Chilocoris nitidulus Lis

Imura, Jimpei, 2011, New and obscure species of the genus Chilocorus Mayr in eastern Asia, with the proposal of a “ nitidus - group ” concept (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cydnidae), Zootaxa 3012, pp. 31-47 : 40

Chilocoris nitidulus Lis

( Figs. 9 , 26–28 , 40–42 )

Chilocoris nitidulus Lis, 1994: 72 .

Chilocoris nitidus [part], non Mayr: Lis, 1994: 73.

Diagnosis. Total length 3.90–5.15; total width 2.20–2.75. Arrangement of paraclypeal secondary setae, in order from mesalmost to lateralmost: 3 pegs - 1 hair - 2 pegs - 1 hair - 1 peg. Ocular index 3.2–3.6. Antennal segment III 2.7–3.2× as long as II. Pronotum ( Fig. 9 ) nearly trapezoid, 1.73–1.85× as wide as long, rather strongly tapered anterad, with 5–6 setae on lateral submargin.

This species is closely related to C. nitidus , but was distinguished from it by Lis (1994) who used the relative length of antennal segment III to II, the shape of pronotum, and the shape of the paramere. However, Lis based his conclusions on only 1 male holotype of C. nitidulus . Our investigation into the species, based on additional materials, showed that the former 2 structures are insufficient to separate these 2 species precisely. Therefore, at present, the male genital structure appears to be the only reliable characteristic to distinguish these species; this is described in detail below.

3 terminalia —Pygophoral opening rounded; median projection truncate, and maybe slightly concave in apical margin ( Fig. 26 ). Phallus ( Figs. 27–28 ) relatively small; endosoma tapered, slightly pigmented distal to conjunctival appendages; conjunctival appendages totally membranous, lobe-like, composed of slender dorsal pair and stout ventral pair, not reflexed in inflated position; endophallic duct relatively short, coiled in 1 time from its turning point, and protruding from dorsum of endosoma. Paramere ( Figs. 40–42 ) slender, rounded apically; hypophysis moderately stout, sharpened. Proctiger moderately shortened, rounded-pentangular.

Specimens examined. 432Ƥ—VIETNAM: Deo O Quy Ho, 1750m alt., Sapa, Lao Cai Prov.: 13, 3.x.1995, M. Tomokuni leg. (NSMT-I-He 36463); 1Ƥ, 28.vi.1997, M. Tomokuni leg. (NSMT-I-He 36461). Deo Tram Ton, 1950m alt., Sapa, Lao Cai Prov.: 131Ƥ, 4.x.1995, M. Tomokuni leg. (NSMT-I-He 36460, 36462). THAILAND: Pakia, 1500m alt., Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai: 13, 5–8.v. 2002, T. Ishizaki leg. by Malaise trap (TUA). NEPAL: Phakding, 2580m alt., Solukhumbu: 13, 29.ix.1979, M. Sato leg., det. as Chilocoris s. str. nitidus Mayr by J.A. Lis (cf. Lis 1994) ( Figs. 9 , 26–28 , 40–42 ) (NSMT-I-He 9124).

Distribution. Vietnam (north); Thailand (north); Nepal.

New to Vietnam and Thailand.

Remarks. The original description of this species from Central Nepal was based solely on a male holotype ( Lis, 1994), and no other specimens have been reported until now. In this study, a male specimen from Nepal which was identified as C. nitidus by J. A. Lis was examined, but it corresponded with the diagnostic characters of C. nitidulus , rather than C. nitidus , in the shape of the pronotum and paramere. Hence, this specimen was determined to be C. nitidulus . In addition, some specimens collected from other countries of southeastern Asia were considered to be conspecific with this specimen.

This study demonstrates that this species is more broadly distributed over the southeastern Asia than previously thought. It is likely that some records of C. nitidus from this region may actually pertain to C. nitidulus , and, therefore, relevant records should be reviewed.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 10. Chilocoris spp.: C. alienus (1 – 3), C. birmanus (4 – 5), C. monticola n. sp. (6 – 8), C. nitidulus (9), and C. nigricans (10). 1 & 4, head and pronotum; 2 & 5 – 6, right half of head; 3, 8 & 10, evaporatoria; 7, left hind wing; 9, pronotum. Abbreviations: Ant. Smg. L., anterior submarginal line; S. S., secondary setae of head. Scales: 0.5 mm for 1, 3, 4 & 7 – 10; 0.2 mm for 2 & 5 – 6.

FIGURES 21 – 30. Terminalia of Chilocoris spp.: C. monticola n. sp. (21 – 22), C. birmanus (23 – 25), and C. nitidulus (26 – 28), C. nigricans (29 – 30). 21, pygophore, hair on left half omitted; 22 – 23, pygophoral openings; 24 & 26, median projections; 25, proctiger, hair on left half omitted; 27 – 28, inflated phallus, lateral (27) and dorsal (28) views; 29 – 30, endosoma of inflated phallus, lateral (29) and ventral (direction of arrow in 29) (30) views. Abbreviations: Lat. If, lateral infolding of pygophoral opening; Med. Proj., median projection. Scales: 0.2 mm for 21 – 23, 25 & 27 – 28; 0.1 mm for 24, 26 & 29 – 30.

FIGURES 31 – 42. Left parameres of Chilocoris spp., mesal (31, 34, 37 & 40), ventral (32, 35, 38 & 41) and dorsal (33, 36, 39 & 42) views: C. alienus (31 – 33), C. birmanus (34 – 36), C. monticola n. sp. (37 – 39), and C. nitidulus (40 – 42). Abbreviation: Hp.: hypophysis. Scales: 0.2 mm.