Revision of Ascra with proposition of the bifida species group and description of two new species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Edessinae) Author Santos, Bianca Tamires Silva Dos Author Silva, Valeria Juliete Da Author Fernandes, Jose Antonio Marin text Zootaxa 2015 4034 3 445 470 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.4034.3.2 8d4ae7bf-0427-4539-8dfb-6ca52d647b73 1175-5326 240340 0A762FED-A91A-4589-8991-BD629EDF1CE5 Ascra bifida ( Say, 1832 ) n. comb. ( Figs. 1–8 , 52 , 59 , 66 ) Pentatoma ( Ascra ) bifida Say, 1832 : 303 . Edessa bifida ; Guérin, 1835 : 38 ; Walker, 1868 : 427 ; Stål, 1872 : 58 ; Lethierry & Severin, 1893 : 188 ; Gundlach, 1894 : 592 ; Uhler, 1894 : 176 ; Kirkaldy, 1909 : 159 ; Van Duzee, 1904 : 63 ; Van Duzee, 1909 : 158 ; Banks, 1910 : 84 ; Van Duzee, 1917 : 66 ; Fouts, 1920: 65; Barber, 1923 : 12 ; Wolcott, 1924 : 252 ; Blatchley, 1926 : 177 ; Silbermann, 1833 : 56 ; McPherson et al., 1982 : 786 ; Johnson, 1984 : 801 ; Orr et al., 1986 : 1251 ; Froeschner, 1988 : 560 . Edessa cornuta Burmeister, 1835 : 356 ; Woody, 1874 : 714 ; Distant, 1880 : 97 ; Distant, 1881: 22; Distant, 1887: 65; Lethierry & Severin, 1893 : 189 ; Distant, 1900 : 65 ; Kirkaldy, 1909 : 156 ; Barber & Bruner, 1932 : 268 ; Barber, 1939 : 302 ; Alayo, 1967 : 37 . n. syn. Edessa albirenis Herrich − Schäeffer, 1844 : 127 . Synonymized by Stål, 1872 : 58 . Aceratodes albirenis Dallas, 1851 : 336 (not H −S); Walker, 1868 : 451 . Synonymized by Stål, 1872 : 58 . Pentatoma ( Aceratodes ) cornuta ; Guérin, 1857 : 376 . Synonymized by Stål, 1872 : 58 . Aceratodes sigillatus Walker, 1868 : 452. Synonymized to Edessa corculum by Stål 1872 :58, excluded from the synonymy by Distant, 1881:97. n. syn. Edessa sigillata ; Distant, 1881: 98; Lethierry & Severin, 1893 : 194 ; Kirkaldy, 1909 : 165 . Edessa corculum Erichson, 1848 : 610 ; Stål, 1872 : 58 . Synonymized to Edessa cornuta by Distant 1881:97. Edessa densata Distant 1880 : 350 ; Lethierry & Severin, 1893 : 190 . n. syn. Edessa picata Distant, 1890: 351 ; Lethierry & Severin, 1893 : 192 ; Kirkaldy, 1909 : 162 . n. syn. Edessa ( Aceratodes ) bifida ; Barber 1923 : 268 . Edessa florida Barber, 1935 : 48 ; Froeschner, 1988 :560 . n. syn. Holotype : Edessa bifida . Type unknown. Edessa cornuta . Female lectotype and three females paralectotypes . ( Brazil ) Para, Sieber ( MNHB ). Examined. Aceratodes sigillatus . Lectotype female and a female paralectotype . Mexico , Oaxaca, Orizaba. ( BMNH ). Examined. Edessa densata . Female lectotype and three females paralectotypes . ( Mexico ) Cuernavaca, Morelos, June (H. H. Smith) ( BMNH ). Examined. Edessa picata . Female holotype . Mexico , Jalapa (F. D.Godman) ( BMNH ). Examined. Edessa florida . Male holotype . Paradise Key, Florida , March 1, 1919 (H. S. Barber) ( USNM ). Examined. Material examined (n: 160). