Microphylellus modestus Reuter, 1912: 62

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 : 163

Microphylellus modestus Reuter, 1912: 62 (n. sp.).

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by the castaneous to nearly black general coloration of dorsum, entirely pale, nearly white, legs, and pale antennae except for extreme base of antennal segment 1 (fig. 10) (although segment 1 sometimes entirely dark). Most similar in general appearance and coloration to flavipes (fig. 7) and longirostris (fig. 9), but easily separated from both by the less elongate body form, from the former by antennal segment 2 being pale rather than dark as in that species, and from the latter by the shorter rostrum reaching only between the middle and hind trochanters.

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Elongate ovoid, of moderate size; total length 3.11–3.43, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.13–2.43, width across pronotum 0.96–1.11. COLOR­ ATION (fig. 10): General coloration of dorsum castaneous; membrane and veins fumose; antennal segment 1 dark on extreme base, more rarely dark over nearly entire segment, antennal segments 2, 3, and 4 entirely pale (fig. 17); labium pale except basal twothirds of segment 1 and apex; venter entirely castaneous; legs, except extreme base of coxae, pale; tibial spines without dark spots at bases. SURFACE AND VESTITURE: Dorsum weakly granular, smooth, weakly shining. Vestiture of dorsum composed of recumbent, dark, simple setae. STRUCTURE: Moderately elongate, lateral corial margins weakly rounded; body form moderately flat­ tened; head not strongly projecting, anteocular distance slightly less than diameter of antennal segment 1; head projecting below eye by distance about equal to diameter of antennal segment 1; clypeus not visible from above; labium reaching between apices of middle and hind coxae. GENITALIA (fig. 27): Body of vesica distinctly twisted and sigmoid, relatively short, apical spines erect, anterior spine only modestly longer than posterior; flange curving, reaching to base of secondary gonopore.

Female: Similar in coloration and general structure to male; body form more distinctly ovoid. Total length 2.99–3.32, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.02–2.37, width across pronotum 1.00–1.07.

HOSTS: Known to breed on a variety of woody perennials.

DISTRIBUTION: Widely distributed in eastern North America, ranging as far west as Iowa and eastern Kansas.

