Montina confusa ( Stål, 1859 )

Mejía-Soto, Andrés, Forero, Dimitri & Wolff, Marta, 2022, Taxonomic revision of Montina (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from Colombia with description of three new species, Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 62 (2), pp. 325-381 : 337-340

Montina confusa ( Stål, 1859)

( Figs 7 ; 8 ; 24C ; 26C ; 28C ; 30 , 40 )

Ploeogaster confusus Stål, 1859: 198 (new species).

Ploeogaster confusus: WALKER (1873) : 93 (checklist).

Aristippus confusus: STÂL (1868) : 99 (key, new generic placement).

Montina (Aristippus) confusa: STÂL (1872) : 74 (checklist, new generic placement, Aristippus as subgenus).

Montina confusa: LETHIERRY & SEVERIN (1896) : 195 (catalog); MALDONADO (1990): 234 (catalog).

Type locality. Brazil, Pará (?).

Type material. LECTOTYPE (here designated):[ BRAZIL – PARA?]: 1♀, (green label) Para / 25“6”5 / (red label) Typus / “ confusus Stål ” / (QR code) http://coll.mfn-berlin.de/u/e0b7c0 / Lectotype Ploeogaster confusus Stål, 1859 Desig. by A. Mejía-Soto & D. Forero ( ZMHB). PARALECTOTYPE: [ BRAZIL – UNKNOWN STATE]: 1♀, “ Amazon ” / Stevens / “ confusus Stål [illegible]” / (red label) 379 “82” / NHRS-GULI 000000605 ( NHRS) . Other specimens examined. COLOMBIA: AMAZONAS: 1 ♂, Leticia; Km 7 vía Tarapacá; 1 May 2002; Sistemática Animal UNAL exped.; ICN 037796 ( ICN); 1 ♂, Leticia, comunidad indígena Monifue Amena, Km 11 [vía Leticia-Tarapacá]; [04.1416°S 69.9232°W]; 80 m; 2 Oct 2003; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058484 ( MPUJ); 1♀, Leticia, comunidad indígena Monifue Amena, Km 9,8 vía Leticia-Tarapacá; [04.1416°S 69.9232°W]; 80 m; 29 Sep 2003; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058485 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 70 m; 30 Mar 2005; Plata, Rengifo, Barrayan leg.; parcela, [bosque] varzea; MPUJ _ENT0058459 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 13 Oct 2003; Cortez & Suarez leg.; chagra, [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058486 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 28 Mar 2005; Erazo & Zarada leg.; chagra; MPUJ _ENT0058462 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 50 m; 11 Oct 2002; D. Calle, A. Pérez, C. Rodre leg.; chagra, [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058458 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 80 m; 25 Sep 2003; M. Montenegro, leg.; chagra, [colecta] manual, nocturno; MPUJ _ENT0058463 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 10 Oct 2002; A. Vélez; día lluvioso; MPUJ _ENT0058473 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 60 m; 10 Oct 2002; Ospina, Pedroza, Ordoñez leg.; [colecta] manual, chagra, día soleado; MPUJ _ENT0058577 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 60 m; 7 May 2007; Suescón et al.; [colecta] manual, chagra; MPUJ _ENT0058562 ( MPUJ). CALDAS: 1 ♀, Manizales; 5°04′12″N, 75°31′14″W; 2216 m; 6 May 1994; V.Bernal, K.Turiago leg.; UNAB No.4857 ( UNAB). CAQUETǠ: 1 ♀, Florencia, vereda Balcanes, CIMAZ Balcanes; 1°25′35.7″N, 75°30′58.6″W; 266 m; 21 Sep 2016; A. Quiroga leg.; jama [insect net], cerca de cultivos de cacao; UNAB No. 4857 ( UNAB). CASANARE: 1 ♂, Tauramena, Kiosco Verde, 2.5 Km SW de Tauramena; 5.00385°N 72.77376°W; 526 m; 8–12 Sep 2014; L. Pabón leg.; [colecta] manual, bosque, en la mañana; MPUJ _ENT0024462 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 25–29 Ago 2014; A. Botache leg.; [colecta] manual, bosque de