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA . Texas : 3♀ Brazos Co College Station, IV −9−1990 . Coll. M. L. George on Boston fern ( TAMU ); ♀ Brazos Co. Bryan. March 24, 2000 . J. C. Schaffner ( TAMU ); ♀ Brazos Co. vic. Jet. Lick Creek & Rock Praire Road 30.55042°N , 96.18795°W . IV −12−2008 . J. C. Schaffner ( TAMU ); ♂ College Station, Brazos Co. Oct. 26−1975 . Student Colln.M.A. G. Lanilhe ( TAMU ); ♂ Col. Sta. Dec, 24−1936. Student Col ( TAMU ); ♂ College Sta. 11−9−17 ( UFRG ); ♀ College Station. 11−14−20 ( UFRG ); ♀ 2♂ Bloomington. 1933. Lee Payne ( TAMU ); ♀ Travis Co. Austin. June 1976 . W. P. Foerster. ( TAMU ); ♀♂ 28°48.6’N 96°48.3’W Victoria Co. 12 mi E of Victoria. 7−vi −2005 , B.W. Hopkins survey ( TAMU ); ♂♀ ( UFRG ); ♂ Harris Co. Houston. April 1978 . Coll. C. L. Fossler Student Collection ( TAMU ); ♂ Bryan. 28 January 1977 . Richard S. Peigler ( TAMU ); Florida : ♂ Cedar Keys, Aug, 10, 1939 J. D. Beamer ( KSBS ); ♀ Ochopee, 11−I −1976 , F.W. Howard ( UFRG ); ♀ Dade Co., Deering, Estate Park. May 7−8, 1900 . Coll. E.G. Riley ( TAMU ). South Carolina : ♀ Charleston Co. Sullivans Is. S.C. V −5−50 ( TAMU ). MEXICO . Tamaulipas : ♂ Bocatoma, 7km SSE Gomez Farias, V −19−23 ’79. E. G. Riley ( TAMU ); ♀ 2 miles southeast, Gomez Farias. July 20, 1970 . Murray, Phelps, Hart, Schaffner ( TAMU ); 2♀ 6 mi . ne. of Teapa. August 18, 1967 . H. R. Burke and J. Hafernik ( TAMU ); ♀ Santa Engrecia. X −20−1937 ( TAMU ). Sinaloa : ♂ Concordia. VII −25−1973 ( TAMU ); ♂ La Capilla del Taxte. X −25−1979 . W. F. Chamberlain ( TAMU ); ♂ La Piedra ver. VII −9−1974 ( TAMU ). San Luiz de Potosí : ♂ 24 miles south of Ciudad Valles. July 7, 1966 . P. M. & P. K. Wagner ( TAMU ); ♂ Huichihuayan. August 8, 1967 . H. R. Burke and J. Hafenik ( TAMU ). Nayarit: ♀ Sierra San Juan km14 carr. alcova. 12–x–89 . A Caderna ( UFRG ). Jalisco : ♀ 16km , n. Autlan. July 31–aug. 2, 1978 . Plit & Schaffner ( TAMU ); ♀ 6.1 mi N Autlan, 7 mi . W at San Francisco Microwave, Tower, 4680’ VII −31−1996 . Wm Godwin ( TAMU ); ♀ 6 miles east of Lagos de Moreno. July 29, 1978 . Plitt & Schaffner ( TAMU ). Guerrero: ♂ Tetipac 6/X/2000 H. Brailovisky E. Barrera ( UFRG ); ♂ 5km al S de Pilcaya 1250m 8–10/XI/2000 H. Brailovisky E. Barrera ( UNAM ). Oaxaca : ♂Portillo Del Royo. En Bromélias. 10−II −82 . A.I. Barra ( UFRG ); ♀Portillo del Royo. En Bromélias. 10−II −82 . M. Garcia. ( UFRG ). Veracruz : ♀ 1mi , S. Sihuapan, Los Tuxtlas. VII −24−66 . Jack Meyer ( TAMU ); ♂ km 14 Banderilla– Naolinco 1/ XII/1999 H. Brailovasky E Barrera ( UNAM ). Tabasco : ♂ Campo Exp. CSAT , 20km . W. Cardenas. July 23, 1980 . Schaffner and Friedlander ( TAMU ). Chiapas : 2♀♂ 11.6 mi SE Pichucalco. August 3, 1980 . Schaffner, Weaver, Friedlander ( TAMU ); 3♀♂ 31 mi . SE Comitan, VI −18 , 19−65. H. R. Burke, J. R. Meyer, J.C. Schaffner ( TAMU ); ♂♀ ( UFRG ); 