Pilophorus typicus (Distant)

Yasunaga, Tomohide, Yamada, Kazutaka & Artchawakom, Taksin, 2014, Additional records and descriptions of the ant-mimetic plant bug genus Pilophorus from Thailand (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae: Pilophorini), Zootaxa 3795 (1), pp. 1-15 : 13-14

Pilophorus typicus (Distant)

( Figs. 1 E–F, 4, 7)

Diagnosis. Recognized by its blackish, slender antlike body, comparatively small size (length 2.6−2.8, width 0.8−1.0), rather strongly constricted hemelytron (HCR = 0.67−0.72), and slender, somewhat L-shaped endosoma subapically with a simple flagellum.

Biology. This predaceous pilophorine is not host plant specific, and both adults and immature were found from various herbs and broadleaved trees as well as crops. Because the active stages of P. t y p i c u s are observed to prey on various agricultural pest insects and mites, it is now regarded to be a candidate as an indigenous natural enemy in biological control programs. This species is assumed to have two genotypes in Japan, although these different races are yet to be determined by morphological characters alone ( Ito et al., 2011). Examinations of the male genitalia by the first author TY suggested that the populations in Thailand and many parts of the Oriental Region (including Japanese Ryukyu Islands) may fit the ‘true or broadly conceived’ typicus . However, further investigation is required to properly identify some sibling species.

Specimens examined. THAILAND: Chaiyaphum: 1♂, Chulabhom Dam, 16˚32−33'N, 101˚38−39'E, 760−780 m, 16 Apr 2013, T. Yasunaga (AMNH_PBI 00380192) (TYCN). Nakhon Nayok: 1♂, Sarika, 14°18'39"N, 101°18'00"E, at light, 13 Mar 2009, T. Yasunaga (00380193) (TYCN). Nakhon Ratchasima: 1♂, SERS near dam, 14˚29'49”N, 101˚54'57”E, 500 m alt., 28 Oct 2008, T. Yasunaga (00380194) (TYCN). Saraburi: 1♀, Kaeng Khoi, Kyusei Organic Farm, 14˚32'75”N, 101˚04'71”E, mango flower, 22 Jan 2009, T. Yasunaga, K. Yamada (00380195) (TYCN). JAPAN: Ryukyus: 1♂, Ishigaki Island, Ban'na Park, on ornamental Hirado-Azalea ( Rhododendron x pulchrum), 21 Nov 1997, T. Yasunaga (00380196) (TYCN). SINGAPORE: 1♀, Pulau Ubin (Ubin Island), 4 Jan 1989, T. Yasunaga (00380197) (TYCN). SRI LANKA: 1♀, image examined (00085509) (lectotype, BMNH).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Habitus images of Pilophorus spp., living individuals. A & B. P. suwimonae, holotype male (AMNH _ PBI 00380149). C. P. subparallelus, male (00380162). D. P. meteorus, holotype male (00380150). E. Same, female (00380152). F. P. typicus, male (00380192). G. Same, 5 th instar immature (from SERS). H. Undetermined species, female (SERS).