Guentherocoris, SCHUH & SCHWARTZ, 2004

SCHUH, RANDALL T. & SCHWARTZ, MICHAEL D., 2004, New Genera, New Species, New Synonyms, and New Combinations in North America and Caribbean Phylinae (Heteroptera: Miridae), American Museum Novitates 3436, pp. 1-36 : 23-26

Guentherocoris , new genus

TYPE SPECIES: Psallus atribibialis Knight.

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by the almost black coloration, the silvery, woolly vestiture (figs. 2, 10E), the relatively prominent clypeus (fig. 10A, C), the long free pulvilli (fig. 10B, D), and the form of the male genitalia (figs. 3, 10H). Form of the pulvilli similar to species of Macrotylus Fieber and Coquillettia Uhler , but those groups never with silvery woolly setae, and never with dull black coloration.

DESCRIPTION: Male: Elongate, more or less parallel­sided; total length 3.21–3.69, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.26–2.48, width across pronotum 0.98–1.09. COLOR­ ATION (fig. 2): Nearly black, with some pale areas. SURFACE AND VESTITURE (figs. 2, 10E, F): Impunctate, smooth, dull; body densely covered with recumbent, weakly flattened silvery, somewhat woolly setae (figs. 10E, F); a group of four erect setae ventrolaterally on genital capsule and just anterior to opening (figs. 10G, 10H). STRUCTURE: Head declivent, clypeus projecting beyond anterior margin of eyes and visible from above (figs. 10A, C); antennal segment 2 longer than width of head across eyes, cylindrical and subequal in diameter to segment 1; labium relatively short, reaching to posterior margin of mesosternum; claws smoothly curving, pulvilli nearly as long as claw, attached only at base; parempodia setiform, relatively long and slender (figs. 10B, D). Mesothoracic spiracle and metathoracic scent­gland evaporatory area as in figure 10F. Abdomen more or less cylindrical; genital capsule moderately large, conical. MALE GENITALIA (fig. 3): Vesica weakly sigmoid, with one­half twist, with a short attenuation surpassing secondary gonopore (fig. 3); Left paramere boat­shaped (fig. 3); right paramere lanceolate (fig. 3); phallotheca rather sharply curving, attenuated apically, and without distinctive ornamentation (figs. 3, 10H).

Female: Moderate size, elongate, total length 3.20–3.43, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.26–2.36, width across pronotum 1.13–1.19. COLORATION (fig. 2): As in male. SURFACE AND VESTITURE (fig. 2): As in male. STRUCTURE: Body somewhat broader than in male (fig. 2).

ETYMOLOGY: Named for Allen F. Guenther, in recognition of his field assistance in collecting this and other species of Miridae in the vicinity of Gila Bend , Arizona.

HOSTS: Acacia spp. (Fabaceae) .

DISTRIBUTION: Southern Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas, and northern Mexico.

DISCUSSION: Guentherocoris atritibialis Knight combines attributes found in Macrotylus Fieber and some species of Plagiognathus Fieber. Because it does not possess the defining characteristics of either group, we have chosen to describe this new genus to accept the single species G. atritibialis (Knight) .

Guentherocoris atritibialis (Knight) , new combination Figures 2 , 3 , 10

Psallus atribibialis Knight, 1930: 129 (n.sp.).

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized as indicated in the generic diagnosis.

DESCRIPTION: Male: Elongate, more or less parallel­sided; total length 3.21–3.69, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.26–2.48, width across pronotum 0.98–1.09. COLOR­ ATION (fig. 2): Nearly black, with medial two­thirds of antennal segment 2 pale, cuneal fracture narrowly pale, extreme base of corium pale, scent­gland evaporatory area pale, and veins on posterior margin of membrane cells pale (fig. 2). SURFACE AND VESTI­ TURE: As in generic description. STRUC­ TURE: As in generic description. MALE GENITALIA: As in generic description.

Female: As in generic description.

HOSTS: Acacia constricta Bentham , A. greggii A. Gray , and Acacia sp. (Fabaceae) . Single record from Ceanothus sp. probably accidental.

