Megalopsallus punctatus, Schuh, 2000

SCHUH, RANDALL T., 2000, Revision of the North American Plant Bug Genus Megalopsallus Knight, with the Description of Eight New Species from the West (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae), American Museum Novitates 3305, pp. 1-70 : 46-49

Megalopsallus punctatus ,

new name, new combination Figures 11 , 16 , 19

Psallus atriplicis Knight, 1968: 48 (n. sp.) (a junior secondary homonym of Megalopsallus atriplicis Knight, 1927 ).

DIAGNOSIS: Unique among Megalopsallus species by virtue of having tiny brown spots covering most of the whitish dorsum (fig. 11). Most similar in size, general appearance, and coloration to Oncotylus guttulatus Uhler.

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Moderately large, robust, total length 3.78–4.15, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.47–2.70, width across pronotum 1.16–1.27. COLORATION: Entire body and appendages cream colored, including eyes, with a slight tinge of green, dorsum with small brown spots at the bases of simple setae; femora with some small brown spots; tibial spines pale with small dark bases (fig. 11). SURFACE AND VES­ TITURE: Dorsum smooth, very weakly shining, clothed with pale, reclining, simple setae intermixed with silvery, shining, weakly flattened setae (fig. 19C). STRUCTURE: Hemelytra relatively elongate, nearly parallel­sid­ ed (fig. 11); labium reaching to between middle and hind coxae; claws elongate and smoothly curving; pulvilli minute (fig. 19D). MALE GENITALIA: Vesica J­shaped, weakly twisted, apex very slightly attenuated past gonopore; gonopore sclerotized; no gonopore sclerite (fig. 16).

Female: Total length 3.16–3.29, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 2.27–2.40, width across pronotum 1.19–1.28; relatively heavy­bodied, ovoid, not so elongate as male (fig. 11).

ETYMOLOGY: From the Latin, punctum, hole or spot, for the brown spots at the bases of the setae on the dorsum.

HOST: Atriplex canescens , A. sp. ( Chenopodiaceae ).

DISTRIBUTION: Southwestern United States from southern Nevada, Arizona and east to western Texas.

DISCUSSION: Knight (1968) described Psallus atriplicis as occurring on Atriplex at the Nevada Test Site. Examination of the male genitalia indicates clearly that this is not a Psallus species but rather belongs to Megalopsallus , even though it is somewhat unusual because of the spotting on the dorsum. The name atriplicis Knight becomes a junior secondary homonym upon transfer of this species to Megalopsallus , and I therefore propose the new name punctatus .

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: USA. — Arizona: Cochise Co. : Portal, 1500 m, June 15, 1980, R. T. Schuh and K. Schmidt, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 3♀ (AMNH). Coconino Co.: Rt. 64 just SE of Grand Canyon Natl. Park, June 26, 1980, K. & R. Schmidt, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , 33 (AMNH). Nevada: Lyon Co.: North boundary Toiyabe Nat Forest on Hiway 22, 5700 ft, July 11, 1980, G. M. Stonedahl, 73, 6♀ (AMNH). Nye Co.: Atomic Test Site, 16M, July 24, 1965, H. H. Knight and J. Merino, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , 2♀ (USNM). New Mexico: Dona Ana Co.: 9 mi W of Santa Teresa , May 8, 1999, J. C. Schaffner, 5♀ (TAMU). Texas: Culberson Co.: 2 mi W of Kent on I­ 10, 1550 m, April 27, 1978, R. T. Schuh and T. J. Henry, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 1♀ (AMNH). 38 mi N of Van Horn, 1220 m, April 28, 1978, R. T. Schuh, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 43, 7♀ (AMNH). Van Horn, 1440 m, April 28, 1978, R. T. Schuh and T. J. Henry, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 143, 16♀ (AMNH).

Megalopsallus punctipes (Knight)

Figures 11 , 16 , 20

Europiella punctipes Knight, 1968: 47 (n. sp.). Megalopsallus punctipes: Schuh et al., 1995: 389

(n. comb.).