5♂ 5mi . S. Palenque. July 25, 1980 . Schaffner, Weaver, Friedland. ( TAMU ); ♂ Palenque (Ruins). July 24, 1980 . Schaffner, Weaver, Friedland ( TAMU ). BELIZE . Toledo : ♀ District, San Jose Village, N 16°16’06’’ W 89°05’39’’ 23−24−VI −2001 el. 900’, A. R. Gillorgly ( TAMU ). DOMINICAN REPUBLIC . Santiago : ♀Pedro Garcia. August 23, 1967 . J. C. Schaffner. ( TAMU ). PUERTO RICO . Isabela : ♀ 2−23−1934 . Coll Randal Donald ( TAMU ). Mayaguez : ♂ 12−3−1934 . Coll. R. Rivera ( TAMU ); ♀♂ 28−abr −1989 . Coll. J. G. Ramos ( TAMU ). Caguas : ♀♂ 1−6−1936 . Coll. A. Palmer ( TAMU ); ♀ 12–3–1934 coll. R. Rivera ( TAMU ); ♂ Carite For. Res. 20 July 1979 G.B. Marshall ( DRC ). NICARAGUA . Rio San Juan : ♀ Refugio Bartolo, 51 m . 10.97254°N 084.33906°W . VIII −5−15−2002 . Coll. R. M. Caesar ( TAMU ). DOMINICA . Berekua : ♂ St. Paul Par. Springfield Estate, V −31−VI −10–1995 ( TAMU ); ♂ Middle hamFalls Trail nr. Laudat, 6–29–2004 C.W. & L. B. O’ Brien (JEE). COSTA RICA . San Jose : ♂ Plantanillo. VIII −7−1990 . W. F. Chamberlain ( TAMU ). Guanacaste : ♀Sector el hacha, P. N. Guanacaste. XI a XII −1991 . E. lopez. L–N–. ( INBio ); ♀ A. C. G. Santa Cruz, P. N. Guanacaste, Cerro elhacha, Casa Est. Forestal. 400 m . 4−II −1988 . Sollís Manuel. L_N_320000_364000#52571 ( INBio ); ♀ Liberia , P. N. Guanacaste, Estac. Mango, Bosque primário. 100 m . II −1988 . Jansen, manual (red, libre). L_N_322740_375198# 52603 ( UFRG ); ♂ Estación Mango Volcan Cacao, Bosque primário. 100 m . 6 a 30 abr 1988 . Espinoza, manual (red, libre). L_N_322740_375198#52586 ( UFRG ); ♂A. C. G. Liberia , Pque. Nal. Gte., Est. Cacao. 1000−1150 m . 9 mar1988 . Espinoza, manual. L_N_323150 _375500#52583 ( INBio ); ♀ Estación Primário, 100 m . 14−III −1988 . Espinoza, manual (red, libre). L_N_322740_375198#52596 ( INBio ); ♂ Santa Rosa National Park. DH Janzen. 5 a 12−III −1978 ( INBio ); ♀ Santa Rosa, Nat. PK. 1 a 3−XII −1979 . D. H. Janzen. ( UFRG ); ♀ Est. Cacao, 100−1400m , lado sudoeste del volcan cacao. MalaiseTp. VII −1989 a III −1990 . L_N_3233000, 375700 ( INBio ); ♀ Est. Cacao, 1000−1400m , lado SO vol. Cacao. 21 a 29−V −1992 . K. Taylor. L_N_3233000, 875700 ( INBio ); ♂ Est. Cacao, 2 km SW del Cerro Cacao, 800-1400m , 7–18 feb 1995 M. Lobo LN 323100 375800 #5320 ( UFRG ); ♀♂ P. N. Barra Honda, 3 KM de Nacaome. 100m . 3 a 30 may1993 . M. Reyes. L_N_ 239000, 386000 ( INBio ); ♂ P. N. Barra Honda, 3 KM de Nacaome. 100m . 3 a 25 ago 1992 . M. Reyes. L_N_ 239000, 386000 ( INBio ); ♀ los mesones, P.N. Barra Honda, A. C. Tempisque, 100m dic 1993 , M Reyes, LN 239200_388900 #2571 ( INBio ); 2♂ Fca. Jenny, 300 m , 31 km N Liberia , GNP Biodiversity Survey, W8534’27”, N1051’55”. X −1988 . ( INBio ); ♂Cerro el Hacho, 300 m , 12 km SE de La Cruz. R. Espinoza. XI a XII −1991 . L_N_ 329200, 368000 ( INBio ); ♀ Z. P. Nosara, Cerro Ramo, 800m . 