Neolygus keltoni (Lu & Zheng)

Yasunaga, Tomohide, Duwal, Ram Keshari & Schwartz, Michael D., 2012, First record and a new species of Neolygus Knight (Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae) from Nepal, with a checklist of Old World species of Neolygus, Zootaxa 3413, pp. 44-54 : 46

Neolygus keltoni (Lu & Zheng)

( Fig. 1 D −G, Figs. 2−4 )

Lygocoris (Neolygus) keltoni Lu & Zheng, 1998: 3 (n. sp.). Neolygus keltoni: Lu & Zheng, 2004: 407 (n. comb., diag.).

Diagnosis. Recognized by the medium size, oval body, pale green and shiny basic coloration, orange-red suffusions on head, pronotum and clavus ( Fig. 1 D, F, G), infuscate apical 1/3–1/2 of clypeus ( Figs. 1 E, 2), and somewhat speckled forewing membrane. Male genitalia ( Figs. 3 , 4 ): Left paramere elongate, with hooked apical protuberance on sensory lobe; right paramere with weakly curved hypophysis gradually tapered towards apex ( Fig. 3 ). Endosoma with developed, almost straight and weakly twisted spiculum, and C-shaped, shortened and broadened ventral sclerite ( Fig. 4 ). Female genitalia: Sclerotized ring relatively large. Posterior wall of bursae with continuingly broadened dorsal structure; interramal lobe subtriangular, very tiny.

Measurements. 3/ Ƥ: Total body length 4.5–5.5/ 5.2–5.4; head width across eyes 1.08–1.16/ 1.10–1.14; vertex width 0.28–0.33/ 0.37–0.38; lengths of antennal segments I–IV 0.51–0.57, 1.72–2.09, 0.89–0.95, 0.55–0.63/ 0.55–0.57, 1.78–1.83, 0.98–1.11, 0.60–0.65; labial length 1.71–1.92/ 1.93–2.00; basal pronotal width 1.65–1.87/ 1.88–2.02; width across hemelytra 1.93–2.06/ 2.12–2.32; lengths of metafemur, tibia and tarsus 1.71–1.83, 2.33–2.84, 0.41–0.65/ 1.90–2.00, 2.81–2.95, 0.60–0.63.

Distribution. China (Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces.), Nepal (from warm temperate zone to subtropics), Taiwan.

Biology. Associated with inflorescences of various broadleaves, Lantana sp. ( Verbenaceae ) and Mallotus sp. ( Euphorbiaceae ). A few final instar nymphs with uniformly pale green bodies presumably belonging to this species were found from Lantana sp. in Kathmandu Valley. Collection records suggest that this mirine has at least two generations per year.

Specimens examined. NEPAL: Kathmandu Valley: 132Ƥ, Swayambhu, Natural History Museum Garden, 27˚42'52.8"N, 85˚17'13.5"E, 1,350 m, on Lantana flowers, 18 May 2005, T. Yasunaga (00379492−00379494) (TYCN); 13, same data except 13 Jun 2005 (00379495) (TYCN). Kaski Dist.: 13, Pokhara, South slope of Peace Pagoda (temple), northern Phewa lakeside, 28˚12'16"N, 83˚56'43"E, 950 m, on Artemisia sp., 15 Oct 2005, R. Duwal (00379496) (TYCN). Makawanpur Dist. (Terai): 1Ƥ, Machan, Chitwan National Park, 27°32'06"N, 84°44'17"E, 270 m, on Mallotus sp., 9 Nov 2005, T. Yasunaga (00379497) (TYCN).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Habitus images of Neolygus species, living individuals taken in Nepal. A − C N. bui: A, male from Kathmandu Valley (AMNH _ PBI 00379483); B, male from Phedi; C, female from Mt. Nagarjun, Kathmandu. D – G N. keltoni: D, male from Swayambhu, Kathmandu (00379492); E, same in antero-dorsal view, showing head with antenna, pronotum and legs; F, female from Swayambhu; G, female from Machan, S. Nepal (00379497). H N. machanensis, holotype male (00379481).

FIGURE 2. Ventral view of images of dried specimens of the species of Neolygus named in the figure.

FIGURE 3. Parameres of the Nepalese species of Neolygus named in the figure.

FIGURE 4. Endosoma of the Nepalese species of Neolygus named on the figure. (a) = spiculum, (b) = ventral sclerite.