Azumamiris, Yasunaga, Tomohide, 2010

Yasunaga, Tomohide, 2010, Azumamiris vernalis: a new genus and species of Mirini from central Japan (Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae), Zootaxa 2601, pp. 45-52 : 46-47

Azumamiris New genus

( Fig. 1 , 2 , 3 A–D & H, 4A–F)

Diagnosis: Recognized by the following combination of characters: relatively large size; densely distributed, woolly, reclining setae on the dorsum; rounded frons; tumid jugum; broad labium that surpasses the metacoxa; anteriorly constricted pronotum with the distinct, shiny callus; narrowed and keeled metathoracic scent gland opening; distinct tibial spines; and unique male and female genitalic structures described below.

Description. Body elongate, subparallel-sided ( Fig. 1 , 2 ), relatively large in size; dorsal surface basically brownish, moderately shining, with densely distributed, woolly, reclining setae. Head oblique, rounded in front; vertex smooth, not carinate or sulcate; jugum swollen, tumid. Labium long, broad, extending beyond apex of metacoxa, reaching abdominal sternum VI or VII; its length and broadness almost equal to those of metatibia ( Fig. 1 D). Pronotum shining, shallowly rugose, trapezoidal, distinctly constricted anteriorly, weakly carinate along lateral margin; callus shiny, distinct; scutellum shining, shallowly rugose, rather tumid; metathoracic scent gland opening narrowed and keeled. Hemelytron weakly shagreened. Legs moderate in length; tibial spines prominent. Male genitalia ( Fig. 3 A–D, 4A–D): Genital segment ( Fig. 4 A) weakly keeled ventromedially, projected at base of left paramere. Parameres ( Fig. 3 A, 3B, 4B, 4C) tough, broad, densely setose; left paramere sharply curved, with triangularly projected sensory lobe and hooked hypophysis; right paramere straight, with small, apically sharpened hypophysis. Phallotheca ( Fig. 3 C) smooth, lacking apical process. Vesica ( Fig. 3 D two views, 4D four views) bilobed, with a long, slender spiculum originating near phallobase, and with a flattened lobal sclerite apically, and a narrow, V-shaped lateral sclerite; membranous areas densely furnished with spinules; secondary gonopore thick-rimmed, heart-shaped. Female genitalia ( Fig. 3 H, 4E two views, 4F): Posterior wall of bursa copulatrix with wide, V-shaped dorsal structure, and a pair of small sclerites ventrally ( Figs. 3 H, 4F); interramal lobes rather small, semi-circularly projected; lateral lobe weak; sclerotized rings ( Fig. 4 E) noticeably widened, thick-rimmed, subcontiguous to each other; sclerotized structures distinct.

Type species: Azumamiris vernalis Yasunaga , new species.

Etymology. Azumamiris is named after the region where the type species was collected; Azuma (= antique name of the Kanto region in central Japan), combined with a mirine generic name Miris F., 1794; gender masculine.

Discussion. On the basis of the similarity in the external appearance and host preference, this new mirine plant bug genus, Azumamiris , is assumed to be closely related to Stenotus Jakovlev, 1877 , which is considered to be an Old World element and currently contains more than 50 species. Most members are known to feed on gramineous grasses and/or crops ( Kerzhner & Josifov, 1999; Schuh, 1995; Wheeler, 2001; Zheng et al., 2004); the Nearctic and Australian populations of S. binotatus have been attributed to European introductions ( Wheeler & Henry, 1992).

Azumamiris is significantly different from Stenotus in having the roundly tumid head, anteriorly constricted pronotum with the distinct calli, presence of the distinct sclerotized appendages on the male vesica ( Fig. 3 D compared with 3G), and details of the female genitalia ( Fig. 3 H compared with 3I, and Fig. 4 E, F compared with 4G, H). Male genitalic structures of Stenotus ( Fig. 3 E–G) are rather similar to those found in the cosmopolitan Creontiades Distant, 1883 , which also includes some gramineous inhabitants ( Yasunaga, 1997).

The second possible sister genus of Azumamiris appears to be Elthemidea Zheng, 1992 , which is known only from continental China, and includes two bamboo-inhabiting members. According to the descriptions and illustrations of the genitalia provided by Chinese authors ( Zheng, 1992; Zheng et al., 2004), each Elthemidea species has a single spiculum on the vesica. However, the spiculum found in Azumamiris is much more elongate and originates near the phallobase. Such single spiculum is possessed by many mirine genera of different lineage and often homoplasious. In addition, Azumamiris is clearly separated from this Chinese genus by the color and vestiture pattern, and structures of the head, pronotum and female genitalia (e.g., rounded interramal lobes, V-shaped wide dorsal structure, widely expanded sclerotized rings, and well developed sclerotized structures). These distinctive characters warrant the establishment of Azumamiris as a new independent genus.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Habitus images of Azumamiris vernalis, living individuals. A & B. Male adult. C & D. Female adult. E & F. Final instar nymph (female).

FIGURE 2. Habitus images of Azumamiris vernalis, dried specimens.

FIGURE 3. Genitalia drawings of named parts. Of Azumamiris vernal is: A – D, male (D, two views); H, female. Of Stenotus binotatus: E – G, male; I, female. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 4. Genitalia photos of named parts. Of Azumamiris vernalis: A – D, male (A, two views of genital segment, D, four views of vesica); E, F, female (E, two views, ventral and dorsal). Of Stenotus binotatus: G, H, female. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.