Brachycerocoris petrii Salini &Roca-Cusachs, 2021

Salini, S. & Roca-Cusachs, M., 2021, Review of the Oriental species of the genus Brachycerocoris Costa, 1863 (Hemiptera: Pentatomoidea: Pentatomidae: Podopinae s. l.) with description of two new species, Zootaxa 5040 (4), pp. 507-527 : 510-515

Brachycerocoris petrii Salini &Roca-Cusachs sp. nov.

( Figs. 2a–c ; Figs. 5a–f ; Figs. 7.2a–d ; Figs. 8a–f ; Figs. 10a–i ; Fig. 9 & Figs.11a–e ) urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:2414A420-D60C-49AD-BA5A-693B0877A7E7

Type locality. India, Karnataka, Benagluru, Attur [13.1068 oN 77.5621 oE].

Type material. Holotype: INDIA: Karnataka: 1♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR],’INDIA: Karnataka / Bengaluru, Attur / 09.x.2018 / Nithya S //ex. Vitex trifolia L.// HOLOTYPUS / BRACHYCEROCORIS PETRII / sp. nov. / det. Salini & Roca- Cusachs, 2021 [p, red label]’. Holotype is mounted on triangular card points on the right hand side of the thorax by using Fevicol ® and the dissected male genitalia placed in a plastic microvial with glycerol attached to the same pin.

Paratypes (30♂ + 20♀): INDIA: Karnataka : 2♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Bengaluru, Attur , 09.x.2018, ex. Vitex trifolia, Nithya S .; 3♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Bengaluru, Attur , 22.ix.2018, ex. Vitex trifolia, Nithya S .; 1♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Bengaluru, Attur , 11.x.2018, Nithya S .; 2♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 14.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Rabbani M.K .; 1♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 15.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Rabbani M.K .; 1♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], At- tur, Yelahanka , 21.x.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 3♂ 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 01.x.2018, Prabhu G .; 2♂ 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Bengaluru, Attur , 06.xii.2018, Prabhu G .; 1♂ 2♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 29.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Rabbani M.K .; 3♂ 2♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 11.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Rabbani M.K .; 1♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 22.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Rabbani M.K .; 1♂ 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 14.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Rabbani M.K .; 1♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Bengaluru, Attur , 07.xi.2018, ex. Vitex trifolia, Prabhu G .; 1♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Bengaluru, Attur , 19.ix.2018, ex. Vitex trifolia, Prabhu G. [tarsi of both forelegs missing, the dissected male genitalia placed in a plastic microvial with glycerol attached to the same pin] ; 2♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 08.v.2020, Maruthi. K. V .; 2♂ 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 30.iv.2020, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♂ 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 21.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Maruthi. K.V .; 2♂ 2♀ [ ICAR- NBAIR], (Mating pair), Attur, Yelahanka , 12.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Rabbani M.K .; 2♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yela- hanka, Attur , 22.iv.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 2♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 26.vii.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 20.iv.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 20.ix.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 11.x.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 23.iv.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 03.ix.2019, Maruthi. K. V .

Additional material examined: INDIA: Karnataka: 4♂ 2♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 30.iv.2020, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 11.v.2020, Rabbani M.K .; 1♂ 3♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahan- ka, Attur , 20.i.2018, Prabhu G .; 14♂ 21♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 01.x.2018, Prabhu G .; 2♂ 1♀ [ ICAR- NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 27.iv.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 29.ix.2018, Prabhu G .; 3♂ 2♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 17.vii.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 15.x.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Rabbani M. K .; 2♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 29.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Rabbani M. K .; 5♂ 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Bengaluru, Attur , 07.xi.2018, ex. Vitex trifolia, Prabhu G .; 12♂ 7♀ [ ICAR- NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 23.iv.2019, Maruthi K. V .; 6♂ 5♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 20.iv.2019, Maruthi K. V .; 1♂ 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 26.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Maruthi. K.V .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], At- tur, Yelahanka , 12.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Rabbani M. K .; 2♂ 7♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 22.iv.2019, Maruthi K. V .; 5♂ 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Bengaluru, Attur , 06.xii.2018, Prabhu G .; 8♂ 3♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 24.iv.2019, Maruthi K. V .; 1♂ 4♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 26.vii.2019, Maruthi K. V .; 1♂ [ ICAR- NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 03.ix.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 03.x.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♂ 2♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 13.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Maruthi. K.V .; 3♂ 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 29.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Maruthi. K.V .; 2♂ 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 28.ix.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♂ 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 09.v.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Bengaluru, Attur , 09.x.2018, ex. Vitex trifolia, Nithya S .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Bengaluru, Attur , 22.ix.2018, ex. Vitex trifolia, Nithya S .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 10.vii.2019, Salini S .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 14.v.2020, ex. Vitex trifolia, Rabbani M.K .; 1♀ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 29.ix.2018, ex. Vitex trifolia, Prabhu G .; 1♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Bengaluru, Attur , 19.ix.2018, Prabhu G .; 2♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Attur, Yelahanka , 23.ix.2019, Maruthi. K. V .; 1♂ [ ICAR-NBAIR], Yelahanka, Attur , 23.viii.2019, Maruthi. K. V .

