Plagiognathus tumidifrons (Knight), 2001

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 : 233-234

Plagiognathus tumidifrons (Knight) ,

new combination Figures 14 , 19 , 33

Microphylellus tumidifrons Knight, 1923: 455 (n. sp.).

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by the small size, castaneous coloration of body (fig. 14), dark antennal segment 1 with remaining segments pale (fig. 19), and generally pale legs with only the coxae dark. Most similar in general appearance and structure of male genitalia to suffuscipennis (fig. 13) and tsugae (fig. 13). Easily separated from suffuscipennis by the tan hemelytra in eastern populations of that species, and from tsugae by the smaller size, less strongly swollen frons, and pale coxae of that species and the detailed structure of vesica (fig. 33).

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Elongate ovoid, small; total length 2.99–3.21, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.12–2.32, width across pronotum 0.90–0.99. COLORATION (fig. 14): Dorsum entirely castaneous; membrane and veins fumose; antennal segment 1 castaneous except for a pale apical annulus, segments 2, 3, and 4 entirely pale, yellowish (fig. 19); labium ranging from mostly pale to weakly infuscate; venter usually entirely castaneous, sometimes extensively lighter; coxae castaneous, remainder of legs pale; tibial spines without dark spots at bases. SUR­ FACE AND VESTITURE: Dorsum weakly granular, smooth, weakly shining. Vestiture of dorsum composed of recumbent, moderately long, neat, golden, shining, simple setae. STRUCTURE: Body weakly flattened, lateral corial margins weakly convex; frons moderately tumid and more or less distinctly bulging beyond anterior margin of eyes in dorsal view, clypeus usually barely visible from above; anteocular distance 0.5 times diameter of antennal segment 1; head projecting below eye by 1.5 times diameter of antennal segment 1; labium reaching to about apex of hind coxae. GENITALIA (fig. 33): Body of vesica short and relatively stout, apical spines erect, anterior spine very strongly flattened, weakly sclerotized, curving near apex, posterior spine elongate, conical, nearly straight.

Female: Very similar to male in coloration and body form. Total length 2.47–3.20, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 1.77– 2.34, width across pronotum 0.84–1.01.

HOSTS: Picea spp. (Pinaceae) .

DISTRIBUTION: Eastern North America, ranging from Newfoundland south to Virginia and Tennessee and west to Michigan.

DISCUSSION: This species was placed in Microphylellus by Knight (1923) because the bases of the tibial spines are pale. As noted above, the genitalia are of the Plagiognathus type, being very similar in structure to those of suffuscipennis and tsugae . I have therefore transferred tumidifrons to Plagiognathus .

