Solenoxyphus artemisiae Putshkov, 1978

Konstantinov, Fedor V., 2008, Review of Solenoxyphus Reuter, 1875 (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae), American Museum Novitates 3607 (1), pp. 1-44 : 18-22

Solenoxyphus artemisiae Putshkov, 1978

Figures 16 , 57

Solenoxyphus artemisiae Putshkov, 1978: 467–469 .

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by the large and dark dots on hind femora, structure of vesica and color pattern of dorsum. Close to S. lepidus and S. alkani in coloration of hind femora but differs in dimesions, regular dotting on cuneus, short and robust apical process of vesica.

DESCRIPTION: VESTITURE: Composed only of silver simple adpressed setae.

COLORATION: Body (fig. 57) pale greenish; head and antennae uniformly pale, but first antennal segment in specimens from Uzbekistan darkened, only extreme base, apex and faltering midline on dorsal surface pale. Specimens from Turkmenistan with pale first antennal segment, although its inner surface with two distinct dark dots at bases of strong subapical setae. Pronotum, exposed part of mesoscutum and scutellum pale, often with indistinct, narrow whitish median stripe. Pronotum usually with a series of pale brown dots along basal margin. Dotting on forewings comparatively sparse and irregular, becomes denser and at times confluent in apical part of clavus, area along claval comissure and medioapical part of corium. In the palest specimens, dotting at bases and lateral sides of forewing absent. Whole cuneus covered with dots, slightly embrowned apically. Diameter of the largest dots on forewings 0.5–1.0 X the width of second antennal segment at base. Membrane with indistinctly embrowned areas along outer and inner veins, oblong lateral spot separated from apex of cuneus by transparent rectangular stripe and small spot adjacent to apex of cuneus. Specimens from Turkmenistan with pale ventral surface, specimens from Uzbekistan with somewhat darkened mesothorax. Ventral surfaces of femora and apical parts of their dorsal surfaces covered with large and contrastingly dark dots. Hind femora with dark brown dots 3–5 X as large as those on forewings. Tibia with distinct dark brown dots at bases of feebly embrowned tibial spines.

MALE GENITALIA: Vesica as in fig. 16; apical process comparatively robust and shortened, straight, nearly as long as width of vesica proximal to secondary gonopore. Longitudinal flange narrow but distinctly sclerotized. Series of teeth not extending proximal or distal to secondary gonopore.

STRUCTURE AND MEASUREMENTS: Labium greatly surpassing hind coxae, usually reaching genital segment. Females macropterous. Hind femora slightly swollen in both sexes.

In males, body 2.7–3.0 X as long as width of pronotum. Pronotum 2.0–2.1 X as wide as long, 1.4–1.6 X as wide as head. Vertex 1.5– 1.6 X as wide as eye. Second antennal segment 0.7–0.8 X as long as basal width of pronotum, 1.0–1.2 X as long as width of head. Body length: 3.4–3.7 mm.

In females, body 2.4–2.5 X as long as width of pronotum. Pronotum 2.0–2.1 X as wide as long, 1.6 X as wide as head. Vertex 1.6 X as wide as eye. Second antennal segment 0.7 X as long as basal width of pronotum, 1.0–1.1 X as long as width of head. Body length: 3.0– 3.1 mm.

NOTE: Putshkov (1978) distinguished this species from S. lepidus by the uniform dotting on the cuneus, as well as by small distinctions in the structure paraempodia and color pattern of the membrane, apparently by the presence of a small embrowned spot near the apex of cuneus. As in the case of S. minor , these characters are not sufficiently diagnostic to recognize S. artemisiae . However, this species can be distinguished from S. lepidus by the short and robust apical process of vesica, which is nearly as long as width of the vesica proximal to the secondary gonopore (fig. 16).

DISTRIBUTION: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. The indication of S. artemisiae from northern China ( Qi et al., 1995) most probably should be referred to S. lepidus .

HOSTS AND NATURAL HISTORY: Solenoxyphus artemisiae was originally collected and described from Artemisia badghysi (Asteraceae) ( Putshkov, 1978). According to long-term observations in Eastern Kara-Kum desert made by Kaplin (1993), the species feeds on Kochia odontoptera , Londesia eriantha , Salsola sclerantha , and S. carinata (Chenopodiaceae) . The life cycle of S. artemisiae is similar to that of S. loginovae but development of the second generation takes place later. Larvae of the second generation were found by Kaplin in late June and their adults in early July. The species was collected in an average quantity of 0.1 specimens per plant.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Holotype: UZBE- KISTAN: Bukantau Mts near Kulkuduk, May 1975, Muminov, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140898 ).

