Scutellera spilogastra ( Walker, 1867 ) Rédei & Tsai, 2022

Rédei, Dávid & Tsai, Jing-Fu, 2022, A revision of Scutellera (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Scutelleridae), Zootaxa 5092 (1), pp. 1-40 : 26-28

Scutellera spilogastra ( Walker, 1867) , new combination

( Figs. 5, 6, 8, 9 , 28, 29 , 38–41 , 46, 47 , 52 , 61–64 , 69, 70 )

Callidea spilogastra Walker, 1867: 30 . Syntypes: Ceylon [= Sri Lanka]; BMNH!

Scutellera brevirostris Breddin, 1909: 258 . Lectotype ( Gaedike 1971: 81): Ceylon [= Sri Lanka], Kandy; SDEI. Erroneously synonymized with Scutellera nobilis (= S. perplexa ) by Distant (1918: 116) (tentatively). New subjective synonym.

Callidea spilogastra: Walker (1867: 36) (comparison with related species), Kirby (1891: 76) (distribution), Lethierry & Severin (1893: 48) (as of unknown identity, catalogue, distribution).

Chrysocoris spilogastra: Distant (1899: 38 , 49) (listed).

Chrysocoris spilogaster: Distant (1902: 56) (diagnosis, distribution), Kirkaldy (1909: 296) (catalogue, distribution).

Eucorysses spilogaster: Schouteden (1904: 34) (catalogue, distribution).

Scutellera brevirostris: Gaedike (1971: 81) (type material).

Diagnosis. Immediately distinguished from the other two described species of Scutellera by its relatively short and broad body (body length: width 2.1–2.15, in S. nepalensis and S. perplexa 2.3–2.4) and uniformly metallic bluegreen pronotum, thoracic pleura, and femora ( Figs. 5, 6, 8, 9 ). The male ( Figs. 28, 29 , 38–41 , 46, 47 , 52 ) and female ( Figs. 61–64 , 69, 70 ) genitalia are diagnostic.

Redescription. Colour. Ground colour of body deep metallic blue-green, with complex black pattern ( Figs. 5, 6, 8, 9 ); a median vitta between eyes extending most of length of head except for apex of clypeus, frequently also a pair of elongate sublateral vittae immediately anteriad of or surrounding ocelli; antenna black, extreme base of scape brownish; labium dark brown; pronotum with a broad median vitta along whole length except for anterior collar, a pair of large transverse spots on calli, a pair of large sublateral spots reaching to basal margin and a pair of small humeral spots on posterior lobe of pronotum black; scutellum with a median vitta from its base to about its middle, gradually tapering posteriad, with a pair of rounded spots at posterior part of basal tumescence, two pairs of oblique sublateral spots anteriad and posteriad of middle, a pair of small marginal spots at middle, and a large, transverse, subapical spots black, oblique sublateral spots invariably separated from median vitta; exposed portion of fore wing black, its base with blue-green metallic lustre; venter of head and thorax as ground colour of dorsum, pterothoracic sternum and peritreme of metathoracic scent gland ostiole dull black; coxae and trochanters pale yellowish, femora, tibiae and tarsi deep metallic blue-green, base of femora frequently more or less suffused with yellow; abdominal venter bright yellow, lateral margins laterad of spiracles, posterior margin of ventrite VII, genital capsule (♂) and terminalia (♀) metallic blue-green, spiracles III–VII broadly surrounded by black, a pair of broad fasciae at anterior margins of each of ventrites III–VII (medially confluent on ventrite VII) black.

Body relatively short and broad, 2.1–2.15 times as long as greatest width ( Figs. 5, 6, 8, 9 ). Body surface and vestiture as in the redescription of the genus. Pronotum relatively short, 1.75–1.85 times as broad as its median length. Scutellum conspicuously short, about 1.35–1.45 times as long as broad.

External male genitalia ( Figs. 28, 29 , 38–41 , 46, 47 , 52 ). Genital capsule ( Figs. 28, 29 , 38 ) subtriangular, strongly narrowed and narrowly transversely truncate posteriorly in dorsal view, minute submedian denticles on posterior margin narrowly separated, lateral margin (ventral rim) weakly emarginate; infolding of ventral rim conspicuously bulging laterally, without distinct ridge along meson. Paramere ( Figs. 39–41 ) with a relatively short, strongly curved crown with distal portion nearly perpendicular to axis of stem. Phallus ( Figs. 46, 47 , 52 ): second conjunctival processes with an externally strongly sclerotized, bilobed lateral lobe (cp-II 1) with its interior side greatly broadened, wing-like, membranous, and with a mesal lobe (cp-II 2) provided with a small, denticle-like sclerotized process apically; third conjunctival processes (cp-III) short, stout, apex with sharp edges; distal portion of aedeagus s. str. and phallotreme narrow.