12−XI −2002 . Y Cardenas, Red Golpe. L_N_ 220700 _382545#72886 ( INBio ); ♀ Est. Maritza, 600m , lado o vol. Orosí. F. Araya. II −1992 . L_N_326900, 878000 ( INBio ); ♂ Est. Pitilla. 700m 9 km S Sta Cecília. F. Araya, may 1992 L–N 330200,380200 ( INBio ); ♀ Est. Los Almendros, 300 m 8 dic 1993 , K. E. Taylor, L N 334800_369800 #2509 ( INBio ). Puntarenas : ♀♂ Brujo, VIII–7–90 G. M. Chamberlain ( TAMU ); ♀ Golfito Jímenez, El Neque, 1–3m , 28–29 oct 2004 B. Hernandéz, Libre L_S_280050_536950 #788000 ( INBio ); ♂♀ P.N. Manuel Antônio, Quepos, 80m . IV-1992 . C.Cano. LS370900_448800#1181 ( UFRG ); ♀Golfito, Jímenez, El Neque, 1− 3m . 28 a 29−X −2004 . B. Hernández, Libre. L_S_280050_536950#78800 ( INBio ); ♀ San Luis, 1040m , R.B. Monteverde. Set 1992 . Z. Fuentes. L_N_ 250850 , 449250 ( INBio ); ♀ Vuelta Campana, R. Tenaba, 100−500m , Rey Curre. 3−VII a 2−VIII −1992 . S. Rojas. L_S 325700, 544300 ( INBio ); ♀ Est. Esquinas, Pen. De Osa., A.C. Osa, 200m . I −1994 . J. F. Quesada. LS301400_ 542200 #2550 ( INBio ); ♂Albergue Cerro de Oro, Send. Acuedupto. 150m . 4−I −1996 . E. Fletes, Foso. L_S_279650_51850#7181 ( INBio ); ♂ Rio Termo (acosa). 90 m . 31−X −1995 . E. Fletes. L_S_280000_57300#7068 ( INBio ); ♂Albuquerque de Oro, 150− 170m . 27−V a 20−XII −1995 . E. Fletes. Red de golpe. L_S_279650_518450#7074 ( INBio ); ♂Estac. Quebrada Bonita, 50m . R. B. Carara. X −1989 . R. Zuninga. 194500, 469850 ( INBio ); ♂ Est. La Casona, Res. Biol. Monteverde, 1520m . N. Obando. X −1990 . L_N_253250, 499700 ( INBio ); ♀ Pt. Escondido, Finca de Simón Gonzáles, 2 km al S de Rincón. 5 m . 26−VIII −1995 . E. Fletes, Rede de Golpe. L_S_292200_521400#6127 ( INBio ). Heredia: ♀ Finca Naranjo Valenciana, 2km sur Pueblo Nuevo, Sarapiquí, 90m 9 a 30 mar 1993 M. Ortiz L–N 271800, 523750 ( INBio ). Alajuela : ♂ Bijagua. VII −31−1990 . W. F. Chamberlain ( TAMU ). Limón : ♀ Est. HitoyCerere, 100m . R. Cerere, Res. Biol. Hitoy Cerere. A. Moreno. Jun1991 . L_N_184200, 643300 ( UFRG ); ♂ Est. Hitoy Cerere, 100m , R. Cerere. Res. Biol. Hitoy Cerere. G. Carballo. 5 a 19 mar 1992 . L_N 184200, 648300 ( UFRG ); ♂ Est. Hitoy Cerere, 100m , R. Cerere. Res. Biol. Hitoy Cerere. G. Carballo. nov 1992 . L_N 184200, 648300 ( INBio ); ♀ Amubri. 70 m . 2 a 30–III −1996 . G. Gallardo. L_S_385000_578100#7510 ( INBio ); ♀ Est. Cuatro Esquinas, Om, P. N. Tortuguero. D. Garcia. 27−IV a 9−V −1992 . L_N 280000, 590500 ( INBio ); ♀ Rio Sardinas, R. N. F. S. Barra del Colorado. 10 m . 6 a14−IV −1994 . F. Araya. LN 291500_ 564700#2854 ( INBio ). PANAMA . Chiriqui : 2♀ Pr. 4 km . W. Boquete. 1600m , 9−IX −98 . Gillogly & Stockwell ( TAMU ); ♂ Reserva La Fortuna . Finca La Suiza . V −25−1993 . E. G. Riley ( TAMU ); ♂♀ Bocas del Toro Pr. 2 WSW Chiriqui Grande. 6−viii −1999 . 08°56’45’’N 82°08’13’’W . J. C. Schaffner ( UFRG ). Veraguas : 2♀ Pr. 8km W. Santa Fé. Cerro Tute, el 3000 ft . 