Plagiognathus shoshonea Knight, 1964: 142

SCHUH, RANDALL T., 2001, Revision Of New World Plagiognathus Fieber, With Comments On The Palearctic Fauna And The Description Of A New Genus (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2001 (266), pp. 1-267 : 219-220

Plagiognathus shoshonea Knight, 1964: 142 (n.

sp.).

Plagiognathus geranii Knight, 1964: 142 (n. sp.).

NEW SYNONYMY.

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by the very large size and heavy body, the exocorium and clavus usually mostly pale and contrasting with the endocorium, forming a linear pattern of coloration (less frequently dorsum entirely dark or entirely pale, yellowish), the dull surface of dorsum, the pronotum at least partly pale (fig. 13), the antennae entirely black (fig. 19), and the vestiture of the dorsum recumbent, weakly woolly, golden, shining (fig. 13). Pattern of coloration similar to that of lineatus (fig. 9) and moerens (fig. 10); distinguished from moerens by the dull surface of the dorsum and the shining, weakly woolly vestiture rather than black bristles; most easily separated from lineatus by the much larg­ er size of shoshonea .

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Elongate­ovoid, very large; total length 4.74–5.27, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 3.31–3.67, width across pronotum 1.43–1.50. COLOR­ ATION (fig. 13): Background coloration of dorsum weakly castaneous to blackish, sometimes entirely dark or entirely pale yellowish, more commonly with some pale areas as indicated; posterior margin of vertex usually obviously pale; disc of pronotum usually partially to broadly pale (sometimes also anterior margin, or entire pronotum, pale); exocorium usually pale except along costal vein; clavus usually almost entirely pale with longitudinal marking covering entire length; cuneus ranging from pale at base to entirely pale; corium narrowly pale adjacent to extreme base of membrane; membrane heavily fumose, veins pale, angle between posterior margin of cells and posteromesial margin of cuneus usually pale; antennae entirely castaneous (fig. 19); labium castaneous; venter entirely castaneous, metathoracic scent­gland evaporatory area sometimes partially pale; basal two­thirds of coxae dark, distal one­third and trochanters pale or weakly infuscate; femora weakly to heavily infuscate, darker in darker specimens, lighter in lighter specimens; tibiae moderately to heavily infuscate, dorsal spines with weakly contrasting dark bases; tibiae dark at articulation with femora. SURFACE AND VES­ TITURE: Dorsum weakly granular, smooth, dull to very weakly shining. Vestiture of dorsum composed of recumbent, golden, shining, weakly woolly setae. STRUCTURE: Dorsum flattened, broad, lateral corial margins distinctly convex; frons distinctly tumid as viewed from above, clypeus visible from above; anteocular distance 1.6 times diameter of antennal segment 1; head projecting below eye by 1.6 times diameter of antennal segment 1; labium reaching to about apex of hind coxae or slightly beyond. GENITALIA (fig. 32): Body of vesica relatively stout and broadly curving, base of vesica falling somewhat below secondary gonopore; posterior apical spine long, nearly straight, and erect relatively to body of vesica; anterior spine slightly longer than posterior, obliquely angled relative to body of vesica, distinctly bent subapically in lateral view; flange on vesica curving over entire length, terminating at about midpoint of secondary gonopore.

Female: Body shape and coloration very similar to male. Total length 4.59–4.79, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 3.31– 3.40, width across pronotum 1.40–1.56.

HOSTS: Geranium spp. (Geraniaceae) .

DISTRIBUTION: Montane regions in the Rocky Mountain system, ranging from British Columbia and Alberta in the north to Nevada and Colorado in the south.

DISCUSSION: Knight (1964) described the species Plagiognathus shoshonea and Plagiognathus geranii on facing pages. He not­ ed that geranii was allied to shoshonea but that it differed by having antennal segment 2 shorter and not equal to the width of the head. Knight recorded the holotype and additional specimens of P. geranii from Stonewall, Colorado, as occurring on Geranium sp. Kelton (1980) subsequently recorded shoshonea from Canada on Geranium bicknellii .

