Scolopostethus affinis ( Schilling, 1829 )

Neimorovets, Vladimir V., 2024, Review of the genus Scolopostethus Fieber, 1860 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhyparochromidae) from Central Asia with description of a new species, Zootaxa 5477 (4), pp. 401-435 : 404-406

Scolopostethus affinis ( Schilling, 1829)

( Figs. 4–7 , 29, 30 , 47, 48 , 63–66 , 85, 86 , 99 , 106 , 113 , 120 , 127 )

Pachymerus affinis Schilling, 1829: 80 .

Material examined. ABKHAZIA: Tsebelda, Voronov leg., VIII 931, 1♂; Armenia: Ashtarak NW of Erivan [Yerevan] , Richter leg, 6 IV 1936, 1♀, 1♂; AZERBAIJAN: Belokany, Zagataly [Balakan, Balakan District] , Mlokosevich leg., 26 VII 1911, 1♂; Geladara, Talysh Mountains, Kiritschenko leg., 10 VIII 1909, 1♀, 5♂♂; Nuxa [Shaki] , Satunin leg., 2 VI 1904, 1♀, 1♂; Yelisavetpol [Ganja], collection of V. Jakovlev, 1♂; Khaldan 10 km of Yevlakh , Bogachev leg., 18 VIII 1948, 1♀; BULGARIA: Mountain Massif Vitosha , Sofia , Martino leg., 25 VII 1953, 1♀; GEORGIA: Tiflis [Tbilisi] , Satunin leg., 8 V 1905, 12 III 1906, 1♀, 1♂; Karajazy , [Jandargol, Jandari Lake], V . Kozlovski leg., 14 III 1916, 1♀, 1♂; Valley of the Antsal-or River [Shromishevi River] , Mlokosevich leg., 19 III 1913, 1♀; GREECE : Corfu, Retter leg., 1♂; Tator pr. Athenae, Zhenzhurist, 20 X 1935, 2♂♂; Morea Kagios Wlasis, Brenske, 1♂; MOLDOVA: Pererytoye , left bank of the Dniester River, A. Kiritschenko leg., 16 VII 1924, 1♀; Pererytoye nr Dubossary , Zimin leg., 10 VII 1924, 2♀♀, 1♂; POLAND: Łomża County, Wizna , V . Barovsky leg., 21 III 1915, 2♀♀; RUSSIA: Astrakhan Prov.: Astrakhan , V. Jakovlev leg., 1♂; Belgorod Prov. : Borisovka, Belogorie Nature Reserve, Nizhny Sad , N 50°35’17.3’’; E 35°59’34.0’’, V . Tyts leg, 15 VII 2019, 1♂; Chechen Rep.: forestry Paraboch [state biological reserve «Parabochevsky»] , Kiritschenko leg., 15 VII 1927, 1♀; Chelyabinsk Prov. : Zlatoust, Kossakovsky leg., VI 1919, without abdomen; Crimea Rep .: Kerch, Kiritschenko leg., 11, 16 VII, 6, 12, 17 VIII 1918, 16♀♀, 19♂♂; Gurzuf, K. Arnoldi leg., 28 X 1947, 1♀; Zibino [Zibini] , A. Bogachev leg., 9 V 1951, 1♀; Pyatikhatka, Z. Sokova leg., 4 IV 1951, 1♂; Nizhnegorsky , bed of the Salgir River, I. Maltsev leg., 24 IV 1956, 1♀; Saky , V . Pliginski leg., 29 VII, 15 VIII 1913, 4♀♀; Simferopol, S. Zabnin leg., 25 IX 1907, 1♀; valley of the Salgir River nr Simferopol, A. Bazhenov leg., 15 VII 1899, 1♂; Alushta, Kiritschenko leg., 07 VII 1907, 1♂; Voronova Dolina nr Kapsichor [Morskoye] , Sudak Municipality, E. Golovleva leg., 2 VIII 1913, 9♀♀, 4♂♂; Dagestan Rep.: Khadzhalmakhi, Ryabov, 27 IX 1932, 1♂; Ingushetia Rep.: Ergochka nr Dzheyrakh, Kiritschenko leg., 24 VII 1927, 1♀, 1♂; Kabardino-Balkarian Rep .: Nalchik, Kiritschenko leg., 14 VII, 1♀; Kaliningrad