Agaveocoris barberi (Knight) Henry & Menard, 2020

Henry, Thomas J. & Menard, Katrina L., 2020, Revision and Phylogeny of the Eccritotarsine Plant Bug Genus Caulotops Bergroth, with Descriptions of Four New Genera and 14 New Species (Hemiptera Heteroptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae) Associated with Agave (Agavoideae Asparagaceae) and Related Plant Genera, Zootaxa 4772 (2), pp. 201-252 : 213-214

Agaveocoris barberi (Knight) , new combination

( Figs. 14, 15 , 73, 74 , 120 )

Caulotops barberi Knight 1926: 101 (original description); Carvalho 1957: 94 (catalog); Knight 1968: 79 (distribution, host); Henry and Wheeler 1988: 265 (catalog); Schuh 1995: 540 (catalog), 2002–2013 (online catalog).

DIAGNOSIS. A. barberi ( Figs. 14, 15 ) is distinguished by the pale red to reddish-orange head and the fuscous clypeus, the dark brown to black antennae, the pale yellowish-brown pronotum often with reddish-orange calli, the reddishorange scutellum, the dark brown, weakly shining hemelytra with weak bluish sheen, the pale legs with a few small dark spots on the femora, and the slender apically pointed tubercle ( Fig. 120 ) on the genital capsule.

This species is most similar to A. scutellatus in overall color and antennal proportions. It can be separated from A. scutellatus by larger average size (4.15–4.90 mm in ♂♂, 4.70–5.05 in ♀♀; versus 4.10–4.30 mm in ♂♂, 4.10– 4.60 mm in ♀♀), the more open C-shaped left paramere ( Fig. 73 ), and the slender, apically acute genital tubercle (vs. stout and apically rounded).

REDESCRIPTION. Male (n = 4; holotype measurements in parentheses; note: the holotype is smashed and slightly flattened, probably accounting for the greater length and broader head and pronotum): Length from apex of head to cuneal fracture 2.85–3.35 mm (3.60 mm); length from apex of head to apex of membrane 4.15–4.45 mm (4.90 mm); widest width 1.86–1.92 mm (1.92 mm). Head: Width across eyes 1.23–1.26 mm (1.30 mm), interocular width 0.74–0.75 mm (0.75 mm). Antenna: Segment I length 0.45–0.48 mm (0.48 mm); II, 0.88–0.96 mm (0.96 mm); III, 0.69–0.72 mm (missing), IV, 0.67–0.75 mm (missing). Labium: Length 1.63–1.80 mm (1.75 mm), extending to abdominal segment III or IV. Pronotum: Posterior width 1.34–1.39 mm (1.46 mm); median length 0.67–0.74 mm (0.72 mm).

Macropterous, medium-sized, elongate oval. COLORATION. Head: Pale yellowish orange to pale reddish orange, vertex with two weak transverse brown lines, frons with two parallel rows of brown lines on either side of middle; clypeus dark brown. Labium: Pale yellowish brown. Antenna: Segment I yellowish brown, with a dark ring at base; segments II–IV yellow brown to brown. Pronotum: Pale yellowish brown, calli reddish orange to fuscous. Mesoscutum and scutellum: Reddish orange. Hemelytron: Dark brown, semishiny, with a weak bluish sheen; translucent smoky brown, veins dark brown. Ventral surface: Pale yellowish brown to brown; abdomen reddish brown; pointed genital tubercle brown. Legs: Coxae pale yellowish brown; femora pale yellowish brown, with a few small dark spots on either side, hind femur infuscated on apical half; tibiae and tarsi yellowish brown; claws dark brown. STRUCTURE, SURFACE, and VESTITURE. As in generic description.

Male genitalia: Endosoma and phallotheca as in generic description. Left paramere ( Fig. 73 ). Right paramere ( Fig. 74 ). Genital tubercle ( Fig. 120 ) elongate, apically pointed.

Female: (n = 5): Length from apex of head to cuneal fracture 3.40–3.75 mm; length from apex of head to apex of membrane 4.70–5.05 mm; widest point across hemelytra 2.05–2.20 mm. Head: Width across eyes 1.34–1.41 mm; interocular width 0.80–0.83 mm. Labium: Length 1.88–2.00 mm. Antenna: Segment I length 0.50–0.56 mm; II, 0.94– 1.04 mm; III, 0.60–0.72 mm; IV, missing. Pronotum: Median length 0.80–0.85 mm; posterior width 1.52–1.62 mm.

Similar to male in size, shape, and coloration.

HOSTS. Agave sp. ( Knight 1968). Recent collections indicate that A. parryi Engelm. is the primary host of this distinctive mirid.