After having examined most of the material on which Knight based his descriptions, as well as a substantial number of additional specimens with host data, I conclude that only a single species is involved, based on similarity of appearance, indistinguishable male genitalia, and apparent preference for feeding on Geranium . My measurement data, in conjunction with the analysis of other characters, offer no support for Knight’s theory that two species can be recognized on the basis of the length of antennal segment 2. I am therefore treating Plagiognathus shoshonea as the senior synonym on the basis of page priority.

The male genitalia of shoshonea are very similar to those of brunneus and lineatus . Very dark specimens of these species can be difficult to separate, even after dissection. Nonetheless, shoshonea can be consistently separated from the other two on the basis of size and host association, and on that basis appears to be largely, if not totally, allopatric with lineatus . See also Discussion under brunneus and lineatus .

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: CANADA.— Alberta: Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Murray Hill Road, 4700 ft, July 18, 1990, M. D. Schwartz, Geranium sp. (Geraniaceae) , 43 (CNC). Cypress Hills, July 21, 1936, J. H. Pepper, 1♀ (CNC). Elkwater Lake, July 19, 1956, O. Peck, 53, 5♀ (CNC). Elkwater Park, July 8, 1952 – July 14, 1952, A. R. Brooks and L. A. Konotopetz, Geranium sp. (Geraniaceae) , 103, 8♀ (CNC). Frank, July 18, 1952, L. A. Konotopetz, 13 (CNC). Kananaskis Road, July 20, 1975, L. A. Kelton, Geranium sp. (Geraniaceae) , 253, 11♀ (CNC). Lethbridge, July 18, 1930, J. H. Pepper, 13 (UCB). Lethbridge, July 18, 1930, J. H. Pepper, 23, 1♀ (CNC). Lundbreck, July 20, 1973, L. A. Kelton, 13 (CNC). Medicine Hat, July 10, 1929, J. H. Pepper, 13, 2♀ (CNC). Milk River , July 9, 1930, J. H. Pepper, 123 (CNC). Nordegg, August 6, 1923, J. McDunnough, 1♀ (USNM). Waterton Lakes, July 4, 1923, J. McDunnough, 23, 1♀ (CNC). Waterton Natl. Park, July 4, 1970, L. A. Kelton, 13, 1♀ (CNC). Waterton Park, July 26, 1972, L. A. Kelton, Geranium sp. (Geraniaceae) , 93, 6♀ (CNC). Waterton, July 10, 1923, E. H. S. Strickland, 13 (CNC). British Columbia : Aspen Grove, July 10, 1975, L. A. Kelton, 23 (CNC). Nicola, July 10, 1962, G. J. Spencer, 23, 1♀ (USNM). Vernon, M. H. Ruhmann, 13 (CAS). USA.— Arizona: Maricopa Co. : Surprise, April 4, 1980, Roy Fritz, 13 (USU). Colorado: Boulder Co.: 8 mi W of Boulder, August 12, 1973, J. C. Schaffner, 13 (TAMU). Boulder , 5500 ft, June 15, 1961, J. R. Stainer, 23 (CNC). Boulder , July 21, 1903, E. P. Van Duzee, 43, 4♀ (CAS). Boulder , July 8, 1949, R. H. Beamer, 13 (KU). S St. Vrain Canyon , August 16, 1963, G. F. Knowlton and W. J. Hanson, 13 (USU). Clear Creek Co. : 11 mi W of Idaho Springs, 9000 ft, August 11, 1968, P. Oman, 13, 