Tytthus vagus (Knight)

Henry, Thomas J., 2012, Revision of the Plant Bug Genus Tytthus (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Miridae, Phylinae), ZooKeys 220, pp. 1-114 : 70-72

Tytthus vagus (Knight) Figs 48, 49101 –108183– 186

Cyrtorhinus caricis var. vagus Knight 1923: 511 (orig. descrip.).

Cyrtorhinus caricis vagus : Blatchley 1926: 853 (descrip., key).

Cyrtorhinus vagus : Knight 1927a: 40 (list).

Tytthus vagus : Carvalho and Southwood 1955 (descrip., n. comb.); Carvalho 1958: 159 (cat.); Henry and Wheeler 1988: 458 (cat.); Schuh 1995: 250 (cat.); Maw et al. 2000: 121 (list).

Diagnosis.

This species is distinguished by the black head, pronotum, and scutellum; black antennae; dark translucent smoky brown hemelytra; and pale yellowish brown legs, with the hind femora infuscated on the distal third to one half. All known specimens are macropterous.

Tytthus vagus is similar to Tytthus femoralis in having dark antennae, pale infuscated hemelytra, and apically infuscated hind femora. It is readily distinguished from Tytthus femoralis in lacking distinct fuscous knee spots on the tibiae. It keys out with Tytthus panamensis and Tytthus juturnaiba , but is separated by the combination of dark antennae and infuscated hind femora.

Description.

Macropterous male (n = 10, plus holotype in parentheses) (Figs 48, 101, 102): Length to apex of hemelytron 2.56-2.92 mm (2.75 mm), length to base of cuneus 1.18-2.03 mm (2.00 mm), width across hemelytra 0.85-0.96 mm (0.90 mm). Head: Length 0.27-0.35 mm (0.30 mm), width across eyes 0.61-0.66 mm (0.59 mm), interocular width 0.30-0.34 mm (0.30 mm). Labium: Length 0.88-0.90 mm (0.75 mm). Antenna: Segment I length 0.30-0.34 mm (0.34 mm), II 0.83-0.90 mm (0.85 mm), III 0.56-0l.61 mm (missing), IV 0.42-0.50 mm (missing). Pronotum: Length 0.30-0.32 mm (0.32 mm), basal width 0.75-0.80 mm (0.80 mm).

Coloration: Head (Figs 103-105): Uniformly, shiny black, with a distinct, yellow, interocular spot near inner margin of each eye; eyes dark reddish brown; scattered with relatively long, semierect and erect setae. Labium: Pale yellow, with apical half of segment IV dark brown. Antenna: Segment I fuscous or black, with only apex narrowly pale or yellowish; segments II fuscous to black, with a very narrow pale ring at base; segment III and IV uniformly fuscous. Pronotum: Uniformly shiny black. Mesoscutum: Fuscous to black. Scutellum: Fuscous to black. Hemelytron: Dark translucent, smoky brown, becoming darker on clavus. Ostiolar evaporative area (Fig. 107): Uniformly fuscous. Ventral surface: Thorax and abdomen uniformly fuscous to black. Legs: Coxae brown, with only the apices pale; fore and middle coxae uniformly pale yellow, hind coxa yellow with a broad dark brown to fuscous, subapical band; tibiae, tarsi, and claws (Fig. 108) uniformly pale yellow.

Structure, texture, and vestiture: Head: Uniformly shiny, impunctate, broader than long; buccula relatively narrow, extending posteriorly to near hind margin of eye; set with long, erect and semierect, brown setae. Labium: Extending to middle coxae; segment I extending to anterior edge of prosternum. Antenna: Segment I with numerous, short, recumbent, brown setae and two, long, erect, black, bristlelike setae subapically; segment II thickly set with short, semierect, brown setae. Pronotum: Shiny, impunctate, calli weakly swollen; anterior angles rounded, lateral margins weakly concave, weakly flaring at posterior angles; posterior margin weakly sinuate, almost straight; thickly set with short, semierect, brown setae. Mesoscutum: Shiny, impunctate, broadly exposed; with a few scattered, semierect, brown setae. Scutellum: Shiny, impunctate, with scattered, semierect, brown setae. Hemelytron: Macropterous, subparallel when paired, with fully developed cuneus and membrane, extending well beyond apex of abdomen; evenly clothed with semierect and recumbent, pale brown setae..

Male genitalia (Fig. 107): Left paramere (Fig. 183): Mitt-shaped, right arm long, broad, and apically rounded; left arm short, slender, and apically acute. Right paramere (Fig. 184): Round to weakly oval. Endosoma (Fig. 185): C-shaped, bluntly rounded apically. Phallotheca (Fig. 186): Slender, apically acute.