8°30’26’’N 81°6’49’’W 8−viii −1999 . J. Schaffner ( TAMU ). VENEZUELA . Caracas : ♀ Delta srseuro, 28−18−32 (Museu Hist. Nat. La Salle); 8♀ 6♂ Cumbre de Choroni, AR. 23−V −48 . F. Fernandez, F. Aponte ( UFRG ); ♀ 3♂ El Limon, AR. 450 m . 20−VI −61 . M. Gelbez col. ( UFRG ); ♀ El Limon, AR. 450 m . 26−V − 59 F. Fernandez Y. ( UFRG ); ♂ GU, Punzon–Tahiti, 6−VIII −1965 . J & B Bechyne ( UFRG ); ♂ Fila de Tara AR, 1360 m . 19−V −63 ( UFRG ); ♂ Hola, El Samon, CV Las Mercedes, Euarico. 18−VII −1966 . C. J. Rosales col. ( UFRG ); ♀ Aragua–Carmen de Cura. 350m . 11−VII −1966 . F. Fernandez, Y. C. J. Rosales ( UFRG ); ♂ Guamitas, 100m . 5−I −1950 . F. Fernandez Y. col ( UFRG ); ♂ La Caimara, El Sambrezo, Guarico. 9−VII −1948 . Col. P. Euagliumi ( UFRG ); ♂ Calabozo–44. 9 −IX −61. Em Frilol ( UFRG ). SURINAME . Paramaribo: ♂ 8–XII–1968 P.H.v Doesburg jr ( RMNH ). BRAZIL . Amazonas : ♂ Camp. Inpa. 15−III −1988 . Ferreira A. C.( UFRG ); ♀ Manaus, INPA . Aleixo. 14−III −1988 . Col. R. A. Rocha ( INPA ). Pará : ♀ Belém, H. U. Betina Ferro de Souza, UFPA . Carvalho–Filho. 4–VII–2012 ( UFRG ). ECUADOR . ♀ Ecuador ( NMPC ). Additional localities indicated by Froeschner (1988) and Joseph Eger (pers. Comm.): UNITED STATES OF AMERICA . Maryland. Virginia. Arkansas. North Carolina . South Carolina . Texas: Galveston Co., Walker Co. Louisiana : East Baton Rouge Parish, St. Landry Parish, and West Feliciana Parish. MEXICO . Quintana Roo . BELIZE . Corozal: Stann Creek District. GUATEMALA . DOMINICAN REPUBLIC . Barahona: Humacao District. ST CROIX . GUADELOUPE . SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES . HONDURAS . TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO . COLOMBIA . FRENCH GUIANA . Measurements: Head length (1.5–2.0); head width (2.3–3.0); pronotal length (3.0–4.0); pronotal width (7.0– 9.5); total length (12.0–15.0); abdominal width (7.5– 9.5); length of antennal segments I– (0.5–0.7); II– (1.0–2.5); III– (1.1–2.5); IV– (1.8–2.5); V − (2.0). Diagnosis. Dorsal color green on head, pronotum, scutellum and connexivum, hemelytron brown with lateral margin yellowish ( Fig. 52 ). Venter greenish yellow ( Fig. 59 ). Antennae and legs pale yellow to greenish. Punctures sparse and dark on pronotum and scutellum; concentrated and dark on hemelytron; concentrated and concolorous on connexivum ( Fig. 52 ); venter densely punctate laterally. Yellow cordiform spot present on apex of scutellum ( Fig. 52 ). Anterolateral margin of pronotum and lateral proximal part of hemelytron yellow to orange. Head. Dorsal surface rugulose with sparse small concolorous or black punctures. Mandibular plates with sparse concolorous to brown punctures. Bucculae rounded to subtriangular with concolorous or black punctures, partially covering first segment of rostrum. Antennae with distal two segments darker than first ones and not punctate