Differential diagnosis. Similar to B. camelus , separated from the other two species B. dromedarius and B. davidii sp. nov. by the less developed median tubercle towards posterior end of scutellum before apex. Comparably, more silver-whitish and less brownish-gold pilosity on head and anterior pronotum ( Fig. 2a ). Differs from B. camelus in possessing the central tubercle on anterior half of pronotum less developed, which is shorter than wide at the base of tubercle; the apex of central tubercle of pronotum rounded; the central margin connecting base of central tubercle (anteriomedial tubercle) of scutellum with posteromedial tubercle, straight in lateral view ( Fig. 2c ) because of the less developed posteromedial tubercle; and in having a genital capsule with the caudal angles developed into short stout horn-like subtriangular processes, apically slightly bent towards dorsally and the paramere clearly P-shaped, apex of head as long as broad, round and clubbed at apex with a sparse looking tuft of setae of the joint between stem and crown.

Description. Colouration, Integument & vestiture ( Figs. 2a–c ). General dorsal colouration brown (old, preserved specimens looks dark brown to black); antennae ochraceous; portion of corium, beneath scutellum, transparent; membrane, black. Surface of body with coarse, deep punctures, nearly pit-like and covered with a velvety mat of short setae; setae on dorsum of head and disc of pronotum except the semicircular patch on posterior half, creamy white; rest of the body, scutellum and exposed portion of corium (at rest) covered with velvety mat of short brown setae; antennae with sparse, semi erect, golden setae.

Ventrally ( Fig. 2b ) concolourous to dorsum of head, including legs, and except the following markings: moderate sized round spot encircling the spiracle on ventrite III, small spot embedding the pair of trichobothria in each ventrite III–VII, median, round yellowish spot on ventrite V, crescent-shaped yellowish spot medially on ventrite VI and the anchor-shaped yellowish spot medially on ventrite VII ( Fig. 5e ), a small round spot at the distal end (on dorsal side) of each fore, mid and hind tibiae, tarsi of all legs, bright yellow. Labium dark brown to black. Spiracular outline, ochraceous, sometimes dark brown. Peritreme and evaporatorium and apical half of claws, black. Ventrally, including legs, with velvety mat of setae; tarsi devoid of mat of setae rather with short, sparse, semi erect, golden setae; exposed portion of genital capsule including the dorsal and ventral rim with mat of short, setae; female genitalia with valvifers VIII and IX, laterotergite VIII and IX including abdominal segment X with mat of short setae. Ventrally with deep, coarse pit-like punctures except the ochraceous spot on abdominal venter.

Structure. Head ( Figs. 5a–c & Fig. 7. 2a ) together with anterior half of pronotum strongly declivous, nearly perpendicular to body axis; head nearly as long as wide including eyes, apex truncate, lateral margin slightly concave, ends in a quadrangular denticle subapically; dorsum of head convex with three indistinct tubercles medially, one on each mandibular plates and one on clypeus, a moderately large tubercle towards base of head disc medially on an imaginary line connecting eyes. Mandibular plates nearly of uniform width throughout, apical margin with shallow incision, meeting in front of clypeus; clypeus narrowed towards apex. Antennae 5-segmented, stout. Antennal segments from shortest to longest: II<III<IV<I<V; antennal segment I geniculate, thickened medially and gradually narrowed towards both ends; antennal segment II the shortest, slender; antennal segments III–IV stout and cylindrical; segment V the longest, thick and club-shaped; base of first antennal segment housed on a groove on genae. Bucculae with 1+1 short tubercle anteriorly (the triangular process of buccula characterized for the Brachy- cerocorini group of taxa by Rider et al. 2018), bucculae rounded posteriorly, nearly as long as first labial segment. Labium surpassing metacoxae (thanatosis position). Eyes short and rounded, posterior half accommodated in a groove on anterior margin of propleuron. Head posteriad of eyes surrounded by anterior pronotal margin.

