Nevadocoris pallidus Knight, 1968: 60

SCHUH, RANDALL T., 2000, Revision of the North American Plant Bug Genus Megalopsallus Knight, with the Description of Eight New Species from the West (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae), American Museum Novitates 3305, pp. 1-70 : 41-44

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.1206/0003-0082(2000)305<0001:ROTNAP>2.0.CO;2
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4A3FBB30-C64F-8F4C-C500-D8C24EF3F919
treatment provided by	Carolina
scientific name	Nevadocoris pallidus Knight, 1968: 60
status

Treatment

Nevadocoris pallidus Knight, 1968: 60 View in CoL (n. sp.).

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by relatively large size and entirely pale yellowish coloration (fig. 10). Possibly most easily confused with schwartzi (fig. 12), but lacking red eyes, and occurring exclusively on Atriplex , rather than Sarcobatus .

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Moderately large, total length 4.01–4.34, length apex clypeus– cuneal fracture 2.61–2.83, width across pronotum 1.09 –1.19. COLORATION: Entire body and appendages pale, yellowish white, including eyes. SURFACE AND VESTI TURE: Dorsum smooth, dull, clothed with pale, shining, recumbent, simple setae intermixed with shining, silvery, slightly flattened setae (fig. 18B). STRUCTURE: Hemelytra elongate, nearly parallelsided, apex of abdomen only slightly surpassing cuneal fracture; labium reaching to posterior margin of hind trochanters; claws nearly straight, curving only near apex; pulvilli large, extending nearly entire length of claw (fig. 18C). MALE GENITALIA: Vesica Sshaped, apex membranous; gonopore subapical, not heavily sclerotized; no gonopore sclerite (fig. 15).

Female: Total length 3.24–3.76, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.34 –2.68, width across pronotum 1.08–1.28; body form ovoid , robust (fig. 10).

HOSTS: Grayia spinosa , Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) .

DISTRIBUTION: Central and southern Nevada.

DISCUSSION: Knight (1968) placed pallidus in Nevadocoris on the basis of pulvillar structure, coloration, and antennal structure. Examination of the male genitalia indicates that pallidus is a Megalopsallus species , a placement corroborated by its known occurrence only on species of Atriplex and Grayia (Chenopodiaceae) . Nevadocoris becki , the type of the genus in which pallidus was originally placed, has male genitalia dissimilar in structure to those of species here placed in Megalopsallus and breeds on members of the Asteraceae , including Tetradymia and Chrysothamnus .

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: USA. — Nevada: Clark Co.: 2.5 mi E of Searchlight, 935 m, May 17, 1978, R. T. Schuh, 13 (AMNH). Elko Co.: State line on Utah Rt. 30, 4760 ft, June 25, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Grayia spinosa (Chenopodiaceae) , 93, 4♀ (AMNH). Lander Co.: 1.5 mi S of Rt. 50 on Rt. 376, T18N R45E, 5900 ft, June 28, 1983, Schuh and Schwartz, Grayia spinosa (Chenopodiaceae) , 1103, 134♀ (AMNH). Nye Co.: Atomic Test Site, 2.6 mi W of Mercury Hwy, Cane Spgs. Rd, 3400 ft, June 6, 1983, Schuh, Schwartz, and Stonedahl, Grayia spinosa (Chenopodiaceae) , 23, 13♀ (AMNH). Mercury, 401M, June 14, 1965, Beck, Knight, Merino, Paratypes: 23 (USNM). 5.5 mi S of Belmont on Rt. 82, 2031 m, July 13, 1980, R. T. Schuh, G. M. Stonedahl, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 93, 14♀ (AMNH).

Megalopsallus pallipes (Knight) , new combination Figures 10 View Fig , 14 View Fig

Ankylotylus pallipes Knight, 1968: 56 (n. sp.). Merinocapsus pallipes Schuh, 1986: 224 (n.

comb., diag. figs. distr.).

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by generally pale coloration, except for the largely redorange to brown pronotum and scutellum; labium relatively short, reaching only between fore and middle coxae. Similar in general coloration to some pale specimens of nigrofemoratus , but head always pale in pallipes and dorsal surface distinctly dull. Breeds only on Ephedra .

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Medium sized elongate, total length 3.49–4.13, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.36–2.62, width across pronotum 0.96–1.14. COLORATION: Head and hemelytra pale, pronotum and scutellum partially to entirely orangebrown to brown; underside of thorax mostly pale orange, abdominal venter pale green; eyes brown; appendages largely pale orange, an tennae and tibiae lighter than coxae and femora; tibial spines pale with pale bases. SUR FACE AND VESTITURE: Head, pronotum, and scutellum smooth, dull, almost powdery in appearance, hemelytra very weakly shining; dorsum clothed with pale recumbent simple setae intermixed with flattened silvery setae. STRUCTURE: Elongate, parallelsid ed (fig. 9); labium short, reaching to about midpoint of mesosternum; claws nearly straight over much of length, curving sharply near apex, pulvilli small. MALE GENITA LIA: Vesica relatively short, twisted, apex bifid, scondary gonopore subapical, gonopore sclerite small and weakly sclerotized (fig. 14).

