Agaveocoris agavis (Reuter) Henry & Menard, 2020

Henry, Thomas J. & Menard, Katrina L., 2020, Revision and Phylogeny of the Eccritotarsine Plant Bug Genus Caulotops Bergroth, with Descriptions of Four New Genera and 14 New Species (Hemiptera Heteroptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae) Associated with Agave (Agavoideae Asparagaceae) and Related Plant Genera, Zootaxa 4772 (2), pp. 201-252 : 212-213

Agaveocoris agavis (Reuter) , new combination

( Figs. 2–7 , 11–13 , 70–72 , 119 , 138 , 142 )

Caulatops [sic] agavis Reuter 1909: 1 (original description, host).

Caulotops agavis: Van Duzee 1916: 209 (checklist), 1917: 362 (catalog); Carvalho 1957: 94 (catalog); Knight 1968: 79 (distribution, host); Henry 1985: 322 (key, note); Henry and Wheeler 1988: 265 (catalog); Schuh 1995: 540 (catalog), 2002–2013 (online catalog).

DIAGNOSIS. This species ( Figs. 11–13 ) is distinguished from all other species of the genus by the black antennae, the long labium that extends to or nearly to the genital capsule in males or base of the ovipositor in females, the dark yellowish-brown pronotum with strongly infuscated calli, the yellow to reddish-orange mesoscutum and scutellum, the dull, dark brown to brownish-black hemelytra, and the relatively large size.

REDESCRIPTION. Male: (n = 5): Length from apex of head to cuneal fracture 3.08–3.24 mm; length from apex of head to apex of membrane 4.20–4.60 mm; widest point across hemelytra 1.68–1.83 mm. Head: Width across eyes 1.04–1.09 mm; interocular width 0.61–0.66 mm. Labium: Length 1.23–1.30 mm, extending to or nearly to genital capsule. Antenna: Segment I length 0.50–0.53 mm; II, 0.94–1.04 mm; III, 0.64–0.74 mm; IV, 0.50–0.59 mm. Pronotum: Median length 0.64–0.69 mm; posterior width 1.26–1.34 mm.

Macropterous, medium-sized, elongate oval. COLORATION. Head: Yellowish brown to dark brown, vertex with two transverse dark brown lines, frons with two parallel rows of dark brown lines, sometimes coalescing into a solid thick line on either side of middle; clypeus and basal half of labrum dark brown to black. Labium: Brown to dark brown. Antenna: Segment I dark brown to fuscous, sometimes narrowly black at base; antennal segments II- IV brown to dark brown. Pronotum: On paler specimens, generally yellowish brown with only calli dark brown or with dark brown spots; on darker specimens, calli and disc dark brown, with collarlike area and posterior margins of calli paler brown. Mesoscutum and scutellum: Yellow to reddish orange. Hemelytron: Dull dark grayish brown to blackish brown; membrane translucent smoky brown, veins dark blackish brown. Ventral surface: Pleural areas of thorax dark yellowish brown to dark brown, sternal areas shiny brown to dark brown; abdomen brown to dark brown, sometimes paler laterally, apex of tubercle and genital opening often darker brown. Legs: Coxae yellowish brown; femora yellowish brown, with a row of dark brown spots on each side; tibiae yellowish brown; tarsomeres yellowish brown to dark brown; claws dark brown. STRUCTURE, SURFACE, and VESTITURE. As in generic description.

Male genitalia: Endosoma ( Fig. 70 ) and phallotheca as in generic description. Left paramere ( Figs. 71 ) small and C shaped. Right paramere ( Fig. 72 ) large, elongate, weakly L-shaped, with an apically hooked apex.