galería, nocturno; MPUJ _ENT0024786 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 25–29 Ago 2014; N.Wilches et al. leg.; [colecta] manual, borde de bosque de galería; MPUJ _ENT0026372 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 25–29-ago-2014, D. Cáceres, et al., jama [insect net], pantano; MPUJ _ENT0025453 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; jama [insect net], pastizal; 25–29 Ago 2014; D. Cáceres et al. leg.; MPUJ _ENT0019168 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 515 m; 25–29 Ago 2014; León et al. leg.; campo abierto, diurno; MPUJ _ENT0025124 ( MPUJ); 1 ♂ 1 ♀, same data; 8–12 Sep 2014; D. Forero leg.; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058483, MPUJ _ENT0058502 ( MPUJ); 1♀, same data; 25–29 Ago 2014; W. Moya leg.; MPUJ _ENT0025194 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 25–29 Ago 2014; D. Forero leg., [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058501 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, Yopal; 5°21′N, 72°24′W; 350 m; L. Arenas, R. Lesmes leg.; jama [insect net]; UNAB No. 4857 ( UNAB). CUNDINAMARCA: 1 ♀, La Mesa; 1289 m; 13 Mar 2003; J. Cárdenas leg.; [colecta] manual; UNAB No. 4857 ( UNAB). META: 1 ♀, La Macarena, bocas del Ariari; Dic 1970; ICN 029960 ( ICN); 1 ♀, same data, El Refugio; Jul 1970; ICN 029958 ( ICN); 1 ♀, Mapiripán, vereda Morropelado, Poronga, Finca Macondo; 3°01′23″N, 72°12′28.6″W; 230 m; 28 Ene 2016; E.Betancourt leg.; [colecta] manual, cerca de ecosistema agrícola; UNAB No. 4857 ( UNAB); 1 ♀, Puerto López; 4°05′00″N, 72°58′00″W; 181 m; 9 Sep 2003; R. Pinzón leg.; jama [insect net]; UNAB No. 4857 ( UNAB); 1 ♀, Puerto López, Cafam, Mata Mata; 165 m; 23 Oct 2011; Kecan et al. leg.; [colecta] manual, nocturno; MPUJ _ENT0058539 ( MPUJ); 1♀, Puerto López, Cafam,Piedra Candela; 165 m; 23-oct-2011; B. Navas et al. leg.; [colecta] manual, bosque; MPUJ _ENT0058537 ( MPUJ); 1♀, Puerto López, [Remolinos, Centro] Cafam [Llanos, ~ 55km W Puerto Gaitán]; [04.2751°N 72.5408°W]; 165 m; 27 Abr 2001; M. Ordoñez leg.; [colecta] manual, noche; MPUJ _ENT0058535 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, Puerto López; Sep 1991; Fernandez, Tellez leg.; MPUJ _ENT0058548 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, Puerto López, Remolinos, Centro Cafam Llanos, ~ 55km W Puerto Gaitán; 04.2751°N 72.5408°W; 165 m, 18 Oct 2012; A. Cortez leg.; [colecta] manual, nocturno; MPUJ _ENT0058549 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 15–19 Oct 2012; T. Rodríguez leg.; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058554 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 30 Abr 2011; L. Díaz leg.; [colecta] manual, sabana; MPUJ _ENT0058555 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data, [caño] Mata, Mata; 11 Sep 1991; Castaño, Castillo leg.; [colecta] manual, MPUJ _ENT0058551 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 23 Mar 1996; NOS leg.; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058553 ( MPUJ); 1 ♂, same data; 25 Oct 2011; Herrero et al. leg.; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058552 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 11–15 Mar 2013; A. Méndez leg.; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058579 ( MPUJ); 1 ♂ 3 ♀♀, same data; 15–19 Oct 2012; D. Forero leg.; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058564, MPUJ _ENT0058567, MPUJ _ENT0001799, MPUJ _ENT0001802 ( MPUJ); 1♀, same data; 11–15 Mar 