Spanagonicus albofasciatus (Reuter)

Menard, Katrina L., 2015, A review of the genus Spanagonicus Berg (Hemiptera: Miridae: Phylinae: Nasocorini) with the description of novel antennal characters, the description of a new species from Central America, and a key to currently known taxa, Zootaxa 3973 (1), pp. 139-158 : 142-143

Spanagonicus albofasciatus (Reuter)

Figures 1–6

Leucopoecila albofasciata Reuter 1907: 24 (n. sp.)

Leucopoecila bilimeki Reuter 1908: 179 (n. sp.; syn. by Knight and Carvalho, 1943: 1141)

Spanagonicus albofasciatus Carvalho 1958: 142 (cat.); Butler 1965: 70 (biol., ecol., host); Knight 1968: 31, fig. 69 (records, DV); Maldonado 1969: 87, fig. 35 (descr., DV, MG); Khalaf 1971: 340 (list); Neal, Greene, Mead and Whitcomb 1972: 247 (biol., host); Alayo 1974: 22 (diag., fig., host); Carvalho and Afonso 1977: 9 (list); Henry and Smith 1979: 213 (list); Wheeler, Henry and Mason 1983: 138 (list); Schuh 1984: 430, figs. 1471–1477 (diag., disc., figs. head-pronotum, MG, host); Snodgrass, Henry and Scott 1984: 851 (list, hosts); Carvalho 1990: 215, fig. 48 (descr., syn., lectotype design., DV); Hernandez and Henry 2010: 134, figs. 113, 371–373 (syn., diag., color habitus, MG, hosts).

Diagnosis. Recognized by unique color pattern of a white fascia on anterior surface of hemelytron completely or nearly completely transverse across dorsal surface, white coloration of apex of clavus, anterior margin and basal surface of cuneus, and white area of membrane adjacent to apex of cuneus in males and females, and relatively large inflated second antennal segment and largest ventral spatulate hair patch in males compared to other species.

Redescription. Males: ( Fig. 1 A) Small, generally ovoid in shape, length 2.4–2.6. COLORATION: Body dark brown; hemelytron primarily dark brown, white fascia transverse across anterior half, across median of clavus and corium, anterior to apical ½ of scutellum, sometimes extending all the way to lateral margins of hemelytra, anterior margin of cuneal fracture also white, coloration sometimes extending into basal margin of cuneus; membrane brown with lateral margins adjacent to apex of cuneus light brown to white; head dark brown; first antennal segment dark brown, second antennal segment dark brown to reddish brown; remaining segments dark brown; thorax and abdomen dark brown; evaporatory gland primarily dark brown with light brown posterior and ventral margins; coxae brown, pro- and mesofemora brown with apical lightening to golden, metafemora completely dark brown, protibiae golden, mesotibiae either completely golden to basally dark brown and distally golden, metatibiae basally dark brown, apically golden; basal tarsal segments golden apical segments dark brown. SURFACE AND VESTITURE: As in generic redescription. STRUCTURE: First antennal segment inflated and cup-like in shape, second antennal segment inflated, prominent and with developed spatulate setae patch on ventral surface; remaining structures as in generic redescription. GENITALIA ( Figs. 2 A–C): As in generic redescription.

Female: ( Fig. 1 B–C) Small, ovoid in shape, macropterous ( Fig. 1 B) or brachypterous ( Fig. 1 C), length 2.55– 2.7. COLORATION: As in males; some brachypterous females have more pronounced white coloration on anterior margin of cuneus. SURFACE AND VESTITURE: As in generic redescription. STRUCTURE: As in generic redescription. FEMALE GENITALIA: As in generic redescription.

Hosts. Varied (see Table 1). Predator of Tetranychus telarius (L.) ( Butler 1965), and eggs of Heliothis zea (Boddie) and Pseudoplusia includes (Walker) ( Neal et. al 1972).

Distribution. Central and North America, Caribbean, Hawaii and Guam.

