Megalopsallus pallidus (Knight) SCHUH, 2000

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 : 39-41

Stonedahl, Artemisia nova (Asteraceae) , 13

(AMNH).

Megalopsallus nuperus (Van Duzee)

Figures 10 , 15 , 17

Oncotylus nuperus Van Duzee, 1923: 157 (n. sp.).

Megalopsallus nuperus: Carvalho, 1958: 72 (cat.,

n. comb.).

Megalopsallus diversipes Knight, 1927: 226 (n.

sp.). NEW SYNONYMY.

Megalopsallus diversipes latifrons Knight, 1927 :

226 (n. ssp.). NEW SYNONYMY.

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by generally pale yellowish coloration, red (usually) protuberant eyes, and often reddish coloration of the femora. Most similar in general appearance to brittoni in having protuberant eyes and lacking sexual dimorphism, but distinguished by lack of spots at bases of setae on dorsum. Similar to atriplicis and rubropictipes in red protuberant eyes, but those species much more strongly sexually dimorphic and males more elongate in rubropictipes ; atriplicis usually with red spots on the head and pronotum.

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Moderate­sized, total length 3.10–3.45, length apex clypeus– cuneal fracture 2.27–2.56, width across pronotum 1.02–1.13. COLORATION: Entire body and appendages pale, yellowish; eyes usually red, sometimes gray (fig. 10). SUR­ FACE AND VESTITURE: Dorsum smooth, dull, or very weakly shining, clothed with pale, recumbent, simple setae intermixed with silvery, weakly flattend, somewhat woolly setae (fig. 17D). STRUCTURE: Relatively stout­bodied, corial margins nearly straight; labium reaching to posterior margin of hind trochanters or slightly beyond; claws elongate, slender, smoothly curving, pulvilli minute (fig. 17E). MALE GENITALIA: Vesica relatively short, twisted, apex attenuated and sclerotized; gonopore subapical; gonopore sclerite not developed (fig. 15).

ning micrographs. A. Lateral view of head and

thorax. B. Lateral view of male abdomen. C. Me­

sothoracic spiracle and metathoracic scent gland

evaporatory area. D. Detail of setae comprising

dorsal vestiture. E. Inner surface of claw.

Female: Total length 3.22–3.27, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.40 –2.92, width across pronotum 1.05–1.33; more robust in appearance than male (fig. 10).

HOSTS: Salicornia sp. , Suaeda diffusa , S. sp. ( Chenopodiaceae ); Batis sp. (Bataceae) . Probable sitting record: Dondea linearis (Apiaceae) .

DISTRIBUTION: Sinaloa, Mexico east to Gulf Coast of Florida and north to Utah and Colorado in the West; Hispaniola.

DISCUSSION: I have examined the holotype male of M. nuperus [‘‘S. Francisco I., Gulf Calif., May 30, 1921, EP Van Duzee Collector,’’ (CAS)]. The overall coloration is pale, yellowish, the hind femora being slightly tinged with red. It compares favorably with a long series of specimens collected on Salicornia by Kelton at Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Comparison of nuperus , diversipes , and latifrons has forced me to conclude—in the absence of further information in the form of well­preserved, host­associated specimens— that all of these nominal species should be treated as synonymous. The combined distribution of this species ranges from the Gulf of California to the Gulf Coast of Florida north into Colorado and parts of Utah. Even though there is some variation in size, virtually all specimens are pale. The genitalia are all very similar, showing some variation in the length of the apical spine, but are nonetheless of little help in distinguishing multiple species. Of all taxa treated in the present work, nuperus could possibly benefit most from the analysis of additional, wellpreserved, host­documented material from across its entire range.

