Micronecta (Dichaetonecta) pusilla ( Horváth, 1895 )

Rajabian, Mona & Hosseini, Reza, 2023, The Micronecta Kirkaldy, 1897 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Micronectidae) of Iran, with four new records and an illustrated key to the species, Zootaxa 5330 (4), pp. 492-508 : 493

Micronecta (Dichaetonecta) pusilla ( Horváth, 1895)

( Figs. 2 , 3 , 11A )

Sigara pusilla Horváth, 1895 ; Micronecta capitata Horváth, 1899 ; Micronecta episcopalis Horváth, 1916 ; Micronecta subcerina Lindberg, 1922 .

Material examined: Iran, Guilan Province: Astara (38°22′40′′N 48°50′55′′E), Estil lake , 29♁ 19♀, sweeping, 18.VII.2022 .

Diagnosis: Hemelytron pale, with linear dark patterning; pronotum dark-brown; head wider than pronotum and pronotum shorter than median head length; vertex distinctly produced, with three dark stripes; eyes greyish-silver ( Fig. 2A ). Metaxyphus short, lateral margins straight and convergent to a narrowly rounded apex ( Fig. 2B ).

Males: pala with a row of six long setae dorsally; ventrally, palmar area with a few scattered setae in the middle, ca. 15 setae in mesial row (thickness and length decreases gradually from distal to proximal) and ca. 13 setae in lateral row; lateral row of setae more pronounced than those of dorsal row; palar claw distally moderately widened, apex rounded ( Fig. 11A ). Median lobe of sternum VII narrow, apical part elongate, with tip rounded and dentate and two long bifurcate setae ( Fig. 3A ). Strigil and prestrigilar flap present. Free lobe of tergum VIII broad, mesial angle rounded and lateral angle produced with ca. 16 long setae ( Fig. 3B ). Left paramere: shaft with small spine-like projections on the distal two-thirds, apex slightly twisted ( Fig. 3D ); basal lobe relatively short and tongue-shaped, directed towards apex of paramere ( Fig. 3C ). Right paramere: shaft long, evenly curved, from distal fourth tapering towards narrowly, almost-acute apex ( Fig. 3E ).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Habitus photographs of Micronecta pusilla (Horváth, 1895), male, A. dorsal view, B. ventral view (arrow: metaxyphus). Scale= 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 3. Morphological features of Micronecta pusilla (Horváth, 1895), male, A. median lobe of sternum VII, B. free lobe of tergum VIII, C. left paramere, D. apical part of left paramere, E. right paramere. Scale= 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 11. Male palae of species of Micronecta, A. M. pusilla, B. M. anatolica, C. M. carpatica, D. M. griseola, E. M. poweri. Scale= 0.1 mm.