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: CANADA.— Alberta: High Prairie , June 22, 1961, A. R. Brooks, 13 (CNC). Jasper Natl. Park, Yellowhead Hwy, August 27, 1970, L. A. Kel­ ton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (CNC). Jasper, August 29, 1970, L. A. Kelton, 13, 1♀ (CNC). Manitoba: Carberry, July 29, 1953, Brooks and Kelton, 33, 1♀ (CNC). E of Braintree, June 30, 1972, L. A. Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 103, 28♀ (CNC). East Braintree, June 20, 1972, L. A. Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 13, 1♀ (CNC). Horton, July 28, 1958, A. and J. Brooks, 23 (CNC). Riding Mt. Natl. Park, July 21, 1972, L. A. Kelton, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 93, 15♀ (CNC). Turtle Mt., July 17, 1953, Brooks and Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 303, 13♀ (CNC). New Brunswick: Berwick, August 2, 1966, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Edmunston, June 29, 1966, L. A. Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 93, 13♀ (CNC). Fredericton, June 28, 1976, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Fredericton, Univ. of New Brunswick, June 27, 1993, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 13 (USNM). Kouchibouguac N. P., July 23, 1977, D. J. Brown, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 153, 23♀ (CNC). Kouchibouguac Natl. Park, June 23, 1978, L. A. Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 103, 6♀ (CNC). Petersville, July 5, 1966, L. A. Kelton, 43, 2♀ (CNC). Shemoque, July 7, 1966, L. A. Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 23, 5♀ (CNC). St. Anne, July 4, 1991, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 13, 1♀ (CNC). Newfoundland: Spruce Brook, August 8, 1912, 13 (AMNH). Nova Scotia: Big Intervale, July 23, 1966, L. A. Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 5♀ (CNC). Cape Breton Natl. Park, July 22, 1966, L. A. Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 13, 1♀ (CNC). Ingonish, July 30, 1976, L. A. Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (CNC). Kentville, July 3, 1976 – July 14, 1976, L. A. Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 263, 50♀ (CNC). Truro, July 26, 1917, holotype female (USNM). Ontario: 4 mi SW of Almonte alvore, June 26, 1990, M. D. Schwartz, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 13 (AMNH). 4 mi SW of Almonte alvore, June 28, 1990, M. D. Schwartz, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 113, 13♀ (CNC). 5 mi E of Thessalon off Rt 17, Round Barn Road, July 2, 1990, M. D. Schwartz, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 133, 10♀ (CNC). Almonte, June 28, 1978, D. J. E. Brown, 2♀ (CNC). Bell’s Corners, June 25, 1935 – July 7, 1961, G. S. Walley, D. Brown, 23 (CNC). Calabogie, July 21, 1979, D. Brown, 33, 9♀ (CNC). Calabogie, June 21, 1979, D. Brown, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 13, 1♀ (CNC). Chalk River, June 29, 1900, 2♀ (CNC). Delhi, June 14, 1962, G. Brumpton, 1♀ (CNC). Hilton Beach, July 8, 1961, G. Brumpton, 1♀ (CNC). Kintore, July 10, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (CNC). Marathon, June 28, 1961, D. Brown, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 23, 7♀ (CNC). Midland, June 13, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 233, 20♀ (CNC). Norway Point, Lake of Bays, July 28, 1922, J. Mc­ Dunnough, 13 (CNC). One Sided Lake, August 2, 1960, Kelton and Whitney, 1♀ (CNC). Ottawa, Central Experimental Farm, June 19, 1991, M. D. Schwartz, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 63, 7♀ (CNC). Ottawa, Central Experimental Farm, June 23, 1999, M. D. Schwartz, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 26♀ (AMNH, CNC). Ottawa, July 30, 1960, Kelton and Whitney, 13 (CNC). Pautois Creek on Hwy 17, July 1, 1990, M. D. Schwartz, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 33, 2♀ (CNC). Penetang, June 14, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 113, 16♀ (CNC). Point Pelee, July 28, 1961, Kelton and Brumpton, 13 (CNC). Red Lake, August 11, 1960, Kelton and Whitney, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (CNC). Road to St. Josephs Island, 3 km E of jct. rts 17 & 548, July 2, 1990, M. D. Schwartz, Achillea sp. (Asteraceae) , 23, 2♀ (CNC). Sault Ste. Marie, July 27, 1960, Kelton and Whitney, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 73, 17♀ (CNC). Stanford, July 12, 1961, L. A. Kelton, 13 (CNC). Stittsville, July 4, 1973, D. Brown, 13 (CNC). Thessalon, July 1, 1965, W. Gagne, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 63, 8♀ (UCB). Tillsonburg, June 20, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, 13 (CNC). Trenton, June 24, 1906, Evan, 1♀ (CNC). Prince Edward Island: Brackley Beach, July 10, 1966, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Cavendish National Park, July 9, 1966, L. A. Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 183, 22♀ (CNC). Davay House Can. Natl. Park, July 20, 1930, G. S. Walley, 1♀ (CNC). Scotch Fort, July 10, 1966, L. A. Kelton, Larix sp. (Pinaceae) , 13 (CNC). Quebec: Aylmer, July 1, 1935, G. S. Walley, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 63, 11♀ (CNC). Baiede­Gaspe­Nord, Forillon Natl. Park, Penouille Beach parking lot, 10 m, July 20, 1995, M. D. Schwartz, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 23, 2♀ (CNC). Fabre, July 12, 1963, L. A. Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 163, 20♀ (CNC). Gatineau National Park near Hopkins Hole, June 11, 1991, M. D. Schwartz, Picea mariana (Pinaceae) , 33, 8♀ (AMNH). Greenfield, June 20, 1937, O. Peck, 13 (CNC). Ladysmith, July 24, 1958, L. A. Kelton, 23, 5♀ (CNC). Laniel, July 3, 1963, L. A. Kelton, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 133, 35♀ (CNC). Shawville, July 23, 1958, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Wakefield, June 27, 1925, J. McDunnough, 1♀ (CNC). Saskatchewan: Wolseley, June 24, 1952, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 43, 1♀ (CNC). USA.— Connecticut: Mansfield Center, July 17, 1953, J. A. Slater, 1♀ (AMNH). Storrs, June 17, 1954, J. A. Slater, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 13, 9♀ (AMNH). Michigan: Cheboygan Co.: No specific locality, July 10, 1950, J. D. Lattin, 1♀ (AMNH). Iosco Co.: No specific locality, July 3, 1948, R. Dreisbach, 1♀ (AMNH). New Jersey: Sussex Co.: Baleville, June 21, 1981, R. Schmidt, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (AMNH). New York: Essex Co.: Lake Placid, July 4, 1991, M. D. Schwartz, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 33, 1♀ (CNC). Jefferson Co.: Watertown, June 10, 1989, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 13 (USNM). Rockland Co.: South Nyack, Ross Avenue, June 11, 1988, M. D. Schwartz, Picea pungens (Pinaceae) , 353, 30♀ (CNC). Suffolk Co.: Bayshore, Brentwood Road, June 27, 1985, M. D. Schwartz, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 13, 1♀ (AMNH). Tompkins Co.: Ithaca, Cornell University, July 1, 1978, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Pinus mugo (Pinaceae) , 33 (PDA). Westchester Co.: Armonk, Calder Ecology Study Center, June 11, 1979, K. Schmidt, 13, 2♀ (AMNH). Lewisboro, June 17, 1977, M. Favreau, Picea menziesii (Pinaceae) , 33, 2♀ (AMNH). Lewisboro, June 17, 1977, M. Favreau, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 23, 12♀ (AMNH). Pennsylvania: Blair Co.: Altoona, Pleasant Valley Nursery, July 11, 1972, S. M. George, Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 3♀ (PDA). Duncansville, Hillside Nursery, July 25, 1972, McDonald and Stearns, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 2♀ (PDA). Bucks Co.: Danboro, Colonial Village Motel on Rt 611, June 7, 1972, K. R. Valley, Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Morrisville, Snipes Nursery, June 16, 1972, Hauser and Staines, Picea pungens (Pinaceae) , 13, 2♀ (PDA). Neshaming, Albright Nursery, June 9, 1972, Hauser, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Carbon Co.: near Weatherly, Dolinsky Nursery, June 11, 1976, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 13 (PDA). Centre Co.: State College, University Drive, June 19, 1973, B. Staines, Pinus sylvestris (Pinaceae) , 13 (PDA). Chester Co.: Unionville, June 1, 1987 – June 7, 1972, Christie, Hauser, Wheeler, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 6♀ (PDA). Unionville, Lemon Tree Farm, June 7, 1972, Christie and Hauser, Picea pungens (Pinaceae) , 23 (PDA). Clearfield Co.: DuBois, Nelson Tree Nursery, July 20, 1972, 1♀ (PDA). Crawford Co.: Blooming Valley, Blooming Valley Nursery, July 10, 1972, Negley and Wolff, Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Cochranton, July 12, 1972, Negley and Wolff, Picea pungens (Pinaceae) , 2♀ (PDA). Cumberland Co.: Conifer Hills, June 21, 1972, B. Stinner, Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Rt 11 between Middlesex and Carlisle, May 6, 1978, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 13, 3♀ (PDA). Dauphin Co.: 3 mi S of Hershey, June 9, 1977, Schuh, Henry, Wheeler, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 13, 8♀ (AMNH). 