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized, in common with parapunctipes and sarcobati , by generally pale green coloration, including appendages, white eyes, and pale brown spots on femora (fig. 11). Distinguished most easily from parapunctipes by lack of infuscation on thoracic sternum and form of male genitalia (fig. 16), and from sarcobati by larger size and broad­ er head of that species as well as form of male genitalia. Similar in size and general appearance to sparsus , but eyes almost always black in sparsus ; also sparsus usually with some dark areas on head, pronotum, and femora. Distinguished from schwartzi by that species having red eyes and lacking spots on femora.

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Medium sized, total length 2.91–4.12, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 1.93–3.16, width across pronotum 0.92–0.99. COLORATION: Entire body and appendages pale, greenish white; femora with scattered small brown spots (fig. 11); tibial spines pale with small brown bases. SURFACE AND VESTITURE: Dorsum smooth, weakly shining, clothed with reclining, brown, simple setae and silvery woolly setae (fig. 20C). STRUCTURE: Moderately elongate, corial margins weakly convex (fig. 11); labium short, reaching point midway between fore and middle trochanters; claws elongate and curving; pulvilli small, covering about one­half of ventral claw surface (fig. 20D). MALE GENITALIA: Vesica in the form of a J, not twisted, apex membranous; gonopore small, conspicuously subapical; no gonopore sclerite (fig. 16).

Female: Total length 2.52–2.79, length apex clypeus–cuneal fracture 1.78–1.98, width across pronotum 0.91–1.06; ovoid (fig. 11).

HOSTS: Atriplex canescens , A. confertifolia , A. sp. ( Chenopodiaceae ).

DISTRIBUTION: Interior western North America from northern Mexico north to Oregon and east to western Texas.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: MEXICO. — Baja California Norte: El Crucero, April 4, 1976, P. Rude, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 73 (UCB). USA. — Arizona: Graham Co.: 30 mi SE of Globe on Rt. 70, 3200 ft, May 31, 1983, R. T. Schuh and G. M. Stonedahl, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 43, 5♀ (AMNH). California: Imperial Co. : 1 mi E of Coyote Wells, E of intersection of Rts 580 & I­8, April 23, 1980, M. D. Schwartz and L. Russell, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 13, 5♀ (AMNH). Imperial near RR tracks on Rt. 580, 42 ft, April 23, 1980, M. D. Schwartz and L. Russell, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 243, 27♀ (AMNH). Inyo Co. : 2 mi E of Westgard Pass Summit, White Mts, 2125 m, July 2, 1980, R. T. Schuh, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 23, 16♀ (AMNH). 10 mi NE of Bishop, June 21, 1978, J. D. Pinto, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 13, 4♀ (UCR). Riverside Co.: 5 mi E of Mecca, Box Canyon Wash , April 6, 1979, J. D. Pinto, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 33, 4♀ (UCR). San Bernardino Co.: Rabbit Dry Lake, 2 mi W of Lucerne Valley, 935 m, May 13, 1978, R. T. Schuh and J. D. Pinto, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 13, 7♀ (AMNH, UCR). San Diego Co.: Anza­Borrego State Park, Vallecito Canyon, April 23, 1980, M. D. Schwartz, Atriplex sp. (Cheno­ podiaceae), 83, 15♀ (AMNH). Nevada: Clark Co.: 7 mi S of Boulder City, 530 m, May 17, 1978, R. T. Schuh, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 13 (AMNH). Esmeralda Co. : 13 mi W of Lida on Rt. 3, 1938 m, July 12, 1980, R. T. Schuh and G. M. Stonedahl, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 5♀ (AMNH). Nye Co.: Mercury, 410M(TB), July 21, 1965, E. Beck and J. Merino, Paratypes: 13 (USNM). 5.5 mi S of Belmont on Rt. 82, 2031 m, July 13, 1980, R. T. Schuh and G. M. Stonedahl, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 1♀ (AMNH). Mercury, CM, June 13, 1965, D. E. Beck and H. Knight, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , Paratypes: 23 (USNM). Rock V. on Jackass Flats Road, 3300 ft, June 6, 1983, Schuh, Schwartz, Stonedahl, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , 43, 13♀ (AMNH). Mercury, 18m, July 7, 1965, E. Beck and J. Merino, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , Paratypes: 43 (USNM, CNC). 6.8 mi SE of Mercury on Orange Blossom Road, Atomic Test Site, 4000 ft, June 8, 1983, Schuh, Schwartz, Stonedahl, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , 13, 4♀ (AMNH). Atomic Test Site, Mercury Hwy at Angle Rd, 3800 ft, June 8, 1983, Schuh, Schwartz, and Stonedahl, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , 43, 5♀ (AMNH). Mercury, 18m, June 23, 1965, H. Knight and J. Merino, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , Paratypes: 13 (USNM). New Mexico: Dona Ana Co.: 20 mi N of Las Cruces, 1280 m, April 30, 1978, R. T. Schuh, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 1♀ (AMNH). E of Las Cruces, base of Organ Mts, 1600 m, R. T. Schuh and J. Zimmerman, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 13, 1♀ (AMNH). Las Cruces, 1220 m, April 30, 1978, R. T. Schuh and J. Zimmerman, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 13, 2♀ (AMNH). Oregon: Harney Co.: T34S R35E Sec 10 NE, June 22, 1979, Neil Cobb, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , 13 (AMNH). Texas: Culberson Co.: 38 mi N of Van Horn, 1220 m, April 28, 1978, R. T. Schuh, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 2♀ (AMNH). Van Horn, 1440 m, April 28, 1978, R. T. Schuh, Atriplex sp. (Chenopodiaceae) , 1♀ (AMNH). Utah: Emery Co.: 2.5 mi W of Rt 24 on Goblin Valley Road, 5500 ft, June 19, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , 63, 1♀ (AMNH). Garfield Co.: 14.3 mi S of Rt. 95 on Rt. 276, 5000 ft, June 19, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, 363, 3♀ (AMNH). Grand Co.: 11 mi SE of jct. Rts 313 & 163 toward Dead Horse Point, 5200 ft, June 11, 1982, M. D. Schwartz, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , 233, 6♀ (AMNH). Millard Co.: Longridge Reservoir Cutoff on Rt. 50/6, 4500 ft, May 19, 1982, M. D. Schwartz, Atriplex confertifolia (Chenopodiaceae) , 83, 7♀ (AMNH). San Juan Co.: 3 mi SE of Rt. 263 on Clay Hills Crossing Rd, 4700 ft, June 18, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , 13, 3♀ (AMNH). 7.7 mi N of Mexican Hat on Rt. 261, 5000 ft, June 17, 1983, R. T. Schuh and M. D. Schwartz, Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) , 13, 3♀ (AMNH).