Pronotum ( Figs. 2a & c ). Anterior pronotal margin deeply, arcuately concave, accommodating posterior margin of head behind eyes; anterolateral angles rectangular bearing a short, blunt tooth, directed laterally; anterolateral margin obliquely straight interrupted with 1–2 short, blunt tubercle. Humeri rounded with one minute tubercle medially. Anterior half of pronotal disc strongly declivous, medially with a moderately large tubercletruncate at apex; 1+1 short tubercles developed on pronotal cicatrices anteriorly; 1+1 grooves on lateral area of pronotum in front of humeri; posterior half of pronotal disc medially with three longitudinal ridges; lateral ridges anteriorly with 1+1 short tubercle. Posterior margin of pronotum straight.

Scutellum ( Figs. 2a & c ) Broad and subtriangular, nearly as long as broad at base. Base of scutellum medially with a short, elevated triangle possessing a large central tubercle(clearly shorter than width in lateral view),apex of itarcuately rounded; outer margin of tubercle formed by a pair of ridges possessing a series of short, blunt and round denticles, ridges medially connected by a narrow groove. Lateral margins of elevated triangular region with a row of pit-like structures, converging towards the apex of triangular region; apical half of scutellum medially with a moderately large tubercle with less elevation than the “elevated triangular region”, beyond which the scutellar apex trough-like; scutellar apex broadly rounded, much surpassing apex of corium.

Hemelytra ( Fig. 5f ). Clavus narrow, elongate and triangular. Clavus and an elongate triangular region from distal end of corium transparent( Fig. 5f ). Corium laterally slightly arcuate; anterodistal angles narrowly rounded apically, much surpassing apex of scutellum. Part of corium (longitudinal half) and membrane (basal portion) covered by scutellum while resting. Membrane black, translucent, broadly rounded apically, reaches but usually not extending beyond apex of abdomen. Membrane bearing 7–8 simple veins, without reticulate venation.

Thoracic pleuron and sternum. All coxae placed close to each other, leaving only narrow space for labium; prosternum with deep groove to receive posterobasal portion of bucculae. Anterior margin of propleura with two grooves to accommodate the base of the genae and posterior half of eyes ( Fig. 5c ) respectively. Thoracic sternites with median, longitudinal groove on which labium rests. Ostiole narrowly elongate, situated in the middle of a disclike peritreme (pr). Evaporatorium short ( Fig. 5d ; Figs.7. 2b–c ), with prominent wrinkles, extending upto middle of metapleural width. Connexivum narrowly exposed laterally. Metathoracic spiracle long, sometimes only partially visible in ventral view as the thick mat of hairs overgrown ventrally on thoracic pleura.

Legs. Short, stout, all femora unarmed; profemora ventrally with longitudinal groove accommodating foretibiae (probably an adaptaion for thanatosis); meso and metafemora cylindrical and rounded in cross section. All tibiae slightly slender than respective femora, cylindrical and rounded in cross section. All tarsi with segment II the shortest, III the longest with well developed tarsal claws and pulvulli; all tarsal segments dorsally regularly rounded, not grooved.

Pregenital abdomen. Ventrite III and IV medially with shallow groove accommodating labial apex, remaining ventrites (ventrite V–VII) medially with ochraceous, glabrous patch of variable shapes, sometimes with anchorshaped mark on ventrite VII ( Fig. 5e ). Ventrites III–VII laterally with a pair of trichobothria mesad to spiracles; trichobothria usually situated on a transversely elongate, ochraceous patch. Posterolateral angles of ventrites III–VII with short, rounded tubercles.

