The Pyrrhocoroidea (Hemiptera - Heteroptera) of the Ethiopian region

I.A.D. Robertson

The superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea Southwood 1956 is closely related to the Lygaeoidea and the Coreoidea, and was placed by many authors as a subfamily of the Lygaeidae. It was recognized as a separate family by Amyot and Serville in 1843 under the name 'Cecigenes' and they divided it into two groups 'Pyrrhocorides' and 'Largides'. These two names became recognized as subfamilies of the Pyrrhocoridae, the family name being established by Fieber (1861). Hussey (1929) quotes Van Duzee (1916), who established the name Euryophthalminae to replace Larginae and divided that subfamily into two tribes Euryophthalmini and Physopeltini. This nomenclature was dealt with in detail by China (1954) who established that Larginae is still the correct subfamily name. Van Duzee's tribe Euryophthalmini is confined to American genera. China (1954) states that because of their differing affinities, the Larginae being more closely related to the Lygaeidae and the Pyrrhocorinae to the Coreidae, both these subfamilies should assume family status. This change in status was followed by China and Miller (1959). Southwood (1956), following a study of the eggs of the Heteroptera, had also suggested that the families Largidae and Pyrrhocoridae together formed the superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea. This view was accepted and confirmed by Schaefer (1964) following detailed morphological investigations of representatives of the Lygaeoidea, Coreoidea and Pyrrhocoroidea. Schaefer also summarised the conclusions of other workers who had undertaken comparative studies of morphological characters within the three superfamilies.

China and Miller (1959) used the following characters to typify the Pyrrhocoroidea:

1. Abdominal trichobothria present
2. Scutellum small, shorter than the clavus, a distinct claval commisure present
3. Antennophores visible from above
4. Antennae four segmented
5. Ocelli absent
6. Membrane of the hemelytra usually with two basal cells, from which 7 - 8 branching longitudinal veins extend to the apical margin
7. Medium to large, brightly colored, usually phytophagous bugs

Only 13 out of the 18 genera now recognised in the Ethiopian Region can be said to be brightly colored; the other five genera being dark in general coloration. The two families are: Largidae, Sixth visible (seventh actual) ventral abdominal segment in the female cleft in the middle; Pyrrhocoridae, Sixth visible ventral abdominal segment entire in both sexes. There does not seem to be any way to key out the males of the African Largidae (Physopelta) without dissection.

Hussey (1929) lists 360 species worldwide in the superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea Southwood 1956 with 77 African species, in 13 genera, the genus Dysdercus containing 15 of these species. Since then, a number of new species have been described. This catalogue is based on the literature up to 2000 and the study of material in the National Museum of Kenya (NMK), Nairobi, which includes my own collections from east Africa, mainly Tanzania. The present check-list gives 102 species in 18 genera.

The literature contains few references to the biology and ecology of the superfamily, being largely taxonomic. Only the genus Dysdercus, containing the 'cotton stainers' is of economic importance, and for that genus the literature is very extensive. For this reason the genus Dysdercus and the literature pertaining to it has been excluded from the present paper, except that, for completeness, it has been included in the list of species and the key to genera. Some of the other genera in the superfamily must be regarded as rare, few specimens being available in collections and in some, descriptions have been done on the basis of one or two specimens, sometimes only a single sex being known. Madagascar has been considered as being outside the scope of this work, as have the Mascarene Islands.

KEY TO THE AFRICAN GENERA

The first key to separate the African genera was by Stål (1865). The next key specifically intended for genera in the Ethiopian Region was by Villiers and Dekeyser (1951), to allow placement of their newly described genus Sicnatus. The characters used by Stål (1865) and Villiers and Dekeyser (1951) are similar. The present key has been altered from theirs only to accommodate recently described genera. It is expected to be accurate only within the Ethiopian Region. Much information has been published in recent years on the detailed structure of the male and female genitalia, differences that are particularly useful in the determination of species, and which are quite diagnostic for some genera, for example, the crossed parameres of the genus Cenaeus. So far, however, less than half the species have been adequately studied and generic keys based on these characters should wait until knowledge is more complete.

