Slaterocoris tibialis Knight

Schwartz, Michael D., 2011, Revision And Phylogenetic Analysis Of The North American Genus Slaterocoris Wagner With New Synonymy, The Description Of Five New Species And A New Genus From Mexico, And A Review Of The Genus Scalponotatus Kelton (Heteroptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2011 (354), pp. 1-290 : 119-123

Slaterocoris tibialis Knight

Figures 12 , 24C–E ; plate 3 ; map 4

Strongylocoris robustus: Van Duzee : 1921: 136 (disc., in part).

Slaterocoris tibialis Knight, 1970: 257 , fig. 27 (orig. desc.); Henry and Wheeler, 1988: 451 (catalog); Schuh, 1995: 199 (catalog).

DIAGNOSIS: Distinguished from S. croceipes and S. apache of the apache group by the suberect, dark, moderately long vestiture; black femora with yellow apices and dusky yellowish-orange tibiae (fig. 12); and dorsal lobe of the endosomal spicule with solitary basal and subapical spines (fig. 24C–E). Slaterocoris croceipes has shorter, reclining dark setae, femora with considerable orangebrown coloration, and pale yellow tibiae; S. apache has pale, somewhat shining vestiture and pale yellow tibiae. Both S. croceipes and S. apache and the other apache -group species usually lack the basal and subapical spine on the dorsal lobe of the endosomal spicule (cf. figs. 18, 22).

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Moderately small, elongate; length 3.90–5.20, width 1.54–1.75 (pl. 3). COLORATION: Antennal segments I and II black, apex of femur narrowly pale yellow; hind tibia dusky yellowish orange, apex darker, tarsomeres black (fig. 12). VESTITURE: Sparse, moderately long, suberect brown simple setae. STRUCTURE: Costal margin elongate; frons smooth; antennal segment II longer than foretibia. GENITALIA: Tergal process: Short point with right side directed toward midline. Endosomal spicule: Ventral lobe narrow, moderately long, with minimal marginal serration; dorsal lobe usually wide distally, with variable, large marginal serration, base and subapex with obvious spine (fig. 24C–E). Right paramere: As in S. apache (fig. 17A–C) and S. croceipes (fig. 21B–D, F), typically with three apical spines and entire or bifurcate, narrow basal lobe.

Female: Moderately small, obovate; length 3.50–4.30, width 1.75–1.95 (pl. 3). COLORATION: Antennal segment II usually with pale orange-brown medially with black at base and apex; sometimes segment II completely black. STRUCTURE: Costal margin of arcuate. GENITALIA: As in species group except: Ventral labiate plate: Strongly produced, base moderately wide, triangular, apex entire. Interramal lobe: Dorsomedial margin not produced as lobe.

HOSTS: The breeding host is unclear. Specimens were taken on four species of Asteraceae , Artemisia cana , A. frigida , A. tridentata , but the majority are from Ericameria nauseosa . However, many specimens were collected from unspecified species of Artemisia and Chrysothamnus . Considering that no bugs were taken on a plant currently placed in Chrysothamnus (e.g., C. viscidiflorus ), it is likely that many of these latter specimens were collected on E. nauseosa , pointing to rubber rabbitbrush as the primary breeding host of S. tibialis .

DISTRIBUTION: Occurs in the foothills of the southern Cascade Mountains and southwestern Great Basin of southern Oregon and northern California and in central Oregon from the Blue Mountains of Wheeler County ( map 4 ).

COLLECTION SUMMARY: 412 specimens from 49 collection events with almost all the dates from June to July, with only a couple from August.