Prov. : Curonian Spit, 1.3 km WSW from Muller peak, 1 m, 55.15°N 20.79°E, A. Namyatova, V. Tyts, P. Dzhelali [CURSPIT22_L27], 19 VIII 2022, 2♂♂; Krasnodar Ter.: Grivenskaya, Rysakov leg., 12 X 1933, 1♂; Varenikovskaya, Gitterman leg., 24 VI, 26 VII 1924, 2♀♀, 1♂; Slavyanskaya [Slavyansk-on-Kuban] , Rysakov leg., 8 V 1933, 28 VI, 9 VIII, 2 XI 1934, 10 III, 6 IV 1936, 12♀♀, 10♂♂; Kubanskaya [Novokubansk] nr Armavir, G. Zimin, 17, 18 III, 1 IV 1934, 2♀♀, 5♂♂ ; Tuapse, Gorchakovsky leg., 2–3 IX 1921, 3♀♀; Krasnaya Polyana, Lukyanovich leg., 8–9 IX 1932, 1♀; Leningrad Prov. and Saint-Petersburg : Sablino, L. Bianki leg., 11 VI 1922, 1♀; Leningrad , Kerzhner leg., 26 V 1958, 1♀; Samara Prov. : Kinel, Lyubishchev leg., 10 VIII, 29 X 1928, 2♂♂; Samara , Lyubishchev leg., 6 X 1929, 1♂; Samara , Krasnaya Glinka, Lyubishchev leg., 27 VI 1928, 1♀; Stavropol Ter.: Mount Mashuk nr Pyatigorsk, Ryabov leg., 26–27 IV 1924, 1♂; Ulyanovsk Prov. : Beloye Ozero, Lyubishchev leg., 21 VIII 1962, 1♂; Volgograd Prov. : Sarepta [Krasnoarmeysk District of Volgograd] , Becker leg., 1♂; Voronezh Prov. : Ternovka, Savalskoe lesnichestvo, Stark leg., 4 VIII 1953, 1♀; SERBIA: Predejane , south of Leskovac , Martino leg., 7 VII 1928, 1♂; UKRAINE: Dnipropetrovsk Prov. : Synelnykove, Talitsky leg., 10 VI 1930, 1 ♂; Donetsk Prov. : Bohorodychne, the Siverskyi Donets River, Arnoldi leg., 7 VIII 1938, 1♀; Kherson Prov. : Aleshki [Oleshky], L. Zimin leg., 27 VII 1926, 2♀♀, 1♂; Nature Reserve Askania-Nova, Medvedev leg., 19 IV 1927, 1♀; Khmelnytskyi Prov. : Kamianets-Podilskyi, 2–3 versts from the city downstream of the Mukish [Muksha] River, Yakubovsky; 14 III 1911, 1♀; Kirovohrad Prov. : Yelysavethrad [Kropyvnytskyi], A. Kiritschenko leg., 19 VI 1906, 1♀; Luhansk Prov. : Provalye, Talitsky leg., 21 IV 1930, 1♂; Mykolaiv Prov. : Kinburnskaya Kosa [ Kinburn Spit ] , Medvedev leg., VI –VIII 1926, 1♀; Odesa Prov.: Odesa , A. Kiritschenko, 19 V –VIII 1920, 1♂; Odesa , Krivaya Bakka, A. Kiritschenko leg., 6 III 1921, 2♀♀; Odesa , Khadzhibeysky Park, A. Kiritschenko leg., 8 III 1921, 2♀♀, 1♂; Odesa , Khadzhibeysky Park, D. Znoyko, 8 III 1921, 1♀, 7♂♂; Dubovo, D. Znoyko leg., 15 IV 1921, 1♀; right bank of the Khadzhibey Estuary, A. Kiritschenko leg., 8 V 1921, 1♀; Southeastern slope of the Khadzhibey Estuary, A. Kiritschenko leg., 1920, 3♀♀; Barabay [Baraboy] River nr Odesa , A. Kiritschenko leg., 5 V 1921, 1♀; Gross Liebenthal [Velykodolynske] nr Odesa , D. Znoyko, 3 IV 1921, 1♀; Kryzhanivka nr Odesa , E. Kiritsche nko leg., 27 V 1925, 1♀; Balka Barabay [Baraboy] 8 km of the Dniester Estuary, Znoyko leg., 5 V 1921, 4♂♂; Poltava Prov.: Poltava , Lukyanovich, 8 IV 1924, 1♀; Lubny, Lazovsky leg., 7 VI 1905, 1♀; Sumy Prov. : Lebedyn Distr. , Torovikov leg., VII 1898, 1♀ .