1. Sixth visible abdominal segment in the female cleft longitudinally, entire in the male. Medium to large insects (10 - 16 mm). General color red and black (Family Largidae).
PHYSOPELTA

- Sixth visible abdominal segment entire in both sexes (Family Pyrrhocoridae).
2



2. Form exceedingly ant-like. Smaller insects (6 - 8 mm). General color black, or black and red. Mostly brachypterous, but macropterous individuals known.
MYRMOPLASTA

- Form not exceedingly ant like, at least not in the adult. Most genera macropterous
3



3. Head strongly bent down in front of the eyes. Medium sized insects (8 - 11 mm). Brightly colored. Brachypterous.
SIANGO

- Head not strongly bent down in front of the eyes. Various sizes and colors. Usually not brachypterous.
4



4. Head transversely narrowed and depressed behind the eyes. Larger insects (14 - 17 mm). General color red and black.
ANTILOCHUS

- Head not as above, usually more or less horizontal.
5



5. Apex of corium acute. Larger brighter colored insects, (12 - 20 mm). General color black and red or brown. The 'cotton stainers'. Venter usually with contrasting stripes.
DYSDERCUS

- Apex of corium rounded. Other characters different.
6



6. Apical borders of third and fourth visible sternites straight, not sinuate laterally. Rostrum very long. Large insects, (25 - 32 mm). General color reddish and black.
CALLIBAPHUS

- Apical borders of third and fourth visible sternites sinuate laterally. Usually without a very long rostrum.
7



7. Apex of of corium much longer than the corial-claval suture. Large slender insects, (18 - 24 mm). General color red and black.
ROSCIUS

- Apex of the corium subequal to the corial-claval suture.
8



8. Anterior discal area of pronotum not limited laterally by a furrow. Medium to large sized insects, (10 - 23 mm). General color ochre to brownish.
ODONTOPUS

- Anterior discal area of pronotum limited by a clear lateral furrow, sometimes punctate, at least towards the front.
9



9. Anterior discal area of pronotum circumscribed by an impressed continuous furrow. Borders of pronotum convex and regularly curved at anterior and posterior angles. Body often hairy. Medium sized insects, (8 - 14 mm). General color red and black, or brownish.
SERICOCORIS

- Anterior and posterior discal areas of pronotum separated by a furrow, which may or may not be punctate. Borders of the pronotum more or less concave at the middle.
10



10. Anterior and posterior discal areas of pronotum separated by a furrow which is not punctate. Eyes sessile. Body never hairy. Insects of medium size, (7 - 14 mm). General color black, red and brownish.
NEODINDYMUS

- Pronotum not as above. Other characters different.
11



11. Anterior and posterior discs of pronotum of different textures and colors separated by a row of punctures. Eyes more or less prominent, not sessile. Smaller oval insects, (7 - 14 mm). General color ochre or brownish. Some species brachypterous.
CENAEUS

- Pronotum not as above. Eyes sessile.
12



12. Anterior discal area of pronotum clearly limited by a deeply punctate furrow. The first segment of the rostrum thick, not longer than the head. Larger insects, (15 mm). General color black and reddish or cream.
GROMIERUS

- First segment of rostrum not thick. Anterior discal area of pronotum not as above.
13



13. The first segment of rostrum equal to half the length of the head. Small species, (7 - 10 mm). General color black, with some red. Majority brachypterous.
SCANTIUS

- First segment of rostrum not as above, sometimes exceeding the length of the head.
14



14. First segment of rostrum reaching the apex of the prosternum. Antennae with many bristles. Front femora swollen and the front tibiae curved. Small insects, (6 - 8 mm). General color blackish. Mostly brachypterous.
ADERRHIS