Paratypes: 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140899 ) ( UASK) . Kyzylkum sands, 70 km S from Tamdy-Bulak, 01 May 1965, Narchuk, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140892 ) . TURKMENISTAN: Badkhyz Natural Reserve , 19 May 1976, Putshkov, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140900 ), 3♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140891 , AMNH _ PBI 00140900 ) ( UASK) .

Solenoxyphus asanovae ( Vinokurov, 1995) , new comb.

Figures 3, 4 , 58, 59

Leucopterum asanovae Vinokurov in Vinokurov and Kanyukova, 1995: 57–58.

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by the dark dotting on pronotum and scutellum, long labium, dentate apex of vesica, and ratios. This species is undoubtedly the nearest relative of S. nanophyti . Both species have similar pattern of variability in body coloration and feed on the same host plant. Nevertheless, S. asanovae can be clearly distinguished from S. nanophyti by the absence of dark setae on pronotum and scutellum and length of the body, second antennal segment, and labium. The length of the second antennal segment is nearly equal to basal pronotal width in males of S. nanophyti and equal to width of the head in males of S. asanovae . The apex of vesica is dentate in S. asanovae (figs. 3, 4) and finely acute in S. nanophyti (fig. 2). In both sexes of S. nanophyti the labium reaches the base of abdomen only, while in S. asanovae the labium extends to abdominal segment seven. Males of S. nanophyti are larger than those of S. asanovae : body length is 4.1–4.4 mm in the former species and 3.4–3.6 mm in the latter. However, body length of the single male of S. asanovae from Mongolia is 4.2 mm (see description of S. nanophyti for details).

DESCRIPTION: VESTITURE: Head, pronotum, and scutellum covered only with silver curved setae. Forewings covered with a mixture of silver setae and adpressed straight pale brown setae.

COLORATION: Color pattern variable. Specimens from Kazakhstan (figs. 58, 59) and Mongolia darker than those collected from Uzbekistan. Head pale gray to brown ( Kazakhstan, Mongolia), pale yellow to greenish ( Uzbekistan). Clypeus, mandibular and maxillary plates usually dark brown ( Kazakhstan, Mongolia), slightly embrowned or uniformly pale ( Uzbekistan). Frons often with series of dark rays radiating from pale middle line of frons, almost entirely darkened in a few specimens from Kazakhstan. Vertex paler than frons, pale gray or yellowish, usually without dark markings. First antennal segment usually brown to dark gray in specimens from Kazakhstan and Mongolia, uniformly pale yellow, rarely with indistinct brown ring in specimens from Uzbekistan. Second antennal segment usually slightly embrowned ( Kazakhstan, Mongolia), uniformly pale yellow ( Uzbekistan). Third and fourth antennal segments uniformly pale yellow. Labium entirely darkened or with pale first segment. Pronotum, exposed part of mesoscutum and scutellum dirty yellow to pale brown, densely and irregularly covered with brown dots confluent in darkest specimens. Forewings whitish or yellowish, irregularly covered with brown dotting, almost obsolete at extreme base of wing. Membrane embrowned, usually with whitish veins. Thorax brown, in some specimens from Uzbekistan only slightly embrowned. Abdomen usually pale, embrowned in the darkest specimens. All femora brown with very apices pale ( Kazakhstan, Mongolia) or pale brown ( Uzbekistan). The palest specimens with uniformly pale fore- and middle femora. Tibiae pale, with slightly embrowned spines.

MALE GENITALIA: Vesica as in figs. 3 and 4. Apical process long and thin, longer than width of vesica proximal to secondary gonopore, with blunt, apically dentate apex. Longitudinal flange weakly developed. Series of teeth not extending distal to secondary gonopore; area proximal to secondary gonopore with a series of minute denticles.

STRUCTURE AND MEASUREMENTS: Labium almost reaching seventh abdominal segment. Hind femora comparatively thin in males, somewhat swollen in females. Females macropterous.

In males, body 3.1–3.2 X as long as width of pronotum. Pronotum 2.1 X as wide as long, 1.2–1.4 X as wide as head. Vertex 1.2 X as wide as eye. Second antennal segment 0.7–0.8 X as long as basal width of pronotum, 0.9–1.0 X as long as width of head. Body length: 3.4–4.2 mm.

