Abstract

Evans, J.H. (1931) A preliminary revision of the ambush bugs of North America, (Hemiptera, Phymatidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 24(4): 711–738.

Abstract

The present paper is the result of a study of as many North American species of this family as could be obtained. Approximately three thousand five hundred specimens were examined, and several undescribed species were encountered in both of the genera found in this region, namely, Phymata and Macrocephalus. Most of the work on the North American forms has been done by Europeans, especially Handlirsch and Melin. These authors, however, studied relatively few specimens so that several species remained undescribed. These have been lumped under the old names by American workers, as has been shown by the names applied to specimens received for study. Further study of forms that appear new but are represented by too few specimens to warrant hasty conclusions, is necessary before a complete revision is published. The writer hopes to complete such a revision in the near future, and will be very glad to receive material for determination from North and Central America.