Ficinus sagittarius Distant

Schaffner, JC & Schwartz, MD, 2008, Revision Of The Mexican Genera Ficinus Distant And Jornandes Distant With The Description Of 21 New Species (Heteroptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae: Orthotylini), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2008 (309), pp. 1-87 : 15-17

Ficinus sagittarius Distant Figures 2, 6–9

Ficinus sagittarius Distant, 1893: 450 (orig. desc.); Carvalho, 1958: 62 (catalog); Carvalho and Dolling, 1976: 806 (disc. of type); Schuh, 1995: 109 (catalog).

DIAGNOSIS: Hemelytron with most of corium, cuneus, and base of clavus dark fuscous to black, remainder of clavus and usually an angulate spot immediately anteri- or to cuneus shining yellowish brown (fig. 2); metepisternum with microtrichia extending well dorsal to evaporative area of scent gland (fig. 6C).

REDESCRIPTION: Male: COLORATION: General body coloration dark fuscous to black with yellow markings. Head black, slightly paler in area of maxillary plate; base of antennal segment I fuscous, remainder yellowish brown sometimes darker apically, remaining segments pale yellowish brown to pale fuscous; labium pale yellowish brown, dark fuscous at apex. Pronotum uniformly black. Scutellum black. Hemelytron with corium including cuneus dark fuscous to black, clavus from apex of scutellum and angulate spot on corium reaching cuneal suture pale yellowish brown; membrane fuscous with distinct clear spotlike area at apex of cuneus. Legs, except for fuscous apices of apical tarsomeres, pale yellowish brown; hind femur of specimens examined from Oaxaca with apical half fuscous. Underside shining, dark fuscous to black, evaporatorium dark fuscous to black. GEN- ITALIA (fig. 7): Genital segment with bifurcate tergal process projecting from region slightly to right of midline on dorsal margin of aperture; medial lobe of process short and pointed, lateral lobe larger and hornlike; ventroposterior margin of capsule not modified, distal width of subgenital plate narrow, slightly projecting beyond aperture of capsule. Left paramere C-shaped in dorsal view; with slightly developed sensory lobe; diameter of paramere gradually expanded distally to wide, flattened mitten-shaped apex. Right paramere longer than left paramere; diameter thick basally and medially, distal region slightly attenuate to large, sinuate bifurcate apex. Phallotheca elongate, cone shaped, 1/2 length of spiculum; aperture convoluted, open on right side, dorsal margin, and apex, right margin with medial point and lateral flange. Vesica with one long, medially thickened spiculum, situated on dorsal surface of ductus seminis; distal region of spiculum bifurcate with recurved, strongly serrate branches almost reaching middle of spiculum; apex of process with S-shaped, somewhat flattened distal region; basal portion of spiculum approximately equal to length of sclerotized portion of ductus seminis.

Female: Similar to male in color and form. GENITALIA (fig. 8); right side of GP8 strongly produced, surrounded by cuplike left side; ventral surface of VLP broadly projecting into VUL; dorsal portion of IRL approximately twice as wide as ventral portion; otherwise as in generic description.

MEASUREMENTS: Male (n 5 20; mean followed in parentheses by range): Length, 4.98 (4.40–5.32); width, 1.27 (1.10–1.44). Head length, 0.22 (0.18–0.26); width through eyes, 0.91 (0.86–0.98); vertex width, 0.46 (0.42–0.48). Length of antennal segment I, 0.40 (0.34–0.44); II, 1.43 (1.28–1.56); III, 1.18 (1.02–1.30); IV, 0.50 (0.40–0.54). Pronotal length, 0.87 (0.82–0.96); width, 1.30 (1.14– 1.44). Cuneal length, 0.78 (0.68–0.82); width, 0.40 (0.34–0.42).

Female (n 5 20; mean followed in parentheses by range): Length, 5.26 (5.04–5.68); width, 1.43 (1.32–1.62). Head width, 0.25 (0.24–0.28); width through eyes, 0.97 (0.94– 1.02); vertex width, 0.52 (0.50–0.54). Length of antennal segment I, 0.41 (0.38–0.44); II, 1.47 (1.40–1.58); III, 1.17 (1.04–1.26); IV, 0.51 (0.44–0.58). Pronotal length, 0.93 (0.88–1.00); width, 1.34 (1.24–1.50). Cuneal length, 0.74 (0.68–0.82); width, 0.41 (0.38– 0.44).