Material examined. BERMUDA: Sandys P, Heydon Trust, 14–22 Jul 1988, M. R. Wilson & D. J. Hilburn 1 ♂ ( USNM); Paget Parish, Paget Marah, 14–22 Jul 1988, M. R. Wilson & D. J. Hilburn, 4 ♂ ( USNM); Paget, 0–50m, 23 Jul 1971, N. L. H. Krauss, 1 ♂ ( USNM). BRITISH WEST INDIES: Bahamas, Nassau, Jun 1956, N. H. L.

Krauss, 1 ♂ ( AMNH _IZC_ 00139718). CUBA: Cienfuegos: Chirigota, 4 July 1950, sweet potato, 1 ♂ ( USNM); Havana: Habana-Alamar- Cojimar, 2–10m, 20–25 Mar 1966, Jar Prokop, 1 ♂ ( USNM); Varadera: Matanzas, U. Höliner, 1 ♂ ( USNM). DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Constanza, Jun 1971, J. Maldonado, ex. weed, 4 ♀ ( USNM); La Romana Center, 15 Jul 1917, H. Morrison, 2 ♂, 1 ♀ ( USNM); San Pedro Macoris, seashore, Jun 1971, J. Maldonado 2 ♀ ( USNM); San Cristobal, July 1969, J. Maldonado, 7 ♂ 1 ♀ ( USNM). EL SALVADOR: Santa Tecla, July 1960, R. Callejas, 1 ♂ 2 ♀ ( USNM). HAITI: Port au Prince, July 1961, J Maldonado, 1 ♂ ( USNM). GUAM: Dededo, University of Guam Experiment Station, 31 May 2008, R. Zack, 3 ♂ ( WSUC); Mangilao, University of Guam marine lab dormitory, 30 May 2008, R. Zack, 1 ♂ ( WSUC); Tamuning, old hospital site, 4 Jun 2008, R. Zack, 2 ♂ ( WSUC); Yona, Manenggon Valley, Manenggon Memorial Park, 29 May 2008, R. Zack, 1 ♂ 2 ♀ ( WSUC). JAMAICA: Kingston, 27 Jul 1968, J. Maldonado, 1 ♀ ( USNM). PUERTO RICO: Lajas, 1–20 May 1954, J. Maldonado Capriles, 1 ♂ ( USMN); Sep 1960, J. Maldonado, 1 ♂ ( USMN). MEXICO: Aguascalientes: Aguascalientes, 1 Dec 1909, F. C. Bishop, 3 ♂ ( USNM); Jalisco: Chapala, shore lake, May 1982, J Maldonado, 2 ♂ ( USNM). Mexico: Piramides [Teotihuacan], Feb 1981, J Maldonado, 2 ♂ ( USNM); Pedregal de San Angel, 31 Mar 1981, T. Novelo, 1 ♀ ( USNM); Yucatan: Yazconoil, Oct 1950, N.H.L Krause 1 ♂ ( USNM). NICARAGUA: Managua: La Calera, 16 May 1979, M. Rizo, Ipomea, 2 ♂ ( USNM), Baker [coll] 1 ♂ ( USNM); Chiquilistagua, July 1971, J Maldonado, 2 ♀ ( USNM). UNITED STATES: Alabama: 1947, C. F. Baker, 1 ♀ ( USNM): Barbour Co.: Eufaula, 5 Sep 1925, H. H. Knight, Plesiotype by H. H. Knight Leucopoecila albofaciata , 1 ♂ ( USNM). Arkansas: Cochise Co.: Bowie, 15 Jul 1917, H. H. Knight, 1 ♀ ( USNM); Douglas, 29 Apr 1933, W. W. Jones, 1 ♀ ( USNM). Phillips Co.: 3mi N Marvel, 16 Sep 1981, G. L. Snodgrass, on Helenium amarum , 1 ♀ ( USNM). Arizona: Cochise Co: 21 mi NW Douglas, 30 Aug 1989, J.G. & B.L. Rozen, R. Foster, 1 ♀ ( AMNH _ICZ 00139692); 5 mi N Wilcoz, J. G. & B.L Rozen, 1 ♂ ( AMNH _ICZ 00139687); Gila Co.: Roosevelt Lake, 2 Sep 1935, F. H. Parker 1 ♂ ( USNM); Maricopa Co.: 11 mi SW New River, 