External female genitalia ( Figs. 61–64 , 67, 68 ). Ovipositor ( Figs. 61–64 ): laterotergites VIII enlarged, forming a pair of strongly protruding, rounded, lobe-like projections laterad of laterotergites IX; laterotergites IX obliquely directed, leaving sclerotized sternite X and median part of fused valvifers IX broadly exposed. Gynatrium ( Fig. 69 ) with ring sclerites rather broadly separated from apex of anterolateral pouch proximally; small, paired sclerites posteriad of spermathecal opening fused along midline. Spermatheca: proximal duct slightly longer than distal duct and than longitudinal diameter of dilation.

Measurements (in mm). Body length to apex of scutellum 14.5–18.5; length of head 3.70–3.75, width across eyes 4.00–4.30, interocular distance 2.85–3.08; lengths of scape 0.88–1.03: basipedicellite 0.75–0.88: distipedicellite 1.88–1.98: basiflagellum 2.75–2.90: distiflagellum 2.63–2.80; median length of pronotum 4.16–4.91, humeral width 7.69–8.73; length of scutellum 9.50–10.7, greatest width 6.70–7.80.

Intraspecific variability. The dorsal markings exhibited an insignificant variability among the few examined specimens. The colour of the abdominal venter is variable: in extreme light individuals the paired black fasciae along anterior margins of ventrites III–VII are reduced, they are present merely as dark suffusion; in other individuals they are well developed, broad, but separated by yellow interspaces; still in other individuals they are connected longitudinally by diffuse metallic blue-green areas between their sublateral portions as in Figs. 6 and 9 .

Bionomics. Unknown.

Remarks. Callidea spilogastra was described based on two specimens from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) ( Walker 1867). Both were found in BMNH, the one in better condition ( Figs. 5–7 ) is selected as lectotype. As the species possesses all diagnostic characters of the genus Scutellera , particularly the unique metathoracic scent efferent system, it is hereby transferred into this genus.

Scutellera brevirostris was described based on more than one males (syntypes) from Kandy, Ceylon, collected by W. Horn ( Breddin 1909). Based on its original description it was synonymized with S. nobilis by Distant (1918). The type material was reported to be deposited in the SDEI, a lectotype was designated and two paralectotypes were listed by Gaedike (1971), but a re-examination of the material in concern in course of the present study concluded that one of the specimens listed as paralectotype and labelled accordingly is in fact a female of Chrysocoris taprobanensis (Westwood, 1837) and is certainly not part of the original syntype series. The lectotype ( Figs. 8–10 ) and the male paralectotype are in conflict with the synonymy proposed by Distant (1918), but they are evidently conspecific with the type material of S. spilogastra , resulting in the following proposal of new subjective synonymy: Scutellera spilogastra ( Walker, 1867) , comb. nov. = Scutellera brevirostris Breddin, 1909 , syn. nov.

Distribution. Scutellera spilogastra is rare in collections. It is apparently endemic to the Malabar subregion and Sri Lanka ( Fig. 72 ). A male from Karachi (coll. E.T. Atkinson 92-6, BMNH) examined during the present study is probably mislabelled.

INDIA. Goa!; Kerala!— SRI LANKA!

Type material examined. Callidea spilogastra Walker, 1867 . Lectotype (present designation): ♀, “ Type ” [c with green margin], “ Ceylon \\ 52 \ 16” [hw, circle], “22. Callidea spilogastra .” [cut from Walker (1867: 30)], “BRIT. MUS. \ TYPE No. \ HEM. [pr] 479. [hw]”; pinned, flagelli of both antennae and tarsus of left hind leg lacking ( BMNH) ( Figs. 5–7 ) . Paralectotype: ♂, “Para- \ type” [c with yellow margin], same locality label as lectotype, “ Callidea \ spilogastra, \ Walk.” [W.L. Distant’s hw]; distiflagellum of left, flagellum of right antenna, both mid legs, both hind tarsi lacking ( BMNH) .

Scutellera brevirostris Breddin, 1909 . Lectotype ( Gaedike 1971: 81): ♂, “ Ceylon \ Kandy \ Horn” [hw], “ Scutellera \ brevirostris \ Bredd.” [G. Breddin’s hw], “coll. Breddin ”, “ H. Lehmann rev.”, “ Lectotypus ” [pr, red], “des. \ H. Gaedike \ 1968” [hw]; pinned, left flagellum, tibia and tarsus of left hind leg lacking; SDEI ( Figs. 8–10 ) . Paralectotype: ♂, with same locality label as lectotype, “ Paralectotypus ” [red]; pinned, right distiflagellum, segment III of tarsus of right mid leg lacking; SDEI .

