Arytinnis diluta (Loginova) Percy Csiro, 2003

Percy Csiro, Diana M., 2003, Legume-feeding psyllids (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) of the Canary Islands and Madeira, Journal of Natural History 37, pp. 397-461 : 418

Arytinnis diluta (Loginova) comb. n.

(figures 10A, 17B)

Arytainilla diluta Loginova, 1976: 24 ; Hodkinson and Hollis, 1987: 42.

Adult

Colour. Yellow-green to yellow-brown, mature specimens become darker brown; genal cones with darkly pigmented setae. Forewing cells with faint brown patches apically, veins uniform mid- or dark brown.

Description. Loginova (1976).

Nymph

Colour. Fifth instars bright green to yellow or cream, with black tergites.

Fifth instar structure. Antennal segments seven.

Fifth instar measurements. (Specimens 2) BL: 1.5–1.68; BW: 1.03–1.08; WL: 0.5–0.52; CPL: 0.42–0.42; CPW: 0.61–0.67; RW: 0.14–0.15; HW: 0.64–0.66; AL: 0.84–0.86.

Fifth instar chaetotaxy. Head setae simple; ocular seta simple, dark, conspicuous; primary and secondary post-ocular setae simple. Dorsal thoracic setae short simple. Forewing and hindwing pads with simple setae only, forewing pad with one apical macroseta and up to eight smaller marginal setae; hindwing pad with one apical macroseta (paired with one smaller); proximal setae indistinct from simple microsetae on the wing pad surfaces. Dorsal abdominal pre-caudal macrosetae present on posterior tergites, long simple, caudal plate macrosetae present, six to eight, simple; sectasetae four pairs; marginal abdominal setae (other than sectasetae) four pairs, simple; pleurite setae paired simple. Legs with simple setae only.

Host plant. Teline microphylla , T. canariensis .

Distribution. Canary Islands: Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

Notes. On Gran Canaria A. diluta was found to be restricted to northern populations of the host plant ( Teline microphylla ) where the habitat is more humid. In all cases it was found to be sympatric with A. equitans and in April, more abundant than this species on the most northerly host population sampled. However, it was absent from collections made from the same host population later in July when only A. equitans was found. This suggests that these two species develop at different times, with A. diluta (as with A. prognata ) developing earlier than A. equitans . On Tenerife A. diluta is symaptric with A. pileolata , but similarly found to be restricted to more humid habitats of the host plant ( Teline canariensis ) on the Anaga and Teno peninsulas. It also appears to develop earlier than A. pileolata , being absent or rare from collections made in June but common from the same locations in April to May.

Biology. Nymphs were observed on leaf buds.

Material examined. Canary Islands, Gran Canaria: ex Teline microphylla : 61 W, 50 X, 1 km N of Cruz de Tejeda, 28°30∞N, 15°35∞30◊W, ca 1500 m, 20 April 1998 (DP 172). 9 W, 28 X, 1 nymph, 1–2 km S of Cruz de Tejeda, 28°00∞N, 15°36∞W, 1420 m, 20 April 1998 (DP 175). Tenerife: ex Teline canariensis : 1 W, 1 X, 3 nymphs, rd Buenavista to Santiago del Teide, 28°19∞N, 16°50∞30◊W, 900 m, 28 June 1997 (DP 21). 13 W, 17 X, 1 nymph, Teno, 7 km S of Buenavista, 28°20∞N, 16°51∞W, ca 800 m,