The six specimens examined from the Dominican Republic agree closely with the material used by Knight (1927) from Biloxi, Mississippi, in his description of Megalopsallus latifrons diversipes , including size, vestiture, red eyes, and form of the male genitalia. They are, however, much more obviously green than any specimens that I have attributed to nuperus . In his description of latifrons, Knight noted that the specimens he examined were pale green. It appears that most of the specimens I have examined have yellowed over time, probably as a result of the methods of preservation and storage.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: DOMINICAN RE­ PUBLIC. — Monte Cristi Prov.: 15 km N of Dajabon, 2 km N of Copey, sea level, 19 31 ̍ 48 ̎ N 71 40 ̍ 42 ̎ W, April 26, 2000, T. J. Henry and R. E. Woodruff. ex Batis sp. (Bataceae) , 43, 2♀ (USNM). MEXICO. — Baja California Norte: San Francisco Island, May 30, 1921, E. P. Van Duzee, Paratypes: 63, 6♀ (CAS). Chihuahua: Meoqui, May 30, 1964, L. A. Kelton, Chenopodium , 3♀ (CNC). Durango: 10 mi W of El Salto, August 3, 1964, L. A. Kelton, 133, 11♀ (CNC). Nayarit: San Blas, April 24–26, 1961, Howden and Martin, 13, 5♀ (CNC). San Luis Potosi: Huichihuayan, September 25, 1938, L.J. Lipovsky, 1♀ (KU). Sinaloa: Mazatlan, July 16, 1964 – August 6, 1964, L. A. Kelton, Salicornia sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 663, 108♀ (CNC, AMNH). Sonora: Kino Bay, August 5, 1997, ex Salicornia sp. , 43, 4♀ (UAZ). USA. — Colorado: Delta Co. : Delta , July 20, 1898, 1♀ (USNM). Larimer Co.: Fort Collins, August 30, 1898, 13 (USNM). Las Animas Co.: Delhi, August 6, 1925, H. H. Knight, Suaeda diffusa (Chenopodiaceae) , 19♀ (CNC, USNM). Mesa Co. : Grand Junction, July 28, 1900, 5♀ (USNM). Pueblo Co.: Pueblo, July 21, 1900, E. P. Van Duzee, Paratypes: 53, 5♀ (CAS). Pueblo, September 15, 1898, 43, 4♀ (USNM). Florida: Brevard Co.: Cocoa Beach, May 22, 1927, E. D. Ball, Suaeda sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 13, 4♀ (USNM). Louisiana: St. Tamman Co.: Covington, June 23, 1948, E. L. Todd, 13 (KU). Mississippi: Harrison Co.: Biloxi, June 14, 1917, H. H. Knight, 13 (USNM); Paratypes: 233, 27♀ (CNC, USNM). Biloxi, June 25, 1948, R. H. Beamer, 1♀ (KU). Texas: ?? Co.: San Juan, June 28, 1938, L. W. Hepner, 13, 3♀ (KU). Cedar Lake, August 9, 1928, R. H. Beamer, 23 (KU). Brazoria Co. : August 10, 1928, R. H. Beamer, 213, 7♀ (KU, AMNH). Calhoun Co.: Port Lavaca, Dondia linearis (Apiaceae) , 13, 2♀ (USNM). Cameron Co.: 4 mi ESE of Brownsville, October 20, 1997, W. F. Chamberlain, 2♀ (TAMU). Boca Chica, June 9, 1970, V. V. Board, 43, 3♀ (AMNH). Brownsville, May 10, 1930, R. L. McGarr, 13 (USNM). Hidalgo Co.: May 20, 1930, J. C. Gaines, 5♀ (USNM). McAllen, July 2, 1938, R.I. Sailer, 13 (KU). Limestone Co.: Victoria, June 25, 1917, H. H. Knight, 1♀ (USNM). San Patricio Co.: Sinton, July 31, 1964, M.H. Sweet, 1♀ (TAMU). Utah: Box Elder Co. : Bear River Refuge, July 26, 1949, G. Ruhr, 43, 16♀ (AMNH, CNC, USNM). Cache Co.: Logan, W.G. Firestone, 23 (USU). Juab Co.: Nephi, July 6, 1965, G. F. Knowlton, 23 (USU). Mona, July 6, 1965, G. F. Knowlton, 13 (USU). Salt Lake Co.: Salt Lake City airport, July 6, 1975, G. F. Knowlton, 1♀ (UCD). Utah Co.: Benjamin, July 20, 1963, G. F. Knowlton, 13 (USU). Weber Co.: Ogden, July 12, 1967, G. F. Knowlton, 13 (USU).

Megalopsallus pallidus (Knight) , new combination Figures 10 , 15 , 18

Figures

Fig. 10. Habitus photographs of Megalopsallus spp. M. nigrofemoratus (3: California, Inyo Co., 2 mi E of Westgard Pass Summit, White Mts; Utah, Uintah Co., 5–10 mi SW of Bonanza. ♀: California, Inyo Co., 2 mi E of Westgard Pass Summit, White Mts; Utah, Uintah Co., 5–10 mi SW of Bonanza). M. nuperus (3 and ♀: Utah, Box Elder Co., Bear River Refuge). M. pallidus (3 and ♀: Nevada, Lander Co., 1.5 mi S of Rt. 50 on Rt. 376). M. pallipes (3: Utah, San Juan Co., Rt. 63 at Arizona border, Monument Valley. ♀: Nevada, Nye Co., 35 mi N of Tonapah, Coyote Hole Spring/Sevier Reservoir). M. parapunctipes (3 Nevada, Eureka Co., 12 mi S of Rt. 50 on Rt. 278. ♀: Nevada, Nye Co., Atomic Test Site, 2.8 mi E of Mercury Highway on Tweezer Road).

Fig. 15. Male genitalic structures, vesica of Megalopsallus spp. Left paramere and phallotheca of M. nigrofemoratus. gs = gonopore sclerite.

Fig. 17. Megalopsallus nuperus, male, scan­

Fig. 18. Megalopsallus pallidus, male, scanning micrographs. A. Mesothoracic spiracle and metathoracic scent gland evaporatory area. B. Detail of setae comprising dorsal vestiture. C. Ventral view of pretarsus.