Quercophylus, WEIRAUCH, 2006

WEIRAUCH, CHRISTIAN E., 2006, New Genera and Species of Oak-Associated Phylini (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae) from Western North America, American Museum Novitates 3521 (1), pp. 1-56 : 38-40

Quercophylus , new genus

Figures 1 , 4 , 6–11 , 13

TYPE SPECIES: Quercophylus gonoporospinus , new species.

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by the relatively small size (male total length: 2.76–3.11), pale orange and whitish coloration with the anterior portion of the cuneus transparent, the scutellum whitish and usually with a median longitudinal orange stripe, corium often with whitish claval suture, peritreme of the evaporatory area often pale orange, pygophore pale with one large dark brown spot ventrolaterally on the left side, two distinct types — slender and stout—of simple subadpressed setae (fig. 8D), phallotheca with distinct dorsolateral ridge (figs. 4), male vesica with two bent, apical blades and an additional spine arising basal to the rather small and oval secondary gonopore on the left side of the vesica, and with flange proximal to secondary gonopore (figs. 4, 10).

DESCRIPTION: Male: Size moderate (2.76– 3.11), elongate elliptical, macropterous. COLORATION (fig. 1): General coloration pale yellowish to pale orange and whitish. Head: Vertex whitish with five pale orange paired transverse fasciae and one additional orange mark at interior margin of eye; clypeus whitish with paired pale orange longitudinal stripes; mandibular plate whitish with edges pale orange, maxillary plate pale orange and buccula whitish; antennal segments 1 and 2 yellowish with a basal and a subapical ring on segment 1 suffused with brown, segment 3 and 4 pale brown; labial segments 1 to 3 yellowish white, segment 4 suffused with brown. Thorax: Pronotum whitish with center of calli pale orange and their margins lined brownish, posterior pronotal lobe often with paired submedian orange marks; mesoscutum pale orange, sometimes with whitish lateral markings; scutellum whitish usually with orange median longitudinal stripe, pleura whitish with large medial area on propleuron, usually dorsal area of mesepisternum and metepisternum and often peritreme of evaporatory area pale orange, ventral portions of mesepimeron pale brown. Legs: Yellowish white, distal tarsomere suffused with brown, femur with dark spots on anterior and posterior face, at least proximal tibial spines with dark bases. Hemelytra: Corium including clavus pale orange with anterior and proximal part of corium and area adjacent to claval suture whitish, small spot on posterior margin distal to apex of clavus whitish, cuneus pale orange with crescent-shaped, transparent-to-whitish anterior margin; membrane translucent to slightly smoky. Abdomen: Venter pale with reddish and brownish marks, pygophore pale with anterior margin suffused with dark brown and one large dark brown spot ventrolaterally on left side. SURFACE AND VESTITURE: Dorsum weakly shining, covered rather densely with simple, yellowish, slender, subadpressed setae of moderate length (white asterisks) and longer and stouter dark subadpressed setae (black asterisks) (fig. 8D). STRUCTURE: Head (fig. 4): Slightly broader than long, vertex wide, moderately convex, posterior margin straight, vertex and frons sloping, clypeus slightly produced, mandibular and maxillary plates short, latter slightly sunken, buccula short, buccal cavity oval, gula short; eye little more then 3/4 of height of head, weakly emarginate posterior to antennal fossa, posterolateral margin contiguous with anterolateral margin of pronotum; antennal insertion contiguous with anterior margin of eye, antennal segment 1 short and slender, slightly widened toward apex, segment 2 longest, diameter similar to segment 1, very slightly increasing toward apex, segments 3 and 4 with diameter smaller than segments 1 and 2, labium surpassing base of abdomen. Thorax: Pronotum trapeziform, anterior margin slightly sinuate, lateral margins weakly convex, posterior margin slightly concave, anterior and posterior pronotal lobes only weakly demarcated, calli not developed; metapleural evaporatorium with peritreme broad (fig. 6D), mushroomlike cuticle around mesothoracic spiracle well developed. Legs: Slender; claws slender, claw hairs present, pulvilli large, covering more than half of ventral claw surface, parempodia setiform (fig. 6D). Hemelytra: Weakly convex, cuneus triangular. Abdomen: Relatively broad, reaching to apex of cuneus, pregenitalic abdomen usually not reaching costal fracture. GENITALIA (figs. 4, 10): Pygophore: Relatively large and broad, without ornamentation. Parameres: Right paramere typically phyline (fig. 4); left paramere with posterior process rather short, with apex bent ventrally (fig. 4). Phallotheca: Slender, with pointed apex, keellike ridge on dorsolateral surface (fig. 4), slitlike opening ventral. Vesica: Sshaped, twisted, with two curved apical spines, left spine somewhat more stout than right spine, secondary gonopore oval and of moderate size, in subapical position at base of left spine, opening facing left, no obvious gonopore sclerite, additional spine arising basal to secondary gonopore on left side of vesica, flange proximal to secondary gonopore (figs. 4, 10).