or maculate. Thorax. Dorsal surface with punctation sometimes denser on posterior half. Scutellum with punctation rough and sparse on anterior part and fine and dense on posterior part; apex with calloused yellow cordiform spot impunctate or with a few punctures ( Fig. 52 ). Ventral surface yellow to brownish yellow with punctuation black on prothorax and around evaporatorium ( Fig. 59 ). Evaporatorium concolorous and not punctate. Peritreme yellow reaching at most middle of the distance between ostiole of the scent gland and margin of metapleuron. Mestasternal process with arms of the bifurcation anterior wide (rarely narrow) and short receiving only part of the fourth segment of rostrum, apex of the arms rounded to acuminate ( Figs. 1–2 ). Legs setose and not punctate or maculate. Abdomen. Dorsal surface dark brown with punctures thin and concolorous. Connexival segments green, each segment with two shallow concavities separeted by central elevation; punctures dense and concolorous or dark. Ventral surface yellow to brownish yellow with intersegmental regions and pseudosutures brown; punctures distributed in longitudinal sinuous bands or concentrated close to spiracles. Female genitalia. Gonocoxites 8 slightly convex with punctation sparse and dark or concolorous; outer lateral margin emarginated; sutural margin dark or concolorous; posterior margin acuminate and contiguous or slightly overlapped by the base of gonocoxites 9. Laterotergites 8 slightly convex with punctures sparse; apex spiniform and black surpassing apex of the laterotergites 9. Gonocoxites 9 convex sometimes with medial carina, expanded areas on proximal margin barely developed. Laterotergites 9 excavate proximally and tumid distally; apex spiniform and surpassing segment VII ( Fig. 4 ). Pars intermedialis subcylindrical ( Fig. 3 ). FIGURES 1−8 . Ascra bifida (Say, 1832) . 1–2 Metasternal process; 1—ventral view; 2—lateral view. 3—Female, genital internal. 4—Female, genital plates. 5−7 Male, pygophore; 5—dorsal view; 6—ventral view; 7—posterior view. 8— Phallus . (aaf—anterior anular flanges; ch— chitinellipsen ; cs— capsula seminalis ; dre— ductu receptaculi ; dr—dorsal rim; gc8— gonocoxites 8; gc9—gonocoxite 9; la8, laterotergites 8; la9—laterotergites 9; pa—paramere; paf—posterior anular flanges; pc—processes of capsula seminalis ; pha— Phallus ; pi— pars intermedialis ; pla—posterolateral angle; pph—process of Phallus ; pvr—projections ventral rim; sp—superior process; tiv—thickening of vaginal intima; vs—vesica; vr—ventral rim; VII—tergite VII; X (female)—abdominal segment X; X (male)—Proctiger. (Scale = 1 mm). Male genitalia. Pygophore. Dorsal rim rugulose with deep punctures. Posterolateral angles not punctate. Superior process of the genital cup short, pedunculated ( Fig. 7 ) and slightly concave distally. Paramere lanceolate and