Slaterocoris hirtus (Knight)

Schwartz, Michael D., 2011, Revision And Phylogenetic Analysis Of The North American Genus Slaterocoris Wagner With New Synonymy, The Description Of Five New Species And A New Genus From Mexico, And A Review Of The Genus Scalponotatus Kelton (Heteroptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2011 (354), pp. 1-290 : 238-242

Slaterocoris hirtus (Knight)

Figures 12 , 50A–B , 51–53 ; plates 2 , 4I; map 11

Strongylocoris hirtus Knight, 1938: 4 , fig. 4 (orig. desc.).

Slaterocoris hirtus: Kelton, 1959: 30 , fig. 68 (male genit.); 1968: 1130, fig. 15 (disc.); Knight, 1970: 248, fig. 45 (disc.); Henry and Wheeler, 1988: 450 (catalog); Schuh, 1995: 198 (catalog); Wheeler 2001: 153 (biol.).

DIAGNOSIS: Distinguished among the hirtus -group species by the dimorphic body conformation with the male long (4.70– 5.60), elongate, and parallel sided (fig. 50B) and the female ovoid (pl. 2). In contrast, the sexes are similar in S. alpinus , with the male short (3.50–4.10) and the female costal margin only slightly curved (pl. 1); in S. mohri , the male is moderately long (3.80– 4.50) and both sexes have curved costal margins, with those in the female conspicuously arcuate (pl. 2). The mostly pale appendages and black head will distinguish S. hirtus from the large punctatus -group species with long, dense vestiture. The species-specific features of the male genitalia in the hirtus group are presented above in the diagnosis of that group.

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Large, elongate; length 4.70–5.60, width 2.10–2.30 (pl. 2, fig. 50B); COLORATION: Black; antennal segment I mostly pale basally, II yellow basally, femur pale apically, tibia pale, tarsomeres pale, except for darkened terminal segment (fig. 12); rarely antenna and legs completely black. VESTITURE: Dense, long, suberect, brown simple setae (pl. 4I, fig. 50A, B). STRUCTURE: Hemelytra elongate, costal margin subparallel. GENITALIA: As in species group, but modified as follows. Pygophore: Tergal process with relatively long point, sometimes point short (fig. 52D, E). Phallotheca: Left lateral surface sometimes roughened (fig. 52J, arrow). Endosomal spicule: Distal portion of ventral lobe long and strongly serrate marginally; dorsal lobe with base usually bifurcate with large, flat, strongly marginally serrate lateral ramus, medial ramus short and sometimes serrate (fig. 52A, C); sometimes base entire with small marginal serration (fig. 52B). Right paramere: Medial process removed from parallel apical spines, prominent, conical, slightly bent distally, with strong serration mostly on distal surface (figs. 51A–E, 52H, arrow); sometimes medial process without serration (fig. 51F, arrow, G); tubercle basal to parallel spines, clearly separated from parallel spines, prominent usually without serration (fig. 51B–G, arrow).

Female: Large, ovate; length 4.00–4.50, width 2.05–2.35 (pl. 2). STRUCTURE: Costal margin strongly curved, arcuate. GENITALIA: As in species group except: Second gonapophyses: With anterior medial surface strongly convex (fig. 53A–D).

HOSTS: Silphium perfoliatum (Asteraceae) is the only recorded plant association with a species-level determination and is the presumed breeding host. It prefers moist soil in low woodland situations. Unidentified species of Helianthus (Asteraceae) and Silphium are the only other plant records. Foliar chlorosis was observed on S. perfoliatum in Arkansas as a result of feeding by S. hirtus ( Wheeler, 2001) .

DISTRIBUTION: In the Eastern Great Plains from northern Iowa and eastern Illinois south through Missouri and Arkansas to mid-Texas in transitional grassland and forest habitats (map 11).

COLLECTION SUMMARY: 160 specimens from 43 collection events. Earliest date in early April from east Texas, main phenology from May to July.

DISCUSSION: Three males from two localities in Missouri (243010, 243011, 243021, listed below) differ from the holotype and typical specimens of S. hirtus as follows: dorsal vestiture of erect, long, fine, and black simple setae (as in S. mohri ); antenna, labium, and legs black, except apices of femora, distal one-third of tibiae, and sometimes tarsomeres pale (typically these structures are more extensively pale); tergal process has a short spine (cf. fig. 52D–E); dorsal lobe of endosomal spicule entire, not bifurcate (as typically), attenuate, with minute marginal serration (cf. fig. 52B to A, C; features known in S. alpinus , fig. 49A–C); notch on left dorsal side of phallotheca aperture deeper than in more typical S. hirtus (cf. fig. 52J to I); and right paramere long, with smooth basal spine and smooth spine adjacent to three parallel apical spines (cf. fig. 51F, G to 51A–E, 52H). Typical S. hirtus have the dorsal vestiture of suberect, slightly shorter, fine, and golden brown simple setae; antenna black with segment I, except for base, pale, segment II pale basally; labium with segment II pale; legs black, except femora pale apically, tibiae pale except for apex, and tarsomeres pale except for III apically; dorsal lobe of endosomal spicule bifurcate, medial ramus attenuate, sometimes serrate marginally, lateral ramus with a few large marginal serrations; right paramere long, with medially serrate basal spine and shorter smooth spine adjacent to parallel apical spines. In light of the far greater range of intraspecific variation encountered in some species of the genus, I consider the features of the Missouri specimens to represent variation in appendage color and male genitalia of S. hirtus and not that of a new species of Slaterocoris .

