Edessinae is one of the largest subfamilies in Pentatomidae, comprising about
300 described species plus 300 undescribed ones divided in only six genera: Edessa,
Brachystethus, Peromatus, Olbia, Pantochlora and Doesburgedessa. Most of the
species belong to Edessa that carries as well most of the taxonomical problems of the
subfamily. This genus is used as a deposit for species not included in the other genera
of Edessinae because of the lack of clear limits between the family and the genus
Edessa. Solution for such confusion necessarily involves evaluation of the subgenera of
Edessa and taxonomical changes in Edessinae. The main goal of this study is to
evaluate the taxonomic status of Ascra and its phylogenetic position within Edessinae.
We examined 411 specimens from several collections. Descriptions, measurements and
photographs of the species, illustrations of metasternal process, male and female
genitalia, keys and distributional maps are provided. Cladistic analysis was performed
using 28 taxa and 33 morphological characters, eight multistate treated as non additive.
The out-group included14 species belonging to all genera of Edessinae and subgenera of
Edessa. Edessinae remains monophyletic but Edessa showed up paraphyletic. Ascra is
monophyletic supported by two synapomorphies. This genus is now composed by A.
bifida, A. cordifera, A. petersii, A. abdita, A. championi, A. privata, A. conspersa, A.
morbosa and six new species. Two new groups of species were proposed in Ascra:
bifida and privata. Males of A. abdita, A. morbosa and A. cordifera and females of A.
championi and A. privata, unknown so far, were described. New nomenclatural
arrangements were made. The lectotype of Edessa abdita was designated. Edessa
cornuta, Edessa densata, Edessa picata and Edessa florida were considered junior
synonyms of A. bifida.
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