2♀ (OSU). Chicago Creek , 8800 ft, August 5, 1961, B. H. Poole, 593 (CNC). Douglas Co. : Perry Park , July 13, 1977, D. A. and J. T. Polhemus, 3♀ (AMNH). Eagle Co. : Vail , June 26, 1977, J. T. Polhemus, 23, 1♀ (AMNH). Gilpin Co. : Pinecliffe , July 9, 1949, L. D. Beamer, 13, 2♀ (KU). Gunnison Co. : Gothic , July 19, 1963, O. R. Taylor, 1♀ (AMNH). Hinsdale Co. : 11 mi N of Lake City, August 6, 1997, J. C. Schaffner, 33, 6♀ (TAMU). Jackson Co. : Columbine Lodge , August 16, 1966, G. F. Knowlton, 1♀ (USU). Muddy Pass , 8800 ft, August 15, 1961, J. E. R. Stainer, 43, 14♀ (CNC). Muddy Pass , July 5, 1972, D. Anderson, 23, 5♀ (USU). Muddy Pass , Routt Natl. Forest , August 21, 1968, L. A. Kelton, 23 (CNC). Rab­ bit Ears Pass , August 11, 1965, G. F. Knowlton, 13 (USU). Jefferson Co. : 15 mi NW of Deckers, August 8, 1969, J. C. Schaffner, 23, 2♀ (TAMU). Indian Hills , 7000 ft, July 11, 1986, R. T. Schuh and J. T. Polhemus, Geranium viscosissimum (Geraniaceae) , 23, 2♀ (AMNH). Red Rocks Park near Morrison , 5600 ft, July 15, 1983, R. T. Schuh and D. A. Polhemus, Geranium viscosissimum (Geraniaceae) , 63, 26♀ (AMNH). Larimer Co. : 40 mi W of Fort Collins, Bennett Creek Picnic Ground , Pingree Park Rd. , 7400 ft, July 14, 1986, R. T. Schuh and J. T. Polhemus, 33 (AMNH). Fort Collins , July 16, 1903, E. P. Van Duzee, 13 (CAS). Fort Collins , July 17, 1900, 1♀ (CAS). Fort Collins , June 22, 1899, 23, 1♀ (USNM). Las Animas Co. : Trinidad , Stonewall , 8500 ft, August 7, 1925, C. J. Drake, 1♀ (TAMU) ; holotype male ( geranii ) (USNM). Teller Co.: Manitou, July 25, 1903, E. P. Van Duzee, 2♀ (CAS). Unknown Co. : Little Beaver , July 18, 1898, 13, 2♀ (KU). Idaho: Bear Lake Co. : Ovid , August 3, 1978, G. F. Knowlton, 23, 1♀ (USU). Franklin Co. : Cub River Canyon , July 12, 1958, G. F. Knowlton, 23 (KU). Cub River Canyon , June 6, 1966 – July 25, 1964, G. F. Knowlton, 103, 7♀ (USU). Cub River Canyon , Thomas Spring , July 15, 1978, G. F. Knowlton, 43, 1♀ (USU). Cub River Canyon , Willow Flat , July 25, 1980, G. F. Knowlton and W. J. Hanson, 23, 1♀ (USU). Willow Flat , July 15, 1978, G. F. Knowlton, 13 (USU). Fremont Co. : 20 mi N of Ashton, Mac’s Inn , July 29, 1982, 33 (UNHP). Latah Co. : Moscow , July 10, 1932, T. A. Brindley, 13, 1♀ (CNC). Moscow , July 10, 1932, T. A. Brindley, 13, 1♀ (AMNH). Oneida Co. : Black Pine Canyon , June 25, 1974, G. F. Knowlton, 1♀ (USU). Salyer Cow Camp , June 22, 1972 – July 23, 1971, G. F. Knowlton, 43, 1♀ (USU). Montana: Flathead Co. : 40 mi E of Glacier National Park, June 30, 1930, E. P. Van Duzee, 13, 1♀ (CAS). Gallatin Co. : 12 mi E of Bozeman, July 21, 1983, John D. Pinto, 13 (UCR). 15 mi N of West Yellowstone on Rt 287, July 26, 1982, S. E. Cummings, 13, 1♀ (UNHP). 