In females, body 2.4–2.5 X as long as width of pronotum. Pronotum 2.1–2.3 X as wide as long, 1.2–1.3 X as wide as head. Vertex 1.4– 1.5 X as wide as eye. Second antennal segment 0.6 X as long as basal width of pronotum, 0.7– 0.8 X as long as width of head. Body length: 2.8–2.9 mm.

DISTRIBUTION: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia *.

HOST PLANT: Nanophyton erinaceum (Chenopodiaceae) . Single female collected from Anabasis salsa is considered sitting record.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Holotype: KAZAKH- STAN: Zhambul Prov. : 65 km S Khantau, Karasay, 17 Jun 1978, I. M. Kerzhner, Nanophyton sp. , 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00141310 ).

Paratypes: KAZAKHSTAN: Karaganda Prov.: 40 km S of Atasu [Zhana-Arka], 23 Jun 1960, I. M. Kerzhner, 13 (AMNH_PBI 00141360). Karakengir 20 km S Dzhezkazgan, 08 Jun 1961, Emeljanov, Anabasis salsa , 1♀ (AMNH_PBI 00141362). Koksengir Mt., S of Atasu [Zhana-Arka], 05 Jun 1959, Emeljanov, Nanophyton erinaceum , 23 (AMNH_PBI 00141352, AMNH_PBI 00141354), 3♀ (AMNH_PBI 00141355–AMNH_PBI 00141357); 01 Jun 1959, Emeljanov, Nanophyton erinaceum , 13 (AMNH_PBI 00141353). Zhambul Prov.: 35 km NW Mynaral nr Balhash, 20 Jun 1978, I. M. Kerzhner, Nanophyton sp. , 1♀ (AMNH_PBI 00141361). Karasay st N Shu [Chu], 17 Jun 1978, I. M. Kerzhner, 1♀ (AMNH_PBI 00141350). UZBEKISTAN: Ayakguzhumdy, Kyzylkum, 28 Jun 1976, I. M. Kerzhner, 1♀ (AMNH_PBI 00141351). Bukantau Mts near Kulkuduk, 13 May 1965, I. M. Kerzhner, Nanophyton erinaceum , 73 (AMNH_PBI 00141344–AMNH_PBI 00141349, AMNH_PBI 00141358), 1♀ (AMNH_PBI 00141359).

Additional material: Paratype of S. nanophyti : MONGOLIA: Hovd Aimak: 5 km NW Uench , 25 Jun 1980, I. M. Kerzhner, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00141766 ), 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00141767 ) .

Solenoxyphus candidatus ( Reuter, 1879) , new comb.

Figures 1 , 66, 67

Leucopterum candidatum Reuter, 1879: 260–261 ; Qi and Nonnaizab, 1997: 11–12 (redescription).

Leucopterum longicolle Reuter, 1879: 260 , n. syn.

Leucopterum fasciatum Reuter, 1879: 261–262 (syn. by Kerzhner, 1962: 386).

Leucopterum transversum Jakovlev, 1882: 127–128 (syn. by Kerzhner, 1962: 386).

DIAGNOSIS: The species is distinguished from all other members of the genus by the absence of dotting on the dorsum and more or less fuscate apex of the corium.

DESCRIPTION: VESTITURE: Entire body surface, except apex of corium, covered with silver simple setae. Apical margin of corium covered with straight pale brown setae. Darkened setae present in all examined specimens although reduced in the palest ones.

COLORATION: Body (figs. 66, 67) naturally greenish, pale yellow with greenish areas in dry specimens. Head, antennae, pronotum, and scutellum pale, without any color pattern. Forewings whitish, semitransparent, areas along claval sutures, apex of corium and sometimes cuneus pale yellow. Color pattern variable. Usually, corium apically darkened, forming pale brown or brown band with indistinct borders (fig. 66). In the darkest specimens, clavus embrowned at apex (fig. 67). Dotting absent, only embrowned apex of corium sometimes covered with dots. In the palest specimens, apices of clavus and corium without dark markings, uniformly pale yellow. Membrane transparent basally and more or less embrowned apically. Area of membrane distal to cuneal apex usually slightly darkened. Ventral surface pale, or with somewhat darkened mesosternum. Fore- and middle femora uniformly pale, rarely with a few indistinct dots on foremargins. Hind femora uniformly pale to entirely dark brown, virtually all intermediate states of this pattern revealed. All tibiae and tibial spines pale.

