Wachsiella horsti Schmidt, 1931

Stehlík, Jaroslav L., Hemala, Vladimír & Kment, Petr, 2016, Redescription of the genus Wachsiella (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Largidae: Physopeltinae) with description of male and comments on its tribal placement, Zootaxa 4098 (1), pp. 145-157 : 146-153

Wachsiella horsti Schmidt, 1931

Wachsiella horsti Schmidt, 1931: 48–49 (original description). Holotype: female, Indonesia, Sulawesi: ‘Süd-Celebes [= South Sulawesi]: Patuniang [= Pattunuang], Januar 1896 (H. Fruhstorfer S.)’ (coll. Stettiner Museum für Naturkunde, → ZMPA).

Type material examined. Holotype: ♀, Sulawesi Selatan Province: S.-Celebes, Patunuang [= Makassar City, Pattunuang, 5°7′49.41″ S 119°24′ 27.99″E], i.1896, H. Fruhstorfer lgt. ( ZMPA).

Additional material examined. INDONESIA: Sulawesi: Sulawesi Barat Province: S.-Celebes, Samanga [= Buttu Samanga Mt. near Sirindu, 3°26′24.20″ S 118°53′ 11.05″E], xi.1895, 2 ♂, H. Fruhstorfer lgt. (1 ♂ NHMW, 1 ♂ MMBC). Sulawesi Selatan Province: S.-Celebes, Patunuang, i.1896, 4 ♀, H. Fruhstorfer lgt. (3 ♀ NHMW, 1 ♀ NMPC).

Redescription. Colour ( Figs 1–3 ). Body black, only clavus, corium (except its posterolateral angle), hypocostal lamina of hemelytron, and connexivum both dorsally and ventrally bright red, abdomen ventrally including pygophore brown-red, and pronotum posterolaterally brownish. Legs, antennae, and rostrum black, sometimes dark reddish brown, only basal 2/3 of antennal segment IV ivory.

Structure. Body large, oval ( Figs 1–2 ), dorsally flat, ventrally strongly convex ( Fig 3 ). Head prognathous, positioned lower than pronotum ( Figs 3–4 ), dorsally convex (especially frons), ventrally rather flat ( Fig. 5 ) with a wide and shallow median depression for reception of labial segment I ( Fig. 2 ). Eyes large, protruding from lateral outline of head for most of its width; postgenae flat, posteriorly rounded; eyes and postgenae divided from the convex surface of vertex by shallow furrow. Antenniferous tubercle short, wide, well visible in dorsal view ( Fig. 1 ). Antennal segment I longer than pronotum, as long as segment II, segment III as long as 2/3 of segment IV and slightly longer than 1/2 of antennal segments I and II. Bucculae round, very short, shorter than labrum ( Fig. 5 ). Labium reaching base of abdominal ventrite III ( Figs 2–3 ); first labial segment not reaching posterior margin of head ( Fig. 5 ).

Anterior opening of prothorax oblique, anterior margin of pronotum produced above posterior margin of head ( Figs 3–4 ), forming flat collar. Pronotum ( Fig. 1 ) trapezoidal, anterior margin slightly concave, lateral margins deeply insinuate around middle, and posterior margin slightly convex in dorsal view. Callar lobe (i.e. anterior lobe of pronotum) strongly gibbose ( Figs 3–4 ), anterolaterally rounded ( Fig. 1 ). Pronotal lobe (i.e. posterior lobe of pronotum) rather flat ( Figs 3–4 ), highest along the line connecting posterolateral angles, slightly sloping anteriad, medially with fine longitudinal keel in its anterior half. Callar and pronotal lobes divided by deep furrow ( Fig. 1 ) medially obscured by the longitudinal keel. Lateral margin of callar lobe anterolaterally flattened, forming a sharp lamina ( Figs 2–5 ); lateral margin medially and on pronotal lobe carinate, carina continually disappearing posteriad, posterolateral angles laterally rounded ( Figs 3–4 ).

Scutellum ca. equilaterally triangular, basally flat, posterior half with V-shaped elevation.