Diagnosis. Body length 3.4–4.1 mm in females and 3.0–3.8 mm in males. Vestiture on pronotum and hemelytron very short, barely visible, setae adpressed or slightly raised ( Fig. 99 ), 0.33–0.4 times as long as width of hind tibia. Antennal segments I–III yellowish to pale brownish, remaining part of antenna dark brown to black ( Figs. 29, 30 ). Mesosternum with acute tubercle anterior to coxa, longer and hooked forward in male, shorter and straight in female ( Figs. 85, 86 ). Macropterous to brachypterous, latter more common. Lobe on inner margin of dorsal opening of pygophore almost triangular with slightly curved at anterior margin ( Fig. 113A ). Blade of paramere gradually expanded at middle, with broadly rounded apex in lateral view ( Fig. 120 ).

Measurements given in Appendix 2 ( Tables 1–4 ).

Scolopostethus affinis is most similar to S. decoratus and S. thomsoni in the short vestiture, body proportions, and coloration, but both these species differ from it in the absence of a acute tubercle on the mesosternum ( Figs. 85– 88, 95, 96 ). Additionally, in S. decoratus most setae on the hemelytron are tightly adpressed with a few erect setae, giving an impression of very scarce erect vestiture ( Fig. 101 ), the blade of the paramere is thin and not expanded at middle ( Fig. 121 ). In S. thomsoni , all setae on the hemelytron are obliquely adpressed, subequal to the width of the hind tibia. ( Fig. 100 ), and the paramere is apically pointed ( Fig. 122 ).

Distribution. Almost entire Europe, Caucasus, Saudi Arabia ( Péricart, 1998, 2001). Record from Eastern Kazakhstan ( Asanova, 1986) requires confirmation. Record from Tajikistan provided in the Palearctic catalogue ( Péricart, 2001) is erroneous.

Natural History and Bionomics. See: Pfaler (1936), Thomas (1955), Eyles (1963, 1964), Putshkov (1969), Péricart (1998) and others.

Scolopostethus affinis is a mesophilic species, preferring fallow lands, heathlands with ruderal vegetation, forest edges, gardens, and glades. It is sometimes collected in damp places. This species is a polyphagous herbivore and feeds on seeds of Urtica dioica , U. urens , Erica , Capsella ( Eyles, 1964; Putshkov, 1969), as well as seeds of various trees ( Ulmus , Fagus , Betula ). There is evidence of feeding on mycelial hyphae in the forest litter ( Péricart, 1998).

The imago or older larvae overwinter under the litter of food plants and other similar shelters. Overwintered larvae of 5 th instar become adults in early May. The oviposition continues until the end of July. Females lay eggs singly or in groups on dry parts of plants, less often on the ground ( Thomas, 1955; Eyles, 1963). Embryonic development continues for up to 3 weeks. In young adults, the gonads mature before overwintering. One generation per year ( Pfaler, 1936; Eyles, 1963; Putshkov, 1969).

Notes. The collection of the Zoological Institute in St. Petersburg holds a substantial number of specimens on which most records from the territory of the former USSR were based. However, upon careful examination, no specimens from the territory of Central Asia were found in this collection (see material examined section). However, Oshanin (1910) noted S. affinis from Turkmenistan (Ashgabat) with reference to Brancsik (1899), but most likely, this record was based on an erroneous identification. K. Arnoldi (1949) mentioned findings of S. affinis from the Kara-Alma River basin ( Kyrgyzstan). The material was likely misidentified. The ZISP collection contains specimens collected by K. Arnoldi from this area with labels «Kara-Alma, Fergana Range, K. Arnoldi leg., 22, 26 VI, 01, 16 VII, 13, 20 VIII, 10, 11 IX 1945 », 8♀♀, 9♂♂. All this material belongs to the new species S. ferganensis sp. n. (described in this article). There is also one female with the label «Kapka, upper reaches of the Kara-Alma River, Fergana Range, K. Arnoldi leg., 27 VIII 1945 », 1♀, this specimen belongs to the new undescribed species. It should be noted that the southwestern slope of the Fergana Range, where K. Arnoldi carried out his research, belongs to the Southwestern Tian Shan ( Arnoldi, 1949). Popov (1965) noted S. affinis from Kyrgyzstan with reference to Oshanin (1910) [in original article «Oshanin, 1906»—this is a mistake] and Arnoldi (1949). Putshkov (1969) reported S. affinis from Central Asia without further comment or indication of specific localities. The record of this species from Markakol Lake in Eastern Kazakhstan ( Asanova, 1986) also needs verification. Péricart (1998) indicated this species from «Tian-Shan». Péricart (2001) noted S. affinis from Tajikistan, but I am sure that J. Péricart confused Tajikistan with Kyrgyzstan (see the section for S. lethierryi below). I was unable to find any specimens from Tajikistan in the ZISP collection.