Female: Total length 3.18–3.48, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.21–2.38, width across pronotum 1.00–1.04; elongate ovoid (fig. 10).

HOSTS: Ephedra spp. (Ephedraceae) .

DISCUSSION: Although the coloration of pallipes is quite different from that of ephedrae and froeschneri , the bifid apex of the vesica nonetheless suggests a close relationship with those species.

DISTRIBUTION: Southern Nevada and Utah.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: USA. — Arizona: Coconino Co.: 27 mi E of Jacob Lake on Rt 89 Alt., June 24, 1980, R. T. Schuh, Ephedra torreyana (Ephedraceae) , 13, 2♀ (AMNH). Mohave Co.: Virgin River Canyon, 0.35 mi SW of milepost 24 on Hwy 15, Purgatory Canyon, 2600 ft, May 24, 1981, M. D. Schwartz, 23 (AMNH). Nevada: Nye Co.: 35 mi N of Tonapah, Coyote Hole Spring/ Sevier Reservoir, T8 R42E S11 & 23, 6000 ft, June 30, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Ephedra sp. (Ephedraceae) , 4♀ (AMNH). Northumberland Canyon Rd, Toquima Mts, T14N R44E Sec. 31, 6400 ft, June 28, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Ephedra sp. (Ephedraceae) , 53, 6♀ (AMNH). Mercury, 401M, June 20, 1965, H. Knight, J. Merino, holotype: male (USNM). Mercury, TM, June 14, 1965, E. Beck, H. Knight, J. Merino, 1♀ (USNM). Utah: Grand Co.: 11 mi SE of jct. Rd 313 and Rd 163 toward Dead Horse Point, 5200 ft, June 11, 1982, M. D. Schwartz, Ephedra viridis (Ephedraceae) , 13, 2♀ (AMNH). San Juan Co.: 1.2 mi W of Gooseneck Rd jct. on Rt. 244, 5000 ft, June 16, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Ephedra torreyana (Ephedraceae) , 33, 4♀ (AMNH). Glen Canyon Recreation Area, 12 mi S of Rt. 263, T40S R14E, 4300 ft, June 17, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Ephedra torreyana (Ephedraceae) , 13, 5♀ (AMNH). Goosenecks Overlook, 5000 ft, June 17, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Ephedra torreyana (Ephedraceae) , 73, 11♀ (AMNH). Rt. 63 at Arizona border, Monument Valley, 5200 ft, June 16, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Ephedra cutleri (Ephedraceae) , 43, 7♀ (AMNH). Washington Co.: 3.5 mi E of La Verkin, June 25, 1980, R. T. Schuh, Ephedra sp. (Ephedraceae) , 2♀ (AMNH).

Megalopsallus parapunctipes , new species

Figures 10 View Fig , 15 View Fig

HOLOTYPE: Male, Nevada: Eureka Co., 12 mi N of Rt. 50 on Rt 278, 5800 ft., June 27, 1983, R. T. Schuh, M. D. Schwartz, Atriplex confertifolia (Torr. and Frem.) S. Wats. (Chenopodiaceae) . Deposited in the American Museum of Natural History.

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized, in common with punctipes and sarcobati , by generally pale green coloration, including appendages, white eyes, and pale brown spots on femora (fig. 10). Distinguished from them by infuscate thoracic sternum and form of male genitalia (compare figs. 15 and 16), and also from Sarcobatus feeding sarcobati by that species’ larger size and broader head. Similar in size and general appearance to sparsus , but eyes almost always black in sparsus ; also sparsus usually with some dark areas on head, pronotum, and femora. Distinguished from generally pale schwartzi by red eyes of that species and its lack of spots on femora.

DESCRIPTION: Male: Medium sized, total length 3.28–3.72, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.12–2.42, width across pronotum 0.91–1.00. COLORATION: General coloration of body and appendages pale green, including eyes; underside of thorax and abdomen often darkened in males; femora with some small dark spots; tibial spines pale with dark bases (fig. 10). SURFACE AND VES TITURE: Dorsum smooth, very weakly shining, clothed with pale, recumbent, simple setae intermixed with silvery, shining, weakly flattened setae. STRUCTURE: Elongate, costal margins weakly convex; labium reaching to posterior margin of middle trochanters; claws elongate and smooth, curving over entire length; pulvilli small. MALE GENITALIA: Vesica in the form of a J, apex attenuated; gonopore delicate, subapical; no gonopore sclerite (fig. 15).

