A REVIEW AND REVISION OF THE GENUS RHYPODES STAL (HEMIPTERA, LYGAEIDAE)

New Zealand now has more species of Orsillinae than any continent, being second only to the Hawaiian Islands in proliferation of species. Twenty-two new species of Rhypodes StM: argenteus, atricornis, brachypterus, brevifissas, brevipilis, bucculentus, celmisiae, cognatus, crinitus, depilis, errunens, gracilis, hirsutusjugatus, koebelei, longiceps, longirostris, rupestris, russatus, spadix, townsendi, and triangulus are described and figured. HudsonaEvans 1929 is synonymised wiihRhypodes. The six previously known species are redescribed and figured. Limits of the genus are set and a key to distinguish the 28 species now known in Rhypodes (which is endemic to New Zealand) is provided. A lectotype has been designated forNysius zealandicus Dallas. There is an illustrated general morphology section and a list of taxonomic characters. The results of a numerical phenetic analysis using 96 characters is presented. Some abnormalities in venation on the forewing membrane and on the hindwing are described and figured. Toothed spines on the abdominal membrane near the inner laterotergites are described. There is aprogression of siting of abdominal spiracle VII from a central position to the lateral edge of the dorsal connexivum surface. Biological information on host plants and habitat are given, as are distribution maps of the eight most abundant species. A possible zonation on one mountain as a result of competition between species is suggested. © 1990 Crown.