Procoxa laterally with low oval tubercle with rounded apex, apically bearing few long setae ( Figs 6–9 ). Protrochanter without special structures. Profemora of both sexes on ventral side with two series of small denticles and longer spines ( Figs 10–12 ), anterior series with one very long spine in ca. apical quarter of its length and one shorter (about half-length of the latter) in about the middle of profemur, both slightly curved posteriad; posterior series with three (in one specimen only two) larger, straight spines (all of them shorter than in anterior series), the most apical one longest of them. Ventral surface of profemur between both series of denticles flat, without distinct furrow or depression ( Figs 10–12 ). Dorsal surface of protibia rounded, ventral surface lamellate, lamella apically produced into a denticle, anteroventral surface of protibia with fine longitudinal furrow, posteroventral surface with series of sparse, very small setiferous denticles ( Fig. 13 ). Meso- and metafemora oval in cross-section, mesofemora ventrally with series of very small denticles along its entire length. Meso- and metatibia simple, oval in crosssection. Pretarsus ( Figs 14–15 ) with pair of sickle-shaped claws, accompanied with pair of parempodia in form of long stout setae directed forwards and surpassing claws anteriorly, and pair of fleshy pulvilli on base of claws.

Hemelytra ( Fig. 1 ). Corium parallel-sided in ca. anterior third of its length, in the posterior two thirds its costal area widened, laterally arcuate, widest at level of posterior margin of clavi. Distal angle of exocorium acutely angulate. Apex of membrane reaching or slightly surpassing apex of abdomen ( Figs 1–2 ).

Ventral side of prothorax with wide, anteriorly strongly concave collar (wider than dorsal one) divided from proepisternum by deep punctured furrow posterolaterally ( Figs 2 , 5 ); similar but less deep punctured furrows present along anterior margins of meso- and metapleura ( Fig. 18 ). Pro-, meso- and metepisternum divided from pro-, meso- and metepimeron by deep, punctured, ca. transverse impressions reaching from lateral margin of thorax towards supracoxal lobes ( Fig. 18 ). Pro- (posteriad of collum), meso- and metasternum medially with low, narrow, welldelimited longitudinal keel ( Fig. 2 ). Procoxae narrowly (ca. of rostrum width, Figs 2 , 6 ), meso- and metacoxae much more widely separated ( Fig. 2 ). Metathoracic scent gland ostiole V-shaped in ventral view ( Figs 21 , 24 ), oval in lateral view ( Fig. 22 ), situated posteriad of mesocoxa ( Figs 18–19 ). Peritremal surface issuing from ostiole in form of short, deep, V-shaped furrow, laterally widening into peritreme ( Figs 19–20 , 24–26 ). Peritreme disc-like, round in ventral view, its surface oriented horizontally, shallow median furrow situated slightly behind its middle, parallel with the axis of ostiole ( Figs 18–20 , 24–26 ); anterior portion of its surface slightly convex, bearing microsculpture of flat warts ( Figs 24–26 ), posterior portion with microsculpture consisting of pointed or spinous warts ( Figs 25, 27 ). Surface of peritreme distinctly elevated above surrounding pleuron, especially laterally ( Figs 18, 20 , 26 ). Evaporatorium mostly smooth, surrounding ostiole ( Figs 20–21 ), and continuing i) ventrally along the fine vestibular scar anteriad of metacoxa ( Figs 19–20, 23 ), and ii) laterally as narrow stripes on posterior margin of mesopleuron and anterior margin of metapleuron (along metathoracic spiracle) reaching the lateral margin of the pleuron ( Figs 28, 29 ).

Abdomen in both sexes ventrally strongly convex, rounded in cross-section, without keel or furrow along midline ( Figs 2–3 ). Ventrite IV laterally only slightly sinuated anteriad ( Fig. 30 ), ventrites V and VI anterolaterally strongly protruding anteriad and sinuated, anterior margin of ventrite VII straight ( Fig. 30 ). Ventrites III–VII provided with trichobothria as follows (see Fig. 30 ): ventrite III with 3 trichobothria medially, postspiracular, forming triangle; ventrite IV with 3 trichobothria medially, slightly postspiracular, forming nearly a straight line (median trichobothrium slightly more posteriad than lateral ones); ventrite V with 3 trichobothria laterally, anterior 2 prespiracular, posterior 1 on spiracle level; ventrite VI with 3 trichobothria laterally, anterior 1 prespiracular, posterior 2 postspiracular; ventrite VII with 2 trichobothria laterally, postspiracular.

