Spartidelphax detectus (Van Duzee, 1897) Van Duzee, 1897

Bartlett, Charles R. & Webb, Mick D., 2014, The planthopper genus Spartidelphax, a new segregate of Nearctic Delphacodes (Hemiptera, Delphacidae), ZooKeys 453, pp. 19-36 : 23-27

Taxon classification Animalia Hemiptera Delphacidae

Spartidelphax detectus (Van Duzee, 1897) comb. n. Figures 1A, C; 2A, C; 3A, C; 4A, B, 5

Liburnia detecta Van Duzee, 1897: 248.

Liburnia circumcincta Van Duzee, 1909: 203-204.

Megamelus vanduzeei Crawford, 1914: 607, 622.

Megamelus circumcinctus (Van Duzee, 1909); comb. by Crawford 1914: 629.

Liburnia vanduzeei (Crawford, 1914); comb. by Van Duzee 1916: 84.

Liburnia circumcincta Van Duzee, 1909; syn. by Van Duzee 1917: 777.

Delphacodes detecta (Van Duzee, 1897); comb. by Muir and Giffard 1924: 26.

Megamelus vanduzeei Crawford, 1914; syn. by Muir and Giffard 1924: 26.

Delphacodes vanduzeei (Crawford, 1914); comb. by Osborn 1938: 338; Moore 1950a: 257; 1950b: 32.

Type locality.

New York City, NY.

Diagnosis.

Slightly smaller than Spartidelphax penedetectus , with wider vertex (l:w ratio averaging between 1.25-1.31). Aedeagus with 2-3 rows of lateral teeth in distal third on both sides of aedeagus; base of aedeagus abruptly narrowed at about 2/3 length; distal portion of base with fine flange on right side. Parameres in widest view more rounded on outer angle than Spartidelphax penedetectus .

Dimensions. Male brachypter: body length 2.28 mm (1.89-2.43, n=4), vertex l:w ratio (1.25, n=3), male macropter: body length 3.29 mm (including wings, 2.88-3.67, n=5), vertex l:w ratio (1.33, n=5). Female brachypter: body length 2.89 mm (2.58-3.12, n=4), vertex l:w ratio (1.25, n=3); female macropter: body length 3.61 mm (3.29-4.24, n=5 [paralectotype = 4.24 mm]), vertex l:w (1.31, n=5). Number of calcar teeth 22 (18-24, n=10).

Reported hosts.

Spartina patens (Aiton) Muhl. ( Poaceae , saltmeadow cordgrass), Spartina alterniflora Loisel. (smooth cordgrass) ( Denno 1977, 1978), with Spartina alterniflora “… an inferior host plant for development" ( Denno 1977: 366). Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene (saltgrass, Poaceae ) was reported on specimen labels.

Distribution.

USA: CT, DE, FL, GA, LA, MA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NJ, NY, RI, SC, TX, VA, VT; CAN: NS, PE, QC; Anguilla, Bahamas (Exuma, Berry, Eleuthera); Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (Guana, St. Thomas), Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico (inc. Vieques Is.), Turks & Caicos ( Bartlett et al. 2014).

Remarks.

Liburnia detecta Van Duzee, 1897, was described from 2 specimens (1 male, 1 female) from New York City ( Van Duzee 1897). The male was designated lectotype by Oman (1947), and at the time both specimens were located in the collection at Iowa State (ISUC). Primary types were subsequently transferred to the National Museum of Natural History (USNM). The lectotype could not be located at either ISUI or USNM, but the female paralectotype was at ISUI.

Beamer (1950: 70) described Spartidelphax penedetectus as having "...crown about one-third longer than basal width instead of as wide as long and distinctly narrowed toward apex. Length ♂2.5 mm, ♀3 mm" (for brachypters). Beamer (1950) redescribed Spartidelphax detectus did not report body lengths except by quoting Van Duzee (1897: 248), who specified male 3½ mm, female 4 mm for the macropterous syntypes (yielding a length comparison between brachypterous penedetectus and macropterous detectus ). Here we clarify that penedetectus is the larger species ( detectus brachypterous males 2.28 mm, macropterous males 3.29 mm, vs. penedetectus brachypterous males 2.33 mm, macropterous males 3.78), although body length does broadly overlap between species. The vertex l:w ratio is approximately 1.25-1.31 for detectus and 1.34-1.48 for penedetectus . For penedetectus Beamer (1950) also noted that crown is narrowed toward the apex. This feature seems valid for the paratypes from Cedar Keys (vertex width near base 0.25, at apex 0.16 versus average measurements of 0.23 near base and 0.22 near apex for detectus ), but not for other specimens examined.

