Strophopoda, VAN DUZEE, 1916

SCHWARTZ, MICHAEL D., 2005, Redescription of Strophopoda aprica Van Duzee and the Description of Two New Genera and Five New Species from the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico (Heteroptera: Miridae), American Museum Novitates 3489 (1), pp. 1-24 : 2-6

STROPHOPODA VAN DUZEE

Strophopoda Van Duzee, 1916a: 216 (n.gen.).

TYPE SPECIES: Strophopoda aprica Van Duzee, 1921 by original designation.

REVISED DIAGNOSIS: Distinguished from other Phylini by small, elongate, body; predominately black coloration, body surface moderately shining (fig. 1), and vestiture of stiff, black bristlelike simple setae (fig. 3C). Macropterous; clypeus protruding, with distinct basal furrow (fig. 3B); vertex with obsolete transverse basal carina (fig. 3A), vertex width not sexually dimorphic; eyes relatively small, not bulging, posterior margin straight, narrowly separated from anterior margin of pronotum; antennae with slight sexually dimorphism, diameter of segment 2 slightly greater in male than female, segment 2 slightly shorter than width of head across eyes; pronotum with lateral margin nearly straight; evaporative surface of metathoracic scent gland reduced, ostiolar peritreme flattened and situated on ventral surface (fig. 3E); claws small, curved, base prominent, pulvillus large, apically detached from ventral margin of claw, parempodia setiform (fig. 3D). MALE GENITALIA (figs. 2, 3F): vesica composed of single untwisted strap, region distal to secondary gonopore a single strap with length equal to one­quarter entire length of vesica; secondary gonopore relatively large, distal margin broadly rounded, without area of attenuation, proximally with large, striate gonopore sclerite; phallotheca without distinctive features; left paramere conventionally phyline; right paramere with attenuate apex.

DISCUSSION: Carvalho (1955) synonymized Strophopoda with Chlamydatus . Kelton (1965) restored Strophopoda , correctly noting the features detailed in the revised diagnosis above. Specifically, the head with a produced clypeus, obsolete transverse basal carina of the vertex, and relatively small eyes; the large apically detached pulvillus; the reduced evaporative surface and flattened ostiolar peritreme of the metathoracic scent gland; and the white cuneal apex are not found in any species of Chlamydatus . However, I do not agree that the vesica of Chlamydatus and Strophopoda are similar ( Kelton, 1965). The unique gonopore sclerite, extensive apical membrane, and straight nonspinose vesical strap distal to the secondary gonopore will distinguish Strophopoda from other North American phyline genera.

Strophopoda aprica Van Duzee

Figures 1–3

Strophopoda aprica Van Duzee, 1921: 132 (n.sp.).

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by the small parallel­sided body, black coloration, moderately shining surface, and bristlelike black vestiture (figs. 1, 3C). Differs from other small black Phylini by the conspicuous discrete pale yellowish white markings on antennal segment 1, vertex (fig. 1), corium, cuneus, membrane vein, femora, and tibiae; the small claws with large detached pulvillus (fig. 3D); the flattened ostiolar peritreme (fig. 3E); and the male genitalia with a single strap, large striate gonopore sclerite, and conspicuous apical membrane (fig. 2).

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Small, parallel­sid­ ed, macropterous; total length 2.48 (2.38– 2.59), length apex clypeus­cuneal fracture 1.62 (1.50–1.75), maximum width across hemelytra 1.01 (0.91–1.08). MEASURE­ MENTS: Head width 0.60 (0.58–0.61), vertex width 0.30 (0.29–0.33), antennal length segment 1: 0.18 (0.16–0.19), 2: 0.54 (0.48– 0.56), 3: 0.36 (0.31–0.39), 4: 0.23 (0.21– 0.25), labium length 0.81 (0.79–0.84), pronotum width 0.83 (0.80 –0.85), pronotum length 0.37 (0.35–0.39). COLORATION (fig. 1): black with pale yellowish white markings as follows: antennal segment 1 apically, medial spot on vertex, narrow line distally on corium, cuneus and adjacent membrane vein apically, femora distally, and tibiae except for large black spots at base of spines. SURFACE AND VESTITURE: Dorsum moderately shining, impunctate, with numerous moderately long, reclining, bristlelike black simple setae. STRUCTURE: Corial margins nearly parallel­sided; frons gently rounded, clypeus clearly visible from above; anteocular distance equal to twice diameter of antennal segment 1; head projecting below eye by twice diameter of antennal segment 1; labium reaching apex of hind coxae. GEN­ ITALIA: As in generic diagnosis (figs. 2, 3F).

Female: Conformation and coloration nearly identical to male; diameter of antennal segment 2 slightly less than in male. Total length 2.53 (2.33–2.63), length apex clypeuscuneal fracture 1.70 (1.60–1.81); maximum width across hemelytra 1.09 (0.91–1.18), head width 0.60 (0.58–0.61); vertex width 0.30 (0.29–0.30), antennal length segment 1: 0.18 (0.16–0.23), 2: 0.50 (0.45–0.54), 3: 0.34 (0.31–0.39), 4: 0.23 (0.21–0.25), labium length 0.85 (0.81–0.88), pronotum width 0.86 (0.83–0.88); length 0.38 (0.36–0.39).

HOSTS: Collected on the following species of Asteraceae : Artemisia cana Pursh , silver sagebrush; Blepharipappus scaber Hook , rough eyelashweed; Hazardia berberidis Gray , [5 Haplopappus ]; and H. squarrosa (Hook. & Arn.) Greene , sawtooth goldenbush.

