Katrina L. Menard

A Revised Classification of the Phylinae (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae): Arguments for the Placement of Genera

ABSTRACT As a companion to the tribal-level phylogenetic analysis of Phylinae by Menard, Schuh, and Woolley (2013), a comprehensive generic classification of the subfamily is presented. Names used in the work of Menard et al. (2013) at the tribal/subtribal levels are documented in accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (1999). The new tribal-level names Coatonocapsina, Decomiini, Exocarpocorini, Keltoniina, and Tuxedoina are introduced; the long unused or seldom-used tribal-level names Cremnorrhini Reuter, 1883, Exaeretina Puton, 1975, Nasocorini Reuter, 1883, Oncotylina Douglas and Scott, 1865, and Semiini Knight, 1923, are used and rediagnosed; Phylini Douglas and Scott, 1865, is given a more narrow conception than in previous classifications and the subtribe Phylina is recognized; Pilophorini Douglas and Scott, 1865, is conceived more broadly to include Lasiolabops Poppius and Dilatops Weirauch; Auricillocorini Schuh, 1984, is treated as a junior synonym of Hallodapini Van Duzee; and Pronotocrepini Knight, 1929, is treated as a junior synonym of Cremnorrhina, Reuter, 1883. Comments are made on some of the genera included in the analyses of Menard et al. (2013) and arguments are presented for the placement of all remaining genera of Phylinae, some of which are placed as incertae sedis—particularly within Phylina—because of insufficient evidence to place them with confidence in any currently recognized tribe/subtribe. Lapazphylus Carvalho and Costa, 1992, is treated as a junior synonym of Nicholia Knight, 1929; Schuhistes Menard, 2010, is treated as a junior synonym of Parasciodema Poppius, 1914; Linacoris Carvalho, 1983, is transferred from the Orthotylinae to Phylinae, Hallodapini; and the status of Parapsallus Wagner, 1952, is revised.

Revision of Leucophoropterini: Diagnoses, Key to Genera, Redescription of the Australian Fauna, and Descriptions of New Indo-Pacific Genera and Species (Insecta: Hemiptera: Miridae)

Abstract The Leucophoropterini (Miridae: Phylinae) is an Indo-Australian group including 23 genera and 104 species. Diagnoses are provided for all genera of Leucophoropterini. All genera and species of Australian fauna are revised and redescribed to complement earlier detailed study of Schuh for the Indo-Pacific fauna. Additional new taxa from Papua New Guinea are described and a key to the currently recognized genera is provided, as are keys to the species of Ausejanus, n. gen., and Blesingia Carvalho and Gross. Previously described genera include: Abuyogocoris Schuh (4 species), Aitkenia Carvalho and Gross (2 species, 1 described as new), Arafuramiris Schuh (7 species, 3 described as new), Biromiris Schuh (6 species, 3 described as new), Blesingia Carvalho and Gross (7 species, 5 as new combinations), Collessicoris Carvalho and Gross (1 species), Ctypomiris Schuh (3 species, 1 described as new), Gulacapsus Schuh (4 species, 1 described as new), Leucophoroptera Poppius (5 species, 2 described as new), Papuamimus Schuh (2 species), Pseudohallodapocoris Schuh (3 species), Sejanus Distant (29 species), Solomonomimus Schuh (1 species), Trichocephalocapsus Schuh (2 species), and Waterhouseana Carvalho (2 species, 1 described as new) are revised. New genera include: Ausejanus (18 species, 7 described as new and 11 as new combinations), Austrodapus (1 species, described as new), Johnstonsonius (1 species, described as new), Missanos (1 species, described as new), Neaitkenia (2 species, new combinations), Neoleucophoroptera (2 species, new combinations), Papuamiroides (1 species, described as new), and Transleucophoroptera (1 species, new combination). Pseudoleucophoroptera Schuh is synonymized with Blesingia Carvalho and Gross. The following species synonymies are created (junior synonyms first): Sejanus brunneus Carvalho and Gross  =  Ausejanus tasmaniae (Carvalho and Gross), Sejanus intermedius Carvalho and Gross  =  Ausejanus albisignatus (Knight), Sejanus melaleucae Carvalho and Gross  =  Ausejanus mcdonaldi (Carvalho and Gross), Sejanus rosei Carvalho and Gross  =  Sejanus palumae Carvalho and Gross, and Leucophoroptera nitidior Carvalho and Gross  =  Blesingia elegans Carvalho and Gross  =  Blesingia latezonata Carvalho and Gross  =  Leucophoroptera quadrimaculata Poppius. The genera Dilatops Weirauch, Karoocapsus Schuh, Lasiolabops Poppius, Myrmicopsella Poppius, Porophoroptera Carvalho and Gross, Schuhistes Menard, and Tytthus Fieber are removed from the Leucophoropterini. Sejanus species S. biniguni Schuh, S. fasciatus Carvalho and Gross, S. fijiensis Schuh, S. hongkong Schuh, S. leai Carvalho and Gross, S. novecaledonicus Schuh, S. occidentalis Carvalho and Gross, S. ruber Carvalho and Gross, S. rubricatus Carvalho and Gross, and S. trivinosus Carvalho and Gross are treated as incertae sedis.