DISCUSSION: Comparison of the male genitalia of modestus with those of Plagiognathus arbustorum and many other Plagiognathus spp. indicates that modestus is clearly not distinct from them. This conclusion was presaged by Kelton (1959) in his observations on the genitalia of longirostris (Knight) , which, like modestus , was placed in Microphylellus (see also generic Discussion).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: CANADA.— Manitoba: 31 km N of Tolstoi on Rt 59, July 7, 1990, M. D. Schwartz, Quercus macrocarpa (Fagaceae) , 2♀ (CNC). Aweme, July 9, 1930, R. M. White, 1♀ (CNC). Carberry, July 29, 2000 – August 12, 1955, Brooks and Kelton, 5♀ (CNC). Millwood, July 19, 1954, Brooks and Wallis, 23, 2♀ (CNC). Oak Lake, July 9, 1953, Brooks and Kelton, Quercus sp. (Fagaceae) , 83, 11♀ (CNC). Russell, July 17, 1954 – July 21, 1954, Brooks and Wallis, Quercus sp. (Fagaceae) , 103, 12♀ (CNC). Russell, July 17, 1954, Brooks and Wallis, 13 (CNC). Sourris, July 23, 1953, A. R. Brooks, 23, 1♀ (CNC). Virden, July 10, 1953, Brooks and Kelton, Quercus sp. (Fagaceae) , 33, 12♀ (CNC). Westbourne, July 25, 1954, Brooks and Wallis, 13 (CNC). New Brunswick: Woodstock, July 22, 1966, L. A. Kelton, 23 (CNC). Nova Scotia: Kentville, July 15, 1966 – July 3, 1975, L. A. Kelton, Spiraea sp. (Rosaceae) , 13, 2♀ (CNC). Kentville, July 3, 1976, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Mt. Uniacke, July 12, 1966, L. A. Kelton, 2♀ (CNC). Ontario: Aldershot, June 14, 1958, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Bridgenorth, June 23, 1962, G. Thorpe, Ulmus americana (Ulmaceae) , 13, 9♀ (CNC). Burtch, July 11, 1961, L. A. Kelton, 83, 3♀ (CNC). Carboro, June 26, 1961, Kelton and Brumpton, 13 (CNC). Cayuga , June 25, 1961, Kelton and Brumpton, 13, 2♀ (CNC). Dunnville, July 9, 1962, G. Thorpe, Ulmus americana (Ulmaceae) , 103, 24♀ (CNC). Fort Frances, June 18, 1960, Kelton and Whitney, 23, 1♀ (CNC). Guelph, June 26, 1915, H. G. Crawford, 1♀ (CNC). Haggersville, July 9, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, 1♀ (CNC). Jordan, July 17, 1961, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Jordan, July 17, 1961, L. A. Kelton, Crataegus sp. (Rosaceae) , 1♀ (CNC). Kingsville, July 19, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, 13, 1♀ (CNC). Lambeth, June 29, 1961, Kelton and Brumpton, 1♀ (CNC). Leamington, July 19, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, Rhus sp. (Anacardiaceae) , 153, 8♀ (CNC). London, July 22, 1952, F. H. N. Smith, 4♀ (CNC). Marmora, July 20, 1952, J. R. Vockeroth, Salix sp. (Salicaceae) , 1♀ (CNC). Meaford, June 13, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, 13 (CNC). Midland, June 14, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, 1♀ (CNC). Newry, July 12, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, 1♀ (CNC). Niagara Falls, June 17, 1978, T. J. Henry, Quercus sp. (Fagaceae) , 13 (USNM). Niagara Glen, July 4, 1926, G. S. Walley, 1♀ (CNC). Ottawa, Central Experimental Farm, June 3, 1991, M. D. Schwartz, Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae) , 1♀ (CNC). Ottawa, July 1, 1914, G., Beaulieu, 33 (CNC). Ottawa, June 18, 1951 – June 30, 1951, McAlpine, Smith, Vockeroth, 53, 5♀ (CNC). Ottawa, June 29, 1912, E. P. Van Duzee, 1♀ (CAS). Ottawa, June 30, 1956, J. R. Vockeroth, Elaeagnus sp. (Elaeagnaceae) , 13 (CNC). Ottawa, near C.E.F. Island Park Drive, June 3, 1991, M. D. Schwartz, Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae) , 123, 4♀ (CNC). Pelee Island, July 3, 1931, G. S. Walley, 13 (CNC). Point Pelee, July 28, 1961, Kelton and Brumpton, 13, 1♀ (CNC). Port Burwell, July 3, 1962, G. Thorpe, 13 (CNC). Port Burwell, July 3, 1962, G. Thorpe, Rhus sp. (Anacardiaceae) , 53, 7♀ (CNC). Rockaway, July 21, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, 13, 2♀ (CNC). Rondeau Park, July 5, 1962, G. Thorpe, 3♀ (CNC). Selkirk, July 9, 1961, Kelton and Brumpton, 1♀ (CNC). Simcoe, June 13, 1931, G. S. Walley, 13 (CNC). Stanford, July 12, 1961, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Trenton, June 