Plagiognathus dispar Knight, 1923

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 : 73-74

Plagiognathus dispar Knight Figures 7 , 16 , 23

Plagiognathus punctatipes dispar Knight, 1923: 451 (n. var.).

Plagiognathus crategi Knight, 1929c: 264 (n. sp.; syn. with dispar by Froeschner, 1949: 133).

Plagiognathus carinatus Knight, 1926: 10 (n. sp.). NEW SYNONYMY.

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by the elongate body form, antennal segment 2 usually pale except at extreme base, castaneous coloration of the dorsum with only the posterior margin of the vertex pale, the corium narrowly pale adjacent to the extreme base of the membrane, the base of the cuneus pale (fig. 7), the femora usually pale with some dark blotches, the tibiae dark at articulation with femora, and the vesica of the male with a heavy body, broad flange, and divergent apical spines (fig. 23). Similar in coloration of the dorsum, antennae, and legs to punc­ tatipes and rileyi as well as dark specimens of cornicola . Distinguished from punctatipes by the more slender body form, the tibiae being dark at the articulation with the femora, and the frequent presence of pale markings at base of cuneus and sometimes elsewhere on the dorsum; distinguished from rileyi by the less robust body form, and unequivocally by the form of the male genitalia, especially the flange and the apical spines (compare figs. 7 and 31). Appearance and coloration also similar to dark­colored specimens of cornicola , but easily distinguished from that species by broader and more strongly curving heavy­bodied vesica with a very broad flange (compare figs. 22 and 23).

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Elongate, of moderate size; total length 3.32–3.86, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.26–2.67, width across pronotum 1.04–1.20. COLORATION (fig. 7): Dorsum generally castaneous, except posterior margin of vertex, corium narrowly pale adjacent to extreme base of membrane, and base of cuneus usually narrowly pale; membrane fumose, veins pale; face highly polished and deeply castaneous at and below base of clypeus; antennal segment 1 castaneous except for pale apical annulus, segment 2 dark at extreme base, remainder of segment pale (fig. 16), segments 3 and 4 pale; labium, except segment 1, pale; venter mostly brown to castaneous, metathoracic scent­gland evaporatory area pale; legs, including coxae, usually pale, often golden, except hind femora with some dark spots, and sometimes moderately infuscate; dorsal tibial spines with at most faint dark spots at bases (but see Discussion below); tibiae dark at articulation with femora. SURFACE AND VESTITURE: Dorsum weakly granular, smooth, weakly shining. Vestiture of dorsum composed of recumbent, golden, shining, simple setae. STRUCTURE: Body form elongate­ovoid; frons weakly convex as viewed from above, clypeus visible; anteocular distance slightly greater than 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. 23): Body of vesica more or less J­shaped, base of vesica reaching to near level of secondary gono­ pore, posterior apical spine elongate, nearly straight, relatively broad, obliquely angled relatively to body of vesica, anterior spine elongate, nearly straight and at nearly right angles to body of vesica; flange on vesica moderately broad, reaching to base of gonopore.

Female: Very similar to male in coloration and body form, but more strongly ovoid. Total length 3.15–3.68, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.27–2.62, width across pronotum 1.03–1.24.

HOSTS: Recorded as breeding on woody species, including primarily members of the Fagaceae , Juglandaceae , and Rosaceae . Many other records may simply be sitting occurrences.

DISTRIBUTION: Eastern North America, from Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan in the north, south to Texas.

DISCUSSION: Knight (1926) described Plagiognathus carinatus as occurring on Diospyros (persimmon) in Virginia. He referred to antennal segment 2 as ‘‘brownish to black, black at base’’, but in his discussion noted that in some specimens the segment was more yellowish than black. Knight compared these latter specimens with Plagiognathus punctatipes . Comparison of the male genitalia of a Knight paratype from the type locality indicates that the genitalia of carinatus are essentially the same as those of dispar . The most obvious potential difference between these two nominal species is size, with most specimens readily attributable to carinatus being slightly larger than what might be thought of as typical dispar ; also most carinatus specimens have tibial spines with dark spots at bases whereas typical dispar specimens have the tibial spines with at most faint dark spots at bases. Even though Knight based the name of his species on what he observed to be a carination along the anterior margin of the dorsal angle of the left paramere, there is nothing about the left paramere in carinatus that sets it apart from any other species I am placing in Plagiognathus . In the absence of any convincing evidence to the contrary, I am treating carinatus as a junior synonym of dispar .

