Alcecoris periscopus McAtee and Malloch, 1924

Yeshwanth, H. M., Chérot, F. & Henry, T. J., 2021, The Isometopinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) of India and Sri Lanka: A Review of the Subfamily, with Descriptions of Six New Species, Zootaxa 4903 (2), pp. 151-193 : 171

Alcecoris periscopus McAtee and Malloch, 1924

( Figs. 5D , 7C , 22D )

Alcecoris periscopus McAtee and Malloch, 1924: 81 (as new species); Schuh 1995: 5 (catalogue), 2002–2013 (online catalogue).

Diagnosis. Small species, length 2.5 mm. Head, antennae and pronotum reddish brown. Mesoscutum dark brown. Scutellum basally orange brown with apex white. Corium with a brown patch above middle of clavus, another near the apex of the costa, and a large orange-brown spot near inner angle; cuneus black, basally with small white spots; membrane fuscous. Legs orange brown, femora basally white. Head vertical, rounded, with triangular projections laterally below the eyes. Segment I of antenna with two stout triangular spines dorsally and ventrally, both spines triangular and apically pointed. Eyes rounded. Pronotum slightly raised above hemelytra, shiny, smooth, lateral margins convex, anterolateral angles flat, posterior margin rounded, anterior part with a prominent neck. Mesoscutum exposed, sloping; scutellum finely punctuate with apex pointed. Hemelytra strongly punctuate, with short bristle-like setae arising from punctures; cuneal fracture indistinct; membrane with a single large cell. Legs with all femur cylindrical, tibiae elongate, and tarsi two segmented, with second segment longest. Detailed measurements in Table 1 .

Material examined. INDIA: 1♀, Meghalaya; Ri-Bhoi, ICAR, RCNEH, Barapani , 1031m, 25 ° 41’N, 91 ° 55’E, 24.ix.2013, Yeshwanth H.M. leg., ex: tree bark with lichens .

Distribution. India: Meghalaya (north India) and Singapore

Remarks. This is a new country record. Previously known only from Singapore.

Biology. Collected on bark with lichens and mosses.

Figures

FIGURES 5. Indian Isometopinae: Sophianini. Habitus.A–C. cf. Alcecoris globosus Carvalho, 1951, A–B lateral view of male and female. C. Female nymph dorsal view. D. Alcecoris periscopus McAtee & Malloch, 1924. E. Sophianus alces Distant, 1904.

FIGURES 7. Indian Isometopinae: Sophianini. Head in frontal view. A. Alcecoris globosus Carvalho, 1951. Male. B. Alcecoris globosus Carvalho, 1951. Female. C. Alcecoris periscopus McAtee & Malloch, 1924. Female. D. Sophianus alces Distant, 1904, male.

FIGURES 22. Indian Isometopinae alive. A–C. Alcecoris globosus Carvalho 1951. A. Nymph female. B. Female. C. Male. D. Alcecoris periscopus McAtee & Malloch, 1924, female.