two spines on left margin of genital capsule contrastingly long (Stonedahl 1988

Diagnosis
Recognized by the following characters: total length 5.1-5.4; dorsum reddish with large diff use brown spot on apical half of clavus and medioapical area of corium; left wall of genital capsule with two very long and thin subapical spines (Stonedahl 1988: fi g. 99a); aedeagus with single-coned, spinelike subapical sclerotized process (Stonedahl 1988: fi g. 99e).

Remarks
Phylogenetic analysis of the genus (Stonedahl 1988) resolved this species as a sister taxon to Th. sanguinalis, which diff ers from Th. piceatus in having uniformly reddish dorsum, short subapical spines on the left wall of genital capsule (Stonedahl 1988: fi g. 100a), and twin-coned sclerotized process of the aedeagus (Stonedahl 1988: fi g. 100e). Thaumastomiris piceatus is similar to Th. discoidalis (New Guinea) in the body size and coloration, particularly in the presence of brown medial spot on hemelytron, but the latter species may be distinguished by the antennal segment II longer than width of head and the presence of single spine on the left wall of the genital capsule. Kirkaldy, 1902

Distribution
Sri Lanka.

Remarks
Refer to the Remarks section of T. piceatus for the discussion of distinctive features. Stonedahl (1988) designated the male as the lectotype of T. sanguinalis from the collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum and mentioned that the paralectotype female is apparently deposited in the same collection but that he hadn't seen the specimen. We found this paralectotype in the collection of the Finnish Museum of Natural History together with three specimens from the same series most probably not seen by Kirkaldy but labelled as types (see material examined).

Discussion
The plant bug tribe Eccritotarsini is peculiar in several respects. Species of this tribe exhibit fascinating structural diversity not only in general appearance, but also in characters which are uniform across other tribes of plant bugs, e.g., the pronotal collar and male genitalia. This group is extremely species-rich and currently comprises slightly less than 700 species from 119 genera, which forms almost 60% of species and about two-thirds of genera of the subfamily Bryocorinae. Eccritotarsines diff er from all other tribes of the subfamily in terms of distributional patterns and are especially diverse in the New World, which harbors 85% of known species (Konstantinov et al. 2018).
Poorly documented diversity of eccritotarsines coupled with their rarity in collections hinders the advancement of further studies. Seven genera and 40 species of this tribe have been described as new to science within the last decade (Hernández & Henry 2010;Cassis et al. 2016;Henry & Howard 2016;Konstantinov & Zinovjeva 2016;Yasunaga & Ishikawa 2016;Chérot et al. 2017;Menard & Schwartz 2018;Henry & Menard 2020). Of these, 20 species were described from the New World, 17 from the Oriental Region and three from Australia, which further demonstrate the taxonomic impediment globally and especially in the Oriental countries. Based on the new material we describe two new genera and six new species from India. However, denser sampling in many areas and habitats is still needed for a more robust taxonomic exploration of eccritotarsines and we expect more taxa of this group in India and Sri Lanka to be discovered in the future.