Male genitalia. Pygophore round in dorsal view ( Figs 33–34 ). Ventral wall of pygophore convex, with rather deep transverse depression under ventral rim ( Fig. 35 ). Ventral rim turned dorsally, margin between ventral rim and ventral rim infolding turned dorsally, sharp, medially protruding in form of low, wide, flat protuberance ( Fig. 34 ). Dorsal rim not infolded medially, slightly infolded laterally. Lateral rims infolded at right angles to lateral wall, posteriorly merging smoothly with infolded portion of ventral rim, in this region forming small triangular lobe delimiting posterior margin of otherwise inconspicuous paramere sockets ( Fig. 34 ). Cup-like sclerite large, Vshaped in dorsal view, apically pointed, its posterior surface without setigerous areas ( Fig. 34 ). Parameres ( Figs 36–40 ) with lateral lobe well developed, rounded, bearing long setae. Cracks visible on inner margin of both parameres (see Figs 36, 39–40 ) are apparently an artefact. Phallus ( Figs 31–32 ) with vesica twisted medially along its longitudinal axis, apically double-hooked, once ventrally, once laterally, not forming complete coil.

Sexual dimorphism not pronounced, only posterior lobe of pronotum slightly more gibbose in male ( Fig. 4 ) than in female ( Fig. 3 ).

Punctation. Head dorsally with indistinct shallow punctures. Pronotal lobe, scutellum and clavus with sparse, large and deep punctures. Punctures of clavus and corium black ( Fig. 1 ). Clavus with one regular series of punctures along its inner margin and two regular series of punctures along its outer margin, between them punctures arranged in 2–3 irregular rows of punctures. Corium with two regular series of large punctures along its inner margin, central portions of corium with sparse, much smaller punctures, lateral margin and posterolateral angle of corium unpunctured ( Fig. 1 ). Body ventrally without punctures except the described deep transverse furrows on thorax.

Pilosity. Head dorsally ( Fig. 5 ), pronotum and scutellum ( Fig. 4 ) covered with medium long, semierect to erect brown hairs, which are longest on all the body. Clavus and corium with sparse brown setae, shorter and paler than those on the preceding body parts. Body ventrally with short, golden, adpressed pubescence, somewhat longer on prosternum. Antennal segments I–III and rostrum with short, semierect brown hairs; segment IV covered with microscopic pubescence only. Legs with short, brown pilosity, mostly adpressed, only apical parts of tibiae and ventral surface of tarsi with semierect setae.

Measurements (in mm). Male (n = 1). Body length 19.85; head: length 2.20, width (including eyes) 2.89, interocular width: 1.72; lengths of antennal segments: I—4.17, II—4.17, III—2.25, IV—3.82; pronotum: length 4.17, width 6.18; scutellum: length 2.65, width 3.28; corium: length 10.59, width 3.68.

Females (n = 4; for antennal segment IV: n = 3). Body length 19.47 (18.31–19.69); head: length 2.28 (2.11– 2.30), width (including eyes) 2.87 (2.74–2.94), interocular width 1.72 (1.67–1.76); lengths of antennomeres: I— 4.29 (4.17–4.36), II—4.29 (4.21–4.41), III—2.25 (2.25–2.30), IV—3.77 (3.77–3.82); pronotum: length 3.92 (3.82– 3.92), width 6.06 (5.59–6.12); scutellum: length 2.63 (2.60–2.70), width 3.19 (3.10–3.23); corium: length 10.44 (10.29–10.49), width 3.66 (3.58–3.68).

Differential diagnosis. The only known species of Wachsiella is relatively large (18–20 mm), and the genus is easily distinguished from all other genera of Physopeltinae by the following combination of characters: body black with bright red clavus and corium; body dorsally with medium long semierect pilosity; sexual dimorphism insignificant; pronotum anteriorly with collar; callar and pronotal lobe divided by deep transverse furrow; lateral margins of pronotum deeply insinuate in middle; margin of callar lobe anterolaterally flattened, forming sharp lamina, medially and posteriorly changing to low carina and finally disappearing; profemora of both sexes ventrally with two series of teeth and denticles, surface between the series flattened, not furrowed (see also Discussion).

Distribution. Endemic to south Sulawesi ( Schmidt 1931, this paper).

Note on type depository. Wachsiella horsti was described based on a single female specimen, the holotype, originally deposited in the Stettiner Museum für Naturkunde, Stettin [currently Szczecin, Poland]. However, the collection of Stettin Museum was seriously damaged during the World War II and the surviving remnants of the collections were moved to Zoological Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa ( Horn et al. 1990), which is also case of the holotype of Wachsiella horsti (T. Huflejt, pers. comm.).