DISCUSSION: In his key, Knight (1970) segregated S. tibialis from S. apache (including junior synonyms) and S. croceipes on the perceived bimodal distribution in the length of antennal segment II. There is considerable overlap in the range of segment II length ( S. apache 1.05–1.38, S. croceipes 0.80–1.31, and S. tibialis 0.98–1.15), that limits the capacity of the measurement to discriminate species. The important diagnostic features of S. tibialis are the coloration of the vestiture and legs, and the structure of the endosomal spicule (see diagnosis above). Kelton (1968) included specimens from northern California and Oregon in S. croceipes , which I now place in S. tibialis . Van Duzee (1921) mentioned that the CAS retained specimens of S. robustus from Colestin, Oregon, and McCloud, California, are actually specimens of S. tibialis (see Other Specimens Examined). The distribution of S. tibialis appears to be allopatric in relation to S. apache and S. croceipes , which do not occur in northern California and southwestern or southcentral Oregon.

Specimens from Washoe County, Nevada, do not have the large basal and subapical spines on the dorsal lobe, the male hemelytron and antennal segment II are longer, and the female has more extensive pale coloration on the medial portion of antennal segment II than individuals from the more western portion of the distribution. The vestiture and leg coloration in these specimens are consistent with the diagnosis of S. tibialis .

HOLOTYPE: USA: Oregon: Klamath Co.: 17 mi E of Klamath Falls [42.230076 N 121.465696 W], 17 Jun 1934, Joe Schuh , 18 ( AMNH _ PBI 00134022 ) ( USNM).