- First segment of rostrum not as above. Antennae without many bristles.
15



15. Third segment of antennae thickened, much bulkier than the fourth. Small insects, (6 - 9 mm). General color dark brown or black. Brachypterous.
DERMATINUS

- Antennae not of this form.
16



16. Fourth segment of antennae strongly thickened in the middle. Small insects, (6 mm). General color black. Brachypterous.
NEOINDRA

- Antennae not of this form. Color not wholly black.
17



17. First segment of antennae longer than the second. Anterior disc of pronotum limited anteriorly and posteriorly by distinct punctures. Medium sized insects, (8 - 12 mm). General color black and orangish. Mostly brachypterous.
SCHMITZIANA

- First segment of antennae shorter than the second. Apex of first segment of rostrum does not reach prosternum. Smallish insects, (8 mm). General color black and reddish.
SICNATUS

FAMILY LARGIDAE

The family Largidae was established by Amyot and Serville (1843), under the name Largides, which can be regarded as a valid group name based on the generic name Largus Hahn 1831 (China 1954). It is represented in Africa only by three species in the large genus Physopelta Amyot and Serville 1843. The last generic description was by Stål (1865) and was done before all the African species had been described. Some of the detailed characters given by Stål, therefore, do not fit the African species too well. For example the description of the antennae only holds good for Physopelta festiva (Fabricius 1803).

PHYSOPELTA Amyot & Serville 1843

Key to the African species modified from Leston (1969)

1. Head plus body length more than 15 mm. Corium with a black band. Side of the abdomen red, with black lines of varying width anteriorly on each segment. Anal segment black.
Physopelta festiva (Fabricius 1803)

- Head plus body length less than 15 mm.
2



2. Corium with a black spot. Pronotum with the front half orange. Side of the abdomen reddish with the last two segments black. (12 - 13 mm).
Physopelta analis (Signoret 1858)

- Corium with a nearly complete black band. Pronotum with the frontal half pitchy-black. Side of the abdomen wholly black (10 - 12 mm).

Physopelta melanoptera Distant 1904

Physopelta analis (Signoret 1858)

Physopelta festiva (Fabricius 1803)

Physopelta melanoptera Distant 1904

Collected in Tanzania October-May. In West Africa associated with Mallotus oppositifolius (Euphorbiaceae) (Leston, 1969; Duviard, 1974).

FAMILY PYRRHOCORIDAE

ANTILOCHUS Stål 1863

This is a large genus, mainly found in the Oriental and Australasian Regions. Three species are recorded from the Ethiopean region by Hussey (1929) but on examination of material in the National Museum of Kenya it was found that the third species, Antilochus violaceus Carlini 1892, is not a member of this genus at all, but definitely belongs to the genus Odontopus Laporte. An unnamed specimen of Odontopus in the NMK collection, from Somalia, matches Carlini's description very closely. Consequently, only two species of the Genus Antilochus are present in the Ethiopian Region, one is West African, the other is confined to Eastern and Southern Africa.

The two species of Antilochus can easily be separated by the very different appearance of the pronotum and elytra:

1. Pronotum black, surrounded by a continuous narrow yellow band. Elytra black with irregular narrow yellowish bands that appear to enclose a large irregular black spot. Sides of the thorax predominantly black. Sides of the abdomen red, with narrow whitish lines anteriorly on each segment. The whitish lines vary in thickness and there may be some black coloration towards the rear of the abdomen. Anal segment, red.
Antilochus boerhaviae (Fabricius 1794)


2. Pronotum black, the borders reddish-orange with the red color being wider at the posterior corners. The elytra black with reddish patches separated to leave a central area in the form of a black cross. The pattern is rather variable, but distinctly different from Antilochus boerhaviae. Sides of the thorax reddish, sometimes darker. Sides of the abdomen red with whitish lines on the anterior of each segment, which vary somewhat in thickness. No black coloring is present. Anal segment, red.
Antilochus nigrocruciatus Stål 1855

Antilochus boerhaviae (Fabricius 1794)

The illustration given by Kirby (1896) of the specimen he described as Antilochus submaculatus is not the same as a typical specimen of A. boerhaviae, with which it was synonymised by Distant (1902), but may be an extreme form.