DISTRIBUTION. Mexico (Chihuahua) and United States (Arizona: Coconino, Santa Cruz, and Yavapai counties). Mexico represents a new country record.

TYPE MATERIAL EXAMINED. Holotype ♂: [ UNITED STATES: Arizona] “ Huachuca Mts. , Ariz., July 29, ‘05, collection of H. G. Barber ” ( USNM).

OTHER SPECIMENS EXAMINED. MEXICO: Chihuahua: 7♂♂, Chihuahua, Majalca Rd. , 5000’, 14–17 IV 1961, Howden & Martin (5♂♂, CNC-PBI 00124987, 989–992; 2 ♂♂, USNM 00124988 , 004420151 ) . UNITED STATES: Arizona: 3♀♀, Coconino Co., 6 mi. N of Sedona , 12 Aug. 1975, J. C. Schaffner (2 TAMU; 1 USNM) . 8♀♀, USA, Arizona: Gila Co., Rt. 87, W end of Pine , 34°23.553’N, 111°27.554’W, 1675 m, 15 Oct. 2019, T. J. Henry & A. G. Wheeler, Agave parryi ( USNM) . 6♀♀, USA, Arizona: Santa Cruz Co., Patagonia , Alt. 4,000 ft., 12 June 1928, A. A. Nichol (1 TAMU; 5 USNM) ; 1♂, 1♀, Santa Cruz Co., Smith Cyn. , 31.580°N, 110.738°W, 11 Nov. 2019, J. T. Botz, ex Agave parryi ( USNM) . 9♂♂, 3♀♀, Yavapai Co., 24 mi. SE of Camp Verde , 18 Apr. 1967, D. M. Wood (7♂♂, 3♀♀, CNC PBI 00124977–986 ; 2♂♂, USNM PBI 00420149 & 150) ; 8♂♂, 41♀♀, Yavapai Co., Rt. 260, 18.6 mi. W of jct. Rt. 87, 34°29.492’N, 111°41.456’W, 1600 m, 15 Oct. 2019, T. J. Henry & A. G. Wheeler, ex Agave parryi (1♂, 2♀♀ UNAM; 7♂♂, 39♀♀ USNM) .

DISCUSSION. This species was described from a unique male holotype. We now have six females collected near the type locality in Santa Cruz Co., and numerous other specimens, including males, from Coconino, Gila, and Yavapai counties, Arizona, and six from Chihuahua state in Mexico that allow us to confirm the identity of this species. Knight (1968) separated it from A. agavis based on the supposed longer total body length (when measured over longer series, there is considerable overlap), and a shorter 2nd antennal segment not equal to the width of the vertex and the dorsal width of an eye. We also note that A. barberi has a long, slender, apically narrowed genital tubercle ( Fig. 120 ), whereas in A. agavis and all other species included in Agaveocoris (e.g., Figs.119, 121, 122 ), the tubercles are shorter, much stouter, and apically blunt or rounded.

Figures

FIGURES 8–20. Caulotops and Agaveocoris spp. 8–10, Caulotops platensis. 8, male (dorsal aspect). 9, male (lateral aspect). 10, female (dorsal aspect). 11–20. Agaveocoris spp. 11, A. agavis (Reuter), male (dorsal aspect). 12, A. agavis, male (lateral aspect). 13, A. agavis, female (dorsal aspect). 14, A. barberi (Knight), male (dorsal aspect). 15, A. barberi, female (dorsal aspect). 16, A. barrerai, n. sp., male (dorsal aspect). 17, A. barrerai, n. sp., female (dorsal aspect). 18, A. bimaculatus, n. sp., male (dorsal aspect). 19, A. bimaculatus, n. sp., male (lateral aspect). 20, A. bimaculatus, n. sp., female (dorsal aspect).

FIGURES 67–77. Male genitalia of Caulotops and Agaveocoris spp. Caulotops platensis: 67, genital capsule. 68, left paramere. 69, right paramere. Agaveocoris agavis: 70, endosoma. 71, left paramere. 72, right paramere. A. barberi: 73, left paramere. 74, right paramere. A. barrerai, n. sp.: 75, left paramere. 76, right paramere. A. bimaculatus, n. sp.: 77, endosoma. 78, left paramere. 79, right paramere.

FIGURES 119–128. Male genital tubercles of Agaveocoris spp. 119, A. agavis. 120, A. barberi. 121, A. barrerai, n. sp. 122, A. bimaculatus, n. sp. 123, A. dimidiatus, n. sp. 124, A. distanti. 125, A. roseus, n. sp. 126, A. rostratus, n. sp. 127, A. schaffneri, n. sp. 128, A. scutellatus, n. sp.