Polymerus Hahn 1831

Subgenus Polymerus Hahn, 1831

Diagnosis. Males are differing from those of Pachycentrum subgen. n. by vesica with longitudinal carina and sclerotised field on right wall of large posterior right lobe; with spiculose plate on anterior right bladder; without spinulate sclerite on anterior left lobe; with relatively long left branch of last lobe covering secondary gonopore superiorly; with long postposterior left lobe; and with needle-shaped medial spicule. Females are different from those of previous subgenus by tectal sclerite widely desclerotised medially, with rather long prominences of its posterior margin; and by sclerotised anterior walls of interramal lobes. Colouration of body in Polymerus s. str. as in Pachycentrum subgen. n., without large yellow patches on scutellar apex and anterior corner of corium in contrast to subgenus Poeciloscytus. The lateral margins of hemelytra in females of the nominotypical subgenus are frequently more convex than in Poeciloscytus.

Notes on diagnosis. The degree of curvature of the claws mentioned by Reuter (1886) in distinguishing Polymerus and Poeciloscytus is not a diagnostic feature.

Redescription. Vestiture and colouration (Fig. 40 D–J). Body black, its surface matted or shiny. Antennae black-brown or at least partly yellow. Small transverse spot near internal margins of eyes, very narrow strip on posterior margin of pronotum, longitudinal small spot on corium just behind apex of clavus, narrow strip on posterior margin of corium, extreme apex of cuneus, narrow edging at margins of coxal cavities of meso- and metathorax yellow. Margins of fore coxal cavities very often also narrowly yellow. Pale strip on posterior margin of pronotum often interrupted in middle or absent. Apex of cuneus can be black. Posterior margins of pro- and mesopleurites in their basal parts with fine yellowish strip. Femora entirely or in their apical fourth yellow, with brown spots or rings before apices, or black with one or two yellow rings or spots before apices. Tarsi yellow, apices of their third segments blackened.

Vesica (Figs 10–12) greater than in Pachycentrum subgen. nov. Anterior right bladder more convex, with clearly delimited base. Surface of this bladder with large spiculose plate covered with small denticles and consisting of short and wide superior and long and narrow inferior parts. Vestige of anterior spicule on superior wall of vesica before and above anterior right bladder present or absent. Anterior left lobe with three short branches. Left branch of this lobe touching superior branch of posterior left lobe. They together with inferior branches of both lobes forming short canal closed laterally and superiorly but open below. Spinulate sclerite on inferior surface of anterior left lobe absent. Short broad membranous tubercle directed downwards usually located at place of this sclerite. Posterior left lobe with two branches. Supragonoporal area of sclerotization large. Subgonoporal plate surrounds secondary gonopore, with group of triangular denticles under it. Postposterior left lobe long, curved posteriad. Posterior right lobe long, wide, tapering distad, directed anteriad and to left, with pointed apex. Basal sclerite on right-inferior surface of this lobe distinctly not reaching lobe apex. Right wall of posterior right lobe strongly convex basally and with longitudinal carina usually surrounded by sclerotised field. Posterior spicule long, narrow, directed anteriad and to left. Medial spicule acicular, long, in basal part directed to left, in middle sharply bent posteriad and more or less strongly curved to right before apex. Extreme base of medial spicule rather small, roundish. Sclerotised walls of superio-posterior spicule covered with spinulae directed apicad. Posterior bladder with distinct (more clearly visible from superior view) rounded posterior apex on right side, directed anteriad and lying over right wall of vesica. Membranous tubercle on left wall of posterior part of vesica absent.

Gynatrium (Fig. 16). Anterior vestibular sclerites oval or narrowed posteriorly. Tectal sclerite widely desclerotised along midline. Medial prominences of posterior margin of tectal sclerites rounded, protrudes posteriad beyond internal angles of lateral bends and extends on inner horizontal fold. Anterior walls of interramal lobes sclerotised.