FEMALE: Coloration paler than in male, body size and shape similar to male (fig. 1), antennal segment 2 more slender, increase in diameter toward apex more pronounced than in male. GENITALIA: See description of type species Q. gonoporospinus .

ETYMOLOGY: Named for the oak genus Quercus , which serves as host for this taxon, combined with the generic name Phylus to emphasize its systematic position within Miridae . The gender of the name is masculine.

DISCUSSION: Quercophylus shares some diagnostic features with Plagiognathus Fieber (see Schuh 2001), particularly the twisted vesica with two terminal blades, and the flange proximal to the secondary gonopore. However, the shape of the apical blades, which are bent more strongly, and the additional sclerite proximal to the secondary gonopore set Quercophylus apart from Plagiognathus .

Quercophylus gonoporospinus , new species

Figures 1 , 4 , 6–11 , 13

HOLOTYPE: Male: USA: California: Riverside Co.: 3 mi W of Murrieta, Tenaja Road, 33.55 ° N 117.2687 ° W, 351 m, 12 May 1978, J. D. Pinto and R. T. Schuh, Quercus agrifolia (Fagaceae) , 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00095249) ( AMNH).

DIAGNOSIS: As in generic diagnosis.

DESCRIPTION: Male: Total length 2.76–3.11, length from apex of clypeus to cuneal fracture 1.82–2.12, width across pronotum 0.95–1.08. COLORATION (fig. 1): General coloration as in generic description. Head: Head including eyes, antennae, and labium as in generic description. Thorax: Thorax including legs and hemelytra as in generic description. Abdomen: As in generic description. SURFACE AND VESTITURE (fig. 8D): As in generic description. STRUCTURE: Head (fig. 4): Head including eyes, antennae, and labium as in generic description. Thorax: Thorax including legs and hemelytra as in generic description (figs. 6D, 7D). Abdomen: As in generic description. GENITALIA (figs. 4, 10): Male genitalia including pygophore, parameres, phallotheca, and vesica as in generic description.

FEMALE: Total length 2.63–2.97, length from apex of clypeus to cuneal fracture 1.82– 2.09, width across pronotum 0.92–1.08. GENITALIA: Vestibulum small and bent, anterior margin of bursa copulatrix with invaginated fold, posterior margin lobed, sclerotized rings almost triangular, of medium size, set far from each other, posterior wall with U-shaped sclerotization (fig. 11).

ETYMOLOGY: Named for the spinelike sclerite adjacent to the secondary gonopore.

HOSTS: Collected only on Quercus agrifolia Née and Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia (Torr.) J. T. Howell (Fagaceae) .

DISTRIBUTION: Recorded from southern California, bounded by San Diego Co. in the south, San Luis Obispo Co. in the north and as far inland as Kern Co. (fig. 13).

DISCUSSION: Quercophylus gonoporospinus is sympatric with Rubeospineus bicorniger , n.sp., in the ‘‘Green River Camp’’ area, Orange Co. Quercophylus gonoporospinus was found during the same collecting event with Phallospinophylus setosus on Quercus agrifolia (close to Morena Lake, San Diego Co.).

Quercophylus gonoporospinus appears to be monophagous on Quercus agrifolia , and its distribution is thus restricted to the distribution range of this species of oak. However, Q. gonoporospinus seems to possess a more restricted distributionthanitshostplant, asmaybeseenfrom fig. 13: It is known only from the southern half of the distribution range of Q. agrifolia .

