Vanduzeephylus, 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 : 32

Vanduzeephylus , new genus

Figures 2 , 4 , 13

TYPE SPECIES: Reuteroscopus falcatus Van Duzee.

DIAGNOSIS: Body form similar to Plagiognathus Fieber , elongate, nearly parallel­sided, more or less cylindrical in cross section (fig. 2); antennae weakly sexually dimorphic (fig. 2), unlike Plagiognathus ; vesica in male with a single apical spine of moderate length (fig. 4), rather than with two long spines as in Plagiognathus . Most similar in coloration to Plagiognathus albatus (Van Duzee) , but that species never with contrasting dark patches on pronotum as in V. falcatus . Genital capsule in male with distinctive low tubercles on ventral surface (fig. 13H).

DESCRIPTION: Male: Elongate, more or less parallel­sided; total length 3.04–3.60, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.08–2.49, width pronotum 0.95–1.08. COLORATION (fig. 2): Generally pale, pronotum with dark patches just posterior to calli (fig. 2), endocorium infuscate; antennae totally pale (fig. 2); tibiae pale, tibial spines pale (fig. 2). SURFACE AND VESTITURE (figs. 2, 13G): Impunctate, smooth, dull to moderately shining (fig. 2); vestiture of simple pale setae (fig. 13G); distal portion of dorsal surface of hind femur lacking row of spinules as in figure 13I; genital capsule with distinctive low tubercles on ventral surface (fig. 13H). STRUCTURE: Head declivent, barely projecting beyond anterior margin of eyes, clypeus barely visible from above (figs. 2, 13A, B, C); labium reaching apex of middle coxae. Antennae sexually dimorphic, segment 2 in male cylindrical, of uniform diameter over entire length, relatively long, about 1.4 time as long as width of head across eyes. Trichobothria as in figure 13J. Claws relatively slender, bent at nearly right angle at about two­thirds distance from base (figs. 13E, F); pulvilli moderately large, adnate to basal two­thirds of claw (fig. 13E, F); parempodia cylindrical, with blunt apex (fig. 13E, F). Mesothoracic spiracle and metathoracic scent­gland evaporatory area as in figure 13D. MALE GENITALIA (fig. 4): Vesica sigmoid, with one­half twist, apically with a single blade of moderate length (fig. 4); left paramere boat­shaped (fig. 4); right paramere lanceolate (fig. 4); phallotheca rather sharply curving, attenuated apically, and without distinctive ornamentation (fig. 4).

Female: Moderately large, elongate ovoid; total length 3.40–3.90, length apex clypeus– cuneal fracture 2.43–2.69, width across pronotum 1.13–1.18. COLORATION (fig. 2): As in male. SURFACE AND VESTITURE (fig. 2): As in male. STRUCTURE: Overall body form as in male; eyes smaller; antennal more slender than in male, weakly tapering toward base (fig. 2).

ETYMOLOGY: Named for E. P. Van Duzee, in recognition of his pioneering efforts in describing the mirid fauna of California .

DISCUSSION: The species placed in Vanduzeephylus is widespread in western North America. It is similar in appearance to some Plagiognathus species , notably P. albatus . The genitalic structure of Plagiognathus spp. is quite consistent across a broad range of species, some of which differ substantially in size and coloration. The genitalic structure in V. falcatus deviates significantly from that type. This, combined with the distinct sexual dimorphism in the antennae of V. falcatus , has caused us to erect a new genus for its reception.

HOSTS: Recorded from Platanus sp. (Platanaceae) , Populus sp. , and Salix sp. (Salicaceae) .

DISTRIBUTION: Western North America.

Vanduzeephylus falcatus (Van Duzee) , new combination Figures 2 , 4 , 13

Reuteroscopus falcatus Van Duzee, 1917: 278 (n.sp.)

Microphylellus adustus Knight, 1929: 40 (n.sp.; syn. by Schuh, 2001: 255).

Microphylellus adustus binotatus Knight, 1929: 40 (n.var.; syn. by Schuh, 2001: 255).

Figures

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

Fig. 4. Male genitalia, Megalopsallus through Vanduzeephylus.

Fig. 13. Scanning electron micrographs of Vanduzeephylus falcatus from Yreka, California. A. Head, lateral view. B. Head, anterior view. C. Head, thorax, lateral view. D. Mesothoracic spiracle and metaepisternal scent efferent system, lateral view. E. Pretarsus, laterofrontal view. F. Pretarsus, frontal view. G. Setae on hemelytra. H. Genital segment, spinules on ventral surface, lateral view. I. Hind femur, distal end, lateral view. J. Trichobothria on hind femur, ventral view. Scales as indicated.