Female: (n = 5; lectotype measurements in parentheses): Length from apex of head to cuneal fracture 3.12–3.24 mm (3.32 mm); length from apex of head to apex of membrane 4.32–4.52 mm (4.68 mm); widest point across hemelytra 1.80–1.88 mm (1.85 mm). Head: Width across eyes 1.09–1.10 mm (0.99 mm); interocular width 0.66–0.67 mm (0.67 mm). Labium: Length 1.30–1.36 mm (1.36 mm), extending to base of ovipositor. Antenna: Segment I length 0.46–0.51 mm (0.51 mm); II, 0.93–1.04 mm (0.98 mm); III, 0.56–0.69 mm (0.72 mm); IV, 0.53–0.56 mm (0.37 mm). Pronotum: Median length 0.64–0.67 mm (0.69 mm); posterior width 1.31–1.38 mm (1.28 mm).

Similar to male in size, shape, and coloration. Genitalia as in generic description.

HOSTS. Agave palmeri Engelm. ( Agavoideae : Asparagaceae ) ( Knight 1968). Numerous recent field collections indicate that Agave palmeri Engelm. is the primary host of this species, although specimens also have been taken on A. parryi Engelm. and A parryi var. huachucaensis (Baker) Little ex L. D. Benson.

DISTRIBUTION. United States: Arizona (Cochise, Graham , Pima , and Santa Cruz counties). New Mexico (Grant Co.) is a new state record .

TYPE MATERIAL EXAMINED. Syntypes: 2 ♀♀, Winchester Mountains , Ariz., 20 May 1897, Hubbard coll., on Agave palmeri ( FMNH, USNM) .

TYPE DESIGNATIONS. To ensure nomenclatural stability, we designate the syntype female in the USNM collection as the lectotype because it is in much better condition than the second female ( FMNH), here recognized as a paralectotype of Caulotops agavis Reuter.

OTHER SPECIMENS EXAMINED. UNITED STATES: Arizona: Cochise Co .: 1 ♂, 27♀♀, Rt 90, 10 mi S of Ben- son, 12 Apr. 1989, T. J. Henry & A.G. Wheeler, taken on Agave sp. ( USNM) ; 5♂♂, 2♀♀, Texas Canyon, Amerind Road , 11 Oct. 1989, W. A. Jones ( USNM) ; 4 ♂♂, 48♀♀, Cochise Co., Rt. 186, 20 mi. SE of Wilcox, 32°36.347’N, 109°44.205’W, 3 May 2016, T. J. Henry & A. G. Wheeler ( USNM) . Graham Co.: 6♀♀, Rt. 366, 6 km SW of Rt. 191, S of Safford, 32°40.380’N, 109°46.999’W, 2 May 2016, T. J. Henry & A. G. Wheeler, ex Agave sp. ( USNM) . Pima Co.: 1♀, Galiuro Mtns. , May 1920, H. G. Hubbard, on Agave palmeri ( USNM) ; 23♂♂, Santa Rita Mtns., Florida Cyn , 4300’, 14 Sep. 1989, W. A. Jones, on Agave palmeri ( USNM) ; 7♂♂, 1♀, Rincon Mountains, Red- dington Pass , 24 Mar. 1990, W. A. Jones, on Agave palmeri ( USNM) ; 3♂♂, Santa Rita Mountains, Procter Road , 4400’, 14 Sep. 1989, W. A. Jones, on Agave palmeri ( USNM) ; 1♂, Santa Rita Experiment Range, 1.5 mi N Santa Rita Ranch, 4300’, 3 Sep. 1989, W. A. Jones, on Agave palmeri ( USNM) ; Pima Co.: 12♂♂, Santa Rita Experiment Range, 1 mi. N Santa Rita Ranch, 3 Sep. 1989, W. A. Jones, on Agave palmeri ( USNM) ; 1♂, 5♀♀, St. Rita Mtns., Madera Cyn. , 4400’, 14 Sept. 1989, W. A. Jones ( USNM) ; Molina Basin Campground , 8 Mar. 1990, A. G. Wheeler, Jr., on Agave palmeri ( USNM) ; 1♂, 1♀, Sonora Desert Museum , 4 Oct. 1990, W. A. Jones, breeding on Agave parryi var. huachucaensis ( USNM) ; 1♂, 19♀♀, 6 mi N Sonoita , 19 May 1989, W. A. Jones, on Agave parreyi [sic] ( USNM) ; 17 ♂♂, 12♀♀, Catalina Hwy., Gordon Hirabayashi Rec. Site, 32°20.357’N, 110°43.049’W, 5 May 2016, T. J. Henry & A. G. Wheeler, ex Agave sp. (2 ♂♂, 2♀♀, UNAM; 15♂♂, 10♀♀, USNM). Santa Cruz Co .: 6♂♂, 10♀♀, Gardner Canyon, 5000’, Sonoita , 1 May 1967, D. M. Wood ( CNC PBI-00124993-5008 ) ; 2♂♂, 2♀♀, 1 mi. N Sonoita , 19 May 1989, W. A. Jones, on Agave parreyi [sic] ( USNM) . New Mexico: 3♀♀, Grant Co., Rabb Cyn. , 32.886°N, 107.864°W, 3 Nov. 2018, J. T. Botz, ex Agave sp. ( USNM) .