DISCUSSION: Van Duzee (1916a) described Strophopoda in a key to North American Miridae and validated the taxon by describing its only included species five years later ( Van Duzee, 1921).

DISTRIBUTION: Southern Oregon south to northern Baja California.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: MEXICO: Baja California Norte: 22 km W of Parque Sierra San Pedro Martir, 1150 m, April 25, 1985, R. T. Schuh, B. M. Massie, Haplopappus berberidis (Asteraceae) , 22?, 40/ (AMNH, UNAM); 8 mi E of Tecate, Highway 2, May 29, 1980, Faulkner, Brown, 1/ (SDNH). USA: California: Amador Co.: Plymouth, June 19, 1967, P. B. Schultz, 3/ (UCD). Mendocino Co.: 2.5 air mi NW of Eel River Ranger Station, Mendocino National Forest, 4400 ft, June 13, 1972, J. Doyen, 7?, 2/ (UCB); Ukiah, June 8, 1932, R. L. Usinger, 1?, 10/ (UCB). Monterey Co.: Bryson, April 23, 1929, May 18, 1929, E. P. Van Duzee, 15?, 15/ (CAS). Riverside Co.: 6 mi SE of Corona, April 12, 1965, C. Slobodchikoff, 1? (UCB); Menifee Valley (hills on W end), 1800 ft, April 30, 1977, J. D. Pinto, 1? (UCR); NW of Murietta, road to Tenaja Fire Station, 1500 ft, May 13, 1978, J. D. Pinto, 5?, 4/ (UCR); Sandia Canyon, T7S R4W Sec 25, May 1, 1979, R. A. Sherman, 1/ (UCR). Sacramento Co.: Folsom, May 14, 1970, Otsuji, Troughton, 1?, 4/ (CAFA); Orangevale, May 24, 1930, H. H. Keifer, 5?, 4/ (CAFA, LACM). San Diego Co.: 1 mi NE of Scissors Crossing, April 6, 1966, C. W. O’Brien, 22?, 14/ (UCB); Jacumba­Campo, June 11, 1915, H. Morrison, ( Betulaceae ), 1?, 1/ (USNM); no specific locality, April 11, 1913, June 3, 1913, E. P. Van Duzee, paratypes, 12?, 12/ (CAS); San Luis Rey River, 1 mi from coast, May 11, 1968, C. Beesley, 2? (UCR); Scissors Crossing, Valle de San Filipe, 2240–2800 ft, May 4, 1968, G. J. DeVol, 2?, 2/ (UCR). San Luis Obispo Co.: Arroyo Grande Creek SW of San Luis Obispo, 160 m, May 8, 1985, R. T. Schuh, B. M. Massie, Hazardia squarrosa (Asteraceae) , 46?, 50/ (AMNH). Santa Barbara Co. : Santa Barbara, Mission Canyon , June 2, 1915, H. Morrison, 1/ (USNM). Siskiyou Co.: 5 mi S of Macdoel, June 28, 1971, Joe Schuh, 4?, 5/ (AMNH). Sonoma Co. : 2 mi N of Sebastopol, May 22, 1966, L. and C. W. O’Brien, 28?, 20/ (UCB). Stanislaus Co.: Del Puerto Canyon at North Fork, Del Puerto Creek, 900–1200 ft, May 21, 1971, P. Lee, 1/ (UCB). Tulare Co. : Badger, May 28, 1961, B. P. Bliven, 1? (CAS). Marin Co.: Rossville, June 3, 1930, C. C. Wilson, ( Asteraceae ), 1/ (USNM). Oregon: Jackson Co.: 0.5 mi S of Siskiyou Summit on Old Rt 99, 4300 ft, Blepharipappus scaber (Asteraceae) (AMNH): June 27, 1979, M. D. Schwartz, Joe Schuh, R. T. Schuh; July 4, 1982, G. Stonedahl, T. J. Henry, 21?, 75/. 0.5 mi S of Siskiyou Summit on Old Rt 99, 4300 ft, June 27, 1979, J. D. Lattin, Artemisia cana (Asteraceae) , 2?, 22/ (OSU); Siskiyou, June 14, 1959, L. A. Kelton, 42?, 27/ [fig. 1 adult dorsal habitus photographs] (CNC). Klamath Co.: 19 mi W of Klamath Falls, June 24, 1971, P. Oman, 1? (OSU); Bly Mt., June 14, 1958, Joe Schuh, 2? (OSU); near Pothole, July 25, 1958, Joe Schuh, Haplopappus sp. (Asteraceae) , 1? (OSU). Wasco Co.: 3 mi N of Simnasho Rd, July 2, 1968, J. D. Lattin, 1?, 1/ (OSU).

Figures

Fig. 1. Habitus views of Calidroides, Chlamyopsallus, Pseudopsallus, and Strophopoda spp.

Fig. 2. Male genitalia of Calidroides, Chlamyopsallus, and Strophopoda spp. A. vesica. B. phallotheca. C. right paramere. D. left paramere, lateral view. E. left paramere, dorsal view. Scale 5 0.10 mm.

Fig. 3. Scanning electron micrographs of Strophopoda aprica,?, Oregon: Siskiyou. A. Head, anterior view. B. Head, lateral view. C. Setae on hemelytra. D. Pretarsus, apical view. E. Mesothoracic spiracle and metathoracic scent efferent system, lateral view. F. Genital segment, posterolateral view, showing right paramere and phallotheca in repose. Scales as indicated.