Antilochus nigrocruciatus (Stål 1855)

CALLIBAPHUS Stål 1868

The genus Callibaphus (Stål 1868) is confined to the Ethiopian Region and only three species have been described. These insects are very large and are rare in collections. Distribution is very much West African in published papers, reaching as far east as Uganda. Bergroth (1906) described a third species Callibaphus gigas from the Comoro Islands which are outside the Ethiopean Region, but it is included because Bergroth himself indicated that he thought his specimen to be conspecific with Callibaphus longirostris (Drury 1782). C. gigas has never formally been synonymised, probably because of the great gap between its location and those of all the other published records. The type would have to be examined before a decision could be reached.

The two African species may be separated quite easily, although the black markings both species bear on the pronotum and elytra are quite similar and are not useful as characters for separating the species:

1. Head dark red with a longitudinal black mark between and behind the eyes. Color above dark red, dull, with little variation among the available specimens. Membrane translucent. Sides of the thorax black, with dark red stripes at the rear of each segment. Sides of the abdomen dark red with black bands of varying width at the anterior of each segment, the black becoming dominant on the last two segments. Color changes diffuse. Anal segment dark red.
Callibaphus albipennis Distant 1914



2. Head orange to red without any black markings. Color above bright orange to red. Membrane black. Sides of thorax and abdomen black, with yellow lines of varying width at the rear of each segment. Color changes sharply defined. Anal segment orange to red.
Callibaphus longirostris (Drury 1782)

Callibaphus albipennis Distant 1914

Callibaphus longirostris (Drury 1782)

Earlier data indicate that this species is confined to West Africa, Cameroon and Congo (Brazzaville). Bergroth (1906) described C. gigas from the Comoro Islands and indicated that it seemed very likely to be a variety of C. longirostris. A record from Tanzania in the National Museum of Kenya provides a possible link between the very widely separated populations in West Africa and the Comoro Islands.

ROSCIUS Stål 1866

The genus Roscius is confined to the Ethiopian region and five species have been described. The genus is characterized by the fact that the apical border of the corium is much longer than the commisure of the corium-clavus. This character reflects the slender elongate shape of all the species in the genus.

Five species are described in the published literature, although the status of Roscius elongatus and Roscius quadriplagiatus, both originally described by Schaum in 1853, is doubtful. As no authentic specimen of Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853) is available it has been left out of the key below.

1. Head red without any black markings. Front half of the pronotum raised, black, separated from the rear half by a marked impressed furrow which curves backwards to the sides. The front half of the pronotum having no yellow, or having only a very narrow line of yellow on the anterior edge, which may be reduced to two yellow lateral anterior spots. The elytra with the anterior yellow marking sub-triangular, not an irregular shape. Sides of the abdomen with the first two visible segments markedly yellow or pale, the next two almost wholly black. Anal segment red.
Roscius illustris Gerstäcker 1873

- Head red, but having at least some black markings between and behind the eyes
2



2. Pronotum wholly surrounded by a narrow yellow border. The elytra with narrow elongate yellowish markings, the rear pair forming a border between the corium and the membrane.
Roscius circumdatus Distant 1881

- Pronotum not as above. Markings on the elytra and the sides of the abdomen different.
3



3. Pronotum flattened, with a marked wide orange anterior border and wide lateral orange borders. At most a very narrow band of orange posteriorly. The elytra with the anterior orange spots not triangular, but elongate and irregular, reaching to the shoulder. Sides of the abdomen much like Roscius illustris, but the first two visible segments red, with black coloration towards the connexivium, the next two segments almost wholly black. Anal segment red.
Roscius guilielmi Bergroth 1926