2013; D. García leg.; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058565 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 15–19 Oct 2012; M. León leg.; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058561 ( MPUJ); 1 ♂, same data; 11–15 Mar 2013; A. Guillen leg.; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058566 ( MPUJ); 1♀, same data; 220 m; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058568 ( MPUJ); 1 ♂ 1 ♀, same data; 11–15 Mar 2013; J. Gutiérrez leg.; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058576, MPUJ _ ENT0058575 ( MPUJ); 1 ♂, same data; 11–15 Mar 2013; L. Nova leg.; [colecta] manual, MPUJ _ENT0058574 ( MPUJ); 1 ♂, same data; 11–15 Mar 2013; Escobar leg.; [colecta] manual, pastizal; MPUJ _ENT0058500 ( MPUJ); 2 ♂♂, same data; 11–15 Mar 2013; S. Nuñez leg.; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058526, MPUJ _ENT0058540 ( MPUJ); 1 ♂, San Martín, vereda Turpial, Palmeras del Meta; 3°42′N, 73°42′W; 419 m; 12 Abr 2001; C. Galeano, J. Herrera leg.; plantas aledañas al cultivo, palma africana; UNAB No.4857 ( UNAB); 1♀, San Martín,Finca [el] Caudeco, cerca al Rio Camoa; 3°39′53″N, 73°39′28″W; 400 m; 8 Dic 2006; D. Campos leg.; [colecta] manual, bosque de galería; ICN 2661 ( ICN); 1 ♀, San Martín, vereda Puerta Castro, Finca Hato Palmera; 21 Nov 2014; J. Ramírez leg.; [colecta] manual, sobre palmera, MPUJ _ENT0058496 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 22 Nov 2014; J. Ramírez leg.; [colecta] manual, borde de rio; MPUJ _ENT0058497 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, Puerto Gaitán, Río Yucao; 200 m; Ene 1975; R. Restrepo leg.; ICN 029952 ( ICN); 1 ♂, Puerto Gaitán, Hacienda Yamato; 150 m; 22 Abr 1996; D. Forero leg.; sabana arbolada, sobre Curatella americana ; ICN 027640 ( ICN); 1 ♀, Puerto Gaitán, Centro Cafam; Sep 1989; Restrepo; ICN 029949 ( ICN); 1 ♂, Puerto Gaitán, Altamira, Club de los Llaneros; [04.3722°N 72.1565°W]; 140 m; 22 Oct 2006; A. Borbon, A. Peña, D. Mejía leg.; sabana,noche; MPUJ _ENT0061415 ( MPUJ); 1♂, same data; M.Salazar, M. Palacio, M. Salamanca leg.; maizal, soleado; MPUJ _ENT0058488 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; R. Sandoval, L. Linares, I. Vela leg.; sabana, soleado; MPUJ _ENT0061402 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 20 Oct 2016; Tuncero, Villamil leg.; [colecta] manual; MPUJ _ENT0058522 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 21 Oct 2006; I. Gaviria, et al. leg.; [colecta] manual, sabana; MPUJ _ENT0058487 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 23 Oct 2011; B. Navas et al. leg.; [colecta] manual, mata mata; MPUJ _ENT0058542 ( MPUJ); 1 ♂, same data; 6 Oct 2006; J. Díaz leg.; [colecta] manual, sabana; MPUJ _ENT0058541 ( MPUJ); 1 ♀, same data; 21 Oct 2006; E. Hernández et al. leg.; [colecta] manual, bosque, MPUJ _ENT0058550 ( MPUJ); 1♀, Villavicencio; 4°09′N, 73°39′W; 467 m; 24 Nov 1993; D.U. Riveros leg.; UNAB No. ( UNAB); 2♂♂ 6 ♀♀, Villavicencio, Centro de investigación La Libertad; 4°3′20.18″N, 73°28′10.32″W; J. Guevara leg.; [colecta] manual, en cría; CTNI No. 2545 ( CTNI); 1 ♂, Vista Hermosa, Caño Cabra; 12 May 1968; Fowler leg.; MPUJ _ENT0058563 ( MPUJ). VICHADA: 1 ♂, Puerto Carreño, Finca La Morena; 6°12′N, 67°23′W; 90 m; 24 Sep 1998; J. Herrera, M.Martínez leg.; UNAB No. 4857 ( UNAB); 1 ♀, Cumaribo, Gaviotas; 167 m; 2 May 1977; R. Cortez leg.; ICN 029959 ( ICN); 1 ♀, same data; 15 Oct 1972, R. Cortez leg.; ICN 029916 ( ICN).