The most definitive feature that distinguishes the two species is the aedeagus (Fig. 4B, D). In Spartidelphax detectus the aedeagus has rows of small teeth on both sides of the apical third, tracing the curve of the aedeagus, with one row extending nearly to the expanded basal portion of the aedeagus. In Spartidelphax penedetectus , the aedeagus bears a pair of rows of ventral aedeagal teeth, reduced to fine serrulations in the type series.

Raupp and Denno (1979) found that the density of Spartidelphax detectus on Spartina patens exceeded 400 per kg of live grass sampled over a 6-month period, and was described as a dominant herbivore on Spartina patens by Denno (1977). It appears to have 3 non-synchronous generations per year in New Jersey, and overwinters as 4th or 5th instar ( Denno 1976, 1977). Populations are wing polymorphic (both brachypters and macropters present within a population), with proportions of wing brachyptery and macroptery varying based on complex interactions of seasonal, environmental and population variables. An overall annual brachyptery rate of 86% (out of 23,868 specimens) was reported by Denno (1980) in New Jersey. Denno (1980) described niche differentiation among sap-feeding taxa on Spartina patens , including Spartidelphax detectus .

Type material examined.

Paralectotype. Liburnia detecta Van Duzee, 1897 (female, ISUC) "[blank ‘purple’ tab] // E.B. Southwick // ♀ // type // Liburnia / detecta Van D. [handwritten] // UDCC_TCN 00017671 [2D barcode]" (reported by Van Duzee 1897 as from New York City).

Other material examined.

