Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann

Brailovsky, Harry, 2014, Illustrated key for identification of the species included in the genus Leptoglossus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae: Coreinae: Anisoscelini), and descriptions of five new species and new synonyms, Zootaxa 3794 (1), pp. 143-178 : 152

Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann

( Fig. 63 )

Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1919: 196 -197.

Narnia anaticula Brailovsky & Barrera, 2013: 286 –289. nov. syn.

During the revision of the genus Leptoglossus two specimens which shared structural characters with the genus Narnia , were set aside. That led Brailovsky & Barrera (2013) to review the genus Narnia , describing a new species named N. anaticula , splitting the genus into two natural groups of species, and including a dichotomous key for the identification of the known species. Morphologically this species resembled Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann , differing in being smaller, less than 16 mm., and especially because it was collected on Opuntia sp. (Cactacea). Leptoglossus occidentalis live on conifers and its size usually exceeds 18 mm.

After its publication my colleagues Richard Packauskas (FHSU), and Petr Kment (NMPC) suggested that it could be L. occidentalis , a species with a wide distribution in Canada, U. S. A. and northern Mexico and which in recent years has colonized extensive areas in Europe.

Re-evaluating the characters above and comparing them with the extensive collection of L. occidentalis deposited at UNAM, I accept the critical observations offered and formally synonymize N. anaticula under Leptoglossus occidentalis .

Figures

FIGURES 60 – 63. Dorsal view of Leptoglossus spp. 60, L. manausensis Brailovsky & Barrera (female). 61, L. neovexillatus Allen (female). 62, L. nigropearlei Yonke (female). 63, L. occidentalis Heidemann (male).