Male genitalia ( Figs. 8a–f ; Figs. 9a–e ; Figs. 10a–i ; Fig. 11a ). Genital capsule roughly quadrangular, caudal angles (ca) developed into short, stout horn-like subtriangular processes, apically slightly bent towards dorsally. Ventral rim (vr) deep concave, situated slightly mesad to caudal angles. Dorsal rim (dr) nearly straight medially and shallowly concave towards caudal angles. The infoldings of dorsal rim moderately impressed laterad of dorsal sinus of posterior aperture; dorsal sinus of posterior aperture semiovate, the distal ends of dorsal sinus obtusely anglulate, which are in contact with apex of two parallel but vertical ridges emanating from inner wall of venter of genital capsule, forming 1+1 short, lateral orifices well visible in caudal view ( Fig. 9c ). Paramere. with single arm, crown broad, round and clubbed ( Figs. 8 & 9d–e ), shallowly concave on innerside and gradually narrowed towards base of stem. Sparse tuft of setae at the innerside of the joint between arm and crown. Articulatory apparatus ( Fig. 8f ). Support bridge complex simple, nearly hexagonal shaped disc without any windows and connected to capitate processes (cp) through the short dorsal connectives (dc). Phallus ( Figs. 10a–i ). Phallotheca on ventral side with stout, finger-like apically rounded, elongate process at apical 1/3 from phallotheca; finger-like process nearly half the length of phallotheca. Ventrolateral tubercle (vt) of phallotheca well developed. Two pairs of conjunctival processes; dorsolateral pair (dcp) sclerotized, gradually narrowing towards apex, distal apex rounded, stout, finger-like, but moderately flattened laterally; ventrolateral conjunctival processes (vcp) moderately sclerotized, each possessing two lobes (apical and subapical lobes) apically; the apical lobe moderately broad, subriangular and subapical lobe rounded apically. Aedeagus (ad) narrow and slender, shorter than conjunctival processes.

External female genitalia ( Fig. 7.2d ; Figs. 11b–e ; Figs. 15e–h ). Terminalia ( Fig. 11c ). Valvifers VIII (vlf VIII) convex, subtriangular with mesial margin straight and serrated; posterior margins nearly straight, inner posterior angles rounded. Valvifers IX (vlf IX) small, hood-like, inwardly directed and connected to a pair of narrow fingerlike plates, abdominal segment X (X) subrectangular. Laterotergite IX (lt IX) large plate-like, partially embedded in the body cavity, exposed portion elongate, longer than wide, wider medially, anterior half sharply narrowing beyond middle region. Laterotergite VIII (lt VIII) joined medially and forms a partially opened box-like structure; laterotergite IX, valvifers IX and abdominal segment X lay in the trapezoidal anterior rim of laterotergite VIII. Gynatrium ( Fig. 11e ). A pair of ring sclerites (rs) elongate oval, only outline sclerotized with transparent centre ( Fig. 11e ). Spermatheca ( Fig. 11d ; Figs. 15e–h ). Spermathecal dilation long, regularly, obliquely fluted externally but with proximal end of invagination of spermathecal duct (=sclerotized rod) twisted and produced as a semiloop; Proximal flange shorter in diameter than distal flange; apical receptacle small, usually with two ductules; shape and length of ductules vary ( Figs. 15e–h ).

Measurements (in mm). Males (n = 5); median (minimum–maximum). Body length 5.64 (5.37–5.90); head: length 1.88 (1.79–1.93), width (including eyes) 1.79 (1.75–1.85), interocular width 1.31 (1.29–1.33); lengths of antennal segments: I – 0.53 (0.51–0.58), II – 0.22 (0.20–0.24), III – 0.31 (0.29–0.34), IV – 0.45 (0.41–0.47), V – 0.59 (0.57–0.61); lengths of labial segments: I– 0.80 (0.79–0.80), II– 1.01 (0.94–1.05), III– 0.63 (0.59–0.72), IV– 0.73 (0.70–0.81); pronotum: length 2.30 (2.07–2.38), width (including humeri) 4.02 (3.85–4.20); scutellum: length 2.80 (2.51–3.03), width (at basal angles) 2.64 (2.40–2.81); height of scutellar tubercle: 1.00 (0.95–1.05).

Females (n = 5); median (minimum–maximum). Body length 6.52 (6.08–7.01); head: length 1.94 (1.89–2.01), width (including eyes) 1.89 (1.86–1.93), interocular width 1.33 (1.26–1.39); pronotum: length 2.54 (2.50–2.66), width (including humeri) 4.24 (4.14–4.41); scutellum: length 2.97 (2.57–3.22), width (at basal angles) 3.07 (2.88– 3.25); height of scutellar tubercle: 1.01 (0.89–1.05).

Remarks. Schaefer et al. (1996) illustrated the female internal genitalia and male genitalia of B. camelus from China discussing the variation in spermathecal bulb of B. camelus . After examining specimens of the three species B. camelus , B. dromedarius and B. petrii sp. nov., we conclude that all observed differences should be referred to as specimen variability as they are not consistent within the limits of each species.