- Pronotum raised and divided by a curved furrow, but the yellow markings usually form a border on all four sides, narrowest and sometimes missing on the anterior half, laterally. Always with a yellow anterior border. The yellow markings being broadest at the posterior lateral corners. The elytra with the anterior yellow markings not triangular, irregular and extending forwards to the shoulder. Sides of the abdomen red, with black lines anteriorly on each segment. The width of the black varies, but the stripes are widest on the third and fourth visible abdominal segments. Anal segment red.
Roscius quadriplagiatus (Schaum 1853)

Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853)

This species is widely distributed in southern and eastern Africa. It seems to be very closely related to Roscius quadriplagiatus (Schaum 1853) according to the written descriptions (Schaum 1853, repeated in 1862): Pyrrhocoris quadriplagiatus Schaum; Supra niger, capite thoracisque marginibus rufus, elytrorum maculis duabus flavis, subtus rufus, pectoris lateribus antennis pedibusque nigris. Long 8 lin (= 16.8 mm). Pyrrhocoris elongatus Schaum; Supra niger, epistomate, thoracis margine antico et postico, elytrorum maculis duabus rufis, anteriori sublunata, subtus rufus, pectoris lateribus pedibusque nigris. Long 10 lin (= 21.0 mm).

Roscius guilielmi Bergroth 1926

This spceies has a West African distribution, and specimens in the NMK collection from western Uganda probably reflect the eastern limit of its range.

Roscius illustris Gerstäcker 1873

Roscius quadriplagiatus (Schaum 1853)

In the published literature this species is recorded from Mozambique and Gabon, but specimens in the NMK collection extend the range. The written descriptions of Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853) and Roscius quadriplagiatus (Schaum 1853), as given above, make it doubtful if this species is different from Roscius elongatus (Schaum 1853).

Roscius circumdatus Distant 1881

ODONTOPUS Laporte 1832

Hussey (1929) listed fifteen species in this genus, of which only six occurred in the Ethiopian Region. Since Hussey's catalogue was published two more species and one new variety have been described from the Ethiopian Region. All the members of the genus have a very similar appearance and all seem to be associated with the plant families Sterculiaceae and Malvaceae.

In 1904 Kirkaldy proposed the name Probergrothius for this genus as a replacement for Odontopus Laporte 1832, on the grounds that the name was preoccupied by a genus of Coleoptera, described by Siebermann. The details of priority had already been established by Alluaud (1889) fifteen years before Kirkaldy made his proposal. Kirkaldy himself realised that the name Odontopus was not validly preoccupied (Kirkaldy 1905), and this view was supported by Distant (1919). Only Hesse (1925) accepted the new name. However, Stehlik (1966) renewed the claim that Odontopus Laporte 1832 is preoccupied by a genus of Coleoptera described under the name Odontopus by Say (1831). Stehlik therefore proposes that the name Probergrothius Kirkaldy 1904 be reinstated for the Ethiopian and Oriental species in the genus (the Madagascaran species having been transferred to a new genus). In this work, the name Odontopus is retained in the hope that the renaming of this large genus will be referred to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature for their consideration.

Key to the African species

Odontopus angolensis Distant 1902 and Odontopus obscurellus Blöte 1933, which is only known from Zimbabwe, are not included because I have not seen specimens.