DISCUSSION: The color pattern of this attractive species shows some significant variation on the hind femur. Specimens from the state of Oaxaca have the hind femur with dark fuscous coloration, whereas specimens from Guerrero and Morales have a uniformly pale hind femur. The elongate spot anterior to the cuneus varies in size and is occasionally absent. There is moderate geographical variation in the size of the male genitalia, most easily observed in length of the vesical spiculum and size of the bifurcate serrate apical region. The vesica of specimens from Guerrero is approximately 30% larger than of those from Oaxaca. The lectotype along with three paralectotypes were designated by Carvalho and Dolling (1976). These specimens are deposited in the Natural History Museum, London. Distant (1893) mentioned that his description of F. sagittarius was based on six specimens; the whereabouts of two of these specimens is currently unknown.

HOST PLANTS: Both adults and nymphs of this species were taken on species of Ipomoea Roem and Schult (Convolvulaceae) . This

small- to medium-sized tree grows commonly along stream beds found in these seasonally arid regions.

DISTRIBUTION: Known from 24 localities in Guerrero, Mexico, Morelos, Oaxaca, and Puebla at altitudes between 1,220 to 1,830 meters (approx. 4,000 to 6,000 feet) (fig. 9).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: MEXICO: Guerrero: 1 mi NE of La Laguna, 19.91028 ° N 101.75586 ° W, 17 Jul 1984, Carroll, Schaffner, Friedlander , Ipomoea sp. (Convolvulaceae) , 33 ( AMNH _ PBI 00119124 – AMNH _ PBI 00119126 ), 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00119127 ) ( CNC). Ipomoea murucoides Roem and Schult (Convolvulaceae) , 253 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244628 – AMNH _ PBI 00244652 ), 4♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244653 – AMNH _ PBI 00244656 ) ( TAMU). 10.3 mi S of Iguala, 17.70023 ° N 100.36666 ° W, 23 Jul 1981, Bogar, Schaffner and Friedlander, Ipomoea murucoides Roem. & Schult. (Convolvulaceae) , 23 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244421 , AMNH _ PBI 00244422 ), 3♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244423 – AMNH _ PBI 00244425 ) ( TAMU). 11.2 mi N of Iguala, 18.49691 ° N 99.60424 ° W, 1311 m, 05 Jul 1987, Kovarik and Schaffner, 53 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244426 – AMNH _ PBI 00244430 ), 5♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244431 – AMNH _ PBI 00244435 ) ( TAMU). 2.1 mi N of Cacahuamilpa, 18.67339 ° N 99.55333 ° W, 19 Jul 1984, Carroll, Schaffner, Friedlander, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244436 ) ( TAMU). 2.1 mi NE of Cacahuamilpa, 18.74431 ° N 99.53547 ° W, 1600 m, 27 Jul 1983, Kovarik, Harrison, and Schaffner, 2♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244419 , AMNH _ PBI 00244420 ) ( TAMU); 04 Jul 1987, Kovarik and Schaffner, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244407 ), 43 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244408 – AMNH _ PBI 00244411 ), 7♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244412 – AMNH _ PBI 00244418 ) ( TAMU). 5 mi S of Chilpancingo, 17.51488 ° N 99.49785 ° W, 1293 m, 01 Aug 1963, Naumann and Willis, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00117856 ) ( KU). 6.2 mi SW of Xochipala, 17.75291 ° N 99.68363 ° W, 1728 m, 13 Jul 1985, Jones and Schaffner, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00119118 ), 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00119119 ) ( CNC). 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244679 ) ( TAMU); 06 Jul 1987, 2♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00119128 , AMNH _ PBI 00119129 ) ( CNC). 133 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244657 – AMNH _ PBI 00244669 ), 9♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244670 – AMNH _ PBI 00244678 ) ( TAMU). Chilpancingo [17.55 ° N 99.5 ° W, 1402 m], Jun 1890, H. H. Smith, Lectotype, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00085407 ) ( BMNH); 24 Jul 1961, R. & K. Dreisbach, 53 ( AMNH _ PBI 00133952 , AMNH _ PBI 00133960 – AMNH _ PBI 00133963 ), 5♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00133964 – AMNH _ PBI 00133968 ) ( USNM). Cuernavaca to Acapulco Road, 24 Aug 1936, Ball and Stone, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00133973 ) ( USNM). Mexico: Temascaltepec, Tejupilco, 18.89996 ° N 100.15051 ° W, 1341 m, Jul 1932, H. Hinton, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00080053 ) ( UCB). Morelos: 10 km NE of Yautepec, 18.94464 ° N 99.0035 ° W, 1439 m, 13 Sep 1983, H. Brailovsky, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244438 ) ( UNAM). 