OTHER SPECIMENS EXAMINED: USA: California: Lassen Co.: Litchfield, 40.382786 N 120.386116 W, 1239 m, 22 Jun 1937, B.P. Bliven, 1♀ (00242462) ( CAS). Madeline, 41.051116 N 120.474446 W, 1623 m, 24 Jul 1954, Brunson P. Bliven, 18 (00242444), 1♀ (00242445) ( CAS). Susanville, 40.416396 N 120.651946 W, 1276 m, 17 Jun 1959, Kelton and Madge, Artemisia frigida , 168 (00112035, 00124393–00124407), 12♀ (00124408–00124419) ( CNC), 18 (00121785), 1♀ (00121786) ( UCB). Westwood, 40.306116 N 121.004726 W, 17 Jun 1959, Kelton and Madge, 18 (00112095), 1♀ (00112096) ( CNC). Modoc Co.: 2.5 mi S of Rt 139 toward Lookout, 41.171916 N 121.154176 W, 1440 m, 06 Jul 1979, R.T. and Joe Schuh, Ericameria nauseosa , 58 (00108324, 00109158–00109161), 7♀ (00108967, 00109162–00109167) ( AMNH). 8 mi S of Rt 139 toward Lookout, 41.09246 N 121.154176 W, 1420 m, 06 Jul 1979, R.T. and Joe Schuh, Chrysothamnus sp. , 18 (00108323), Ericameria nauseosa , 108 (00109148–00109157), 4♀ (00109144–00109147) ( AMNH). 24.7 mi NW of Canby, 41.696386 N 121.207326 W, 1375 m, 01 Jul 1979, R.T. Schuh and B.M. Massie, 18 (00108325) ( AMNH). Buck Creek, 41.872336 N 120.301036 W, 1527 m, 21 Jul 1922, C.L. Fox, 1♀ (00242441) ( CAS). W of Cedarville, Cedar Pass, 41.56256 N 120.267786 W, 1850 m, 01 Jul 1979, R.T. Schuh and B.M. Massie, Ericameria nauseosa , 18 (00107916) ( AMNH). Shasta Co.: 5 mi N of Cassel, 40.991456 N 121.546676 W, 15 Jul 1947, T.F. Leigh, 28 (00119424–00119425), 1♀ (00119426) ( UCB). Hat Creek P.O., 40.830476 N 121.508916 W, 25 Jun 1955, E.E. Lindquist, 18 (00119423) ( UCB). Siskiyou Co.: 1 mi S of Lava Beds National Monument, Lava Beds-Medicine Lake Rd, 41.68196 N 121.44246 W, 1317 m, 18 Jul 1985, G.M. Stonedahl and J.D. McIver, Chrysothamnus sp. , 98 (00107888, 00108243, 00109173–00109179), 24♀ (00108968, 00109180– 00109201, 00169982) ( AMNH). 2 mi N of Tule Lake Refuge Headquarters, 41.938356 N 121.531946 W, 1219 m, 26 Jun 1979, M.D. Schwartz, Ericameria nauseosa , 18 (00112097), 1♀ (00318845) ( CNC). 5 mi N of Gazelle, 41.593116 N 122.519176 W, 15 Jun 1959, L.A. Kelton, R. Madge, 1♀ (00112098) ( JTP). 30 mi N of Weed, 41.58116 N 122.19296 W, 1433 m, 31 Aug 1963, C. O’Brian, 18 (00119427) ( UCB). Bray, 41.644176 N 121.969726 W, 30 Jun 1935, R.H. Beamer, 28 (00117850–00117851) ( KU). Hornbrook, 41.910286 N 122.554726 W, 666 m, 14 Jun 1959, Kelton and Madge, Artemisia sp. , 28 (00112033–00112034) ( CNC); 14 Jun 1959, Kelton and Madge, Artemisia sp. , 148 (00124363–00124375, 00318786), 17♀ (00124376–00124392) ( CNC), 18 (00121787), 1♀ (00121788) ( UCB). Lava Beds National Monument, 41.753336 N 121.505566 W, 1524 m, 13 Aug 1961, Joe Schuh, 1♀ (00118078) ( ORSU). Macdoel, 41.826946 N 122.004176 W, 04 Jul 1952, M. Cazier, W. Gertsch, and R. Schrammel, 18 (00108330) ( AMNH). McCloud, 41.255836 N 122.138336 W, 1090 m, 23 Jul 1918, E.P. Van Duzee, 2♀ (00242442–00242443) ( CAS). Nevada: Washoe Co.: 23.2 mi S of junction of Rts. 8A and 34A [on Rt 34A], 41.340536 N 119.603796 W, 1875 m, 02 Jul 1979, R.T. Schuh and B.M. Massie, Chrysothamnus sp. , 298 (00108375–00108376, 00109202–00109228), 38♀ (00108969, 00109229–00109265) ( AMNH). Oregon: Jackson Co.: 0.5 mi S of Siskiyou Summit on Old Rt 99, Old Siskiyou Rd, 42.067776 N 122.605836 W, 1311 m, 27 Jun 1979, M.D. Schwartz, Artemisia cana , 18 (00318806), 2♀ (00318807–00318808) ( CNC). 