4 mi S of Hershey, Conewago Township on Rt 743, June 11, 1973, T. J. Henry, Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 2♀ (AMNH). 4 mi S of Hershey, Conewago Township on Rt 743, June 11, 1973, T. J. Henry, Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 33, 3♀ (PDA). Harrisburg, Crooked Hill Road, June 5, 1973, W. Blosser, Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 2♀ (PDA). Harrisburg, East Harrisburg Cemetery, May 31, 1973 – June 7, 1973, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 73, 4♀ (PDA). Harrisburg, June 12, 1972, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea pungens (Pinaceae) , 3♀ (PDA). Hershey, June 8, 1975, A. G. Wheel­ er, Jr., Pseudotsuga menziesii (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (AMNH). Indiana Co.: 10 mi E of Indiana, Pikes Peak Nursery, June 28, 1972, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea engelmanni (Pinaceae) , 13, 2♀ (PDA). 14 mi E of Indiana, Carino Nurseries, June 27, 1972, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea engelmanni (Pinaceae) , 53, 6♀ (PDA). Strongstown, Carino’s Nursery, July 14, 1972, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 7♀ (PDA). Juniata Co.: Port Royal, Goodman’s, May 15, 1973, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Luzerne Co.: near White Haven, Kunkle’s Nursery, June 11, 1976, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 13 (PDA). Lycoming Co.: Wil­ liamsport, Wildwood Cemetery, June 21, 1973, T. J. Henry, Pinus sylvestris (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Montgomery Co.: Dresher, May 21, 1973, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea pungens (Pinaceae) , 13 (PDA). Lansdale, St. John’s Church, June 24, 1976, A. G. Wheel­ er, Jr., 1♀ (PDA). Philadelphia, Forest Hills Cemetery, June 7, 1973, J. F. Stimmel, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 13 (PDA). Telford, June 15, 1972, D. Christie, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 4♀ (PDA). Northampton Co.: Bath, on Rt 1, June 15, 1972, Semmel, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 33, 1♀ (PDA). Philadelphia Co.: Philadelphia, Roosevelt Memorial Cemetery, June 13, 1973, Hauser, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Schuykill Co.: Barnesville, Skeeth’s Nursery, June 12, 1972, Semmel, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 3♀ (PDA). N. Brunswick Township, Griesmer Farm, June 20, 1972, Pinus sylvestris (Pinaceae) , 33, 2♀ (PDA). Somerset Co.: Addison, Holiday Nursery, July 5, 1973, Wolff, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Union Co.: Lewisburg, Maple Hill Farms, June 4, 1993, V. R. Wagner, Picea pungens (Pinaceae) , 23 (PDA). Washington Co.: McMurray, Kurtz’s, June 7, 1973, D. G. Trelka, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (AMNH). McMurray, Kurtz’s, June 7, 1973, D. G. Trelka, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 33, 2♀ (PDA). S of West Finley, June 11, 1973, D. Trelka, Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Wayne Co.: near Abrahamsville, Sunnybrook Nursery, June 18, 1974, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 13 (PDA). York Co.: Manchester, Dauber’s Farm, June 20, 1972, Picea sp. (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Tennessee: Knox Co.: Knoxville, May 27, 1985, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 13 (PDA). Sullivan Co.: Kingsport, May 26, 1985, T. J. Henry and A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 13, 3♀ (USNM). Virginia: Alemarle Co.: Charlottesville, University of Virginia, May 21, 1988, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 1♀ (USNM). Roanoke Co.: Hollins, Hollins College, May 5, 1985, A. G. Wheel­ er, Jr., Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 13 (PDA). West Virginia: Jefferson Co.: Shepherdstown, June 1, 1980, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Picea abies (Pinaceae) , 13 (PDA). Pocahontas Co.: Cranberry Glades Visitor Center, June 25, 1978, A. G. Wheeler, Picea glauca (Pinaceae) , 23, 4♀ (PDA).

Figures

Fig. 14. Habitus figures of Nearctic Plagiognathus spp. (see p. 264 for localities).

Fig. 19. Antennal segments 1 and 2 of Nearctic Plagiognathus spp.

Fig. 33. Male genitalia of Nearctic Plagiognathus spp.