DISTRIBUTION: Southern Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas, and northern Mexico.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: MEXICO: Sonora: 8 mi S of Santa Ana , August 16, 1964, E. Schlinger et al., 33 (UCR). El Oasis, July 17, 1954, W. Gertsch, 23, 2♀ (AMNH). USA: Arizona: Cochise Co. : 17 mi E of Douglas, August 12, 1975, J. D. Pinto and S. I. Frommer, 33 (UCR). 30 mi E of Douglas, Guadalupe Canyon, August 20, 1974, S. Frommer and J. D. Pinto, 13 (UCR). 31 mi E of Douglas, August 24, 1974, J. D. Pinto, 23 (UCR). 5 mi W of Portal, Southwestern Research Station, August 3, 1959, 13 (AMNH). Huachuca Mts., Miller Canyon, August 6, 1974, S. Szerlip, 13 (UCB). Huachuca Mts., Sunnyside Canyon, July 9, 1940, R. H. Beamer, 23 (KU). Portal, 1500 m, June 15, 1980, R. T. Schuh, K. and R. Schmidt, 203, 35♀ (AMNH). Portal, August 1, 1975, J. D. Pinto, 23, 1♀ (UCR). Portal, July 20, 1967, 23 (AMNH). Portal, July 29– 31, 1967, L. A. Kelton, Acacia sp. (Fabaceae) , 34♀, 1♀ (CNC). Sierra Vista, Huachuca Mts., October 1, 1963, R. F. Sternitzky, 53 (CNC). South Fork Cave Creek Canyon, August 7, 1974, T. D. Eichlin, 13 (CAFA). Texas Pass, July 20, 1917, H. H. Knight, paratype of Psallus atritibialis , 13 (CNC). Whetstone Mts., Nogales Springs, 4400–4600 ft, July 26, 1977, Olson and Hetz, 13 (UAZ). Graham Co.: Sonita Creek, 1500 ft, August 17, 1976, D. S. Chandler, 13, 1♀ (UAZ). Stockton Pass, Pinaleno Mts., 5200–5500 ft, June 1, 1983, R. T. Schuh and G. M. Stonedahl, 63 (AMNH). Whitlock Mts., Dripping Spring, August 5, 1976, D. S. Chandler, 1♀ (UAZ). Maricopa Co. : 24 mi E of Gila Bend, Freeman , 530 m, May 8, 1978, R. T. Schuh and A. F. Guenther, Acacia sp. (Fabaceae) , 13, 28♀ (AMNH). Peoples Valley, August 18, 1967, L. A. Kelton, 1♀ (CNC). Salt River Canyon at Apache Lake, 2000 ft, April 26, 1981, D. A. and J. T. Polhemus, 1♀ (JTP). Pima Co. : Baboquivari Mts., Brown Canyon, August 4, 1961, Werner and Nutting, 13 (UAZ). Galiuro Mountains, Lower Ash Creek, 5000 ft, August 6, 1999, J. E. O’Hara, 63, 1♀ (CNC). Mt. Lemon, Santa Catalina Mts. , August 3, 1967, L. A. Kelton, Ceanothus sp. (Rhamnaceae) , 13 (CNC). NW of Tucson on Old Father Road, 2500 ft, April 22, 1982, M. D. Schwartz, Acacia greggii (Fabaceae) , 133, 8♀ (AMNH). Organ Pipe Cactus Natl. Mon., August 15, 1966, G. D. Butler and F. G. Werner, 13 (UAZ). Organ Pipe Cactus Natl. Mon., mile 4 of Puerto Blanco Drive, April 3, 1966, C. W. O’Brien, 13 (UCB). Santa Catalina Mountains, Hk. Hwy mile 5, August 11, 1961, Werner and Nutting, 13 (UAZ). Santa Catalina Mountains, Molino Basin , August 2, 1970, J. Powell and P. Rude, 13 (UCB). Tucson, July 12, 1925, A. A. Nichol, paratype Psallus atritibialis , 13 (CNC). Tucson (within city limits), Ina Road, 2300 ft, April 13, 1981, M. D. Schwartz, Acacia constricta (Fabaceae) , 143, 15♀ (AMNH). Tucson County Park near saguaros, April 15, 1989, T. J. Henry and A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Acacia sp. (Fabaceae) , 53, 7♀ (USNM). Tucson, August 4, 1967, L. A. Kelton, 53 (CNC). Tucson, Greasewood Pk., April 13, 1989, T. J. Henry and A. G. Wheeler, Jr., Acacia sp. (Fabaceae) , 23, 6♀ (USNM). Tucson, July 6, 1950 – August 16, 1935, R. H. Beamer, 63, 1♀ (KU). Tucson, Saguaro National Monument, August 31, 1967, L. A. Kelton, 2♀ (CNC). Tucson, USDA Lab., April 10, 1989, T. J. Henry and A. G. Wheel­ er, Jr., ( Fagaceae ), 123, 7♀ (USNM). Pinal Co.: 5 mi S of San Manuel, T10S R17E, 3200 ft, June 12, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, 13 (AMNH). Oracle, 12 mi up road, July 24, 1917, H. H. Knight, 2♀ (USNM). Santa Cruz Co. : Atascosa Mts., Calabasas Canyon, April 18, 1981, D. A. Polhemus, 1♀ (JTP). Santa Rita Mts. , May 13, 1937, W. Benedict, 13 (KU). Yavapai Co.: Peeples Valley, August 18, 1967, L.A. Kelton, 13, 3♀ (CNC). New Mexico: Hidalgo Co.: 15 mi N of Portal Road jct on Hwy 80, August 8, 1975, S. Frommer, 43, 1♀ (UCR). Texas: Brewster Co.: Big Bend National Park, Tornillo Flat, 3200 ft, May 20, 1959, Howden and Becker, 1♀ (CNC).