Additional specimens examined. INDIA. India orient[alis] (1 ♂ HNHM) ; Goa: Mormugao , 19.ix.1925, leg. J.C. Bridwell (1 ♂ USNM) ; Kerala: Walayar Forest , 1000 ft., vii.1952, leg. P.S.Nathan, coll. J.C. Lutz 1961 (1 ♀ USNM) .— SRI LANKA. Anu [radhapura] Distr.: Cheddikulam , Malaratu Oya , 15–16.vi.1975, leg. D.H. Messersmith, G.L. Williams & P.B. Karunaratne (1 ♀ USNM) , env. of Dambulla , 300 m, 19.iv–9.v.1991, leg. J. Kolibáč (1 ♂ 1 ♀ ZSMC) , env. of Kandy , 600 m, 1–18.iv.1991, leg. J. Kolibáč (1 ♂ ZSMC) , Col [ombo] Distr., Labugama Reservoir , jungle, 25.v.1975, leg. D.H. Messersmith, G.L. Williams & P.B. Karunaratne (1 ♂ USNM) , Ceylon [= Sri Lanka], 3663 (1 ♀ ZMHB) , same locality, coll. D. MacGillavry (1 ♀ ZMAN > RMNH) , same locality, coll. V. Signoret (1 ♂ NHMW) .

Figures

FIGURES 1–10. Lectotypes of Tectocoris nepalensis Westwood, 1837, Callidea spilogastra Walker, 1867, and Scutellera brevirostris Breddin, 1909, with their labels. Figs. 1, T. nepalensis, dorsal view; Fig. 2, same, lateral view; Fig. 3, same, ventral view; Fig. 4, same, labels; Fig. 5, C. spilogastra, dorsal view; Fig. 6, same, ventral view; Fig. 7, same, labels; Fig. 8, S. brevirostris, dorsal view; Fig. 9, same, ventral view; Fig. 10, same, labels. Scales in mm. © OXUM (Figs. 1–4), © BMNH (Figs. 5–7), © SDEI (Figs. 8–10).

FIGURES 24–29. Scutellera spp., terminalia of males. Figs. 24, 25, S. nepalensis (Westwood, 1837); Figs. 26, 27, S. perplexa (Westwood, 1837); Figs. 28, 29, S. spilogastra (Walker, 1867). Lateral (Figs. 24, 26, 28) and ventral (Figs. 25, 27, 29) views. Abbreviations: fw = fore wing; gc = genital capsule; sc = scutellum. Scales in mm.

FIGURES 30–41. Scutellera spp., external male genitalia. Figs. 30–33, S. nepalensis (Westwood, 1837); Figs. 34–37, S. perplexa (Westwood, 1837); Figs. 38–41, S. spilogastra (Walker, 1867). Genital capsule, dorsal view (Figs. 30, 34, 38); right paramere, three different aspects (Figs. 31–33, 35–37, 39–41). Abbreviations: dsp = dorsal setal patch; mp = median projection of cuplike sclerite; vsp = ventral setal patch. Scales in mm. Figs. 30–33 from Tsai et al. (2011).

FIGURES 42–47. Scutellera spp., phallus (in repose). Figs. 42, 43, S. nepalensis (Westwood, 1837); Figs. 44, 45, S. perplexa (Westwood, 1837); Figs. 46, 47, S. spilogastra (Walker, 1867). Left lateral view (Figs. 42, 44, 46); posteroventral view (Figs. 43, 45, 47).Abbreviations: aed = aedeagus s. str.; cp-II 1, cp-II 2 = lobes of second conjunctival process; cp-III = third conjunctival process. Arrows in Figs. 42, 44 and 46 show aspects of Figs. 43, 45 and 47, respectively. Scales in mm. Figs. 42–43 after Tsai et al. (2011).

FIGURES 48–52. Scutellera spp., phallus. Figs. 4, S. nepalensis (Westwood, 1837), distal portion, ventral view; Fig. 49, S. perplexa (Westwood, 1837), inflated, lateral view; Fig. 50, same, posteroventral view; Fig. 51, same, distal portion, ventral view; Fig. 52, S. spilogastra (Walker, 1867), distal portion, ventral view. Abbreviations as in Figs. 42 and 43. Arrow in Figs. 49 shows aspect of Fig. 50. Scales in mm. Fig. 48 after Tsai et al. (2011).

FIGURES 53–64. Scutellera spp., female terminalia and ovipositor. Figs. 53–56, S. nepalensis (Westwood, 1837); Figs. 57–60, S. perplexa (Westwood, 1837); Figs. 61–64, S. spilogastra (Walker, 1867). Terminalia, posterior view (Figs. 53, 57, 61); same, posterodorsal view (Figs. 54, 58, 62); same, ventral view (Figs. 55, 59, 63); ovipositor and sternum X, posterior view. Abbreviations: ga = gonangulum; lt8, lt9 = laterotergites VIII, IX; = laterotergite IX; s10 = sternum X; t8 = tergite VIII; va8, va9 = valvulae VIII, IX; vf8, vf9 = valvifers VIII, IX. Scales in mm.

FIGURES 65–70. Scutellera spp., ectodermal genital tract of female. Figs. 65, 66, S. nepalensis (Westwood, 1837); Figs. 67,

FIGURES 71–72. Geographical distribution of Scutellera spp. Fig. 71: S. perplexa (Westwood, 1837). Fig. 72: Circles = S. nepalensis nepalensis (Westwood, 1837); squares = S. nepalensis amethystina (Germar, 1839); triangles = S. spilogastra (Walker, 1867). Solid markers represent specimens examined during the present study, empty markers unverified literature data.