1. Larger species (16 - 23 mm) with one pair of large black rounded spots posteriorly on the elytra. (A variety, O. notabilis var. kambovensis lacks the black spots). Body mainly unicolorous, ochraceus. Antennae with the first segment red and the other three segments dark. Pronotum with the frontal part limited by two fairly deeply impressed black lines. Scutellum black. Thorax with the sterna black. Abdomen with the incisures marked with narrow blackish lines.
Odontopus notabilis Distant 1902

- Elytra not showing this pattern. Pronotum and other body parts different.
2



2. Large species (16.0 mm) with the elytra having one pair of round black spots posteriorly and a pair of black bands anteriorly. Head whitish. Pronotum with the frontal area whitish. Scutellum the same color as the elytra. Membrane milky. Thorax with the sterna whitish. Sides of the abdomen whitish ventrally, but darkening in the dorsal half.
Antilochus violaceus (Carlini 1892)
(See discussion of Antilochus)

- Elytra not having this pattern. Body colors different.
3



3. Species with not more than two pairs of small spots on the elytra. Sometimes the anterior pair are very small or missing.
4

- Species with three pairs of spots on the elytra, sometimes the two anterior pairs are partially joined.
6



4. Species (14 - 20 mm) markedly unicolorous, ochraceus, without red legs. At most narrow reddish stripes marking the abdominal incisures. Head quite pale, ochraceus. Frontal area of the pronotum limited by two dark lines. Last two segments of the antennae dark.
Odontopus modestus Distant 1902

- Species with red legs and generally much brighter coloring than the above.
5



5. Species ( 16 mm) with the central lobe of the head having a longitudinal black stripe running the whole length of the head. Head, other than the central black longitudinal stripe, orange. Pronotum with a pale anterior collar, the frontal area orange, limited by two distinct black lines. Scutellum orange. Membrane darker than the elytra. Antennae dark red, getting darker towards the tip. Legs red. Thorax with the sterna reddish with dark borders, sometimes all darker. Sides of the abdomen reddish, with wide blackish bands of variable width at the anterior of each segment.
Odontopus exsanguis (Gerstäcker 1892)

- Species (14 - 17 mm) with the central lobe of the head with a red longitudinal stripe running the whole length of the head. Head, other than the central red longitudinal stripe, ochraceus. Pronotum with a pale anterior collar and the frontal area ochraceus, sometimes darker shaded, bounded by two marked black lines. Antennae red, third and fourth segments darker. Legs reddish. Thorax with the sterna dark reddish. Membrane much the same color as the elytra. Sides of the abdomen yellowish, with broad but regular black stripes anteriorly on each segment.
Odontopus confusus Distant 1902



6. Species (14 - 21 mm) occurring in two color forms, red and black, but in both cases the elytra with two pairs of smallish spots anteriorly (rather larger and partially joined together in the black form) and a single pair of larger spots posteriorly.
   Details of the black color form. Body color ochraceus. Head with a central black area at the rear, tylus red. Pronotum with the frontal area black. Scutellum black. Elytra with the black spots arranged as in the illustration. Thorax with the sterna black. Abdomen with the sides reddish-yellow, and with black stripes anteriorly on each segment.
   Details of the red color form. Body ochraceus with a reddish tinge. Head with the rear central area and the tylus red. Pronotum with the frontal area red, but limited by black lines. Scutellum red or blackish red. Elytra with the black spots arranged as in the illustration. Thorax with the sterna black. Abdomen with the sides reddish-yellow, more strongly diffused with red ventrally, and black stripes anteriorly on every segment.
Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte 1832

- Species (15 - 18 mm) with two pairs of small separate black spots anteriorly on the elytra. A single pair of small black spots posteriorly.
Odontopus somaliensis Goursat 1931

Odontopus angolensis Distant 1902

Odontopus confusus Distant 1902

Breeding on or in association with Sterculia appendiculata, Sterculia quinqueloba, Sterculia africana, Adansonia digitata (Baobab) and Ceiba pentandra (Kapok). Also a few in association with cotton, dolichos, castor, cassava, pigeonpea, Sida sp.and Calotropis procera, although none of these need be considered as important hosts. At Ukiriguru (Tanzania) batches of eggs were laid by caged pairs and averaged 28 eggs (24-36) per batch.