Total-evidence phylogenetic analysis and reclassification of the Phylinae (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae), with the recognition of new tribes and subtribes and a redefinition of Phylini

The subfamily Phylinae (Heteroptera: Miridae) is one of the largest subfamilies of plant bugs and in the most recent classification comprised six tribes: Pilophorini, Hallodapini, Auricillocorini, Phylini, Pronotocrepini, and Leucophoropterini. Phylogenetic analyses of the subfamily using dynamic homology (POY), parsimony (TNT), and model‐based (RAxML) methods are presented. A dataset comprising both morphological and molecular characters (16S, 18S, 28S, and COI–COII) was assembled for taxon samples of 164 ingroup and nine outgroup taxa. A reclassification of the subfamily based on the POY analysis is presented, recognizing nine tribes and nine subtribes. The Auricillocorini is synonymized with the Hallodapini and the Pronotocrepini with the Cremnorrhini; the Phylini was found to be polyphyletic and is redefined; the Semiini and Nasocorini are resurrected and redefined; and the Decomiini and Coatonocapsiniare presented as new tribes. The Hallodapini, rather than the Pilophorini, was found to be the sister‐group to the remaining Phylinae.

DESCRIPTION OF SCHUHISTES N. GEN (HETEROPTERA: MIRIDAE: PHYLINAE), A NEW PLANT BUG GENUS FOUND ON ENDEMIC LYCIUM SPP. (SOLANACEAE) FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract Schuhistes, a new genus of Leucophoropterini (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae) is described from South Africa to accommodate two new species, Schuhistes lyciae and Schuhistes lekkersingia. Diagnoses, digital habitus images, illustrations of male and female genitalic structures, and detailed locality data are provided. Host data, scanning micrographs of diagnostic morphological structures – the head, vestiture, scent-gland evaporatory area, gonopore, and pretarsus - are included for both species.

A phylogenetic study of the generic relationships within the subtribe Leucophoropterina Schuh (Miridae: Phylinae: Leucophoropterini)

The subtribe Leucophoropterina (Miridae: Phylinae: Leucophoropterini) is a relatively small lineage of mirids comprising 23 genera and 104 species. Most of the species are endemic to the Indo‐Pacific and Australia, and many are considered ant mimics. A phylogenetic analysis including both the Australian and the Indo‐Pacific taxa was conducted for the first time with a dataset of 137 morphological characters coded for all but two known species of Leucophoropterina. The hypothesis by Schuh ( ) of at least two major lineages of ant‐mimicking taxa based on his analysis of the Indo‐Pacific taxa continues to be supported with our inclusion of Australian taxa. The Australian taxa and Indo‐Pacific taxa of Leucophoropterina do not form independent, geographically based lineages, but instead comprise several lineages containing taxa from both regions. This study provides a basis for future detailed studies of biogeography and ant mimicry in the group.

Resolving the identities of Phylinae (Heteroptera: Miridae) described by O.M. Reuter from Australia in 1904

Abstract Examination of photographs and specimens from the Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, allows for the incorporation of three taxa described by Reuter from Australia in 1904 into the modern classification of Miridae: Phylinae. Leptidolon vittipenne Reuter is judged to be congeneric with Polyzus galbanus Eyles and Schuh; because Leptidolon Reuter is the older name, Polyozus Eyles and Schuh is treated as a junior synonym of Leptidolon, new synonym. Psallus eximius Reuter is transferred to Wallabicoris Schuh and Pedraza, new combination, and is treated as the senior synonym of Wallabicoris cuneotinctus Schuh and Pedraza, new synonym. Sthenarus australis Reuter is transferred to Ausejanus Menard and Schuh, new combination.

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

The New World genus Spanagonicus Berg, 1883 is reviewed. A new species, Spanagonicus schusterus sp. nov. is described from Central America. A key to all known species, as well as redescriptions for all species but S. tiquiensis Carvalho & Carpintero (which was unavailable for inspection), are provided. Characterization of the sexual dimorphism, morphology, and possible function of the newly discovered spatulate setae on the ventral surface of male antennae is also discussed. Color digital habitus images and genitalic illustrations are provided for both male and female specimens of Spanagonicus. Scanning electron and transmission electron micrographs of the second antennal segment of male and female specimens of S. albofasciatus are also included.

Velvet Ants, Past and Present: A County-Wide Checklist of the Distribution and Diversity of Mutillidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) in Oklahoma Including Two New State Records, and New Behavioral Observations for Dasymutilla foxi (Cockerell)

Abstract Oklahoma has some of the highest recorded diversity of velvet ants (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) in North America, as well as having a correspondingly high diversity of ecosystems and potential velvet ant habitats. Velvet ants are relatively large, conspicuous, parasitic wasps that are potential indicators for studies of habitat quality and change over time. However, little is known about in which habitats these insects live within the state other than their sole presence in Oklahoma. Herein we provide a county checklist and maps of known distributions of Mutillidae species in Oklahoma to provide a baseline for future studies comparing habitats and distributions. Two species collected in the summer of 2013 in Cimarron Co., Dasymutilla foxi (Cockerell) and D. snoworum (Cockerell), were found to be new state records. Data were compiled using direct specimen information, confirmed observations, literature records, and specimens collected in the summer of 2013 by the author(s). Efficacy of past Oklahoma insect and Mutillidae surveys across the state before and after 1950 are investigated. Future county-wide survey work of Oklahoma Mutillidae using citizen science surveys is also discussed.