PARATYPES: USA: California: Riverside Co.: 3 mi NW of Murrieta, 33.58066 ° N 117.25348 ° W, 13 May 1978, J. D. Pinto, Quercus agrifolia achillaeoides (Fagaceae) , 103 (AMNH_PBI 00082466-AMNH_ PBI 00082474, AMNH_PBI 00082476), 5♀ (AMNH_ PBI 00082477-AMNH_PBI 00082481) (UCR). 3 mi W of Murrieta, Tenaja Road, 33.55 ° N 117.2687 ° W, 351 m, 12 May 1978, J. D. Pinto and R. T. Schuh, Quercus agrifolia (Fagaceae) , 13 (AMNH_PBI 00059135), 1♀ (AMNH_PBI 00059163) (AM). Quercus agrifolia (Fagaceae) , 223 (AMNH_PBI 00059130-AMNH_PBI 00059134, AMNH_PBI 00059136-AMNH_PBI 00059138, AMNH_PBI 00059140-AMNH_PBI 00059152, AMNH_PBI 00095251), 26♀ (AMNH_PBI 00059153-AMNH_ PBI 00059162, AMNH_PBI 00059164-AMNH_ PBI 00059167, AMNH_PBI 00059169-AMNH_ PBI 00059178, AMNH_PBI 00095252-AMNH_ PBI 00095253) (AMNH). Quercus agrifolia (Fagaceae) , 13 (AMNH_PBI 00059139), 1♀ (AMNH_ PBI 00059168) (ZISP). 6 mi W of Murrieta, Santa Rosa Plateau Area, 33.55 ° N 117.32074 ° W, 625 m, 1 May 1985, R. T. Schuh and B. M. Massie, Quercus agrifolia oxyadenia (Fagaceae) , det. K. Nixon 1985, 43 (AMNH_PBI 00059207-AMNH_ PBI 00059210), 6♀ (AMNH_PBI 00059211- AMNH_PBI 00059216) (AMNH). San Jacinto Mountains, jct of Two Pines Rd and Rt 243, 33.88083 ° N 116.84722 ° E, 20 May 2000, M. D. Schwartz, Quercus agrifolia (Fagaceae) , det. L. Raz 2002, 213 (AMNH_PBI 00059281-AMNH_ PBI 00059283, AMNH_PBI 00059285-AMNH_PBI 00059296, AMNH_PBI 00059298-AMNH_PBI 00059303), 7♀ (AMNH_PBI 00059305-AMNH_PBI 00059311) (AMNH). Quercus agrifolia (Fagaceae) , det. L. Raz 2002, 13 (AMNH_PBI 00059284), 1♀ (AMNH_PBI 00059304) (CNC). Quercus agrifolia (Fagaceae) , det. L. Raz 2002, 13 (AMNH_PBI 00059297), 1♀ (AMNH_PBI 00059312) (USNM). San Diego Co.: S1 at Old Rt 80 N of Morena Lake, 32.84625 ° N 117.16289 ° W, 1000 m, 29 Apr 1985, R. T. Schuh and B. M. Massie, Quercus agrifolia oxyadenia (Fagaceae) , det. K. Nixon 1985, 43 (AMNH_PBI 00059221-AMNH_PBI 00059224), 1♀ (AMNH_PBI 00059225) (AMNH).