Megalopsallus rubricornis (Knight)

Figures 11 , 16

Figures

Fig. 11. Habitus photographs of Megalopsallus spp. M. pictipes (3: California, Inyo Co., 1 mi W of Keeler. ♀: Utah, Washington Co., St. George). M. punctatus (3 and ♀: Texas, Culberson Co., Van Horn). M. punctipes (3: Utah, Garfield Co., 14.3 mi S of Rt. 95 on Rt. 276. ♀: Utah, Grand Co., Deadhorse Point Road). M. rubricornis (3: California, Mono Co., 8 mi W of Nevada state line on Rt. 359; Nevada, Lyon Co., 8 mi N of Sweetwater Summit; Nevada, Lander Co., 11 mi S of Rt. 50 on Rt. 376. ♀: Nevada, Lyon Co., 8 mi N of Sweetwater Summit; Nevada, Lander Co., 11 mi S of Rt. 50 on Rt. 376; California, Mono Co., 8 mi W of Nevada state line on Rt. 359).

Fig. 16. Male genitalic structures, vesicae of Megalopsallus spp. Left paramere and phallotheca of M. sarcobati. gs = gonopore sclerite.

Fig. 19. Megalopsallus punctatus, female, scanning micrographs. A. Lateral view of head and thorax. B. Mesothoracic spiracle and metathoracic scent gland evaporatory area. C. Detail of setae comprising dorsal vestiture. D. Lateral view of pretarsus.

Fig. 20. Megalopsallus punctipes, female, scanning micrographs. A. Lateral view of head and thorax. B. Mesothoracic spiracle and metathoracic scent gland evaporatory area. C. Detail of setae comprising dorsal vestiture. D. Lateral view of pretarsus.