Solomonius ornatula ( Distant, 1911 ) Published, 2007

WALL, MICHAEL A., 2007, A revision of the Solomonius-group of the stinkbug tribe Halyini (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae), Zootaxa 1539 (1), pp. 1-84 : 74-75

Solomonius ornatula ( Distant, 1911) comb. nov.

( Fig. 1 , 28 D-F, 31J-L, 34B, 36H, 38)

Austromalaya ornatula Distant, 1911: 384–385 ; Black, 1968: 563 (listed)

Diagnosis. Coloration extremely variable. Labium reaching fifth abdominal sternite (fourth visible). Profemora with ventral series of tubercles. Ventral rim of pygophore with narrowly bilobed process. Medial penile plates slightly swollen distally and 3.5x longer than broad. Eighth gonocoxae of female with undulating posterior margin.

Redescription. Body 2X longer than broad ( Fig. 28D–F ). Head broader than long; juga shorter than tylus. Pronotum with anterior margin concave; anterolateral angle produced laterally as small tubercle; anterolateral margins subentire (some vague crenulations anteriorly), slightly carinate; lateral angles produced into an acute angle; posterior margin slightly concave. Scutellum with lateral margins becoming briefly parallel prior to apex. Bucculae with anteroventral angle acute, produced anteriorly. Labium reaching fifth abdominal sternite (fourth visible); ratios of labial segments 1:1.8:1.7:1. Peritreme 1/2 as long as distance from ostiole of metathoracic scent gland to lateral margin of metapleuron. Episternal ridge located 2/3 of distance between ostiole of metathoracic scent gland and lateral margin of metapleuron. Third through fifth abdominal sternites (second through fourth visible) sulcate. Profemora with ventral row of small stout tubercles; dorsal surface unarmed. Mesofemora and metafemora with row of small ventral tubercles, dorsally unarmed.

Color. Coloration extremely variable ( Fig. 28D–F ). Ground color generally bronze with some straminous and testaceous areas. Antennae castaneous. Pronotum almost entirely bronze or metallic purple. Scutellar bulge of ground color; anterolateral excavations black; median longitudinal ridge straminous. Forewing with mottling of ground color and darker maculations, sometimes with a metallic green sheen; membrane testaceous. Labium straminous to testaceous, apical portion of labial segment IV castaneous. Legs of ground color; tubercles or profemora castaneous. Proximal and distal third of tibiae darker than medial third; tarsi distally and ventrally dark. Venter of abdomen with lateral markings forming wide continuous castaneous band; medial area straminous medially.

Male. Pygophore with relatively lightly sclerotized dorsolateral areas associated with bases of dorsolateral lobes ( Fig. 31J–L ). Ventral rim with median narrowly bilobed process ( Fig. 31J ). Dorsolateral lobes with anterior flange absent; posterior lobes rounded, directed entad; posteroventral lobes narrowly acute, directed anterolaterally ( Fig. 31J–L ). Medial penile plates narrow, 3.5X longer than broad, curving and slightly swollen distally ( Fig. 34B ).

Female. Laterotergites of eighth segment broad with pair of small subtriangular lobes. Gonocoxa of eighth segment with undulating posterior margin. Gonocoxa of ninth segment broad; posterior margin slightly emarginate. Laterotergites of ninth segment rounded apically ( Fig. 36H ). Secondary thickening of vagina intima tubular, 2X longer than broad, pore to ductus recepticali opening in medial canal.

Measurements. Males (n=5): body length 16.6 SD 0.3 (16.2–17.1), anterior pronotal width 3.9 SD <0.1 (3.8–4.0), humeral width 8.5 SD 0.1 (8.4–8.7), scutellar length 5.9 SD 0.2 (5.5–6.3), medial length of sixth sternite (fifth visible) 0.7 SD 0.1 (0.6–0.9), medial length of seventh sternite (sixth visible) 3.3 SD 0.2 (3.0– 3.5). Females (n=5): body length 17.3 SD 0.6 (16.6–18.2), anterior pronotal width 4.0 SD <0.1 (4.0–4.2), humeral width 8.8 SD 0.1 (8.7–9.0), scutellar length 6.5 SD 0.3 (6.2–7.0), medial length of sixth sternite (fifth visible) 1.5 SD 0.1 (1.3–1.8), medial length of seventh sternite (sixth visible) 2.2 SD <0.1 (2.2–2.3). Appendages in Table 5.