Diagnosis. Total length, female 22.9 mm (n = 6), male 20.1 mm (n = 5). General coloration red or dark red ( Figs 7B, D ); tubercle of the anterior pronotal lobe straight, constricted near the middle and markedly globose apically ( Fig. 7E ); elevation of the carina of the posterior pronotal lobe narrow ( Fig. 7E ); scutellum apically rounded ( Fig. 7F ); connexivum nearly straight, abdominal mediotergites and most of dorsal laterotergites on segments 2–4 black, segments 5–7 black with a bright yellow broad band increasing in size toward the posterior segments ( Figs 7B, D ), also visible on the ventral laterotergites, but less bright ( Figs 7A, C ); membrane usually translucent, sometimes translucent yellow (some Amazon specimens).

Variation. The specimens examined show some degree of variation in terms of coloration, such as in the membrane, which is hyaline in most of the examined specimens, including the lectotype ( Figs 7B, D ; 30 ), but golden in the specimens examined from Leticia (Amazonas). Specimens of localities above 1000 m have an overall darker coloration. Moreover, the pattern on the dorsal laterotergites of segments 5–7 is also slightly variable with regard of the extension of the dark area.

Differential diagnosis. Among those species with connexival segments not strongly lobed, Montina confusa is similar to M. testacea because of the overall reddish coloration ( Fig. 7 ), although M. testacea has an almost uniform coloration on the ventral laterotergites ( Figs 21A, C ), unlike M. confusa which has a strongly contrasting black and yellow pattern on the ventral laterotergites ( Figs 7A, C ). It might also be confused with M. distincta because of the contrasting pale band against a dark area on the ventral laterotergites ( Figs 9A, C ), although M. distincta has an overall pale brown coloration ( Figs 9B, D ). Additionally, M. confusa has the anterior pronotal lobe tubercles apically globose and with a pre-apical constriction ( Fig. 7E ), the scutellum with a rounded apex ( Fig. 7F ), the elevation of the carina of the posterior pronotal lobe narrow and tubercle-like ( Fig. 7E ), and the margin of the connexivum with an acute tubercle on the posterior half of each of segments 2 and 3 in females and also on segments 4 and 5 in males ( Figs 7A, C ). Both M. distincta and M. testacea have subconical tubercles on the anterior pronotal lobe which are not preapically constricted, the elevation of the carina of the posterior pronotal lobe is truncated or rounded ( Figs 9E, F ; 21E ), and the scutellum is apically acute.

Biology. In Colombia, Montina has been reported as a predator of insect pests of agricultural crops such as corn and others ( AYALA et al. 2013, LEṒN MARTÍNEZ & GUEVARA AGUDELO 2006), although the species involved have never been identified. Nevertheless, specimen images in these reports seem to correspond to M. confusa (e.g., GUEVARA & JIMḖNEZ 2018). Even some of the Amazonian specimens were collected in “chagras”, which are indigenous cultivation plots ( ESCOBAR et al. 2005). Therefore, given that M. confusa can be found in agricultural crops in Colombia this species should be studied as a potential predatory agent against pest species.

Distribution. Brazil, Peru ( MALDONADO 1990; STÂL 1859, 1868), and Colombia (Amazonas, Caldas, Caquetá, Casanare, Cundinamarca, Meta, Vichada), with altitudinal records between 100 and 2,000 m ( Fig. 40 ).

Remark on types. STÂL (1859) described M. confusa based on females from “Brasilia?” deposited at ZMHB (“Mus. Berol.”). We have located two females, one at ZMHB and another at NHRS that might be considered syntypes. We are designating the specimen from ZMHB as the lectotype ( Fig. 30 ) because it is found in the same collection as when originally described, and the locality (Para) is congruent with “Brasilia”.

Figures

Fig. 7. Montina confusa (Stål, 1859). A – male, lateral view; B – female, dorsal view; C – female, lateral view; D – male, dorsal view; E – pronotum, male, lateral left view; F – scutellum. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Fig. 8. Montina confusa (Stål, 1859), male genitalia. A – pygophore, dorsal view; B – pygophore, lateral right view; C – pygophore, caudal view; D – phallus, ventral view; E – phallus, lateral right view; F – phallus, dorsal view. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Fig. 24. Montina spp., external female genitalia, ventral view. A – M. fumosa (Stål, 1867); B – M. calarca Mejía-Soto & Forero sp. nov.; C – M. confusa (Stål, 1859); D – M. distincta (Stål, 1859). Abbreviations: am – anterior margin of gonocoxa 8, dp – distal portion of syntergite 9/10, gpl – gonoplac, mm – medial margin of gonocoxa 8, pom – posterior margin of gonocoxa 8, syn – syntergite 9/10, red arrow – emargination of gonocoxa 8 in the distal portion of the posterior margin. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Fig. 26. Montina spp., bursa copulatrix, dorsal view. A – M. fumosa (Stål, 1867); B – M. calarca Mejía-Soto & Forero sp. nov.; C – M. confusa (Stål, 1859); D – M. distincta (Stål, 1859). Abbreviations: lbs – lateral lobes of bursa; pse – pseudospermathecae; sug – subrectal glands. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Fig. 28. Montina spp., detail of the anterior portion of the bursa copulatrix, dorsal view.A – M. fumosa (Stål, 1867); B – M. calarca Mejía-Soto & Forero sp. nov.; C – M. confusa (Stål, 1859); D – M. distincta (Stål, 1859). Abbreviations: mov – median oviduct, pse – pseudospermathecae, usp – U-shaped sclerotization. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Fig. 30. Female lectotype of Ploeogaster confusus Stål, 1859 [now Montina confusa (Stål, 1859)], deposited at ZMHB. A – dorsal view; B – lateral view; C – labels. Scale bar: 10 mm.

Fig. 40. Distribution map of Montina calarca Mejía-Soto & Forero sp. nov., M. confusa (Stål, 1859), and M. distincta (Stål, 1859) in Colombia.

Fig. 21. Montina testacea (Stål, 1859). A – male, lateral view. B – female, dorsal view. C – female, lateral view. D – male, dorsal view. E – pronotum, male, lateral left view. F – abdomen, male, lateral left view. G – detail of the vestiture of abdominal sternites. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Fig. 9. Montina distincta (Stål, 1859). A – male, lateral view; B – male, dorsal view; C – female, lateral view; D – female, dorsal view; E – pronotum, female, lateral left view; F – pronotum, male, lateral left view. Scale bar: 1 mm.