Odontopus exsanguis (Gerstäcker 1892)

Odontopus modestus Distant 1902

Odontopus notabilis Distant 1902

Odontopus notabilis Distant 1902 var. kambovensis Goursat 1931

This variety of O. notabilis was described by Goursat 1931 from a specimen originating in Kambove (Democratic Republic of Congo, Shaba). The main difference between it and the nominate form is that it lacks the distinct rounded black spot at the apex of the corium. This variety is well represented in the National Museums of Kenya collection and the specimens come from two of the same localities in western Tanzania as did the nominate species, obviously part of the same collections.

Measurements: average length, male 16.7 mm (8), female 21.0 mm (5)

Odontopus obscurellus Blöte 1933

Odontopus sexpunctatus Laporte 1832

This species is very widespread in the Ethiopian Region. There are two distinct forms, one with a blackish appearance, the other being reddish, although in both the spots on the corium are black. The reddish form is the one originally described by Laporte de Castelnau in 1832, from Senegal, and his illustration (Plate IX, Figs. 5 and 5a) shows two separate spots near the base of each corium; in this form the anterior area of the pronotum is red. It is also illustrated by Stehlik 1966b (Plates III and IV). The other form, illustrated in Guerin-Meneville (1847-51, Plate 6, Fig. 6) and referred to in the caption as Astemma percheroni, shows the two basal spots on the corium coalesced into a single transverse spot, retaining the single spot near the apex of the corium. In this form the anterior area of the pronotum is black. The NMK collection has specimens of the black form from Kenya, Sudan and Uganda and the red form from Tanzania.

Odontopus somaliensis Goursat 1931

Antilochus violaceus Carlini 1892

SERICOCORIS Karsch 1892

This genus, first described by Karsch (1892) and based on hairy insects collected in Cameroon, was revised by Stehlik in 1965. Stehlik's treatment of the genus concentrated on the use of the details of the male and female genitalia to determine species and this represented a major advance in the knowledge of the taxonomy of the superfamily.

Hussey (1929) listed only two species in the genus, but following Stehlik (1965a) the number now stands at fourteen. Only one of these is a new species, Sericocoris obuduanus Linnavuori 1988. The rest have been transferred, by Stehlik (1965a), from other genera on the basis of detailed study of the genitalia. The genus is confined to the Ethiopian Region and the species are mostly rare in collections. Little is recorded in the published literature about the ecology of the species, although from the distribution and localities in which they have been found, they are most likely to be associated with forest habitats. Five of the fourteen species in the genus have been recorded as occurring in Eastern Africa, including Rwanda; the rest are West African, with Democratic Republic of Congo being the most easterly country.

In a large genus such as this, when many species are not available for study, the older written published descriptions have been found to be inadequate. The problem is mainly that authors have not followed a standard pattern of description and one is often left wondering about what has been left out. This lack is emphasized by the detailed and well illustrated paper of Stehlik (1965a).

Stehlik divided the genus into three subgenera depending on the degree of hairiness of the species:
Sericocoris, hairy
Sericocoriopsis, dorsal surface of the body almost hairless, but some pubescence on the ventral surface. This character seems quite variable.
Pseudocenaeus, hairless. This subgenus contains species that are smaller and more slender than the two subgenera noted above.

Sericocoris (Sericocoris) acromelanthes Karsch 1892

Sericocoris (Sericocoris) cuneatus Villiers 1951

Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) johnstoni (Distant 1902)

Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) dispar (Schouteden 1957)

Sericocoris (Sericocoriopsis) sanguinolentus (Haglund 1895)

Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) nigriceps (Stål 1855)

Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) luridus (Reuter 1882)

Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) distinguendus (Blöte 1933)

Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) obscuratus (Blöte 1933)

Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) roseus (Villiers 1951)

Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) montanus (Villiers 1951)

Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) plebejus (Haglund 1895)

Sericocoris (Pseudocenaeus) apicicornis (Fairmaire 1858)