Nicostratus sinicus Hsiao & Ren, 1983

Xu, Jing-Yang & Liu, Guo-Qing, 2007, The genus Nicostratus Distant from China (Hemiptera: Miridae: Deraeocorinae), Zootaxa 1467, pp. 63-68 : 66-68

Nicostratus sinicus Hsiao & Ren, 1983

( Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 , 9 D–F)

Nicostratus sinicus Hsiao & Ren, 1983: 69 , Fig. 1 ; Schuh, 1995: 654, Kerzhner & Josifov, 1999: 51.

Specimens examined: 1 female, Wanning (110°22'E, 18°48'N), Hainan Province, China, alt. 9.6m, 16. III. 1964, Shengli Liu leg.(holotype). 2 female, Wanning (110°22'E, 18°48'N), Hainan Province, China, alt. 9.6m, 18. III. 1964, Shengli Liu leg. (paratypes). 2 males, Wanning (110°22'E, 18°48'N), Hainan Province, China, alt. 9.6m, 18. III. 1964, Shengli Liu leg..

Diagnosis: Recognized by its large size and myrmecomorphic shape, hemelytra basal portion pale yellowish brown but apical portion reddish brown, scutellum conically elevated, male genitalia with distinctively different from those of other Nicostratus : left paramere with bent hypophysis, and vesica with two membranous lobes and a strong sclerotized spine.

Description: Male ( Fig. 5 ): Body shining, reddish brown, sparsely covered with pale hairs.

Head globose, shining, about as wide as long; eyes dark brown, oval, longer than wide in lateral view. Antennae reddish brown, covered with dense pale pubescence, segment I cylindrical, with dark reddish brown ring at base, slightly narrowed; II dark reddish brown apically, incrassate towards apex; III pale, yellowish brown on basal 2/3’s; IV with yellowish brown band at base. Rostrum yellowish brown, extending to procoxae.

Pronotum shining, without punctures, anterior lobe narrowed but posterior lobe elevated globose; collar pale yellow, anterior and posterior margins reddish brown; calli with divergent tuberculi, basal portion of calli connected slightly, slightly pointed posteriorly ( Fig. 7 ); posterior lateral margins pale yellow; posterior margins concavely sinuate.

Scutellum a triangular tubercle, reddish brown, strongly elevated; dorsal portion triangular, slightly declivous, smooth, lateral margins yellowish white.

Hemelytra shining, covered with coarse reddish brown punctures, basal half yellowish brown and apical portion reddish brown; cuneus reddish brown, without punctures; membranes brown, veins dark brown. Legs reddish brown, femora basal and subterminal portions with yellowish brown bands; tibiae basal and subbasal portions with yellowish brown rings, apical half yellowish brown with reddish brown ring near apex.

Venter reddish brown, with sparse pubescence. Ostiolar peritreme pale yellowish white.

Male genitalia: Left paramere ( Fig.9 F) strong, sensory lobe developed with sparse long hairs, shaft incrassate medially, hypophysis bent; right paramere ( Fig.9 D) small, apical portion flat, foot-shaped. Vesica ( Fig.9 E) with two slender membranous lobes and a sclerotized appendage.

Female ( Fig. 6 ): Compared with male: body dark; head distinctly longer than wide; antennal segment III with only apical portion reddish brown; basal portion of calli moderately separated, calli higher and sharper ( Fig. 8 ); embolium apical portion moderately wide; profemor totally reddish brown, mesotibia basal portion reddish brown.

Distribution: China (Hainan)

Remarks: This species was erected by Hsiao & Ren based on female specimens, which were collected from Wanning, Hainan Province, China. We found two more specimens, both male, collected from Wanning in 1964, and describe them here.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Male genitalia of Nicostratus spp. A – C. Nicostratus frontmaculus sp. nov. A. Right paramere; B. Vesica; C. Left paramere. D – F. Nicostratus sinicus Hsiao & Ren. D. Right paramere; E. Vesica; F. Left paramere.

FIGURES 5 – 8. Nicostratus sinicus Hsiao & Ren. 5. male, dorsal view; 6. female, dorsal view; 7. male, lateral view; 8. female, lateral view. Scale bar: 1.0 mm.

FIGURES 1 – 4. Nicostratus frontmaculus sp. nov. 1. male, dorsal view; 2. female, dorsal view; 3. male, lateral view; 4. female, lateral view. Scale bar: 1.0 mm