Megalopsallus ellae , new species

Figures 2 , 4

HOLOTYPE: Male : ‘‘[ USA]: Cal [ifornia].: Riverside Co., Salton Sea, 3­24­49, R. A. Flock’ ’. Deposited in the American Museum of Natural History.

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by pale yellow to yellow­orange coloration on dorsum, with scutellum, calli, and vertex usually much more strongly orange (fig. 2); appendages and venter entirely pale. Size and form of sexual dimorphism similar to Megalopsallus ephedrellus Schuh and Megalopsallus nuperus (Van Duzee) , but M. ephedrellus much more distinctly greenish on the hemelytra and M. nuperus usually with eyes red rather than gray. Bifid apex of vesica (fig. 4) in male similar to that of Megalopsallus ephedrae (Knight) , M. ephedrellus Schuh , Megalopsallus froeschneri (Schuh) , and M. pallipes (Knight) , with overall elongate form of vesica most similar to that of M. froeschneri , but those species with nearly black head, pronotum and scutellum and usually strongly reddish hemelytra. Breeds on Ephedra , as do M. ephedrae , M. ephedrellus , M. froeschneri , and M. pallipes .

DESCRIPTION: Male: Size moderate, appearance robust; total length 3.22–3.51, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.35– 2.46, width across pronotum 1.14 –1.26. COLORATION (fig. 2): Dorsum pale yellow­orange, scutellum, calli, and vertex usually much more strongly orange and at least moderately contrasting; eyes gray; appendages and venter pale (fig. 2). SURFACE AND VESTITURE (fig. 2): Dorsum smooth, dull, clothed with pale, recumbent, simple setae. STRUCTURE: Relatively stout­bodied, corial margins nearly straight (fig. 2); head broad, eyes large and bulging; labium moderately long, reaching to middle trochanters; claws elongate, rather strongly bent at apical third, pulvilli minute. MALE GENITALIA (fig. 4): Vesica relatively long and slender, more or less S­shaped, apex bifid, with short projections, secondary gonopore moderately sclerotized; removed from apex of vesica by distance slightly greater than length of gonopore; gonopore sclerite present (fig. 4).

Female: Total length 3.01–3.15, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.21–2.35, width across pronotum 1.17–1.22. COLOR­ ATION (fig. 2): As in male. SURFACE AND VESTITURE (fig. 2): As in male. STRUC­ TURE: Body form more strongly ovoid than in male; eyes smaller, frons more strongly bulging in dorsal view, head not appearing so strongly transverse (fig. 2).

ETYMOLOGY: Named for Ella Massie­ Schuh, daughter of the senior author.

HOSTS: Ephedra sp. (Ephedraceae) .

DISTRIBUTION: Southern California: Imperial Valley.

DISCUSSION: The description above contains only salient features for recognition of this species. For a more detailed generic diagnosis and description, the reader is referred to the revision of Schuh (2000b). Although Megalopsallus ellae is similar in general appearance to M. nuperus , it would appear to be most closely related to M. ephedrae , M. froeschneri , and M. pallipes on the basis of the distinctive bifid vesical apex found in those three species. Megalopsallus ellae most easily runs to couplet six in the key provided by Schuh (2000b) for the species of Megalopsallus , but can be distinguished from Megalopsallus pallidus (Knight) and Megalopsallus schwartzi Schuh , the two species that key out in that couplet, by its more strongly yellowish coloration, and by the vesica in the male having a bifid apex.

PARATYPES: USA: California: Imperial Co. : El Centro, March 18, 1948, Ephedra sp. (Ephedraceae) , 113, 2♀ (UCR, AMNH). Glamis, March 10, 1976, J. C. Hall, Ephedra sp. (Ephedraceae) , 73, 6♀ (UCR, AMNH). Riverside Co.: Salton Sea, March 24, 1949, R. A. Flock, 13 (UCR).

Figures

Fig. 2. Habitus figures of male and female specimens, Gonoporomiris through Vanduzeephylus.

Fig. 3. Male genitalia, Adenostomocoris through Gonoporomiris.

Fig. 10. Scanning electron micrographs of Guetherocoris atritibialis from Tornillo Flat, Texas. A. Head, lateral view. B. Pretarsus, dorsofrontal view. C. Head, dorsal view. D. Pretarsus, ventrofrontal view. E. Setae on hemelytra. F. Mesothoracic spiracle and metaepisternal scent efferent system, lateral view. G. Cluster of setae on left lateral surface of genital segment, posterior view. H. Genital segment, posterior view of left paramere and phallotheca. Scales as indicated.

Fig. 4. Male genitalia, Megalopsallus through Vanduzeephylus.