HOLOTYPE: USA: Iowa: Story Co.: Ames [42.034726 N 93.619726 W], 01 Jul 1929, H.H. Knight, 18 ( AMNH _ PBI 00134028 ) ( USNM).

OTHER SPECIMENS EXAMINED: USA: Arkansas: Fulton Co.: Rt 395, 4 mi S of Moko, 36.408666 N 91.818166 W, 213 m, 13 Jun 2004, T.J. Henry and A.G. Wheeler, Jr., Silphium perfoliatum , 38 (00122204–00122206), 8♀ (00122207–00122214) ( USNM). Newton Co.: Pruitt Access at Buffalo River, Rt 7, 36.06236 N 93.136846 W, 253 m, 16 Jun 1987, T.J. Henry and A.G. Wheeler, Jr, Silphium perfoliatum , 18 (00122215), 6♀ (00122216– 00122221) ( USNM). Washington Co.: Fayetteville, 36.06256 N 94.157226 W, 15 Jun 1987, T.J. Henry and A.G. Wheeler, Jr., Silphium perfoliatum , 198 (00122222–00122239, 00122279), 22♀ (00122280–00122301) ( USNM). Illinois: Calhoun Co.: Hardin, 39.156676 N 90.617786 W, 05 Jun 1932, H.L. Dozier, paratype, 18 ( USNM); 05 Jun 1932 – 09 Jun 1932, H.L. Dozier, paratype, 18 (00243457) ( INHS). Clark Co.: West Union, 39.215836 N 87.666116 W, 26 Jun 1932, Ross and Dozier, paratypes, 28 ( USNM); 26 Jun 1932, Ross, Dozier, Park, paratype, 18 (00243458), 1♀ (00243455) ( INHS). Coles Co.: Charleston, 39.46846 N 88.17966 W, 205 m, 14 Jun 1931, H.H. Ross, paratype, 18 (00243456) ( INHS), paratype, 18 ( USNM). Vermilion Co.: Oakwood, 40.116116 N 87.778336 W, 14 Jun 1930, Frison, Silphium sp. , 18, 2 immatures (00243453–00243454), paratypes, 48 (00243448– 00243451), 1♀ (00243452) ( INHS). Iowa: Henry Co.: 5 mi SW of Mount Pleasant, 40.912496 N 91.625416 W, 19 Jun 1966, J.C. Schaffner, 58 (00291082–00291086), 6♀ (00291087– 00291092) ( TAMU); 30 Jun 1976, J.C. Schaffner, 3♀ (00245332–00245334) ( TAMU). 6 mi SE of Mount Pleasant, T71N R7W Sec. 28, 40.902276 N 91.476636 W, 16 Jun 1962, J.C. Schaffner, 18 (00118510), 3♀ (00118511– 00118513) ( TAMU). 6 mi SE of Mount Pleasant, T71N R7W Sec. 28, 40.902276 N 91.476636 W, 16 Jun 1962, J.C. Schaffner, 18 (00118450) ( TAMU). 7 mi SW of Mount Pleasant, 40.892056 N 91.652436 W, 16 Jun 1966, J.C. Schaffner, 18 (00118514) ( TAMU); 19 Jun 1966, J.C. Schaffner, 58 (00291093– 00291097), 2♀ (00291096–00291097) ( TAMU). Humboldt Co.: unknown (only County # 46), Humboldt County, 42.764776 N 94.209636 W, 02 Jul 1932, Barker, 1♀ (00118509) ( TAMU). Story Co.: Ames, 42.034726 N 93.619726 W, 13 Jul 1927, H.H. Knight, paratype, 18 (00111431), 1♀ (00111434) ( CNC); 21 Jun 1928, H.H. Knight, paratype, 18 (00111430) ( CNC); 21 Jun 1928, H.H. Knight, Silphium perfoliatum , paratype, 18 (00133404) ( USNM); 01 Jul 1929, H.H. Knight, Silphium perfoliatum , paratypes, 38 (00133401–00133403) ( USNM); 01 Jul 1929, H.H. Knight, paratype, 18 (00118508), 1♀ (00118451) ( TAMU); 17 Jun 1930, E.T., Silphium perfoliatum , paratype, 18 (00133405) ( USNM); 02 Jul 1930, H.H. Knight, paratype, 1♀ (00108148) ( AMNH), paratype, 18 (00111432), 1♀ (00111433) ( CNC); 02 Jul 1930, H.H. Knight, Silphium perfoliatum , paratypes, 5♀ (00133406–00133410) ( USNM); 01 Jul 