Figures

FIGURES 4–7. Scolopostethus affinis, dorsal (A) and lateral (B) view: 4—female, brachypter; 5—female, macropter; 6—male, brachypter; 7—male, macropter.

FIGURES 29–38. Antenna of Scolopostethus species: 29—S. affinis, female, macropter; 30—S. affinis, male, brachypter; 31—S. decotatus, female; 32—S. decoratus, male; 33—S. thomsoni, female, macropter; 34—S. thomsoni, male, macropter; 35—S lethierryi, female; 36—S lethierryi, male; 37—S. pilosus, female, brachypter; 38—S. pilosus, male, brachypter.

FIGURES 47–62. Anterior leg of Scolopostethus species: 47—S affinis, male, brachypter; 48—S affinis, female, brachypter; 49—S. decoratus, male; 50—S. decoratus, female; 51—S. thomsoni, male, brachypter; 52—S. thomsoni, female, macropter; 53—S. lethierryi, male; 54—S. lethierryi, female; 55—S. pilosus, male, brachypter; 56—S. pilosus, female, macropter; 57—S. puberulus, male, submacropter; 58—S. puberulus, female, macropter; 59—S. ferganensis sp. n., female, macropter; 60—S. ferganensis sp. n., female, brachypter; 61—S. ferganensis sp. n., male, macropter; 62—S. ferganensis sp. n., male, brachypter.

FIGURES 63–84. Pronotum of Scolopostethus species: 63—S. affinis, female, macropter; 64—S. affinis, female, brachypter; 65—S. affinis, male, macropter; 66—S. affinis, male, brachypter; 67—S. thomsoni, female, macropter; 68—S. thomsoni, female, brachypter; 69—S. thomsoni, male, macropter; 70—S. thomsoni, male, brachypter; 71—S. decoratus, female; 72—S. decoratus, male; 73—S. lethierryi, female; 74—S. lethierryi, male; 75—S. pilosus, female, macropter; 76—S. pilosus, female, brachypter; 77—S. pilosus, male, macropter; 78—S. pilosus, male, brachypter; 79—S. ferganensis sp. n., female, brachypter; 80—S. ferganensis sp. n., female, submacropter; 81—S. ferganensis sp. n., female, macropter; 82—S. ferganensis sp. n., male, brachypter; 83—S. ferganensis sp. n., male, submacropter; 84—S. ferganensis sp. n., male, macropter.

FIGURES 85–98. Mesosternum of Scolopostethus species, lateral view: 85—S. affinis, female, macropter; 86—S. affinis, male, brachypter; 87—S. decoratus, female; 88—S. decoratus, male; 89—S. lethierryi, female; 90—S. lethierryi, male; 91—S. pilosus, female, macropter; 92—S. pilosus, male, brachypter.; 93—S. puberulus, female, macropter; 94—S. puberulus, male, brachypter; 95—S. thomsoni, female, macropter; 96—S. thomsoni, male, macropter; 97—S. ferganensis sp. n., female, macropter; 98—S. ferganensis sp. n., male, macropter.

FIGURES 99–105. Pubescence on the dorsal surface of the body of Scolopostethus species, lateral view: 99—S. affinis, male, brachypter; 100—S. thomsoni, male, brachypter; 101—S. decoratus, female; 102—S. pilosus, male, brachypter; 103—S. lethierryi, female; 104—S. ferganensis sp. n., male, submacropter; 105—S. puberulus, male, submacropter.

FIGURES 106–112. Posterior leg of Scolopostethus species: 106—S. affinis, male, brachypter; 107—S. decoratus, female; 108—S. thomsoni, male, brachypter; 109—S. lethierryi, female; 110—S. pilosus, female, brachypter; 111—S. puberulus, female; 112—S. ferganensis sp. n., male, brachypter.

FIGURES 113–116. Pygophore of Scolopostethus species: 113—S. affinis, brachypter; 114—S. decoratus; 115—S. thomsoni, brachypter; 116—S. pilosus, brachypter.

FIGURES 120–126. Left paramere of Scolopostethus species, lateral (A) and ventral (B) view: 120—S. affinis, brachypter; 121—S. decoratus; 122—S. thomsoni, macropter; 123—S. puberulus, submacropter; 124—S. lethierryi; 125—S. pilosus, brachypter; 126—S. ferganensis sp. n., macropter.

FIGURES 127–130. Aedeagus of Scolopostethus species, dorsal (A) and lateral (B) view: 127—S. affinis, brachypter; 128—S. decoratus; 129—S. thomsoni, macropter; 130—S. lethierryi.