10 May 1988, J. G. Rozen & I. Stupakoff, ex. Euphoribia, 1 ♀ ( AMNH _IZC 00139691); Pima Co.: Santa Rita Mountains, 20 Sep 1925, A. A. Nichol, 1 ♂ ( USNM); Santa Cruz River, 20 Apr 1926, A. A. Nichol, 1 ♀ ( USNM); Yuma Co. Dome Valley, 3 May 1991, J. G. Rozen, ex. Heliotropium currassavicum , 1 ♂ ( AMNH _IZC 00139686). California: Imperial Co.: Brawley, 8 Aug 1914, J. C. Bradley, 1 ♀ ( USNM); San Diego Co., 10 Feb 1913, E. P. VanDuzee 1 ♂ ( USNM); Yavaipa Co.: 6 Apr 1937, Christenson & Jones, soil surface, 1 ♂ ( USNM). Connecticut: New London Co.: Rocky Neck [state park], 10 Jun 1962, reared from I, II instar, 1 ♀ ( AMNH _IZC 00139696). Florida: Alachua Co.: Gainsville 26 Sep–2 Oct 1914, 1 ♂ ( AMNH _IZC 00139695); Miami-Dade Co.: Homestead, 8 Dec 1974, J. A. Slater 1 ♂ ( AMNH _IZC 00139690); Sarasota Co.: Sarasota, 30 April 1972, W. H. Pierce, grasses, 1 ♂ ( USNM); Wakulla Co.: Shell Point Beach, 3 Jun 1969, J. Slater, T Schuh & J. Harrington, 1 ♀ ( AMNH _IZC 00139696). Georgia: Peach Co.: 27 Nov 1937, W. F. Turner, 2 ♀ ( USNM); 19 Nov 1936, 2 ♀ ( USNM); Tift Co.: 1 ♂ ( USNM). Hawaii: Oahu: Honolulu, 16 March 1940, T. M., 2 ♀ ( USNM); Honolulu, sweeping lawn 17 Jan 1955 J. W. Beardsley, 1 ♂ ( USNM); John Rodgers [airport], light trap, Jan 1959, E. J. Ford Jr., 2 ♂ ( USNM). Iowa: Story Co.: Ames, 1 Jul 1953, J. Laffoon, 1 ♀ ( AMNH _IZC 00139693). Mississippi: Washington Co.: Stoneville, 11 Sep 1981, G. L. Snodgrass, 1 ♂ ( USNM); 4 Sep 1981, G. L. Snodgrass, Helium amarum , 1 ♂ ( USNM). Missouri: Saint Louis, MVG Club Greens, Sep 1919, Satterhwait, 2 ♂ ( USNM); New Mexico: Dona Ana Co.: [sic. Texas] Aden Crater, 9 Aug 1976, McKinnerney 1 ♀ ( USNM); Hill, 13 Oct 1943, on lettuce 1 ♀ ( USNM). Grant Co.: Hachita, 14 May 1989, J. G. Rozen, 1 ♂ ( AMNH _IZC 00139688); Hidalgo Co.: 26 mi. S of Animas, 20 Aug 1986, R. J. McGinley & B. M. Norden, 1 ♂ ( USNM); Lordsburg, 13 Jul 1917, H. H. Knight, 1 ♀ ( USNM); 12mi N Rodeo, 9 Sep 1973, J. E. Ehrenfeld, on Euphorbia albomarginata , 1 ♂ ( AMNH _IZC 00139694), Santa Fe Co.: Lamy, 1 Jul 1929, Salsola pestifer , 1 ♂ ( USNM). New York: Suffolk Co.: Medford, 29 Aug 1981, T. J. Henry, 2 ♀ ( USNM); 8 Sep 1931, 1 ♂ ( USNM). North Carolina: Moore Co.: Southern Pines, Sep 1930, A.H. Manee, 1 ♀ 1 ♂ ( USNM). South Carolina: Saluda Co.: 3 Dec 1937, W. F. Turner, 1 ♂ ( USNM). Texas: Brazos Co.: College Station, Thomas Park Community Pool, 30 May 2006, K. Menard, 1 ♀ 1 ♂ ( OMNH); College Station, 30 Oct 1986, D. Nordlund 1 ♀ 1 ♂ ( USNM); El Paso Co.: Fabens, 10 Jun 1948, ex. cotton, 2 ♀ ( USNM); ex alfalfa 1 ♂ ( USNM).

