Myrtophylus melaleuci, Randall T. Schuh & Michael D. Schwartz, 2016

Randall T. Schuh & Michael D. Schwartz, 2016, Nineteen new genera and 82 new species of Cremnorrhinina from Australia, including analyses of host relationships and distributions (Insecta: Hemiptera: Miridae: Phylininae: Cremnorrhinini), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 401, pp. 1-279 : 149-150

Myrtophylus melaleuci , new species

Figure 62, map 17, table 1, plates 20, 21

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by relatively small body size and by unequal length, diverging apical endosomal spines and dorsally directed, subapically placed, recurved lateral spine bearing blunt spicules (fig. 62, pl. 21). Most similar in endosomal structure to M. calytrix , but body smaller and apical endosomal spines of conspicuously unequal length and lateral spine recurved and with blunt-tipped spicules rather than straight and smooth.

DESCRIPTION: MALE: Moderately elongate; mean total length 3.77, mean pronotum width 0.90. COLORATION (pl. 20): Green, including all appendages (in preserved specimens); membrane weakly fumose, veins pale with a diffuse dark spot at apex of cells. SURFACE AND VESTITURE (pl. 20): As in generic description. STRUCTURE (pl. 20): Moderately elongate, nearly parallel sided. Head: As in generic description; frons and clypeus projecting beyond anterior margin of eye in dorsal view; eyes occupying two-thirds of height of head in lateral view; antenna inserted just above ventral margin of eye, eye weakly emarginate above fossa; antennal segment 2 relatively long (1.15), 1.71 times width of head; labium reaching to about middle of abdomen. Thorax: Pronotum as in generic description; mesoscutum broadly exposed. Hemelytron: As in generic description. GENI- TALIA (fig. 62, pl. 21): As in generic description but with the following details. Endosoma: Ventral strap forming unequal length, narrow, diverging apical spines; dorsal strap bifid at level of secondary gonopore, forming a weakly sclerotized surface laterad of secondary gonopore and a recurved lateral spine covered apically with blunt-tipped spicules. Phallotheca: Crest relatively short.

FEMALE (pl. 20): Coloration as in male; differing from male as in generic description; mean total length 3.07, mean pronotum width 0.95.

ETYMOLOGY: Named after the myrtaceous genus Melaleuca , host of some of the known specimens of this taxon.

HOSTS: Recorded from Darwinia dios ‐ moides (pl. 34D) and Melaleuca megacephala (Myrtaceae) .

DISTRIBUTION (map 17): Known only from the Kalbarri National Park, north of Geraldton, Western Australia.

HOLOTYPE: AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: Kalbarri National Park, Loop Road, 27.56163°S 114.4376°E, 300 m, 28 Oct 1996, Schuh and Cassis, Melaleuca megacephala F. Muell. (Myrtaceae) , det. PERTH staff PERTH 0 5120616, 1d (AMNH_PBI 00099382) (WAMP).

PARATYPES: AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: Kalbarri National Park, Loop Road, 27.56163°S 114.4376°E, 300 m, 28 Oct 1996, Schuh and Cassis, Darwinia diosmoides (DC.) Benth. ( Myrtaceae ), det. PERTH staff PERTH 0 5120551, 9d (00389266, 0 0 389267, 0 0 389270– 00389276), 2♂ (00389281, 00389282) (AM), 3♂ (00389280, 0 0 389283, 00389284) Melaleuca megacephala F. Muell. (Myrtaceae) , det. PERTH staff PERTH 0 5120616, 2d (00391059, 0 0 39 1060) (AMNH), Darwinia diosmoides (DC.) Benth. ( Myrtaceae ), det. PERTH staff PERTH 0 5120551, 2d (00389268, 00389269), 2♂ (0038 9285, 00389286) (WAMP). Kalbarri National Park, Z-Bend Road, 27.61971°S 114.3864°E, 500 m, 28 Oct 1996, Schuh and Cassis, 4♂ (00393467–00393470) (AM).

OTHER SPECIMENS EXAMINED: AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: Kalbarri National Park, Loop Road, 27.56163°S 114.4376°E, 300 m, 28 Oct 1996, Schuh and Cassis, Darwinia diosmoides (DC.) Benth. ( Myrtaceae ), det. PERTH staff PERTH 0 5120551, 3 nymphs (00389277- 00389279) (AM).