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: CANADA.— Manitoba: Boissevain, July 15, 1953, Brook and Kelton, 13 (CNC). Boissevain, July 16, 1953, Brooks and Kelton, 33, 3♀ (CNC). Virden, July 13, 1953, Brooks and Kelton, 13 (CNC). New Brunswick: Woodstock, June 22, 1966, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Nova Scotia: Kentville, July 15, 1966, L. A. Kelton, 13 (CNC). Kentville, July 3, 1976, L. A. Kelton, 43, 1♀ (CNC). Mt. Uniacke, July 13, 1966, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Ontario: Dunnville, July 16, 1962, H. Blanchard, 2♀ (CNC). Dunnville, July 9, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, 1♀ (CNC). Erie View, July 4, 1962, G. Thorpe, Juglans sp. (Juglandaceae) , 1♀ (CNC). Goderich, July 2, 1962, H. Blanchard, 1♀ (CNC). Jordan, July 17, 1961, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Kingsville, June 19, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, Crataegus sp. (Rosaceae) , 6♀ (CNC). Leamington, June 19, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, Juglans sp. (Juglandaceae) , 23, 3♀ (CNC). London, June 22, 1952, E. H. N. Smith, 13 (CNC). Mt. Pleasant, July 10, 1958, L. A. Kelton, 33, 1♀ (CNC). Nepean, Piney Forest, July 27, 1991, M. D. Schwartz, 13 (CNC). Norwich, July 19, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, 1♀ (CNC). Rockaway, June 21, 1962, Kelton and Thorpe, 1♀ (CNC). St. Lawrence Is. Natl. Park, McDonald Is., July 14, 1976, A. Carter, 1♀ (CNC). Tillsonburg, July 11, 1958, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Wardsville, July 14, 1955, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Waverley, June 29, 1962, G. Thorpe, 1♀ (CNC). Quebec: Fabre, July 12, 1963, W. Gagne, Rhamnus sp. (Rhamnaceae) , 7♀ (CNC). Laniel, July 18, 1962, W. Gagne, 13 (CNC). Saskatchewan: Saskatoon, July 20, 1955, A. R. Brooks, 12♀ (CNC). USA.— Connecticut: Storrs, July 16, 1954, J. A. Slater, 1♀ (AMNH). Illinois: Mason Co.: Havana, May 27, 1935, Mohr and Burke, 1♀ (AMNH). Will Co.: Frankfort, June 8, 1933, Mohr and Townsend, 1♀ (CNC). Frankfort, June 8, 1933, Mohr and Townsend, Fraxinus sp. (Oleaceae) , 13, 2♀ (AMNH). Frankfort, June 8, 1933, Mohr and Townsend, Fraxinus sp. (Oleaceae) , 13, 2♀ (USNM). Joliet, June 9, 1933, Mohr and Townsend, 13 (CNC). Joliet, June 9, 1933, Mohr and Townsend, 13 (USNM). Iowa: Clinton Co.: Clinton, June 28, 1926, C. J. Drake, 13 (USNM). Henry Co.: 5 mi SW of Mt. Pleasant, June 20, 1976, J. C. Schaffner, 2♀ (TAMU). Story Co.: Ames, July 1, 1929, H. M. Harris, 13, 1♀ (TAMU). Ames, July 2, 1928, H. H. Knight, Crataegus sp. (Rosaceae) , holotype male (crataegi) (USNM). Ames, June 13, 1951, J. A. Slater, Juglans nigra (Juglandaceae) , 23 (AMNH). Ames, June 15, 1927, H. G. Johnston, 43 (TAMU). Ames, June 21, 1964, H. H. Knight, 33, 6♀ (USNM). Ames, June 25, 1927, H. G. Johnston, 33, 7♀ (TAMU). Warren Co.: 3 mi NE of Hartford, June 3, 1994, J. C. Schaffner, Gleditsia triacanthos (Fabaceae) , 6♀ (TAMU). Louisiana: East Baton Rouge Co.: Baton Rouge, May 27, 1988, D. A. Rider, 73, 1♀ (DAR). Maine: Unknown Co.: Ceratunk, August 8, 1950, ex Pinaceae , 1♀ (USNM). Maryland: Montgomery Co.: Plummers Island, June 7, 1914, W. L. McAtee, 1♀ (USNM). Prince Georges Co.: Beltsville, July 3, 1926, H. H. Knight, 23, 1♀ (USNM). Massachusetts: Middlesex Co.: Holliston, July 4, 1900, N. Banks, 1♀ (AMNH). Minnesota: Ramsey Co.: No specific locality, July 18, 1920, H. H. Knight, 13 (USNM). No specific locality, June 18, 1920, H. H. Knight, 13 (USNM). St. Anthony Park, June 16, 1921, H. H. Knight, 23, 3♀ (USNM). Mississippi: Adams Co.: Natchez, May 15, 1931, H. G. Johnston, 103, 18♀ (TAMU). Prentiss Co.: Booneville, May 26, 1931, H. G. Johnston, 83, 8♀ (TAMU). Missouri: Barry Co.: Roaring River State Park, August 2, 1907, E. P. Van Duzee, 1♀ (CAS). Vernon Co.: 4 mi W of Montevallo, June 14, 1966, J. C. Schaffner, 13, 4♀ (TAMU). New Jersey: Sussex Co.: Rt 4519 at Blakeslees Bridge, May 27, 1984, K. Schmidt, 23 (AMNH). New York: Genesee Co.: Batavia, July 14, 1916, H. H. Knight, 1♀ (CNC), holotype male ( dispar ) (USNM). Batavia, July 28, 1923, H. H. Knight, 13, 3♀ (USNM). Batavia, July 31, 1916, H. H. Knight, paratypes: 13, 1♀ (CAS). Hamilton Co.: Blue Mountain Lake, July 27, 1948, R. H. Beamer, 1♀ (KU). Monroe Co.: Honeoye Falls, July 27, 1916, H. H. Knight, 23, 1♀ (USNM). Nassau Co.: Flower Hill near Rt 25A on Ridge Drive East, June 15, 1986, M. D. Schwartz, Malus sp. (Rosaceae) , 173, 18♀ (AMNH). Rockland Co.: Stony Point Battlefield State Park, July 2, 1988, M. D. Schwartz, 1♀ (AMNH). Tuxedo , July 9, 1928, C. H. Curran, 23 (AMNH). Tompkins Co.: Ithaca, Cornell Plantations, June 25, 1982, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Viburnum sp. (Caprifoliaceae) , 3♀ (PDA). Ithaca, Cornell University, June 11, 1978, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Fagus sylvatica (Fagaceae) , 33, 3♀ (PDA). Ithaca, June 23, 1920 – July 2, 1920, H. H. Knight, ex Rosaceae , 103, 5♀ (USNM). Ithaca, Treman, June 10, 1978, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Carya sp. (Juglandaceae) , 13, 1♀ (PDA). Westchester Co.: Hartsdale, July 5, 1924, Fagus americanus (Fagaceae) , 1♀ (USNM). North Carolina: Mecklenburg Co.: near Matthews, Rt 51 1 mi W of Rt 16, May 14, 1978, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Ulmus alata (Ulmaceae) , 13 (PDA). Oklahoma: La Flore Co.: No specific locality, May 24, 1928, R. H. Beamer, 73, 1♀ (KU). Pennsylvania: Berks Co.: Rt 662 N of Moselem, June 13, 1975, K. R. Valley, Juglans nigra (Juglandaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Centre Co.: State College, June 10, 1977, Schuh, Henry, Wheeler, Viburnum sp. (Caprifoliaceae) , 53, 12♀ (AMNH). State College, June 6, 1977, Schuh, Henry, Wheel­ er, Crataegus sp. (Rosaceae) , 123, 27♀ (AMNH). University Park, Penn State Campus, June 6, 1979, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Rhododendron sp. (Ericaceae) , 2♀ (PDA). Dauphin Co.: East Hanover Township, Crooked Hill Road, June 3, 1975, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Juglans nigra (Juglandaceae) , 73, 7♀ (PDA). Harrisburg, June 23, 1921, Champlain, 13 (USNM). Harrisburg, near Rockville, July 18, 1979, T. J. Henry, Juglans nigra (Juglandaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). Harrisburg, William Penn High School, June 7, 1974, B. R. Stinner, Fagus sylvatica (Fagaceae) , 253, 30♀ (PDA). Indiana Co.: near Pine Flats, June 7, 1979, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Nyssa sylvatica (Nyssaceae) , 23, 2♀ (PDA). Perry Co.: Howe Township, June 14, 1979, T. J. Henry, Juglans nigra (Juglandaceae) , 43 (PDA). Union Co.: Lewisburg, Bucknell University Campus, June 5, 1974, T. J. Henry and A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Juglans nigra (Juglandaceae) , 23, 2♀ (PDA). Wayne Co.: Abrahamsville, Sunnybrook Nursery, August 19, 1973, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Juglans cinerea (Juglandaceae) , 1♀ (PDA). South Carolina: Greenville Co.: Greenville, May 9, 1976 – May 28, 1979, R. S. Peigler, 23, 1♀ (TAMU). Pickens Co.: Clemson College, May 22, 1944, D. Dunavan, Malus sp. (Rosaceae) , 13 (CLEMSON). Tennessee: Ruth Co.: MTSU campus, May 28, 1985, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Juglans nigra (Juglandaceae) , 13, 5♀ (PDA). Texas: Brazos Co.: Bryan, May 10, 1966, J. C. Schaffner, 23, 2♀ (TAMU). Virginia: Dinwiddie Co.: DeWitt, June 2, 1917, H. H. Knight, paratypes ( carinatus ): 63, 4♀ (CAS), holotype male ( carinatus ) (USNM). Falls Church Co.: Falls Church, May 24, 1900, N. Banks, 13, 1♀ (AMNH). Washington, D.C.: N. Banks, 13, 1♀ (AMNH). West Virginia: Mineral Co.: W of Burlington on Rt 220–50, June 19, 1979, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Carya ovata (Juglandaceae) , 13 (PDA). Pocahontas Co.: Buckeye, June 24, 1972, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Juglans nigra (Juglandaceae) , 13, 2♀ (PDA).

Figures

Fig. 7. Habitus figures of Nearctic Plagiognathus spp. (see p. 263 for localities).

Fig. 16. Antennal segments 1 and 2 of Nearctic Plagiognathus spp.

Fig. 23. Male genitalia of Nearctic Plagiognathus spp.