Female: Total length 2.43–2.75, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 1.78–2.08, width across pronotum 0.87–1.03; body form ovate , robust (fig. 10).

ETYMOLOGY: Named for its similarity of appearance to Megalopsallus punctipes (Knight) .

HOST: Atriplex canescens , A. confertifolia , A. sp. ( Chenopodiaceae ).

DISTRIBUTION: Interior western North America , from California, Nevada , and Utah.

PARATYPES: USA. — California: Mono Co.: 8 mi W of Nevada state line on Rt. 359, 6700 ft, July 2, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Atriplex confertifolia (Chenopodiaceae) , 83, 8♀ (AMNH). Riverside Co.: Thousand Palms, November 24, 1955, W. R. Richards, 73, 6♀ (CNC). Santa Barbara Co. : 8 mi E of New Cuyama, 2000 ft, May 10, 1985, R. T. Schuh, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 123, 20♀ (AMNH). Nevada: Eureka Co.: 12 mi N of Rt. 50 on Rt 278, 5800 ft, June 27, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Atriplex confertifolia (Chenopodiaceae) , 683, 56♀ (AMNH). Lander Co.: 7.5 mi S of Rt. 50 on Rt. 376, 5900 ft, June 28, 1983, Schuh and Schwartz, Atriplex confertifolia (Chenopodiaceae) , 43, 9♀ (AMNH). Nye Co.: Cumberland Canyon Road, Toquima Mts, T14N R44E, 6400 ft, June 28, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, 33 (AMNH). Rock V. on Jackass Flats Road, 3300 ft, June 6, 1983, Schuh, Schwartz, Stonedahl, 23, (AMNH). Atomic Test Site, 6.5 mi S GS500 on Jackass Flats Rd, 3300 ft, June 6, 1983, Schuh, Schwartz, and Stonedahl, Atriplex confertifolia (Chenopodiaceae) , 33, 28♀ (AMNH). Atomic Test Site, 2 mi E of Mercury Hwy on Tweezer Rd, 3800 ft, June 8, 1983, Schuh, Schwartz, and Stonedahl, Atriplex confertifolia (Chenopodiaceae) , 263, 49♀ (AMNH). 2.8 mi E of Mercury Hiway on Tweezer Road, 3800 ft, June 8, 1983, Schuh, Schwartz, Stonedahl, Atriplex confertifolia (Chenopodiaceae) , 43 (AMNH). Utah: Uintah Co.: 5–10 mi SW of Bonanza, T10S R24E, 50005600 ft, June 3, 1981, M. D. Schwartz, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , 123, 7♀ (AMNH).

Megalopsallus pictipes (Van Duzee) , new combination Figures 11 View Fig , 16 View Fig

Plagiognathus pictipes (Van Duzee), 1918: 305 (n. sp.).

Psallus pictipes: Van Duzee, 1923: 161 View in CoL (n. comb., list).

Psallus suaedae Knight, 1925: 34 View in CoL (n. sp.); Carvalho, 1958: 127 (n. syn.).

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by generally pale green coloration of dorsum and strongly contrasting deep red, often mottled, color of antennal segment 1 and all femora (fig. 11). Not easily confused with any other species.

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Small, total length 2.48–2.93, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 1.69–2.03, width across pronotum 0.83– 0.87. COLORATION: General coloration of dorsum pale green, vertex and anterior margin of pronotum often with some reddish spotting; antennal segment 1, thoracic pleuron and venter, and all coxae, trochanters, and femora deep red or with reddish spots; eyes usually reddish; abdomen pale, usually greenish; antennal segments 2, 3, and 4 pale; tibiae pale with dark spots at bases of pale spines (fig. 11). SURFACE AND VESTI TURE: Dorsum smooth, weakly shining, clothed with recumbent, pale, simple setae intermixed with silvery, weakly flattened setae. STRUCTURE: Relatively stout; labium just reaching onto middle trochanters; claws relatively long and slender, smoothly curving; pulvilli minute. MALE GENITALIA: Vesica Sshaped, apex attenuated, sclerotized; gonopore subapical, sclerotized; no gonopore sclerite (fig. 16).

Female: Total length 2.50–2.63, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 1.75–1.89, width across pronotum 0.91–0.96; ovoid (fig. 11).

HOSTS: Allenrolfea occidentalis , Atriplex sp. , Chenopodium sp. , Sarcobatus vermiculatus , S. sp., Suaeda fruticosa , S. torreyana , Suaeda sp. (Chenopodiaceae) . Probable sitting records: Dondia nigra , D. suffrutescens