Specimens examined. PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Luzon, Los Banos , 19–20 September 1959, coll. L.W. Quate - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BPBM) ; SOLOMON ISLANDS: - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BMNH) ; 1–31 December 1931, coll. R. Lever - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Choiseul Island, Wagina , [7 26' S, 157 46’ E] , 26 March 1957, coll. P. Fenemore - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Guadalcanal, coll. L. Jarcho - 1 ♂ ( AMNH); coll. R. Lever - 1 ♀ ( BMNH) ; 23 July 1945, coll. F. Cilley - 4 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂ ( AMNH); 13km SE Honiara, elev. 50–100 m, [9° 26' S, 159° 57’ E] , 1 November 1970, coll. N.L.H. Krauss - 1 ♂ ( BPBM); Berande , [9° 25' S, 160° 16’ E] , 27 November 1954, coll. E.S. Brown - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Betikama R., [9 24' S, 160 2’ E] , 15 August - 30 September 1960, coll. W. W. Brandt - 2 ♀♀ ( BPBM); Doma , [9 19' S, 159 48’ E] , 1–30 March 1933, coll. R. Lever - 1 ♀ ( BMNH); Gallego camp 1, Umasani River , 5–6 mi. inland, [9 21' S, 159 44’ E] , 1–10 July 1965, coll. Royal Society Expedition - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Gold Ridge , [9 35' S, 160 8’ E] , 22 June 1956, coll. J.L. Gressitt - 3 ♀♀ ( BPBM); same locality , 20 September 1958, coll. P. Fennemore - 3 ♀♀, 4 ♂♂ ( BMNH); same locality , 20 March 1965, coll. E. Brown - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Honiara, [9 26' S, 159 57’ E] , 1 May 1964, coll. J. & M. Sedlacek - 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂ ( BPBM); Jonapau , [9 38' S, 160 7’ E] , 22 March 1955, coll. E. Brown - 1 ♀ ( BMNH); Koilotumaria , [9 28' S, 160 26’ E] , 7 April 1965, coll. E. Brown - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Kukum , [9 26' S, 159 59’ E] , 28 June 1963, coll. M. McQuillan - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); same locality , 8 February - 27 March 1965, coll. P. Greenslade - 1 ♀ ( BMNH); same locality , 29 March - 1 May 1965, coll. P. Greenslade - 2 ♀♀ ( BMNH); same locality , 29 March - 1 May 1965, coll. P. Greenslade - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Lavoro Pltn. , [9 19' S, 159 36’ E] , 27 September 1927, coll. C. Hart - 10 ♀♀, 8 ♂♂ ( AM); same locality , 18 February 1936, coll. C. Hart - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Lunga , [9 25' S, 160 2’ E] , 27 September 1944, coll. HE Milliron - 1 ♂ ( BPBM); same locality , 3 September 1960, coll. C. W. O’Brien - 1 ♀, 3 ♂♂ ( BPBM); same locality , 1–30 July 1963, coll. R. Lever - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Mt. Austen , [9 28' S, 159 59’ E] , 5 September 1963, coll. M. McQuillan - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); same locality , 13 November 1964, coll. P. Greenslade - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Ngalivavatu , [9 30' S, 160 11’ E] , 8 August 1963, coll. P. Greenslade - 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ ( BMNH); Nuhu , [9 22' S, 159 35’ E] , 27 October 1965 - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Ruavatu , [9 28' S, 160 24’ E] , 18 August 1955, coll. E. Brown - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Suta , [9 41' S, 160 8’ E] , 24 March 1955, coll. E. Brown - 1 ♀ ( BMNH); same locality , 5 April 1963, coll. P. Greenslade - 2 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ ( BMNH); same locality , 23 March 1965 - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Sutakiki R., elev. 2000 m, [9 40' S, 160 6’ E] , 23–27 June 1956, coll. E. Brown - 2 ♀♀ ( BMNH); same locality , 5 April 1963, coll. P. Greenslade - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Tambalia , 30km W Honiara, [9 17' S, 159 44’ E] , 22–26 May 1964, coll. R Straatman - 2 ♀♀ ( BPBM); Tapenanje , elev. 1100 m, [9 26' S, 159 50’ E] , 16 December 1953 - 20 December 1963, coll. J. Bradley - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Tasavtonga , [9 22' S, 159 52’ E] , 1– 30 March 1933, coll. R. Lever - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Tenaru , [9 26' S, 160 5’ E] , 7 November 1954, coll. E. Brown - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Malaita, Poaunani , 5 September 1954, coll. E. Brown - 1 ♀ ( BMNH); Su’u , [9° 7' S, 160° 56’ E] , coll. W. Mann - 1 ♂ ( AMNH); Nggela, Haleta , elev. 0–300 m, [9 5' S, 160 7’ E] , 2–16 October 1964, coll. R. Straatman - 4 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂ ( BPBM); Russells, Karamula I., Cape Marsh, [9 4' S, 159 12’ E], coll. N. Hefferman - 3 ♀♀ ( AM, BMNH); Somata , [9 4' S, 159 12’ E] , 22 February 1934, coll. R. Lever - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Sikaiana , [8 25' S, 162 52’ E] , 1–31 December 1972, coll. N.L.H. Krauss - 1 ♀, 3 ♂♂ ( BPBM); St. Cristobal, camp 2, confluence of Warachito & Pagato Rivers, 6–7 mis. inland, [10 36' S, 162 3’ E] , 24 July 1965, coll. Royal Society Expedition - 1 ♀ ( BMNH); St. Ysabel, coll. N. Hefferman - 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ ( AM); Fulakora, [8 21' S, 159 51’ E], coll. W. Mann - 2 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ ( AMNH); Kolotuve , 15–21 June 1960, coll. C. W. O’Brien - 2 ♀♀ ( BPBM); Rasa , [8 26' S, 159 46’ E] , 20 August 1963, coll. M. McQuillan - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Tatamba , [8 23' S, 159 48’ E] , 25 April 1963, coll. M. McQuillan - 2 ♀♀ ( BMNH); same locality , 24 May 1963, coll. M. McQuillan - 1 ♂ ( BMNH); same locality , 7 February 1964, coll. M. McQuillan - 2 ♀♀ ( BMNH); same locality , 28 September - 7 October 1965, coll. Royal Society Expedition - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BMNH); Sule, Mboromole , elev. 200 m, [9 3' S, 160 18’ E] , 29–30 October 1981, coll. J.L. Gressitt - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BPBM); Takopekope , [9 6' S, 160 14’ E] , 12 September 1960, coll. C. W. O’Brien - 2 ♀♀ ( BPBM); Vella Lavella, Ulo Crater , elev. 10 m, [7 45' S, 156 40’ E] , 7–21 December 1963, coll. P. Shanahan - 1 ♀, 1 ♂ ( BPBM) .