1932, B.V. Travis, 1♀ (00111435) ( CNC). Winneshiek Co.: Decorah, 43.30336 N 91.78576 W, 02 Jul 1950, Hicks and Slater, 18 (00108147) ( AMNH). Kansas: Shawnee Co.: Topeka, 39.048336 N 95.678046 W, 288 m, 01 Jul 1930, Popenoe, 1♀ (00134376), paratype, 18 (00134377) ( USNM). Missouri: Boone Co.: Boone County, no specific locality, 39.03556 N 92.33356 W, 195 m, 16 Jun 1972, D.D. Koop, 18 (00243022), 6♀ (00243048–00243053) ( UMRM). Columbia , 38.951676 N 92.333896 W, 10 Jun 1941, R.C. Froeschner, 18 (00134378) ( USNM); 11 Jun 1958, W.R. Enns, 18 (00243019), 1♀ (00243055) ( UMRM); 20 Jul 1982, R.L. Blinn, Silphium sp. , 1♀ (00242824) ( NCSU). Grindstone Natural Area, 38.929736 N 92.318116 W, 198 m, 15 Jun 1981, R.L. Blinn, 18 (00243020), 1♀ (00243054) ( UMRM). Rock Bridge [Memorial] State Park, 4.5 mi S of Columbia , 38.87796 N 92.33026 W, 186 m, 01 Jun 1975, S.E. Thewke, 28 (00243018, 00243044), 3♀ (00243045–00243047) ( UMRM). The Pinnacles, 39.13376 N 92.32276 W, 213 m, 30 May 1988, O.R. Edwards, 18 (00243023) ( UMRM). Crawford Co.: Huzzah State Forest, 37.91826 N 91.17256 W, 219 m, 19 Jun 1980, R.L. Blinn, Helianthus sp. , 18 (00242819), 4♀ (00242820–00242823) ( NCSU). Gasconade Co.: Gasconade County, no specific locality, 38.67346 N 91.56296 W, 165 m, 17 Jun 1971, T.R. Yonke, 1♀ (00243025) ( UMRM). Iron Co. : Taum Sauk [Mountain] State Park, Wiemer Hill Glade, 37.55346 N 90.71746 W, 457 m, 15 May 2000, D.G. LeDoux, 28 (00243010–00243011) ( UMRM). Jefferson Co.: Kimmswick, 38.365286 N 90.362786 W, 07 Jun 1942, R.C. Froeschner, 1♀ (00134039) ( USNM); 30 May 1944, E.H. Froeschner, 1♀ (00134040) ( USNM). Montgomery Co.: Graham Cave State Park, 38.90826 N 91.57736 W, 226 m, 06 Jul 1973, unknown, 1♀ (00243024) ( UMRM). St. Louis Co.: Glencoe, 38.543436 N 90.626186 W, 123 m, 14 Jun 1942, R.C. Froeschner, 18 (00134041) ( USNM). Stone Co.: 1 mi E of jct. 160 and 248, 36.760566 N 93.358396 W, 397 m, 07 Jun 1975, unknown, 18 (00243021) ( UMRM). Texas: Anderson Co.: Salmon, 31.572786 N 95.498066 W, 12 Apr 1974 – 13 Apr 1974, H.R. Burke, 18 (00118475), 1♀ (00118476) ( TAMU).

Figures

Plate 2. Dorsal habitus photographs of Slaterocoris elongatus—S. pilosus (see appendix 1 for USI codes and localities).

Fig. 12. Hind leg coloration for Slaterocoris species.

Fig. 50. Slaterocoris species, scanning electron micrographs. A, B. S. hirtus. A. Head, anterior view. B. Scutellum and hemelytra, dorsal view. C. S. mohri, body, dorsal view.

Fig. 51. Slaterocoris hirtus, right paramere. A. 6 mi SE of Mt. Pleasant, IA. B. The Pinnacles, MO. C. Huzzah State Forest, MO. D. 4 mi S of Moko, AR. E. West Union, IL. F. 1 mi E of jct. 160 and 248, MO. G. Taum Sauk Mt. State Park, MO.

Fig. 52. Slaterocoris hirtus, male genitalia. A, E, I. 6 mi SE of Mt. Pleasant, IA. B, D, J. Taum Sauk Mt. State Park, MO. C. The Pinnacles, MO. F–H. Ames, IA.

Fig. 53. Slaterocoris hirtus, female genitalia. 4 mi S of Moko, AR.