Macropterous female (n = 10) (Fig. 49): Length to apex of hemelytron 2.80-3.12 mm, length to base of cuneus 2.00-2.28 mm, width across hemelytra 1.07-1.15 mm. Head: Length 0.29-0.32 mm, width across eyes 0.59-0.67 mm, interocular width 0.32-0.37 mm. Labium: Length 0.93-0.96 mm, extending to bases of middle coxae. Antenna: Segment I length 0.27-0.32 mm, II 0.72-0.77 mm, III 0.51-0.56 mm, IV 0.45-0.48 mm. Pronotum: Length 0.32-0.35 mm, basal width 0.82-0.90 mm.

Hosts.

Taken by A. G. Wheeler on Spartina alterniflora and Spartina bakeri [ Poaceae ]. One specimen, collected on trumpet creeper, Campsis radicans (L.) Seem ex Bureau [ Bignoniaceae ], undoubtedly, represents an accidental or sitting record. Denno (in litt, 2005) informed me that Tytthus vagus was abundant only on Spartina alterniflora in Tuckerton, New Jersey, whereas the sympatric Tytthus alboornatus was found only on Spartina patens . See Döbel and Denno (1994), Finke and Denno (2003, 2005), Denno et al. (2006) and papers cited therein for in-depth studies on of Tytthus vagus and its impact as a predator on delphacid populations on Spartina alterniflora .

Distribution.

This coastal species is known in Canada from New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia, and in the United States from Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia ( Knight 1923; Lindberg 1958, Henry and Wheeler 1988, Maw et al. 2000). Polhemus (1994) reported Tytthus vagus from Larimer County, Colorado, but this record certainly is an error for another species, probably the Holarctic Tytthus pygmaeus , a similar-appearing species with dark antennae.

New state records reported herein are Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and South Carolina.

Type material examined.

Holotype: ♂ (00162339) (USNM): UNITED STATES:New York:Queens Co.: Rockaway Beach, Long Island, 40.57138°N, 73.85138°W, 10 Sep 1917, W. A. Hoffman. Paratypes: UNITED STATES: Florida: Putnam Co.: University of Florida Conservation Research Station, 11 May 1946, R. E. Bellamy, 1 ♀ (00166925) (CNC). Volusia Co.: New Smyrna, Jun 1926, E. D. Ball, 1 ♂ (00162054) (USNM). New York:Nassau Co.: Sea Cliff, Long Island, 40.84889°N, 73.64528°W, Aug 1900, N. Banks, 2 ♀♀ (00162060, 00162061) (USNM); May 1910, collector unknown, 1 ♂ (00162058) (USNM). Norfolk Co.: Oceanview, 13 Aug 1915, V.A. Roberts, 1 ♂ (00162053) (USNM). Queens Co.: Rockaway Beach, Long Island, 40.57138°N, 73.85138°W, 10 Sep 1917, W. A. Hoffman, 2 ♂♂ (00167136, 00167137) (CNC), 2 ♂♂ (00162049, 00162050), 2 ♀♀ (00162051, 00162052) (USNM). New Jersey:Ocean Co.: Lakehurst, 40.01444°N, 74.31167°W, Sep 1930, collector unknown, 1 ♀ (00162059) (USNM). Virginia:Norfolk City: Oceanview,12 Aug. 1915, V. A. Roberts, at light (USNM).

Other specimens examined.