Discussion. Spanagonicus albofasciatus is the most widely distributed, studied, and recognizable species of the genus. Its biology is also the best understood, having a wide variety of host plants ( Table 1) and known to be partially predatory. It’s likely the other species in Spanagonicus have similar life histories, but more information and research is needed to verify this. Spanagonicus albofasciatus also has the most well developed patch of spatulate setae on inflated second antennal segment ( Fig. 4 ), taking up the majority of the ventral surface. The patch in dried specimens is invaginated into the interior space of the second antennal segment, while it is obviously inflated in live specimens. The function and structure of this patch is reported in the Discussion.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Dorsal habitus photos Spanagonicus Berg species. A. male S. albofasciatus (Reuter) B. female S. albofasciatus, macropterous C. female S. albofasciatus, brachypterous D. male S. argentinus E. female S. argentinus F. male S. aricanus G. female S. aricanus H. male S. schusterus I. female S. schusterus. J. female S. tiquensis (Image from the Museo de La Plata online holotype database). Images not to scale; see Table 2 for measurements.

FIGURE 2. Male genitalia of Spanagonicus Berg species. Spanagonicus albofasciatus: A. endosoma, B. left paramere, C. phallotheca; S. argentinus: D. endosoma, E. left paramere, F. phallotheca; S. aricanus: G. endosoma, H. left paramere, I. phallotheca; S. schusterus n. sp.: J. endosoma, K. left paramere, L. phallotheca.

FIGURE 3. Female genitalia of Spanagonicus albofasciatus. A. anterior view of vestibulum, B. dorsal view of vestibulum, C. dorsal view of posterior wall, D. posterior view of posterior wall. sre—sclerotized rings extensions. vs—vestibular sclerites. sr—sclerotized rings. ls—lateral sclerites. pw—posterior wall.

FIGURE 4. Scanning electron microscopy images of Spanagonicus albofasciatus. A. Lateral head and thorax view of male S. albofasciatus, B. Lateral view of second antennal segment of male S. albofasciatus, C. spatulate setae on ventral surface of second antennal segment in male S. albofasciatus, D. lateral view of female S. albofasciatus. Magnifications at base of images.

FIGURE 5. Transmission electron microscopy images of a cross-section of the second antennal segment in Spanagonicus albofasciatus. A. Female S. albofasciatus, B. Male S. albofasciatus. Cuticle for dorsal surface of the second antennal segment and ventral surface associated with the spatulate setae in male S. albofasciatus are indicated. Scale bars are equivalent to 1 micron.

FIGURE 6. Transmission electron microscopy images of a cross-section of the second antennal segment in Spanagonicus albofasciatus. A. Male S. albofasciatus dorsal cuticular surface, highlighting the basicornis setae and associated structures. B. Male S. albofasciatus ventral cuticular surface, highlighting the layers of cuticle and spatulate setae internal morphology. cucuticle p—pores, tr—trichogen cells, to—tormogen cells. Scale bars are equivalent to 1 micron.