curved distally ( Fig. 7 ), base protuberant. Lateral excavations of proctiger delimited by small carina that cross dorsal face ( Figs. 5, 7 ); posterior face subtriangular. Ventral rim with a medial U-shaped concavity, bottom of it wide, smooth, flat or slightly concave and delimited by short carinae ( Fig. 6 ); expansions of ventral rim large, rounded and tumid passing level of posterolateral angles in ventral view ( Figs. 6–7 ). Phallus with distal acuminate process developed; vesica slightly oblong ( Fig. 8 ). Comments. Edessa bifida was described by Say (1832) for specimens from Louisiana, USA , without any additional information. The species was included in Pentatoma as a new subgenus due to metasternum elevated and three-segmented tarsi. This is the only species of Edessinae distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, reaching the Amazon basin in Brazil . Blatchley (1926) mentioned that this species was collected on native fields along streams in USA . We collected this species in Belém (Pará– Brazil ) in flooded areas dominated by tall grass and small bushes close to the Guamá river. Perez-Gelabert and Thomas (2005) recorded this species on Heliotropium sp. ( Boraginaceae ). Ascra bifida shares a cordiform spot on apex of scutellum with A. cordifera and A. flavoscutellata . Ventrally A. bifida is quite similar to A. flavoscutellata but the former has well-defined longitudinal dark vittae. Edessa florida is here considered a junior synonym of A. bifida because diagnostic characteristics of E. florida indicated by Barber are variable among different populations of A. bifida ; in fact other species of Ascra also show variation in metasternal process, peritrema and punctation. Internal genitalia from both sexes were dissected but showed no considerable differences among specimens from A. bifida and E. florida . Aceratodes sigillatus , Edessa cornuta , Edessa densata and Edessa picata are synonyms of A. bifida since they do not show relevant differences among them. Distribution ( Fig. 66 ). UNITED STATES : Maryland, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Lousiana, Florida ; MEXICO : Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, San Luis Potosí, Nayarit, Jalisco, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Chiapas; GUATEMALA ; BELIZE : Corozal, Toledo; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC : Santiago, Barahona; PUERTO RICO : Isabela, Mayaguez, Caguas; ST CROIX; GUADELOUPE ; SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES ; HONDURAS ; NICARAGUA : Rio San Juan; DOMINICA : Berekua; COSTA RICA : San Jose, Guanacaste, Puntarenas, Heredia, Alajuela, Limón; PANAMA : Chiriqui, Veraguas; VENEZUELA : Caracas, Aragua; TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ; COLOMBIA : SURINAME : Paramaribo; FRENCH GUIANA ; BRAZIL : Amazonas, Pará; ECUADOR .