Aethodelphax caninus ( Beamer, 1947 ) Beamer, 1947

Bartlett, Charles R., 2011, Aethodelphax prairianus gen. et sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) and seven congeneric species from North American Delphacodes, Zootaxa 2837, pp. 48-66 : 56-57

Aethodelphax caninus ( Beamer, 1947) , comb. nov.

( Fig. 4 )

Delphacodes canina Beamer, 1947: 60 , 69.

Type locality. USA: Arizona, Santa Rita Mountains.

Diagnosis. Color. Stramineus with diffuse darker markings on lateral portions of abdomen; parameres, processes on segment 10 darker. Macropter with lateral compartments of mesonotum darker.

Structure. Length male brachypter (n=1) 2.21, width 0.76; female brachypter (n=1) 2.30, width 0.78. Head just narrower than prothorax, ratio vertex L:W (n=2) 1.27. Calcar bearing 13–18 black teeth, becoming smaller distally. Genitalia with pygofer opening taller than wide in caudal view ( Fig. 4 D), lateral margins with rounded carinae; diaphragm developed, medially concave, relatively narrow, armature of the diaphragm weak slightly projecting caudally along dorsal margin. Parameres ( Fig. 4 E) pediform with distinct acuminate outer and inner angles, dorsum of parameres slightly sinuate, angled ventromedially from caudal view; basal angle well developed, blunt, caudally projecting. Aedeagus ( Fig. 4 F) straight, broad, strongly laterally flattened, narrowed to broadly rounded apex; left side slightly concave; bearing large subapical dorsal tooth, a large subapical ventral tooth, a row of ~5 ventral teeth just beyond midlength, and a row of ~4 dorsal teeth in proximal third; gonopore subapical on left side. Aedeagal suspensorium conspicuous, encircling aedeagus, short between aedeagus and segment 10. Segment 10 relatively large and broad, bearing pair of very short processes on ventrocaudal margin, about as long as wide at base.

Remarks. One of the observed specimens from the type locality was a macropter with the forewings missing. On this specimen, the lateral portions of the mesonotum were slightly darkened (suggesting a median vitta) than the brachypterous specimens. This is the only southwestern species of Aethodelphax . The broadly flattened aedeagus and reduced diaphragm armature are unique to this species among Aethodelphax . This species may be most similar to A. sagittatus , but the broad aedeagus lacking the lateral foliations of A. sagittatus , and the broad segment 10 lacking a second pair of processes, separate A. caninus from A. sagittatus .

Reported hosts. Muhlenbergia sp.

Distribution. USA: AZ; Mexico (Chihuahua State).

Material observed. USA: Arizona: [Pima Co.,?), St Rita Mts [Santa Rita Mountains], 8–7–[19]35, E. D. Ball (1m, macropter, 1f, USNM]; same, 8–8–[19]35 (1m, USNM). MEXICO: Chihuahua: Guacochie Rd, 39mi W. Baeza, 2700m, 30.x.1995; C. H. Dietrich, 95–977, Muhlenbergia (1m, 1f, 2 nymphs, INHS).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Aethodelphax caninus (Santa Rita Mtns., AZ; scale = 0.5 mm (A – C), 0.2 mm (D, G )). A. dorsal view; B. frons; C. lateral view; D. pygofer, caudal view; E. left paramere, widest view; F. aedeagus; G. pygofer, lateral view.