Figures

FIGURE 5. Wachsiella horsti Schmidt, 1931, head in lateral view (magnification 37 ×). Scale bar: 1 mm. (SEM micrograph: P. Kment).

FIGURES 1 – 4. Wachsiella horsti Schmidt, 1931. 1 – 3 — female (1 — dorsal view, 2 — ventral view, 3 — lateral view); 4 — male, head and pronotum in lateral view. (Photo: P. Kment).

FIGURES 6 – 9. Wachsiella horsti Schmidt, 1931. 6 – 7 — procoxae, ventral view (6 — magnification 42 ×, 7 — 60 ×); 8 – 9 — procoxal tubercle: 8 — lateral view (95 ×), 9 — ventral view (210 ×). Abbreviations: la—labium, pc—procoxa, pt—protrochanter, t—tubercle. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (Fig. 9), 0.5 mm (Figs 7, 8), 1 mm (Fig. 6). (SEM micrographs: P. Kment).

FIGURES 10 – 17. Wachsiella horsti Schmidt, 1931. 10 – 12 — profemur (female): 10 — anterior view (magnification 23 ×), 11 — antero-ventral view (23 ×), 12 — postero-ventral view (23 ×); 13 — protibia (female), detail of apical half in ventral view (37 ×); 14 – 15 — pretarsus: 14 — lateral view (170 ×), 15 — latero-ventral view (170 ×); 16 – 17 — details of trichobothria: 16 — insertions of ventral trichobothria of ventrite IV (200 ×), 17 — anterior (prespiracular) lateral trichobothrium on ventrite V (400 ×). Abbreviations: cl—claw, pa—parempodium, pu—pulvillus. Scale bars: 0.1 mm (Fig. 17), 0.2 mm (Fig. 16), 0.3 mm (Figs 14 – 15), 1 mm (Fig. 13), 2 mm (Figs 10 – 12). (SEM micrographs: P. Kment).

FIGURES 18 – 23. Wachsiella horsti Schmidt, 1931. 18 — meso- and metapleuron (magnification 30 ×); 19 – 20 — metathoracic external scent efferent system (19 — 47 ×, 20 — 95 ×); 21 – 22 — ostiole: 21 — ventral view (300 ×), 22 — lateral view (300 ×); 23 — detail of evaporatorium and vestibular scar (300 ×). Abbreviations: vs—vestibular scar, ev—evaporatorium, os—ostiole, peperitreme, rs—remnants of gland secretion. Scale bars: 0.1 mm (Figs 21 – 22, 23), 0.5 mm (Fig. 20), 1 mm (Figs 18, 19). (SEM micrographs: P. Kment).

FIGURES 24 – 29. Wachsiella horsti Schmidt, 1931. 24 – 27 — peritreme: 24 – 25 — ventral view (24 — magnification 120 ×, 25 — 190 ×), 26 — ventro-lateral view (210 ×), 27 — detail of posterior half in ventral view (600 ×); 28 – 29 — metathoracic spiracle: 28 — postero-lateral view (60 ×), 29 — ventral view (300 ×). Abbreviations: pe—peritreme, sp—spiracle. Scale bars: 50 Μm (Fig. 27), 0.1 mm (Fig. 29), 0.2 mm (Fig. 26), 0.3 mm (Fig. 25), 0.4 mm (Fig. 24), 0.5 mm (Fig. 28). (SEM micrographs: P. Kment).

FIGURES 30 – 32. Wachsiella horsti Schmidt, 1931. 30 — abdomen in lateral view with depiction of trichobothria; 31 – 32 — phallus (31 — ventral view, 32 — lateral view). Scale bars: 0.5 mm (Figs 31 – 32), 1 mm (Fig. 30). (Orig. P. Kment).

FIGURES 33 – 35. Wachsiella horsti Schmidt, 1931, pygophore: 33 — intact pygophore in dorsal view (magnification 55 ×), 34 — dissected pygophore in dorsal view (55 ×), 35 — intact pygophore in postero-ventral view (55 ×). Scale bars: 1 mm. (SEM micrographs: P. Kment).

FIGURES 36 – 40. Wachsiella horsti Schmidt, 1931. Paramere in five different orientations (anticlockwise rotation around its longitudinal axis) (magnifications 200 ×). Scale bars: 0.2 mm. (SEM micrographs: P. Kment).