12 mi E of Cuernavaca, 18.89741 ° N 99.06354 ° W, 1280 m, 12 Aug 1954, R. R. Dreisbach, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00127382 ) ( UMMC). 4.4 mi E of Cuernavaca, 18.91665 ° N 99.18237 ° W, 06 Jul 1974 – 08 Jul 1974, Clark, Murray, Ashe, Schaffner, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244437 ) ( TAMU). Cuernavaca , 18.91666 ° N 99.25 ° W, 15 Aug 1954, R. R. Dreisbach, 33 ( AMNH _ PBI 00127377 – AMNH _ PBI 00127379 ), 2♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00127380 , AMNH _ PBI 00127381 ) ( UMMC); 13 Aug 1944, N. L. H. Krauss, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00133969 ), 2♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00133970 , AMNH _ PBI 00133971 ) ( USNM). Oaxaca: 10 km NW of Huajuapan, 17.88944 ° N 97.80863 ° W, 2139 m, 09 Aug 1988, J. T. Doyen, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00080054 ) ( UCB). 10 mi N of Miltepec, 16.71209 ° N 94.61666 ° W, 04 Aug 1976, Peigler, Gruetzmacher, R &M Murray, Schaffner, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00119120 ) ( CNC). 23 ( AMNH _ PBI 00116845 , AMNH _ PBI 00116846 ), 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00116847 ) ( JTP). Ipomoea murucoides Roem & Schult. (Convolvulaceae) , 43 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244439 – AMNH _ PBI 00244442 ), 7♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244443 – AMNH _ PBI 00244449 ) ( TAMU). 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 01333847 ) ( USNM); 12 Aug 1978, Plitt and Schaffner, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00116848 ) ( JTP). 23 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244453 , AMNH _ PBI 00244454 ), 3♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244450 – AMNH _ PBI 00244452 ) ( TAMU); 15 Jul 1971 – 16 Jul 1971, Clark, Murray, Hart, Schaffner, 73 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244455 – AMNH _ PBI 00244461 ), 12♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244592 – AMNH _ PBI 00244603 ) ( TAMU). 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 01333846 ) ( USNM); 11 Jul 1973 – 12 Jul 1973, Mastro and Schaffner, 33 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244604 – AMNH _ PBI 00244606 ) ( TAMU); 11 Jul 1973, Mastro and Schaffner, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244607 ) ( TAMU). 10 mi SE of Huajuapan, 17.80032 ° N 97.76728 ° W, 1612 m, 27 Jul 1965, Burke, Meyer, Schaffner, 23 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244402 , AMNH _ PBI 00244403 ), 3♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244404 – AMNH _ PBI 00244406 ) ( TAMU). 31.3 km SE of Huajuapan de Leon, 17.66531 ° N 97.5606 ° W, 2000 m, 11 Aug 1988, J. K. Liebherr and D. A. Yager, 10♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00116213 – AMNH _ PBI 00116222 ) ( CUIC). 38 km SE of Huajuapan, 17.60843 ° N 97.52862 ° W, 2312 m, 11 Aug 1988, J. Doyen, 23 ( AMNH _ PBI 00080043 , AMNH _ PBI 00080044 ), 8♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00080045 – AMNH _ PBI 00080052 ) ( UCB). 4 mi NE of Miltepec, 16.60092 ° N 94.57941 ° W, 21 Jul 1984, Carroll, Schaffner, Friedlander, 63 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244611 – AMNH _ PBI 00244616 ), 11♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244617 – AMNH _ PBI 00244627 ) ( TAMU); 21 Jul 1984, J. B. Woolley, 23 ( AMNH _ PBI 00244608 , AMNH _ PBI 00244609 ), 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00244610 ) ( TAMU). Huajuapan , 17.8 ° N 97.76667 ° W, 1633 m, 25 Aug 1969, L. A. Kelton, 223 ( AMNH _ PBI 00110999 , AMNH _ PBI 00112258 , AMNH_PBI 00112914, AMNH_ PBI 00112916, AMNH_PBI 00113748, AMNH_ PBI00114053,AMNH_PBI00114065,AMNH_ PBI 00114249– AMNH _ PBI 00114263 ), 27♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00112257 , AMNH _ PBI 00113749 , AMNH_PBI 00114066, AMNH_PBI 00114264– AMNH _ PBI 00114287 ) ( CNC). Tehuantepec, 16.33333 ° N 95.23333 ° W, 21 Jul 1952, E. E. Gilbert and C. D. MacNeil, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00080042 ) ( UCB). Puebla: 34 mi SE of Acatlan, 17.80703 ° N 97.78427 ° W, 1609 m, 09 Jul 1952, E. E. Gilbert and C. D. MacNeil, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00080041 ) ( UCB). Unknown State: Unknown locality, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00133972 ) ( USNM).