MALE GENITALIA: Vesica as in fig. 1. Apical process long, thin and acute, with somewhat curved apex, longer than width of vesica proximal to secondary gonopore. Longitudinal flange narrow, but distinctly sclerotized. Series of teeth not extending distal to secondary gonopore; area proximal to secondary gonopore covered with denticles. Degree of dentation proximal to secondary gonopore variable.

STRUCTURE AND MEASUREMENTS: Labium relatively short, barely reaching middle coxae. Hind femora thin in males, slightly swollen in females. Females macropterous.

In males, body 3.6–3.8 X as long as width of pronotum. Pronotum 1.8–2.0 X as wide as long, 1.2–1.3 X as wide as head. Vertex 1.5– 1.7 X as wide as eye. Second antennal segment 0.9–1.0 X as long as basal width of pronotum, 1.3–1.4 X as long as width of head. Body length: 4.5–5.6 mm.

In females, body 2.9–3.1 X as long as width of pronotum. Pronotum 1.9–2.1 X as wide as long, 1.3–1.4 X as wide as head. Vertex 1.8– 2.0 X as wide as eye. Second antennal segment 0.7–0.8 X as long as basal width of pronotum, as long as width of head. Body length: 4.0– 4.4 mm.

NOTE: Both Leucopterum candidatum and L. longicolle were described by Reuter (1879) in the same paper. According to the original descriptions, L. candidatum differs from L. longicolle in the larger body, shorter second antennal segment, more intense pale brown transverse stripe on forewings and presence of dark stripe on foremargin of hind femora. L. longicolle was described from a single male and has not been recorded later. The holotype of this species, kept at the Zoological Museum of the Moscow University, is badly damaged with the abdomen, antennae, and all legs are lost. Examination of material from the collection of Zoological Institute, including specimens collected near the type locality of L. longicolle , revealed a wide variability in the body coloration and size, so that it is impossible to separate any isolated group; therefore, L. longicolle is synonymized with L. candidatum .

DISTRIBUTION: Russia (Dagestan), Armenia, Georgia ( Zaitseva, 1998), Azerbaijan, northeastern and eastern Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan *, Iran, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan *, and northwestern China (Qi and Nonnaizab, 1997).

HOST PLANTS: Suaeda microphylla , S. physophora , Suaeda sp. (Chenopodiaceae) . Salsola sp. (Chenopodiaceae) is (erroneously?) indicated on label of one specimen from Azerbaijan. Indication of Artemisia (Asteraceae) as a host plant (Qi and Nonnaizab, 1997) is most probably erroneous.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Holotype of Leucopterum longicolle : KAZAKHSTAN: Kyzylorda Prov. : Mt. Karak, (nr Bayrakkum on

Syr-Darya, 7 May 1871, Fedtshenko), 13 without USI label, (ZMMU) . Holotype of Leucopterum fasciatum : RUSSIAN FEDERA- TION: Astrakhan Prov.: without locality label, (Mt. Bolshoe Bogdo) No 156, V.E. Jakovlev, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140551 ) . Holotype of Leucopterum candidatum : Dagestan Rep.: without locality label [Derbent], V.E. Jakovlev, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140555 ) . Lectotype of Leucopterum transversum: Derbent, V.E. Jakovlev , 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140552 ) .

Paralectotypes of Leucopterum transversum : 2♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140553 , AMNH _ PBI 00140554 ) .