OTHER SPECIMENS EXAMINED: USA: California: Kern Co.: Tehachapi Mountains, Antelope Canyon, 34.85694 ° N 118.63028 ° W, 1524 m, 22 Jun 1975, J. Hlavac, 13 (AMNH_PBI 00082482) (UCR). Orange Co.: Cleveland National Forest, El Cariso Campground, 33.3 ° N 116.8 ° W, 750 m, 12 May 1978, J. D. Pinto and R. T. Schuh, Quercus sp. (Fagaceae) , 33 (AMNH_PBI 00059127-AMNH_ PBI 00059129) (AMNH). Green River Camp, Lower Santa Ana Canyon , 33.74556 ° N 117.86694 ° W, 9 May 1933, E. P. Van Duzee, 33 (AMNH_PBI 00077358-AMNH_PBI 00077360) (CAS). Riverside Co.: 3 mi NW of Murrieta, 33.58066 ° N 117.25348 ° W, 13 May 1978, J. D. Pinto, Quercus agrifolia (Fagaceae) , 43 (AMNH_PBI 00082475, AMNH_PBI 00082485, AMNH_PBI 00082724-AMNH_PBI 00082725), 3♀ (AMNH_ PBI 00082486, AMNH_PBI 00082726-AMNH_PBI 00082727) Quercus agrifolia achillaeoides (Fagaceae) , 43 (AMNH_PBI 00082475, AMNH_PBI 00082485, AMNH_PBI 00082724-AMNH_PBI 00082725), 3♀ (AMNH_PBI 00082486, AMNH_PBI 00082726- AMNH_PBI 00082727) (UCR). 3 mi W of Murrieta, Tenaja Road, 33.55 ° N 117.2687 ° W, 351 m, 12 May 1978, J. D. Pinto and R. T. Schuh, Quercus agrifolia (Fagaceae) , 18♀ (AMNH_PBI 00059179-AMNH_PBI 00059196) (AMNH). 4 mi W of Murrieta, 33.55 ° N 117.28605 ° W, 549 m, 29 Apr 1966, E. I. Schlinger, 23 (AMNH_PBI 00082483, AMNH_PBI 00082484) (UCR). San Diego Co.: just S of Santa Ysabel , 33.10917 ° N 116.67222 ° W, 1060 m, 30 Apr 1985, R. T. Schuh and B. M. Massie, Quercus agrifolia oxyadenia (Fagaceae) , det. K. Nixon 1985, 103 (AMNH_ PBI 00059197-AMNH_PBI 00059206) (AMNH). San Luis Obispo Co.: Morro Road near Atascadero, 35.48944 ° N 120.66972 ° W, 14 May 1962, B. P. Bliven, 13 (AMNH_PBI 00077357) (CAS). Santa Barbara Co. : Upper Oso Campground off Rt 154, 34.55583 ° N 119.75389 ° W, 305 m, 7 May 1985, R. T. Schuh and B. M.Massie, Quercus agrifolia oxyadenia (Fagaceae) , det. K. Nixon 1985, 33 (AMNH_PBI 00059217- AMNH_PBI 00059218, AMNH_PBI 00095250), 3♀ (AMNH_PBI 00059219-AMNH_PBI 00059220, AMNH_PBI 00095254) (AMNH).

Figures

Fig. 1. Habitus photographs of Crassomiris spp., Phallospinophylus setosus, Pygovepres vaccinicola, and Quercophylus gonoporospinus.

Fig. 4. Head and male genitalic structures of Pygovepres vaccinicola and Quercophylus gonoporospinus.

Fig. 6. Mesothoracic spiracle and metathoracic scent gland evaporatory area, scale bar: 200 Mm. A. Crassomiris fatisco. B. Phallospinophylus setosus. C. Pygovepres vaccinicola. D. Quercophylus gonoporospinus. E. Rubellomiris bispinosus. F. Rubeospineus truncatus.

Fig. 7. Pretarsus, scale bar: 50 Mm. A. Crassomiris fatisco. B. Phallospinophylus setosus. C. Pygovepres vaccinicola. D. Quercophylus gonoporospinus. E. Rubellomiris bispinosus. F. Rubeospineus truncatus.

Fig. 8. Detail of setae comprising hemelytral vestiture, scale bar: 50 Mm. A. Crassomiris fatisco. B. Phallospinophylus setosus. C. Pygovepres vaccinicola. D. Quercophylus gonoporospinus. E. Rubellomiris bispinosus. F. Rubeospineus truncatus. Slender and stout setae are indicated by a white or black asterisk, respectively.

Fig. 9. Male genitalic structures, scanning micrographs, scale bar measurements in Mm. A, B. Crassomiris fatisco. A. left: posterior view of the left paramere, right: apex of the posterior process of the left paramere. B. posterolateral view of phallotheca and right paramere from the right side. C–E. Phallospinophylus setosus. C. posterolateral view of pygophore, showing patch of stout setae. D. patch of stout setae on the pygophore. E. phallotheca. F–H. Pygovepres vaccinicola. F. anterolateral view of pygophore, showing spinous process phallotheca and left paramere. G. left: spinous process, right: close up of one of the spines. H. apex of the phallotheca. I. Rubeospineus truncatus, phallotheca and left paramere from the left side.

Fig. 10. Male genitalic structures, scanning micrographs, scale measurements in Mm.

Fig. 11. Female genitalic structures, comprising bursa copulatrix and seminal depository in dorsal view, vestibulum in anterior view, and—if sclerotizations are present—posterior wall.

Fig. 13. Distribution of species of the genera Quercophylus, Rubellomiris, and Rubeospineus.