Sophianus alces Distant, 1904

Yeshwanth, H. M., Chérot, F. & Henry, T. J., 2021, The Isometopinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) of India and Sri Lanka: A Review of the Subfamily, with Descriptions of Six New Species, Zootaxa 4903 (2), pp. 151-193 : 171

Sophianus alces Distant, 1904

( Figs. 5E , 7D , 16 F–I)

Sophianus Distant, 1904: 486 (as new species, DV, head); Schuh 1995: 16 (catalogue), 2002–2013 (online catalogue).

Diagnosis. Relatively large species, length 3.1 mm. Head black, ocelli reddish. First and second antennal segment black, third and fourth segment yellowish brown (dull flavous according to Distant 1904). Pronotum, mesoscutum, and major part of scutellum black; apex of scutellum yellowish. Hemelytra yellowish brown; bases of clavii darker, apices of coria and cunei brown (piceous according to Distant 1904). Legs reddish brown. Membrane hyaline. Pronotum distinctly punctate; hemelytra finely punctate. Male genitalia as in Figs. 16 F–I. Detailed measurements in Table 1 .

Material examined. INDIA: 17³, Karnataka, Belghaum, Arbhavi , 595 m, 16 ° 13.605’N, 074 ° 50.016’E, 15.viii.2011, Yeshwanth H. M. leg., at light; 2³, Bangalore, GKVK , 930m, 12º 58’ N, 77º35’E, 24.xii.2012, Yeshwanth H. M. leg, at light ( UASB) .

Remarks. A single specimen of this species was originally described from Sri Lanka. In the present study, numerous additional specimens were collected from Karnataka, India.

Distribution. India (Karnataka) and Sri Lanka

Figures

FIGURES 5. Indian Isometopinae: Sophianini. Habitus.A–C. cf. Alcecoris globosus Carvalho, 1951, A–B lateral view of male and female. C. Female nymph dorsal view. D. Alcecoris periscopus McAtee & Malloch, 1924. E. Sophianus alces Distant, 1904.

FIGURES 7. Indian Isometopinae: Sophianini. Head in frontal view. A. Alcecoris globosus Carvalho, 1951. Male. B. Alcecoris globosus Carvalho, 1951. Female. C. Alcecoris periscopus McAtee & Malloch, 1924. Female. D. Sophianus alces Distant, 1904, male.

FIGURES 16. Male genitalia of Indian Isometopinae. A–E. Myiomma ramamurthyi, n. sp. A. Phygophore. B. Right paramere. C–D. Left paramere. E. Phallus. F–I. Sophianus alces Distant, 1904. F. Phygophore. G. Right paramere. H. Left paramere. I. Phallus.