0.5 mi S of Siskiyou Summit on Old Rt 99, Old Siskiyou Rd, 42.046996 N 122.599346 W, 1344 m, 27 Jun 1979, R.T. Schuh and Joe Schuh, Artemisia cana , 48 (00109136– 00109139), 4♀ (00109140–00109143), 1♀ (00108894) ( AMNH). 0.5 mi S of Siskiyou Summit on Old Rt 99, Old Siskiyou Rd, 42.067776 N 122.605836 W, 1346 m, 26 Jun 1979, R.T. and Joe Schuh, Artemisia cana , 18 (00107899) ( AMNH). Colestin, 42.053236 N 122.65156 W, 1143 m, 30 Jul 1918, E.P. Van Duzee, 2♀ (00242435–00242436) ( CAS); 31 Jul 1918, E.P. Van Duzee, 18 (00242434) ( CAS). Siskiyou, 42.0756 N 122.605836 W, 05 Jul 1951, Borys Malkin, 48 (00242437– 00242440) ( CAS). Siskiyou Summit, 42.046996 N 122.599346 W, 1341 m, 29 Jun 1969, W.F. Barr, Chrysothamnus sp. (Asteraceae) , 38 (00122528–00122530), 2♀ (00122526–00122527) ( UID). Siskiyou Summit, Old Road, 42.0756 N 122.605836 W, 1260 m, 22 Jul 1999, M.D. Schwartz, Ericameria nauseosa , 28 (00110998, 00318816) ( CNC); 28 Jul 1999, M.D. Schwartz, Ericameria nauseosa , 48 (00318809– 00318812), 3♀ (00318813–00318815) ( CNC). Siskiyou Summit, Old Siskiyou Hwy and Frontage Rd, 42.0756 N 122.605836 W, 1314 m, 01 Jul 1994, M.D. Schwartz, Ericameria nauseosa , 48 (00112041, 00318788– 00318790), 6♀ (00318791–00318795, 00318805) ( CNC). Siskiyou Summit on I-5, 42.0756 N 122.605836 W, 1311 m, 04 Jul 1982, G.M. Stonedahl and T.J. Henry, Artemisia tridentata , 38 (00109168–00109170), 2♀ (00109171– 00109172) ( AMNH); 05 Jul 1982, T.J. Henry and G.M. Stonedahl, Artemisia sp. , 78 (00122117–00122123), 9♀ (00122124–00122132) ( USNM). Josephine Co.: 1 mi S of Rough and Ready Botanical Wayside, 42.083246 N 123.692096 W, 12 Jun 1979, M.D. Schwartz, Ericameria nauseosa , 78 (00318825–00318831), 13♀ (00318832–00318844) ( CNC). Rough and Ready Wayside, S of Cave Junction, 42.163066 N 123.646946 W, 400 m, 12 Jun 1979, R.T. Schuh and M.D. Schwartz, Ericameria nauseosa , 18 (00112039) ( CNC). Just S of Rough and Ready Wayside, S of Cave Junction, 42.163066 N 123.646946 W, 12 Jun 1979, R.T. Schuh, Chrysothamnus sp. , 208 (00108144, 00109086–00109104), 26♀ (00108143, 00108964, 00109105–00109128) ( AMNH). Klamath Co.: 17 mi E of Klamath Falls, 42.230076 N 121.465696 W, 17 Jun 1934, Joe Schuh, paratype, 18 (00122268) ( USNM). Base of Bly Mountain, 42.397786 N 121.040566 W, 25 Jun 1961, Joe Schuh, 18 (00118075) ( ORSU). Lower Klamath Lake Hill, NE of Worden, 42.050896 N 121.699916 W, 10 Jul 1953, J. Schuh, 48 (00318817– 00318820) ( ORSU), 18 (00070046) ( USNM); 19 Jul 1953, Joe Schuh, paratype, 18 (00111917) ( CNC), paratype, 18 (00122267) ( USNM). Swan Lake, 42.228616 N 121.598896 W, 11 Jul 1954, J. Schuh, 5♀ (00118076, 00318821–00318824) ( ORSU), 18 (00070045) ( USNM). between Worden and Keno, 42.088066 N 121.900096 W, 1280 m, 27 Jun 1979, R.T. and Joe Schuh, Ericameria nauseosa , 1♀ (00108326) ( AMNH). Lake Co.: Big Squaw Flat, 18 mi SE of Bly, 42.397786 N 121.040566 W, 25 Jul 1962, J.D. Vertress, 28 (00108327, 00109135), 1♀ (00108966) ( AMNH). Junction of Deep Creek and Camas Creek, 8 mi W of Adel, 42.182396 N 120.037456 W, 1587 m, 09 Jul 1963, J. Schuh, 1♀ (00118077) ( ORSU). Wheeler Co.: Mitchell, 44.566536 N 120.153346 W, 843 m, 22 Jun 1979, Ericameria nauseosa, M.D. Schwartz , 128 (00112040, 00318846–00318856), 9♀ (00124359– 00124362, 00318785, 00318857–00318860) ( CNC); R.T. Schuh, 88 (00109071–00109078), 8♀ (00108963, 00109079–00109085) ( AMNH); G. Stonedahl, 38 (00107909, 00109129– 00109130), 5♀ (00108965, 00109131–00109134) ( AMNH).