Distribution. Widespread in Solomon Islands ( Fig. 38 ) with a suspicious record from the Philippines.

Comments. As it possesses reduced parameres which are fused with the proctiger, as well as elongate median penile plates which are fused together, Austromalaya ornatula is transferred to Solomonius . The remaining species of the genus Austromalaya Kirkaldy possess relatively well-developed claspers which are free from the proctiger and remain in that genus.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Lateral view of pygophore of Solomonius ornatula (Distant) with nearest dorsolateral lobe (dll) and pygophore wall removed, exposing apodeme (ap) and arm (arm) of clasper, as well as the proctiger (pc).

FIGURE 28. Solomonius species, habitus. A. S. browni sp. nov., B. S. malaitaensis sp. nov., C. S. micrometallicus sp. nov., D-F. S. ornatula (Distant), G. S. rideri sp. nov., H. S. schaeferi sp. nov., I. S. viridula (Distant).

FIGURE 31. Ventral, lateral, and dorsal views of pygophore of selected species of Solomonius. A-C. S. lestoni sp. nov., D-F. S. malaitaensis sp. nov., G-I. S. micrometallicus sp. nov., J-L. S. ornatula (Distant).

FIGURE 34. Ventral and lateral views of aedeagus of selected species of Solomonius. A. S. micrometallicus sp. nov., B. S. ornatula (Distant), C. S. rideri sp. nov., D. S. schaeferi sp. nov., E. S. viatorius sp. nov., F. S. viridula (Distant).

FIGURE 36. External genitalia of Solomonius species. A. S. browni sp. nov., B. S. foetidus (Signoret), C. S. grossi sp. nov., D. S. laminaphallicus sp. nov., E. S. lestoni sp. nov., F. S. malaitaensis sp. nov., G. S. micrometallicus sp. nov., H. S. ornatula (Distant), I. S. rideri sp. nov., J. S. schaeferi sp. nov., K. S. viatorius sp. nov., L. S. viridula (Distant).

FIGURE 38. Distribution of Solomonius malaitaensis sp. nov., S. ornatula (Distant), S. viatorius sp. nov., and S. viridula (Distant) in the Solomon Islands.