25, 1911, Evans, 13, 2♀ (CNC). Vineland, August 10, 1961, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Vineland, June 9, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, Matricaria sp. (Asteraceae) , 13 (CNC). Quebec: Aylmer, June 13, 1920, H. G. Crawford, 1♀ (CNC). Knowlton, July 11, 1929, L. J. Milne, 13 (CNC). Knowlton, July 9, 1927, G. S. Walley, 1♀ (CNC). Ladysmith, July 24, 1958, L. A. Kelton, 13 (CNC). Laniel, July 1, 1963, L. A. Kelton, 2♀ (CNC). Yarms, July 23, 1958, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Saskatchewan: Esterhazy, July 25, 1954, Brooks and Wallis, 13, 1♀ (CNC). USA.— Arkansas: Pulaski Co.: Little Rock, May 5, 1943, Stahevitch, 13 (LACM). Washington Co.: No specific locality, May 16, 1963, Quercus alba (Fagaceae) , 1♀ (USNM). Connecticut: Darien, June 10, 1912, E. P. Van Duzee, 13 (CAS). Middletown, June 17, 1909, H. M. Parshley, 13 (CAS). Illinois: Champaign Co.: Urbana, Crystal Lake Park, May 28, 1934, Ross and Mohr, 23, 2♀ (AMNH). Iowa: Boone Co.: Ledges State Park, June 5, 1962, J. C. Schaffner, 13 (TAMU). Dickinson Co.: Iowa Lakeside Lab., June 12, 1963, J. C. Schaffner, Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Oleaceae) , 53, 6♀ (TAMU). Henry Co.: Oakland Mills State Park, May 31, 1963, J. C. Schaffner, Quercus alba (Fagaceae) , 43, 1♀ (TAMU). Linn Co.: Cedar Rapids, May 31, 1994, J. C. Schaffner, 103, 3♀ (TAMU). Story Co.: Ames, July 13, 1925, H. H. Knight, 63, 1♀ (TAMU). Ames, June 3, 1955 – June 25, 1929, H. H. Knight, 13, 2♀ (USNM). Ames, May 28, 1951, J. A. Slater, Carya ovata (Juglandaceae) , 13, 1♀ (AMNH). Warren Co.: 3 mi NE of Harford, June 3, 1994, J. C. Schaffner, Gleditsia triacanthos (Fabaceae) , 63, 3♀ (TAMU). 3 mi NE of Hartford, June 3, 1994, J. C. Schaffner, 13 (TAMU). Kansas: Douglas Co.: No specific locality, June 1, 1940, R. H. Beamer, 43, 5♀ (KU). No specific locality, June 22, 1919, W. E. Hoffman, 1♀ (KU). Louisiana: East Baton Rouge Co.: 1.2 mi S of Central, E of LA Rt 3035, April 29, 1986, C. B. Barr, 13 (LSU). East Feliciana Co. : Idlewild Exp. Sta., April 28, 1984, E. G. Riley, 13 (DAR). St. Landry Co.: Thistlewaite WMA, June 27, 1986, E. G. Riley and D. A. Rider, 83, 3♀ (DAR). Maine: Oxford Co.: Near Bethel, July 7, 1900, N. Banks, 1♀ (AMNH). Unknown Co.: Capens, July 12, 1907, 1♀ (CAS). Washington Co.: Machias, June 26, 1906, H. M. Parshley, 13 (CAS). Massachusetts: Barnstable Co.: Barnstable, July 4, 1900, C. W. Johnson , 13 (AMNH). Essex Co.: Beach Bluff, June 21, 1914, H. M. Parshley, 13 (CAS). Middlesex Co.: Malden, June 1, 1895, E. H. Sprague, 13 (AMNH). Norfolk Co.: Dover, July 5, 1919, A. P. Morse, 13 (AMNH). Wellesley, July 11, 1909, E. P. Van Duzee, 1♀ (CAS). Michigan: Emmet Co.: No specific locality, July 16, 1950, J. D. Lattin, 13 (AMNH). Minnesota: Itasca Co.: Deer Lake, June 15, 1986, D. A. Rider, 23, 5♀ (DAR). Ramsey Co.: No specific locality, July 11, 1923, H. H. Knight, 1♀ (CNC). No specific locality, June 15, 1923, H. H. Knight, 33 (USNM). St. Anthony Park, June 11, 1919 – June 23, 1922, H. H. Knight, 23 (USNM). St. Anthony Park, June 3, 1921, H. H. Knight, 33, 4♀ (USNM). St. Anthony Park, June 4, 1921, W. E. Hoffmann, 73, 3♀ (USNM). Rice Co.: Faribault, June 12, 1922, H. H. Knight, 63, 5♀ (USNM). Mississippi: Tupelo Co. : Tupelo , May 20, 1931, H. G. Johnston, 13 (TAMU). Missouri: Jackson Co.: Kansas City, June 1, 1900 – June 5, 1900, F. Rogers, 13, 1♀ (USNM). Platte Co.: Platte City, May 29, 1936, R. H. Beamer, 13, 1♀ (KU). New Hampshire: Coos Co.: Gorham, July 19, 1929, G. S. Walley, 1♀ (CNC). Grafton Co.: Franconia, A. T. Slosson, 13 (AMNH). New York: Erie Co.: Hamburg, June 11, 1904, E. P. Van Duzee, 1♀ (CAS). Genesee Co.: Batavia, July 14, 1916, H. H. Knight, 1♀ (CNC). Livingston Co.: Portage, June 27, 1915, H. H. Knight, 1♀ (USNM). Rockland Co.: Nyack, Memorial Park, June 12, 1988, M. D. Schwartz, Pyrus sp. (Rosaceae) , 23, 3♀ (AMNH). Tappan, Oak Tree Road, June 20, 1988, M. D. Schwartz, ex Rosaceae , 63, 2♀ (AMNH). Tompkins Co.: Ithaca, June 23, 1920, H. H. Knight, 13, 1♀ (USNM). Westchester Co.: Crugers, June 19, 1912, 1♀ (AMNH). North Carolina: Mecklenburg Co.: Near Mat­ thews, Rt 51 1 mi W of Rt 16, April 16, 1978, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Quercus stellata (Fagaceae) , 103, 11♀ (PDA). Near Matthews, Rt 51 1 mi W of Rt 16, May 25, 1975, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Quercus stellata (Fagaceae) , 13 (AMNH). Pennsylvania: Centre Co.: State College, Penn State, June 15, 1995, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Ulmus americana (Ulmaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Dauphin Co.: Harrisburg, drive in on Rt 22, June 9, 1975, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Ulmus americana (Ulmaceae) , 23, 3♀ (PDA). Harrisburg, June 7, 1971, G. R. Sleeman, Liriodendron tulipifera (Magnoliaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Hershey, June 1, 1975, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Celtis occidentalis (Ulmaceae) , 13, 2♀ (PDA). Hershey, Park Blvd. Near MHHS, May 18, 1974, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Celtis occidentalis (Ulmaceae) , 33, 4♀ (PDA). Lower Paxton Township, June 2, 1975, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Rhodotypos scandens (Rosaceae) , 23 (PDA). Philadelphia Co.: Bartram’s Garden, May 20, 1980, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Celtis occidentalis (Ulmaceae) , 13, 1♀ (PDA). Philadephia, Olney, June 20, 1941, J. C. Lutz, 1♀ (USNM). South Carolina: Pickens Co.: Clemson College, May 20, 1936, 33, 1♀ (CLEMSON). Tennessee: Davidson Co.: SE Nashville, Beechwood Road, May 12, 1988, M. D. Schwartz, Lonicera sp. (Caprifoliaceae) , 2♀ (AMNH). Texas: Bosque Co.: Laguna Park, May 2, 1975, J. C. Schaffner, 63, 15♀ (TAMU). Brazos Co.: Bryan, April 6, 1966 – May 8, 1966, J. C. Schaffner, 663, 8♀ (TAMU). Bryan, March 31, 1990, H. R. Burke, ex Fagaceae , 33, 3♀ (TAMU). Bry­ an, May 6, 1965, J. C. Schaffner, 13 (AMNH). College Station, April 12, 1984, J. C. Schaffner, 63, 2♀ (TAMU). College Station, April 23, 1930, N. J. Reinhard, 23, 1♀ (AMNH). College Station, April 29, 1983, T. J. Henry and A. G. Wheeler, Jr., 23, 3♀ (PDA). Burnet Co.: Inks Lake State Park, April 13, 1985, P. Kovarik, R. Jones, C. Agnew, 13 (TAMU). Inks Lake State Park, April 20, 1968, J. C. Schaffner, 13 (TAMU). Comal Co.: 5 mi W of Sattler on Canyon Lake, April 17, 1983, J. C. Schaffner, 13 (TAMU). Erath Co.: Stephenville, April 21, 1972, J. C. Schaffner, 13 (TAMU). Gonzales Co.: Palmetto State Park, April 19, 1969, J. C. Schaffner, 13 (TAMU). Palmetto State Park, May 4, 1970, Board and Schaffner, 13 (TAMU). Grimes Co.: S of Anderson on Rt 244, April 30, 1983, T. J. Henry and A. G. Wheeler, Jr., 23 (PDA). Kerr Co.: Hunt, May 1, 1966, J. C. Schaffner, 13 (TAMU). Kimble Co.: 6.5 mi S of London, Llano Riv­ er crossing, May 13, 1977, Gillogly and Schaffner, 13 (TAMU). Limestone Co.: Old Union Community, April 19, 1998, J. C. Schaffner, 33, 1♀ (TAMU). Llano Co.: 3 mi NW of Valley Spring, April 20, 1985, J. C. Schaffner, 23 (TAMU). Mason Co.: 8.5 mi S of Mason, Llano River crossing, May 13, 1997, Gilogly and Schaffner, 23 (TAMU). San Patricio Co.: Welder Wildlife Refuge, near Sinton, April 19, 1983, T. J. Henry and A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Ulmus crassifolia (Ulmaceae) , 23, 1♀ (USNM). Smith Co.: Tyler State Park, May 9, 1988, R. S. Anderson, 13, 3♀ (TAMU). Vermont: Bennington Co.: Bennington, June 22, 1915, H. M. Parshley, 1♀ (CAS). Chittenden Co.: Burlington, June 22, 1906, E. P. Van Duzee, 13 (CAS). Virginia: Albemarle Co.: Charlottesville, University of Virginia, May 24, 1986, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Ulmus americana (Ulmaceae) , 13, 2♀ (PDA). Fairfax Co.: Great Falls, June 7, 1900, N. Banks, 1♀ (AMNH). Montgomery Co.: Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Inst., June 3, 1989, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Ulmus americana (Ulmaceae) , 13, 2♀ (USNM). Washington, D.C.: June 5, 1902, O. Heidemann, 13 (CAS). Wisconsin: Wood Co.: on Hwy 13, July 7, 1947, R. D. Shenefelt, 1♀ (USNM).