Figures

FIGURES 2–7. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs of Agaveocoris agavis. 2, head and pronotum, dorsal aspect. 3, head and pronotum, lateral aspect. 4, head, frontal aspect. 5, metathoracic scent gland opening and ostiolar evaporative area. 6, genital capsule, showing right and left paramere and tubercle, caudal aspect. 7, genital capsule, showing right paramere and tubercle, lateral aspect.

FIGURES 8–20. Caulotops and Agaveocoris spp. 8–10, Caulotops platensis. 8, male (dorsal aspect). 9, male (lateral aspect). 10, female (dorsal aspect). 11–20. Agaveocoris spp. 11, A. agavis (Reuter), male (dorsal aspect). 12, A. agavis, male (lateral aspect). 13, A. agavis, female (dorsal aspect). 14, A. barberi (Knight), male (dorsal aspect). 15, A. barberi, female (dorsal aspect). 16, A. barrerai, n. sp., male (dorsal aspect). 17, A. barrerai, n. sp., female (dorsal aspect). 18, A. bimaculatus, n. sp., male (dorsal aspect). 19, A. bimaculatus, n. sp., male (lateral aspect). 20, A. bimaculatus, n. sp., female (dorsal aspect).

FIGURES 67–77. Male genitalia of Caulotops and Agaveocoris spp. Caulotops platensis: 67, genital capsule. 68, left paramere. 69, right paramere. Agaveocoris agavis: 70, endosoma. 71, left paramere. 72, right paramere. A. barberi: 73, left paramere. 74, right paramere. A. barrerai, n. sp.: 75, left paramere. 76, right paramere. A. bimaculatus, n. sp.: 77, endosoma. 78, left paramere. 79, right paramere.

FIGURES 119–128. Male genital tubercles of Agaveocoris spp. 119, A. agavis. 120, A. barberi. 121, A. barrerai, n. sp. 122, A. bimaculatus, n. sp. 123, A. dimidiatus, n. sp. 124, A. distanti. 125, A. roseus, n. sp. 126, A. rostratus, n. sp. 127, A. schaffneri, n. sp. 128, A. scutellatus, n. sp.

FIGURES 138–141. Female vestibula and ovipositors. 138, Agaveocoris agavis (left arrow pointing to ventral labiate plates; right arrow pointing to lateral arm). 139, Laterospinocoris cyaneipennis (arrow pointing to ventral labiate plates; right arrow pointing to lateral arm). 140, Nigrotomocoris nigrus (arrow pointing to ventral labiate plates and opposing deeply tooth structures; right arrow pointing to lateral arm). 141, Schaffnerocoris pallipes, n. sp. (arrow point to ventral labiate plates and opposing deeply toothed structures; right arrow pointing to lateral arm).

FIGURES 142–145. Female ovipositors, left lateral view (top: first gonopophysis; bottom: second gonopopysis). 142, A. agavis. 143, L. cyaneipennis. 144, N. nigrus. 145, S. pallipes, n. sp.