CANADA:New Brunswick: Moncton, 46.08333°N, 64.76666°W, 02 Aug 1966, L. A. Kelton, 7 ♂♂ (00167120, 00167129 - 00167134), 3 ♀♀ (00167086 - 00167088) (CNC); 13 Aug 1966, L. A. Kelton, 20 ♂♂ (00167108 - 00167119, 00167121 - 00167128), 24 ♀♀ (00167081 - 00167085, 00167089 - 00167107) (CNC). Nova Scotia: Lockeport, 43.6981 °N, 65.123°W, 5 m, 21 Jul 1958, J. R. Vockeroth, 6 ♀♀ (00167074 - 00167079) (CNC); 01 Aug 1958, J. R. Vockeroth, 1 ♀ (00167080), 1 ♂ (00167135) (CNC). UNITED STATES:Connecicut: New Haven Co.: Sachem Head, nr. Guilford, 16 Sept. 1966, C. W. O’Brien, 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀ (UCB). Delaware:Sussex Co.: Lewes, 04 Jul 1985, T. J. Henry, Campsis radicans ( Bignoniaceae ), 1 ♂ (00162081) (USNM). Florida:Duval Co.: CR-105, 1 km W. of Dunn Creek, S. of Eastport, 03 Apr 2004, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Spartina alterniflora ( Poaceae ), 5 ♂♂ (00162063 - 00162067), 8 ♂ (00162087 - 00162093, 00162107) (USNM). Rd. 105, E of Dunn Creek, 30.41663°N, 81.54016°W, 02 Jan 2009, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Spartina patens ( Poaceae ), 3 ♀♀ (00162094 - 00162096) (USNM). Rd. 105, E of Dunn Creek, 30.41663°N, 81.54016°W, 02 Jan 2009, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., 1 ♂ (00162084) (USNM). Levy Co.: Cedar Keys, 29.13833°N, 83.03528°W, 03 Aug 1947, R. H. Beamer, 1 ♂ (00162070) (USNM). Monroe Co.: Everglades National Park, Flamingo Prairie, 08 Apr 1972, R. M. Baranowski, 1 ♀ (00162114) (USNM). Osceola Co.: CR 532, 1 km E. of CR 545, 3.5 km NNW of Loughman, 05 Apr 2003, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., 2 ♀♀ (00162068, 00162069), 1 ♀ (00162097) (USNM). Louisiana: Calcasieu Par.: Sulphur, 22 June 1948, H. W. Crowder (KU). Orleans Par.: New Orleans, 29.9546°N, 90.0751°W, 22 May 2003, APHIS port inspector, 1 ♂ (00162086) (USNM). Vermilion Co.: Rainey Refuge, 22 Jul 1925, C. C. Sperry, 1 ♀ (00162108), 1 ♂ (00162083) (USNM). Maryland:St. Marys Co.: Piney Point, 38.13535°N, 76.52927°W, 26 Aug 1946, R. I. Sailer, 1 ♂ (00162076), 3 ♀♀ (00162099 - 00162101) (USNM). Talbot Co.: Wittman, 38.8°N, 76.28333°W, 28 May 2006 - 29 May 2006, W.E. Steiner and J.M. Swearingen, 1 ♂ (00162072) (USNM). Massachusetts:Essex Co.: Gloucester, on beach, 42.62116°N, 70.63135°W, 1 m, 29 Aug 1994, M. D. Schwartz, 2 ♂♂ (00167138, 00167139) (CNC). Nantucket Co.: Nantucket, 41.28333°N, 70.09944°W, 13 m, 06 Aug 1913, Cushman, 1 ♀ (00162110) (USNM). Norfolk Co.: Cohasset, 42.24167°N, 70.80417°W, Sep 1908, C. W. Johnson, 1 ♂ (00162082) (USNM). Mississippi: Hancock Co.: Pearlington, 25 June 1948, H. W. Crowder & R. H. Beamer, 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀ (KU). Jackson Co.: Ocean Springs, Gulf Coast Research Lab, 05 Jun 1962, D.L. Deonier, 1 ♂ (00162057) (USNM). New Jersey:Camden Co.: Morgan, Jun 1919, Weiss and West, 1 ♂ (00166924) (CNC). Cape May Co.: Rio Grande, 39.01444°N, 74.88166°W, 6 m, 05 Jul 1985, T. J. Henry, 1 ♀ (00162115) (USNM). New York:Chenango Co.: Earlville, Murphy Farm, Sep 1997, R.A. Byers, 1 ♀ (00162071), 1 ♂ (00162113) (USNM). Suffolk Co.: Babylon, Long Island, 40.694°N, 73.329°W, Aug 1903, collector unknown, 1 ♀ (00162109) (USNM). Orient, Long Island, 41.13899°N, 72.30342°W, 3 m, 18 Sep 1923, F. M. Schott, 1 ♀ (00162062) (USNM). Locality unknown, 1900, collector unknown, 2 ♂♂ (00162055, 00162056) (USNM). North Carolina:Camden Co.: North River, 17 Oct 1959, L. Davis, 1 ♂ (00162085), 2 ♀♀ (00162111, 00162112) (USNM). Carteret Co.: Bogue Island, 17 Oct 1974, G. C. Steyskal, 2 ♂♂ (00162074, 00162075) (USNM). South Carolina:Charleston Co.: Charleston, 32.77639°N, 79.93111°W, 10 Jul 1958, D. A. Young, 1 ♂ (00162073) (USNM). Colleton Co.: CR-26, 1.1 km W. of Bennetts Point, 04 May 2003, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Spartina bakeri (Poaceae), 1 ♀ (00162098) (USNM). Virginia:Accomack Co.: Assateague Island, near Chincoteague, 12 May 1990 - 14 May 1990, W.E. Steiner, J.M. Hill & J.J. Marshall, 3 ♂♂ (00162077 - 00162078, 00162080), 5 ♀♀ (00162102 - 00162106) (USNM). Chincoteague NWR., Assateague Id., Wash Flats, 10 October 1998, SMR, Malaise trap, 1 ♂ (VMNH). Norfolk Co.: Oceanview, 13 Aug 1915, V.A. Roberts, Paratype, 1 ♂ (00162053) (USNM). Northampton Co.: Savage Neck NAP, Custis Pond, 9 July 2004, ACC, UV, 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀ (VMNH).