23 mi NNW of West Yellowstone, Beaver Creek , 6500 ft, July 24, 1978, Nancy L. Herman, 63, 9♀ (AMNH). Earthquake Lake , June 26, 1966, W. Gagne and J. Haddock, 13 (UCB). Moose Flat Campground , 26 mi S Bozeman Hot Springs, Rt 191, 5700 ft, August 10, 1986, Schuh , Schwartz , Stonedahl , 13, 5♀ (AMNH). Glacier Co. : Browning , August 26, 1951, L. A. Konotopetz, 123, 20♀ (CNC). East Glacier Park , 5 mi N on Rt 49, Looking Glass Hill , August 3, 1994, M. D. Schwartz, Geranium viscosissimum (Geraniaceae) , 63 (CNC). Two Medicine , July 18, 1973, W. F. Chamberlain, 23 (TAMU). Granite Co. : 15 mi S of Clinton, 4100 ft, June 26, 1971, J. R. Powers, 23 (UCB). Philipsburg , August 3, 1961, G. D. Kinzer, 1♀ (USNM). Madison Co. : 15 mi S of Virginia City, West Fork Camp , July 23, 1982, S. E. Cummings, 3♀ (UNHP). Park Co. : 2 mi E of Cooke City on Rt 212, Colter Campground , Gallatin Natl. Forest , 8000 ft, August 11, 1986, Schwartz and Stonedahl , Pinus contorta (Pinaceae) , 13, 1♀ (AMNH). 2 mi E of Cooke City on Rt 212, Soda Butte Campground , Gallatin Natl. Forest , 7800 ft, August 1, 1994, M. D. Schwartz, Geranium sp. (Geraniaceae) , 13 (CNC). Pondera Co. : Dupuyer , August 17, 1949, W. J. and J. W. Gertsch, 1♀ (AMNH). Ravalli Co. : Hamilton , June 9, 1956, T. Miura, 13 (KU). Unknown Co. : Beaver Creek , 6300 ft, August 15, 1913, S. J. Hunter, 33, 17♀ (KU). Nevada: Elko Co. : 7 mi SE of Lamoille, Ruby Mountains , July 17, 1961, J. F. Lawrence, 1♀ (UCB). Ruby Mts. , Lomoille Canyon , E of Powerhouse Picnic Area, 6200 ft, June 16, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Geranium viscosissimum (Geraniaceae) , 153, 15♀ (AMNH). Oregon: Union Co. : Hilgard Jct State Park , July 4, 1964, W. F. Chamberlain, 2♀ (TAMU). Wallowa Co. : Joseph , June 13, 1973, Oman and Musgrave , 1♀ (OSU). Utah: Box Elder Co. : Mantua , July 8, 1962, G. F. Knowlton, 43, 1♀ (UCD). Snowville , July 7, 1953, W. G. Firestone, 13, 1♀ (USU). Willard Basin , July 5, 1966, G. F. Knowlton, 1♀ (USU). Cache Co. : 14 mi S on Forest Service Road 055 off UT St. Rt 89, T13N R4 E Sec 15, July 25, 1981, M. D. Schwartz, Geranium sp. (Geraniaceae) , 23, 1♀ (AMNH). Ant Valley , August 21, 1976, G. F. Knowlton, 13, 2♀ (UCD). Ant Valley , July 6, 1973 – September 9, 1975, G. F. Knowlton, G. E. Bohart, 83, 8♀ (USU). Beaver Creek , July 7, 1976, G. F. Knowlton, 1♀ (USU). Blacksmith Fork Canyon , July 26, 1972, G. F. Knowlton, 63, 2♀ (OSU). Blacksmith Fork Canyon , June 19, 1985 – July 10, 1974, G. F. Knowlton, 13, 2♀ (USU). Blacksmith Fork Canyon , September 25, 1948, Wilford J. Hanson, 1♀ (USU). Elk Valley , July 29, 1976, G. F. Knowlton, 53, 1♀ (USU). Franklin Basin , July 15, 1978 – August 7, 1975, G. F. Knowlton, 63, 6♀ (USU). Herd Hollow , June 16, 1972, D. Anderson, 1♀ (USU). Hyrum , June 28, 1969, G. F. Knowlton, 23, 1♀ (USU). Logan Canyon , July 15, 1958, G. Knowlton, 43, 8♀ (CNC). Logan Canyon , June 17, 1981 – July 31, 1975, G. F. Knowlton, W. J. Hanson, R. K. Cazier, 163, 13♀ (USU). Logan , July 11, 1978, G. F. Knowlton, 13 (USU). Paradise , June 26, 1969, G. F. Knowlton, 23, 1♀ (USU). Tony Grove Canyon , August 6, 1976, G. F. Knowlton and W. Hanson, 33, 2♀ (USU). Tony Grove Lake , 8100 ft, July 27, 1973 – August 26, 1976, G. F. Knowlton, 23, 2♀ (USU). Wellsville , July 1, 1948, R. S. Bailey, 13 (USU). West Hodges Canyon , June 23, 1978, G. F. Knowlton, 33, 2♀ (USU). Elder Co. : Clear Creek Canyon , Raft River Mountains , July 5, 1974, Bohart , Hanson , Knowlton , 33, 3♀ (USU). Rich Co. : Garden City , July 7, 1977 – July 23, 1963, G. F. Knowlton, 33, 2♀ (USU). Monte Cristo , July 10, 1974, G. F. Knowlton, 53, 1♀ (USU). Monte Cristo , July 21, 1976, G. F. Knowlton, 43, 2♀ (USU). Monte Cristo , July 7, 1968, W. J. Hanson, 13 (USU). Randolph , July 10, 1974, G. F. Knowlton, 1♀ (USU). Sanpete Co. : 13 mi E of Fairview on Rt 31, T14S R6E, 7500 ft, August 8, 1981, M. D. Schwartz, Symphoricarpos sp. (Caprifoliaceae) , 1♀ (AMNH). Sevier Co. : Sevier , June 27, 1927, G. F. Knowlton, 13 (USU). Unknown Co. : Barclay , July 2, 1931, R. H. Beamer, 13 (KU). Brigham Canyon , June 25, 1931, G. F. Knowlton, 13, 1♀ (USU). Wasatch Co. : 18 mi SE of Heber on Rt 40, Daniels Canyon , August 2, 1954, Paul S. Bartholomew, 1♀ (CAS). Daniels Canyon , July 11, 1972, G. F. Knowlton and W. J. Hanson, 2♀ (USU). Wayne Co. : Caineville , July 18, 1966, G. F. Knowlton, 13, 1♀ (USU). Weber Co. : 13 mi S of Monte Cristo, July 7, 1977, G. F. Knowlton, 53, 1♀ (USU). 8 mi S of Monte Cristo, July 26, 1972, G. F. Knowlton, 43 (USU). 8 mi S of Monte Cristo, July 7, 1944, G. F. Knowlton, 13 (USU). Huntsville , July 2, 1965, G. F. Knowlton, 13 (USU). Huntsville , Ogeen Canyon , July 21, 1922, E. P. Van Duzee, 1♀ (CAS). Liberty , July 2, 1965, G. F. Knowlton, 1♀ (USU). Washington: Klickitat Co. : Klikitat V., W. T. [Western Territory], Thorpe’s , July 10, 1882, 33, 2♀ (AMNH). Satus Pass , July 9, 1935, R. H. Beamer, 1♀ (KU). Whitman Co. : Pullman , April 1, 1920, 13, 1♀ (USNM). Wyoming: Big Horn Co. : Big Horn Mountains , 6500 ft, August 17, 1927, H. H. Knight, 2♀ (CNC). Lincoln Co. : 8 mi SE of Smoot, August 7, 1974, W. J. Hanson, 1♀ (USU). Salt River Pass , 15 mi S of Afton on Rt 89, 7630 ft, July 21, 1981, M. D. Schwartz, 13, 5♀ (AMNH). Park Co. : National Park [Yellowstone], July 25, 1891, O. Heidemann, 13, 3♀ (CAS). Shoshone Natl. Forest , August 7, 1927 – August 14, 1927, H. H. Knight, paratype: 13 (USNM) ; holotype male (USNM). Yellowstone National Park, August 8, 1927, H. H. Knight, paratype: 13 (AMNH). Sublette Co.: Bondurant , August 4, 1949, R. H. Beamer, 13 (KU). Teton Co. : Grand Teton National Park , near Kelly , July 25, 1982, S. C. Williams, 23 (CAS). Jackson , 7000 ft, July 13, 1920, 13, 1♀ (AMNH). Jackson , August 15, 1961, J. E. R. Stainer, 13 (CNC). Togwotee Pass , 9650 ft, August 16, 1961, J. E. R. Stainer, 13 (CNC) .