Spanagonicus schusterus, Menard, Katrina L., 2015

Menard, Katrina L., 2015, A review of the genus Spanagonicus Berg (Hemiptera: Miridae: Phylinae: Nasocorini) with the description of novel antennal characters, the description of a new species from Central America, and a key to currently known taxa, Zootaxa 3973 (1), pp. 139-158 : 145-146

Spanagonicus schusterus sp. nov.

Figures 1–2

Diagnosis. Diagnosed by a combination of completely dark-brown first and second antennal segments, light brown color patches on the anterior margin of cuneus, apical margin of clavus, membrane area adjacent to cuneus, and claval suture, as well as intermediate size relative to other species of Spanagonicus .

Description. Males: ( Fig. 1 H) Small, ovoid, length 2.1–2.5. COLORATION: Body dark brown; light brown color patches on the anterior margin of cuneus, apical margin of clavus, membrane area adjacent to cuneus, and claval suture; head brown to dark brown; all antennal segments brown; thorax brown; evaporatory area of scent gland beige, abdomen being completely dark brown; coxae brown, femora dark brown with apical lightening to golden at joints with tibiae; tibiae basally dark brown at joint with femora, remaining surface golden; basal tarsal segments golden, distal segments brown. SURFACE AND VESTITURE: As in generic redescription. STRUCTURE: As in generic redescription. GENITALIA: As in generic redescription.

Female: (Fig. IG) Small, relatively ovoid, brachypterous, length 2.5. COLORATION: Anterior to cuneal fracture and cuneus sometimes light brown and same coloration as anterior portion of hemelytron in some females; rest of coloration as in males. SURFACE AND VESTITURE: As in males. STRUCTURE: As in generic redescription. FEMALE GENITALIA: As in generic redescription.

Etymology. Named after Jack C. Schuster, the prolific collector of Guatemalan insects.

Hosts. Unknown; holotype had asteraceous petals still attached to the surface of the hemelytra, however.

Distribution. Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico

Material examined. Holotype: GUATEMALA: Zacapa Dept: Rt CA-9, ca 5 km W of Teculutan, 282m, N14.95302° W89.80914°, sweeping roadside veg., 17 Oct 2012, R. S. Zack collector, 1 ♂ ( WSUC).

Paratypes: GUATEMALA: Zacapa Dept: Rt CA-9, ca 5 km W of Teculutan, 282m, N14.95302° W89.80914°, sweeping roadside veg., 17 Oct 2012, R. S. Zack collector, 1 ♂ ( WSUC); 19 Oct 2012, R. S. Zack, 1 ♂ ( OMNH). HONDURAS: San Pedro Sula, August 1975, N. H. L. Krauss 3 ♂ ( AMNH _IZC 00139680–2). EL SALVADOR: Santa Ana: 600– 700 m. 16 Jul 1975, N. L. H. Krauss, 1 ♂ ( AMNH _IZC 00139763). MEXICO: Intercepted at Pharr Texas, 20 Oct 2011, on Brassica oleracea var captitata 1 ♂ ( USNM). NICARAGUA: Managua: outskirts W Boloña, Jul 1971, J Maldonado, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( USNM).

Discussion. Spanagonicus schusterus is most similar in coloration to Spanagonicus tiquiensis based on the original description and images of the females, however without a male specimen of the latter to compare the two it is difficult to assess whether they are conspecifics. However, the much larger size of the females of S. schusterus (at least half a centimeter bigger) and the geographic distance separating the two type localities suggest that it is a separate species.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Dorsal habitus photos Spanagonicus Berg species. A. male S. albofasciatus (Reuter) B. female S. albofasciatus, macropterous C. female S. albofasciatus, brachypterous D. male S. argentinus E. female S. argentinus F. male S. aricanus G. female S. aricanus H. male S. schusterus I. female S. schusterus. J. female S. tiquensis (Image from the Museo de La Plata online holotype database). Images not to scale; see Table 2 for measurements.

FIGURE 2. Male genitalia of Spanagonicus Berg species. Spanagonicus albofasciatus: A. endosoma, B. left paramere, C. phallotheca; S. argentinus: D. endosoma, E. left paramere, F. phallotheca; S. aricanus: G. endosoma, H. left paramere, I. phallotheca; S. schusterus n. sp.: J. endosoma, K. left paramere, L. phallotheca.