Arytinnis dividens (Loginova) Percy Csiro, 2003

Percy Csiro, Diana M., 2003, Legume-feeding psyllids (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) of the Canary Islands and Madeira, Journal of Natural History 37, pp. 397-461 : 434-436

Arytinnis dividens (Loginova) comb. n.

(figures 13E, F, 20C, 23B)

Arytainilla dividens Loginova, 1976: 21 ; Hodkinson and Hollis, 1987: 42.

Adult

Colour. Grey-green or mid-green to yellow-green, sometimes with parameres noticeable blue, mature specimens may be darker; forewing clear, veins uniform mid-brown.

Description. Loginova (1976).

Nymph

Colour. First to third instars cream or orange, with black tergites, 4th–5th instars pale green or blue-grey, with or without black tergites.

Fifth instar structure. Antennal segments seven.

Fifth instar measurements. (Specimens 9) BL: 1.73–2.25; BW: 1.08–1.33; WL: 0.53–0.65; CPL: 0.49–0.59; CPW: 0.7–0.85; RW: 0.17–0.2; HW: 0.7–0.94; AL: 1–1.24.

Fifth instar chaetotaxy. Head setae simple; ocular seta simple, more or less inconspicuous; primary and secondary post-ocular setae simple, narrowly or distinctly capitate. Dorsal thoracic setae short and long simple, occasionally narrowly capitate. Forewing pad macrosetae two, marginal (one apical, one proximal, with numerous shorter simple setae on the outer margin) apical seta narrowly or distinctly capitate; hindwing pad macrosetae two, marginal (one apical, one proximal) apical seta distinctly capitate, paired with small simple seta; proximal setae simple, narrowly or distinctly capitate; simple microsetae scattered on the wing pad surfaces. Dorsal abdominal pre-caudal macrosetae present on anterior tergites, occasionally few on posterior tergites, long simple and capitate, caudal plate macrosetae two to four, distinctly capitate; sectasetae three or four pairs (first pair may be reduced or simple); marginal abdominal setae (other than sectasetae) three or four pairs (fourth frequently reduced or simple), distinctly capitate; pleurite setae paired capitate and simple. Foreleg without capitate setae (occasionally one proximally on the tibia); middle leg capitate setae on femur and tibia or tibia only—two to four (two larger and two small); hind leg capitate setae on femur and tibia or tibia only—five to seven.

Host plant. Chamaecytisus proliferus , on all three recognized subspecies (Acebes Ginovés et al., 1991).

Distribution. Canary Islands: Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and La Gomera.

Notes. Occurs sympatrically, on the two central islands and western island of La Gomera, with Arytaina devia . However, it is generally more common earlier in the year, and in more humid habitats, than the latter species. The host plant is a widespread and variable species, three subspecies and four varieties are recognized (Acebes Ginovés et al., 1991), but there is no apparent preference or specificity to any one host type.

Biology. Eggs were observed in small clusters of three to five on the inner surface, typically along the midrib, of folded new leaves, and often towards the tips of the more mature leaves in developing leaf buds. In the latter instance, first instar nymphs on hatching migrate down into the bud to feed on the younger leaves (figure 23B). Eggs were also found singly, scattered on the surface of fruit. Small nymphs (1st–2nd instars) were observed on leaf buds, and (1st–5th instars) were observed at the base of fruit, beneath the persistent calyx.

Comment. One W was recorded from La Palma by Loginova (1976) but this distribution has not been corroborated during this study.

Material examined. Canary Islands, Gran Canaria: 14 W, 15 X, 42 nymphs, rd San Bartolomé de Tirajana to Fataga , 27°54∞30◊N, 15°34∞30◊W, 920 m, 16 April 1998 ( DP 161 ) . 10 W, 7 X, 17 nymphs, Barranco de Mogán, above Mogán , 27°54∞30◊N, 15°42∞30◊W, ca 500 m, 18 April 1998 ( DP 167 ) . 61 W, 6 X, 28 nymphs, NE of Tejeda , 27°59∞30◊N, 15°35∞W, 1300 m, 19 April 1998 ( DP 168 ) . Tenerife: 10 WX, Teide , Rte C 823, 10 May 1987, D. Hollis ( BMNH) . 5 W, 2 X, 3 nymphs, Miradores de la Cumbre , 28°23∞30◊N, 16°26∞W, 1800 m, 22 June 1997 ( DP 6 ) . 41 W, 37 X, 81 nymphs, rd Buenavista to Santiago del Teide, N of turning to Los Carrizales , 28°19∞N, 16°50∞30◊W, 900 m, 28 June 1997 ( DP 20 ) . 3 W, 11 X, 29 nymphs, rd El Teide to Arafo 28°23∞N, 16°25∞W, 1250 m, 9 July 1997 ( DP 53 ) . 10 W, 9 X, 5 nymphs, N of Vilaflor , 28°10∞30◊N, 16°39∞W, c. 1900 m, 10 May 1998 ( DP 188 ) . La Gomera: 65 W, 53 X, 43 nymphs, rd Arure to Las Hayas , 28°7∞30◊N, 17°18∞30◊W, 900 m, 13 July 1997 ( DP 68 ) . 36 W, 23 X, 24 nymphs, La Laguna Grande , 28°06∞30◊N, 17°16∞W, ca 1300 m, 26 May 1998 ( DP 224 ) .