USA: Connecticut: New London Co.: Mystic, 19 Aug 1934, P. W. Oman (1f, 1m; USNM). Delaware: Kent Co.: Dover, 25 Aug 1927, H. L. Dozier (1m; UDCC); Little Creek, Port Mahon Road, 19 Aug 1999, C. R. Bartlett (1m; UDCC); Pickering Beach, 19 Aug 1999, C. R. Bartlett (1m, 12f; UDCC); Taylors Bridge, Jul 1999, C. R. Bartlett (10f, 4m; UDCC); near Fleming’s Landing, Rt. 9 near Leipsic River, C. R. Bartlett (5f; UDCC); near Port Mahon, 19 Aug 1999, C. R. Bartlett (1m; UDCC); near Woodland Beach, 07 Jul 1999, R. L. Snyder (4m, 9f; UDCC); New Castle Co.: Middletown, Brick Mill Farm; 522 St Michael Drive, 28 Aug 2003, A. Gonzon (1m; UDCC); Newark, UD farm, Wildlife Refuge, 18 May 2009, C. R. Bartlett (1m; UDCC). near Woodland Beach, 07 Aug 1994, C. R. Bartlett (15m, 13f; UDCC); Sussex Co.: Bayard, Assawoman Wildlife Management Area, 11 Sep 2010, M. A. Johnston (1m; UDCC); Rehoboth Beach, 30 Aug 1921, H. G. Dyar (2m; USNM); South Bethany, Assawoman Wildlife Area, 29 Jun 2002, C. R. Bartlett (1f, 1m; UDCC); Thompson’s Island, 0.25mi from trailhead, 09 Sep 2004, A. Gonzon (1m, 1f; UDCC); near Lewes, Oyster Rocks Road, 06 Jul 1994, C. R. Bartlett (8m, 5f; UDCC). Florida: Duval Co.: Paradise Key, Jacksonville, 10 Apr 1921, D. M. DeLong (2m; UDCC); Franklin Co.: Bald Point, near Panacea, 27 Jul 2000, C. R. Bartlett (2f, 12m; UDCC); Hillsborough Co.: Tampa, 01 Nov 1928, E. D. Ball (1m; USNM); Miami-Dade Co.: Miami Beach, Apr 1937 (1m, 1f; NCSU); Seminole Co.: Sanford, 1 m, 29 Oct 1926, E. D. Ball (1m; USNM). Louisiana: Cameron Parish: Cameron, 1 m, 20 Jun 1930 (3m, 2f; NCSU). Maryland: Anne Arundel Co.: 6 km S Edgewater SERO, 15 Jun 1976, J. H. Falk (1m; USNM); St. Mary’s Co.: 2.3 mi E of Piney Point, 1 m, 12 Jul 1931, P. W. Oman, Spartina patens (1m, 1f; USNM); Piney Point, 26 Aug 1946, R. I. Sailer (1m; USNM). Massachusetts: Barnstable Co.: Falmouth, 17 Jul 1926 (1f, 2m; USNM); Woods Hole, 3 m, 10 Jul 1925, E. D. Ball (1m; USNM). Mississippi: Jackson Co.: Pascagoula, 30.3484°N, 88.55655°W, 3 m, 08 Aug 1921 (1m; ISUI). New Hampshire: Rockingham Co.: Rye Beach, 11 Aug 1985, G. F. and J. F. Hevel (2m; USNM); Rockingham, Odiorne Point State Park, 43.04791, -70.71871; 13 Aug 2008, D. S. Chandler (2m, 3f; DENH). New Jersey: Gloucester Co.: Williamstown, 43 m, 14 Sep 2009, A. M. Colavecchio (1f; UDCC); Salem Co.: 166 Maskells Mill Road, 16 Aug 2000, C. R. Bartlett & F. Robbins (5f; UDCC). North Carolina: Brunswick Co.: Bald Head Island, Bald Head Creek, 02 Jul 2007, N. H. Nazdrowicz (1m, 2f UDCC); Southport, 28 Jul 1919, Osborn & Metcalf (1m, 3f; NCSU); 10 Oct 1948, C.W. Sabrosky (1m; USNM); Carteret Co.: near Atlantic, 29 Sep 1973, N. Newton (6f, 5m; UDCC); Dare Co.: Bodie Island, 14 Jun 1989, R. L. Blinn (3f; NCSU); Hyde Co.: Ocracoke Island, 2 m, 25 Aug 1962, T. Daggy (1m; NCSU); 15 Jun 1976, N. Newton (1m; UDCC); New Hanover Co.: Carolina Beach, May 1934, Z. P. Metcalf (19f, 29m; NCSU); Fort Fisher, 28 Oct 1934, Z. P. Metcalf (2m; NCSU); Wrightsville Beach, 27 Jul 1919, Osborn & Metcalf (21f, 11m; NCSU); Onslow Co.: Ashe Island, 04 Jun 1975, J. C. Dukes, Distichlis spicata (26m, 13f; NCSU); 19 Aug 1975, J. C. Dukes, Spartina patens (2m; NCSU); 15 Jun 1976, T. D. Edwards (1m; NCSU); 21 Jun 1976, T. D. Edwards (1f, 1m; NCSU); Pender Co.: Burgaw, May 1925, [Spartina] patens (1m; NCSU). South Carolina: Charleston Co.: Charleston, 02 Jul 1958, D. A. Young (2m; NCSU); 10 Jul 1958, D. A. Young (1m NCSU). Texas: Cameron Co.: Brownsville, 11 Mar 1936, P. A. Glick (1m; USNM). Virginia: Hampton Co.: Hampton, Jul 1908 (1m, 3f; URIC); Northampton Co.: Cape Charles, 31 Jul 1920, D. M. DeLong (3f, 1m; NCSU); Virginia Beach Co.: Cape Henry, 03 Jul 1938, P. W. Oman (2m; USNM). PUERTO RICO: Vieques Island, 23 Oct 1947, J. S. Caldwell, 1f (USNM). VIRGIN ISLANDS (BRITISH): Guana Island: North Beach, 18.48178°N, 64.57515°W, 25 Oct 2012, A. G. Wheeler (2m, 2f; UDCC). BAHAMAS: Exuma Cays, Leaf cays of Allen cays, 07 Jan 1953, E. B. Hayden, Van Voast AMNH Bahama Islds. Exped. (12m, 4f, AMNH); Eleuthera Island, New Portsmouth (Rock Sound District), 28 Mar 1953, E. B. Hayden & L. Giovannoli, Van Voast AMNH Bahama Islds. Exped. (1m, AMNH).