Additional material: ARMENIA: Ararat [Davalu], valley of Araks river , 17 Jul 1931, Korinek, 73 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140542 – AMNH _ PBI 00140548 ) . Metsamor [former Kamarlu] Railway Station , 14 Jul 1931, Korinek, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140539 ) , 2♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140540 , AMNH _ PBI 00140541 ) . Yerevan, 28 Jun 1932, Korinek, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140538 ) . AZERBAIJAN: Samux [ Samuch ], 20 Jun 1947, Unknown collector, Salsola sp. , 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140549 ) . Sumgait nr Baku, 06 May 1938, Bogachev, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140550 ) . IRAN: Semnan: Emamshachr [Shachrud], 28 May 1914, A. N. Kiritshenko, 93 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140258 – AMNH _ PBI 00140262 , AMNH _ PBI 00140268 – AMNH _ PBI 00140270 , AMNH _ PBI 00140505 ); 29 May 1914, A. N. Kiritshenko, 33 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140254 , AMNH _ PBI 00140256 – AMNH _ PBI 00140257 ); 30 May 1914, A. N. Kiritshenko, 163 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140263 – AMNH _ PBI 00140267 , AMNH _ PBI 00140506 – AMNH _ PBI 00140515 , AMNH _ PBI 00140537 ); 05 Jun 1914, A. N. Kiritshenko, 23( AMNH _ PBI 00140516 , AMNH _ PBI 00140517 ); 06 Jun 1914, A. N. Kiritshenko, 23 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140518 , AMNH _ PBI 00140519 ) . KAZAKHSTAN: Akmola Prov.: Tengiz lake , 10 km S Kulanutpes mouth, 09 Jun 1962, I. M. Kerzhner, Suaeda physophora , 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140646 ) . East Kazakhstan Prov.: Burkhatka picket, Zaysan , 22 Jun 1930, Lukyanovich, 33 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140641 , AMNH _ PBI 00140642 ), 4♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140637 – AMNH _ PBI 00140640 ) . Karaganda Prov. : 40 km S of Atasu [Zhana- Arka], 23 Jun 1960, I. M. Kerzhner, Suaeda physophora , 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140645 ) . Kostanay Prov.: 200 km SO Qyzylorda, nr Tyshkanbay [Akkum], 30 Jun 1966, I. M. Kerzhner, 3♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140536 ) Suaeda microphylla , 163 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140521 – AMNH _ PBI 00140528 ), 10♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140530 – AMNH _ PBI 00140535 ) . Kyzylorda Prov.: Dzhulek [Zhulek], 30 Jun 1904 – 02 Jul 1904, V. Oshanin coll., Suaeda microphylla , 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140520 ) . Zhambul Prov.: Karasay st N Shu [Chu], 16 Jul 1960, Emeljanov and Kerzhner, Suaeda sp. , 23 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140635 , AMNH _ PBI 00140636 ), 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140634 ) Suaeda physophora , 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140633 ) . KYRGYZSTAN: 50 km S Chaek , 07 Jul 1986, Volkovich, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140648 ) . Naryn , 10 Jul 1966, I. M. Kerzhner, Suaeda physophora , 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140649 ) , 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140649 ) . TAJIKISTAN: Qurghonteppa [Kurgan- Tyube], 12 Aug 1939, Kryzhanovskij, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140647 ) . TURKMENI- STAN: 50 km NW Tejen [ Tedzhen ], 28 Aug 1962, Guliev, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140644 ) . Babadurmaz [Baba-Durmas], 50 km SE Ashkhabad, 16 May 1972, Loginova, Suaeda microphylla , 4♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140632 ) . Bayramali , 03 Aug 1933, Bogush, 23 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140625 , AMNH _ PBI 00140626 ), 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140627 ) ; 09 Sep 1930, Bogush, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140628 ) . Gazanjyk [Kazandzik], 28 Apr 1889, Semenov, 23 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140643 ) . Imambaba, Mary [Merv], 24 Apr 1912 – 25 Apr 1912, Kozhanchikov, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140556 ) ; 28 Apr 1912 – 01 May 1912, Kozhanchikov, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140622 ) , 2♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140623 , AMNH _ PBI 00140624 ) . Kuryan-Dag, nr Gazanjyk [Kazandzhik], 27 Aug 1889 – 28 Aug 1889, Semenov, 13 ( AMNH _ PBI 00140630 ) , 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140631 ) . Kushka, Mary [Merv], 02 Jul 1912, Kozhanchikov, 1♀ ( AMNH _ PBI 00140629 ) .

Figures

Figs. 8–18. Vesica, ventral view: 8–9, Solenoxyphus fuscovenosus: 8, Kazakhstan: Saykhin, on Halocnemum strobilaceum; 9, Ukraine: Kerch. 10–11. S. adspersus: 10, Turkmenistan: Repetek (Hohlbeck); 11, Uzbekistan: Derbent. 12, S. punctipennis, Azerbaijan: Turut steppe. 13–15, S. lepidus: 13, Kazakhstan: Muyunkum sands; 14, Mongolia: Gobi Altai Aimak; 15, Spain: Alfés. 16, S. artemisiae, Uzbekistan, holotype. 17–18, S. alkani: 17, Armenia, holotype of S. markevichi; 18, Turkey, paratype.

Figs. 1–7. Vesica, ventral view: 1, Solenoxyphus candidatus (Kazakhstan: Karasay st.); 2, S. nanophyti (Tuva, paratype); 3–4, S. asanovae (Kazakhstan: Koksengir, paratype); 5, S. loginovae (Turkmenistan: Repetek, paratype); 6–7, S. halocnemi: 6, Kyrgyzstan, on Anabasis truncata, 7, Turkmenistan, Mollakara, paratype, on Halocnemum strobilaceum.