Etymology. The new species is kindly dedicated to colleague and friend Petr Kment (National Museum, Prague, Czech Republic) for his valuable contribution to the taxonomy of Pentatomidae and also for helping the authors on numerous occasions. The gender of the genus Brachycercoris was not stated in the original description by Costa (1863), hence treated as masculine according to the Article 30.2.4 of ICZN. The species group name is noun in genitive case as per the Article 31.1.2 of ICZN and is masculine.

Bionomics. This species was collected on Vitex trifolia L. of Lamiaceae ( Figs. 14 a–f ). Adults were found feeding on the fruits borne on clusters. Eggs are usually laid single on the pedicel or stalk of the fruits ( Figs. 15 a & b ) or flowers. Freshly laid eggs are cream coloured, but with brown markings on operculum before hatching. First instar nymphs ( Figs. 15 c–d ) are reddish coloured except entire head and pronotum, semicircular spots on each connexival segment, median transverse spots arranged longitudinally at the middle of dorsum of abdomen, labium and legs, black.

Distribution. India [Karnataka]!, Sri Lanka? (See the distributional remarks of B. camelus ).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Habitus of Brachycerocoris petrii sp. nov. a, Habitus (dorsal); b, Habitus (ventral), c, Habitus (lateral). Scale bar equals 1 mm.

FIGURE 5. Details of Brachycerocoris petrii sp. nov. a, head (dorsal); b, head (ventral); c, head (lateral); d, external scent efferent system; e, details of pregenital abdomen, bright yellow markings; f, Hemelytra. Lettering: pr–peritreme; I–V–antennal segments I–V. Scale bar equals 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 7. SEM photographs: 1, Brachycerocoris camelus Costa; 2, Brachycerocoris petrii sp. nov.; 3, Brachycerocoris dromedarius (Vollenhoven); 4, Brachycerocoris davidii sp. nov. (a, head; b, external peritreme and evaporatoria; c, Detail of peritreme; d, female terminalia with deligned profile (yellow) for the left valvifers. Brachycerocoris camelus (7.1a–d) carries the scale bar and the numbering for all the serial photographs.

FIGURE 8. Brachycerocoris petrii sp. nov. (male genitalia). a, genital capsule (dorsal); b, genital capsule (ventral); c, genital capsule (caudal); d & e, paramere (different planes); f, articulatory apparatus. Lettering: cp– capitate processes; dc– dorsal connectives. Scale bar equals 0.1mm.

FIGURE 9. Brachycerocoris petrii sp. nov. (male genitalia–line drawings). a, genital capsule (dorsal); b, genital capsule (ventral); c, genital capsule (caudal); d & e, paramere (different planes). Lettering: ca–caudal angles; dr–dorsal rim; vr–ventral rim. Scale bar equals 0.1mm.

FIGURE 10. Brachycerocoris petrii sp. nov. (Phallus- dorsal, ventral & lateral). a, b & c, non inflated; d, e & f, inflated; g, h & i, line drawings. Lettering: ad–aedeagus; dcp–dorso lateral conjuctival processes; ep– elongate ventral process; vcp– ventral conjuctival processes; vt–venral tubercle. Scale bar equals 0.1mm.

FIGURE 11. Brachycerocoris petrii sp. nov. a, postero-ventral abdomen (male); b, posteroventral abdomen (female); c, female terminalia; d, spermatheca; e, gynatrium. Lettering: rs–ring sclerites; lt VIII–laterotergite VIII; lt IX– laterotergite IX; vlf VIII–valvifers VIII; vlf IX–valvifers IX; X– abdominal segment X.

FIGURE 14. Brachycerocoris petrii sp. nov. (host plant–Vitex trifolia L.). a & b, Vitex trifolia L. (flowering stage); c–e, adults feeding on seeds of Vitex trifolia; f, adult resting on twig of Vitex trifolia (arrows show adults).

FIGURE 15. Brachycerocoris petrii sp. nov. (bionomics and variability of ductules in spermathecal pump) a & b, egg on twig of Vitex trifolia; c, first instar nymph (dorsal habitus); d, first instar nymph (ventral habitus). Scale bar for a–d equals 0.5 mm. e–h variability of ductules in spermathecal pump. Scale bar for e–h equals 0.05 mm. (arrows show eggs).