Pilophoropsis texana (Knight) Henry, Thomas J., 2015

Henry, Thomas J., 2015, Revision of the Ceratocapsine Renodaeus group: Marinonicoris, Pilophoropsis, Renodaeus, and Zanchisme, with descriptions of four new genera (Heteroptera, Miridae, Orthotylinae), ZooKeys 490, pp. 1-156 : 79-81

Taxon classification Animalia Hemiptera Miridae

Pilophoropsis texana (Knight) comb. n. Figs 84, 85, 276-279

Renodaeus texanus Knight, 1926: 56 (orig. descrip.); Carvalho 1958: 150 (cat.); Henry and Wheeler 1988: 445 (cat.); Schuh 1995: 190 (cat.).

Diagnosis.

This species (Figs 84, 85) is recognized by the band of silvery scale-like setae bordering the cuneal fracture and the male genitalia with the unique basal process of the left paramere (Fig. 276), the short, bifid lateral arm of the right paramere (Figs 278, 279), and decurved apical hook on the phallotheca (Fig. 277).

Description.

Male (n = 1): Length 3.20 mm, width about 1.20 mm (hemelytra spread). Head: Width 0.72 mm, interocular width 0.26 mm. Labium: Length 1.06 mm. Antenna: Segment I, length 0.20 mm; II, 0.62 mm; III, 0.34 mm; IV, 0.34 mm. Pronotum: Length 0.70 mm, basal width 0.98 mm.

Coloration: Head: Brown, darker reddish brown across vertex and red on clypeus. Antenna: Segment I brown, with a large red blotch on basal third and a more narrow red mark on apical third touching apex; segment II reddish brown; segments III and IV reddish brown. Pronotum: Reddish brown. Hemelytron: Dull tan to brown, darker brown outside radial vein, on outer half of clavus, and apical third of corium, cuneus and apex of embolium reddish brown. Ventral surface: Reddish brown. Ostiolar evaporative area: White, with central knob at end of scent channel red tinged. Legs: Coxae pale to whitish, fore coxae red on apical half, bases of middle and hind coxae brown to reddish brown; all legs missing except one hind leg, femur reddish brown, pale at base; tibia reddish brown, pale on apical half; tarsus and claw pale brown.

Structure, texture, and vestiture: Head: Shiny, rugose on frons, with relatively, short pale, recumbent, brown setae. Labium: Extending to bases of middle coxae. Antenna: Segment II slender, only slightly thickened out to clavate apex, apex 2X diameter of base; segment III slender on basal half, thickened apically; segment IV uniformly thickened, fusiform, diameter equal to apical thickness of III. Pronotum: Disc polished, narrow anterior area across calli granulate, narrow anterior collar-like area merged with calli, posterior angles flared, with a small depressed area just inside posterior margin, setae pale, recumbent, sparse; scutellum dark brown, only two individual scale-like setae present. Hemelytron: Cuneus, embolium, and base of membrane polished; clothed with two bands of silvery scale-like setae, one across base of clavus and a broken one bordering cuneal fracture, and also with two patches on basal half of corium adjacent to embolium, and one narrow band and several (3-4) small patches on apical third of clavus, intermixed on clavus and corium with widely set, stout, erect, black, bristle-like setae. Ventral surface: Shiny, abdomen with long, erect and semierect pale brown setae.

Male genitalia: Genital aperture large, unarmed. Left paramere (Fig. 276) with triangular, beak-like apical process and a broad basal process with long slender arm extending outward. Right paramere (Figs 278, 279) with a slender mainstem and a large, apically flared, lateral arm. Phallotheca (Fig. 277) slender, with a short, sharply recurved, apical hook.

Female (n = 3; holotype measurements in parentheses): Length 2.36-2.64 mm (2.55 mm), width 1.04 mm [hemelytra spread on one specimen] (1.04 mm). Head: Width 0.74-0.78 mm (0.77 mm), interocular width 0.40-0.44 mm (0.43 mm). Labium: Length 0.96-1.02 mm (0.96 mm). Antenna: Segment I, length 0.20 mm (0.19 mm); II, 0.50-0.56 mm (0.54 mm); III, 0.30 mm (0.29 mm); IV, 0.32 mm (missing). Pronotum: Length 0.62-0.70 mm (0.66 mm), basal width 0.74-0.80 mm (0.80 mm). Coloration and structure similar to that of male, except as noted below.

Coloration: Pronotum: Reddish brown, paler brown anteriorly. Scutellum: Dark brown to fuscous. Hemeytron : Dull tan to brown.

Structure, texture, and vestiture: Labium: Extending to hind coxae. Pronotum: Much more quadrate than in male, disc convex, shiny, finely punctate or granulate, anterior half across calli narrowed into a thickened, rugose, neck-like area; pubescence on disc sparse and short, more thickly set and longer setae on anterior half. Scutellum: Scale-like pubescence absent or rubbed. Hemelytron: Apex extending to end of abdomen; silvery scale-like patches and bands, intermixed with stout, bristle-like setae as in male; cuneus shortened but appearing fully developed (triangular), membrane shortened, extending to apex of abdomen; cuneus, embolium, and membrane polished.

Discussion.

Males and females in this genus are difficult to associate without field-associated specimens. Comparison of the holotype female’s hemelytral setal pattern and distinctive antennal shape with a male intercepted from San Pedro [Coahuila or Vera Cruz?], Mexico, makes me reasonably certain they are conspecific. One male from Rio Hondo, Oaxaca (listed below), is in poor condition (hemelytra detached; one missing) and the genitalia are embedded in glue on a separate card. This specimen also is very similar externally to the feHolotype male, although there is some subtle variation in the parameres. Nevertheless, I am tentatively labeling it as Pilophoropsis texana as well. Externally, Pilophoropsis texana is almost indistinguishable from Pilophoropsis cunealis , but the male genitalia are quite different, especially the basal process of the left paramere and the distinctive apex of the phallotheca.

Distribution.

Described and previously known only from Brownsville, Texas (USA). Coahuila, Oaxaca, and Vera Cruz represent the first state records for Mexico.

Hosts.

No definite host known. Intercepted specimens on Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae .

Type specimen examined.

Holotype ♀: USA:Texas:Cameron Co.: "Esp[e]r[an]za, R[an]ch, Brownsville, Tex." (CU).

Other specimens examined.

MEXICO: [Coahuila?]: San Pedro, #1997, with Orchidaceae , 1♂ (00285721) (USNM). Oaxaca: 3.3 mi E of Rio Hondo, 16.43332EN, 95.76663EW, 05 Aug 1980, Schaffner, Weaver, Friedlander, 1♂ (00286356) (USNM). Veracruz: intercepted in Texas, 20 Mar 1962, ex bromeliads, 1♀ (00286355) (USNM). unknown, 20 Mar 1962, APHIS port inspector, bromeliads, 1♂ (00285720) (USNM).