Azumamiris vernalis, 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 : 47-51

Azumamiris vernalis New species

( Fig. 1 , 2 , 3 A–D & H, 4A–F)

Diagnosis: Recognized by the generally dark coloration, relatively large size, shiny, frontally rounded head with tumid jugum, small eye, orange brown antennal segment I, broad, long rostrum, anteriorly constricted pronotum, a clear, creamy-yellow spot on scutellum, and symmetrically darkened hemelytron ( Fig. 1 A–D) General coloration often fades to stramineous or brown in dried specimens ( Fig. 2 ). The final instar nymph is recognizable by the pale grayish-brown body with the brown or reddish-brown spots on the pronotum and abdomen ( Fig. 1 E, F), and with the apically spatulate (broadened), semitransparent scale-like setae on the dorsal surface ( Fig. 1 F).

Description. Adult: Body generally somber stramineous-brown, with widely brownish-black dorsal surface ( Fig. 1 A–D, 2). Head largely shiny black, bearing dark, semierect setae; vertex with V-shaped yellowish-brown pattern along inner margin of eyes. Antenna mostly dark brown; segment I orange-brown [yellowish-brown], with reddish extreme apex; proximal 1/3–1/2 of Ƥ segment II pale except for dark base; segment III slightly longer than width of head across eyes. Labium orange-brown [yellowish-brown, partly tinged with red]; apical part of segment IV widely infuscate. Pronotum shining, dark brown; medial part of disk and collar reddish-brown [stramineous brown]; mesoscutum and scutellum brownish-black; the latter with a conspicuous, mid-longitudinal, creamy white [whitish brown] spot; thoracic pleura, including scent efferent system, widely creamy-white [stramineous-brown] and shagreened, with variable infuscate patterns laterally ( Fig. 1 B, D). Hemelytron dark brown, with a pale brown longitudinal stripe on costal side of corium; weak; cuneus and inner 1/3–1/2 of clavus along claval commissure pale brown; membrane smoky brown, with pale brown veins. All coxae creamy-white [pale brown], with darkened bases; femora and tibiae pale reddish-brown [stramineous-brown]; pro- and mesofemora each with two reddish brown [brown] rings apically; metafemur whitish basally, with three reddish [brown] rings on apical half part; extreme apex of each tibia and whole tarsi dark brown. Abdomen dark brown, ventrally with usually paired, symmetrical whitishbrown [pale brown] streaks or patterns. Male and female genitalia as in generic description.

Final instar nymph (only females available): Body generally pale greyish-brown, elongate oval, with sparsely distributed, dark, semierect, spine-like setae; dorsum partly reddish or purplish brown, or speckled with brown spots, and with uniformly distributed, semitransparent scale-like setae (apical part of each scalelike seta noticeably widened and spatulate, so that the dorsum at first sight seems to scatter silvery powder as in Fig. 1 F). Head symmetrically speckled with reddish-brown spots or striae, with densely distributed, scalelike setae. Antenna reddish-brown; segments I and II broadened, uniformly setose; segment III yellowishbrown except for darkened apex, slightly longer than IV. Labium dark reddish-brown, broad, slightly exceeding apex of metacoxa. Pronotum speckled with small brown spots particularly along calli; apical parts of wing-pads darkened. Legs purplish- or reddish-brown; base and apical part of each femur with pale rings; tibiae with dark, stiff spines. Abdomen almost entirely speckled with small reddish-brown spots.

Measurements. Adults (♂/ Ƥ): total body length 6.7–7.2/ 7.0–7.6; head width across eyes 1.17–1.22/ 1.24–1.27; vertex width 0.52–0.55/ 0.60–0.64; lengths of antennal segment I–IV 0.85–0.88, 2.43–2.65, 1.26– 1.37, 0.95–1.07/ 0.81–0.84, 2.45–2.51, 1.34–1.43, 1.03–1.10; labial length 3.04–3.26/ 3.29–3.34; mesal pronotal length including collar 1.05–1.08/ 1.11–1.18; basal pronotal width 1.64–1.69/ 1.78–1.83; width across hemelytron 2.07–2.26/ 2.37–2.51; lengths of metafemur, tibia and tarsus 2.17–2.26, 3.00–3.26, 0.75– 0.80/ 2.33–2.44, 3.31–3.42, 0.81–0.86. Final instar nymph (Ƥ): total body length 4.7–5.3; head width across eyes 1.11–1.18; vertex width 0.54–0.61; lengths of antennal segment I–IV 0.58–0.64, 1.58–1.63, 1.11–1.18, 1.03–1.14; labial length 2.60–2.67; mesal pronotal length 0.65–0.72; basal pronotal width 1.26–1.35; width across wingpads 2.03–2.08; lengths of metafemur, tibia and tarsus 1.62–1.77, 2.23–2.38, 0.60–0.66.

Etymology. From Latin, vernalis (= spring season), referring to the short-time appearance of this new species in May; an adjective.

Distribution. Japan (central Honshu: Kanto region).

Biology. This univoltine mirid is associated with a dwarf bamboo, Pleioblastus chino (Fr. et Sav.) Makino (Gramineae) . The adults are found from early to mid May and the eggs appear to hibernate.

Holotype: ♂, JAPAN: central Honshu, Ibaraki Pref., Ushiku City, Shimone, 35°59’08”N, 140°18’27”E, on Pleioblastus chino , 10 May 2009, K. Takahashi ( AMNH).

Paratypes. 45♂ 20Ƥ, same data as for the holotype ( AMNH, TYCN); 1♂ 3Ƥ, same data, 8 May 2009 ( TYCN).

Additional material examined. 5 final instar nymphs (Ƥ), same data as for the holotype except for date, 8 May 2009.

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.