Cyrtocapsus nordestinus Carvalho, 1985

Henry, Thomas J., 2022, Revision of the New World Plant Bug Genus Cyrtocapsus (Heteroptera: Miridae Bryocorinae: Eccritotarsini), with New and Revised Synonymies, Lectotype Designations, and Descriptions of 12 New Species, Zootaxa 5154 (1), pp. 1-48 : 30

Cyrtocapsus nordestinus Carvalho

( Figs. 42, 43 )

Cyrtocapsus nordestinus Carvalho 1985: 270 (original description; Bahia, Brazil); Henry & Carvalho 1987: 293 (key); Schuh 1995: 542 (catalog), 2002–2013 (online catalog).

Diagnosis. This species ( Figs. 42, 43 ) is recognized by the uniformly yellowish-brown body, contrasting with the darkened claval suture and the mostly black antenna, with only segment I pale basally.

It keys to couplet 19 with C. guianus ( Fig. 31 ) based on the overall yellowish-brown to brownish-orange pronotum, but the latter differs in having the scutellum, clavus, and inner margin of the corium dark brown or fuscous, rather than uniformly yellowish brown.

Description. Holotype female ( Figs. 42, 43 ) (after Carvalho 1985): Length to apex of membrane 2.60 mm, widest width across hemelytra 1.40 mm. Head: Width 0.80 mm, interocular width 0.40 mm. Labium: Length not given. Antenna: Segment I length 0.40 mm; II, 0.40 mm; III, 0.40 mm; IV, 0.40 mm. Pronotum: Median length 0.60 mm, basal width 0.28 mm. Cuneus length 0.40, basal width 0.28 mm.

Coloration: Head yellowish brown, eyes dark brown. Pronotum and scutellum yellowish brown. Hemelytron yellowish brown, claval suture contrastingly darker brown, cuneus brown; membrane translucent, basal two thirds of veins brown, apical third yellowish brown. Legs uniformly yellowish brown.

Texture and vestiture: Based on the holotype images, the texture is similar to other species of the genus, and the pubescence is finer, less dense, and more brown than silvery. The pronotum is punctate and has prominent calli separated by a deep puncture or impression.

Male: Unknown but see note below.

Host. Unknown.

Distribution. Known only from Bahia , Brazil ( Carvalho 1985).

Discussion. Carvalho (1985) indicated the holotype was a female but based on the lateral photograph of the holotype ( Figs. 42, 43 ), it appears it was a male, which was lost in the 2018 Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro fire.

The original description and images of the holotype indicate this species is somewhat atypical of other members of the genus, especially in the shorter lateral shape of the head and the lack of distinctive dorsal silvery sericeous setae, suggesting it may not belong in Cyrtocapsus . Eventual discovery and study of more specimens, including the male genitalia, will be important in clarifying its generic placement.

Type material examined. Images of holotype ♀ [?]: BRAZIL: Label 1, “Juazeiro, Bahia , Brasil”; 2, “ J. C. M. Carvalho, V. [19]74”; 3, “caatinga “; 4 (red), “ Holotypus ”; 5, “ Cyrtocapsus nordestinus n. sp., det J. C. M. Carvalho ” (lost in 2018 MNRJ fire) .

Figures

FIGURES 40–48. Habitus images of Cyrtocapsus spp. 40, 41, C. metafemoratus. 40, male, dorsal aspect. 41, holotype female, dorsal aspect. 42, 43, C. nordestinus. 42, male, dorsal aspect. 43, male, lateral aspect. 44, 45, C. pallipes. 44, male, dorsal aspect. 45, female, dorsal aspect. 46, 47, C. paraensis, holotype female (of C. bolivianus). 46, dorsal aspect. 47, lateral aspect. 48, C. paraguaiensis, holotype female, dorsal aspect.

FIGURES 29–39. Habitus images of Cyrtocapsus spp. 29, 30, C. grenadensis. 29, male, dorsal aspect. 30, female, dorsal aspect. 31, C. guianus, holotype female, dorsal aspect. 32, 33, C. haitianus. 32, male dorsal aspect. 33, female, dorsal aspect. 34, C. intermedius, female, dorsal aspect. 35, 36, C. lazelli. 35, male, dorsal aspect. 36, female, dorsal aspect. 37, 38, C. marginatus. 37, lectotype male, dorsal aspect. 38, paralectotype female, dorsal aspect. 39, C. mesoamericanus, holotype male, dorsal aspect.