Slaterocoris argenteus species group

DIAGNOSIS: The three species of this group are recognized by black legs, matted or adpressed, fine, silvery white setae, and male genitalia having an expanded apical region of the right paramere with four or five, short, parallel spines and a prominent, bent basal lobe, and the endosomal spicule with the dorsal lobe solitary, marginally serrate, and flat. Slaterocoris argenteus , S. argenteoides , and S. digitatus are distinguished by comparative measurements and fine structure of the endosomal spicule and right paramere. COLORATION: Black, including head, antennal segments, and legs, sometimes trochanter infuscate (fig. 12C). VESTITURE: Dense, moderately long, suberect, silvery, matted simple setae with recurved apices (pl. 4C). STRUCTURE: Body conformation dimorphic, male parallel sided, female variously arcuate (pls. 1, 2); frons striate (fig. 27A). MALE GENITALIA: Tergal process: Short with right side point directed toward midline (fig. 29D). Phallotheca: With left lateral surface slightly compressed (fig. 29B, F, I). Endosomal spicule: Ventral lobe with apical region uniformly thick, distal region marginally serrate; dorsal lobe entire, flattened with narrow distal region; both dorsal and ventral lobes with variable length (fig. 29A, E, H). Right paramere: Small; apical region with short parallel spines, sometimes twisted to long axis of paramere (fig. 28A–H); subapical region wide; basal lobe prominent, bent distally (fig. 29K). Left paramere: Distal portion shorter than basal portion; distal portion with ventral surface diameter equal throughout; subapical region with variable diameter (fig. 29C, G, J). FEMALE GENITALIA: First gonapophyses: In ventral view, left overlapping and larger than right at overlap. Right first gonapophysis: Usually with small lateral surface. Left first gonapophysis: Dorsal surface concave; apex narrow. Vestibulum, anteroventral margin of anterior wall: Widely sclerotized medially, with sclerotized reaching lateral margins of bursa copulatrix. Second gonapophyses: Anterior medial surface slightly or strongly convex. Ventral labiate plate: Strongly produced, moderately wide, base triangular. Interramal sclerite: Posteromedial portion with tumid process abutting ovipositor bulb; ventromedial region overlapping ventromedial plate; dorsomedial region flat, not produced anteriorly or asymmetrical. Interramal lobe: Dorsal or basal insertion with membranous attachment; dorsomedial margin not produced or with a short process; ventral projection with short or long concave anterior surface.

DISCUSSION: Several characters supporting the argenteus group are ambiguous, supporting the group only under fast or slow optimization or they are homoplastic, found in other species of Slaterocoris . A prominent distally bent basal lobe or region of the right paramere (44-5) uniquely defines the argenteus group (fig. 1A, B), but in the cladogram shown in figure 2 , provides support for the group only under fast or slow optimization. In the two other most parsimonious cladograms (fig. 1A, B) three characters—concolorous black femur (5-2), vestiture of silvery setae (9-3), and dimorphic sexes with male parallel sided and female arcuate—provide homoplasious support to the argenteus group. Shared characters of the second gonapophysis (62-0) and interramal lobe (69-2) in the female genitalia provide weak support for a sister relationship of S. argenteoides to S. argenteus and S. digitatus .

Figures

Plate 3. Dorsal habitus photographs of Slaterocoris punctatus—S. tibialis (see appendix 1 for USI codes and localities).

Map 4. Localities for Slaterocoris atratus, S. fuscomarginalis, S. pilosus, S. rubrofemoratus, and S. tibialis.

Fig. 12. Hind leg coloration for Slaterocoris species.

Fig. 24. Slaterocoris species endosoma. A, B. S. fuscomarginalis. A. S Curlew Valley, UT. B. 12 mi N of Route 50 on Route 278, NV. C–E. S. tibialis. C. Siskiyou Summit, OR. D. Lower Klamath Lake Hill, OR. E. Mitchell, OR.

Fig. 2. One of three most parsimonious cladograms found in 40-taxa analysis for Slaterocoris and outgroups.