Thomas J. Henry

Curaliidae, a New Family of Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) from the Eastern United States

Abstract Curalium cronini, new genus and new species is described on the basis of 16 male specimens from the southeastern United States. The relationships of Curalium are discussed within the context of a phylogenetic analysis for the Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha. Curalium is placed within the Cimicomorpha, primarily on the basis of pretarsal structure, with the ventral arolium being absent and the dorsal arolium existing in the form of a peg-like dorsomedian sensillum. It is further placed in a clade with Joppeicidae and Velocipedidae as the sistergroup of the remaining members of the Cimiciformes, a lineage containing all predatory family-group taxa in the Cimicomorpha other than the Reduvioidea. Curalium uniquely possesses several autapomorphic features, including a collar-like pronotum, novel male genitalia, and enlarged proctiger; other characters which—in combination—contribute to its diagnosis include hemispherical eyes, reduced forewing venation, fusiform antennal segments III and IV, and two-segmented tarsi. Because its placement in any existing family would render the diagnosis of that family meaningless, this novel taxon is placed in the Curaliidae, new family. Color images of whole specimens and extensive line drawings and scanning electron micrographs of morphological details are provided.

Revision of the New World species of Peritropis Uhler (Heteroptera: Miridae: Cylapinae).

The New World species of the genus Peritropis are revised, and 17 new species are described: P. amazonica, P. amphicyrta, P. carpinteroi, P. carvalhoi, P. conspersa, P. cornata, P. gorczycai, P. guarani, P. izyai, P. marmorea, P. nicaraguensis. P. plaumanni, P. schaffneri, P. scutellata, P. stobieckii, P. turrialba and P. venezuelaensis. All previously known species from the New World (P. husseyi Knight, P. saldaeformis Uhler, and P. tuberculata McAtee and Malloch) are redescribed, except P. unicolor Carvalho and Rosas for which an English translation of the original description is provided. Illustrations of the male genitalia, a color photograph of the adult of each species, scanning electron micrographs of selected structures of Peritropis husseyi, P. saldaeformis and P. turrialba, and a key to species are provided.

First records of eleven true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) from the Galapágos Islands, with miscellaneous notes and corrections to published reports.

Abstract Eleven species of Heteroptera in seven families, including the first record of the family Alydidae, are reported from the Galápagos Islands. The first Galápagos Island records are given for the following: Alydidae [Neomegalotomus parvus (Westwood)]; Coreidae [Vazuezitocoris andinus Brailovsky = Anasa mimetica Brailovsky]; Miridae [Halticus bractatus (Say)]; Pentatomidae [Mecidea minor Ruckes, Nezara viridula (Linnaeus), Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood), and Podisus distinctus Stål]; Reduviidae [Heza ephippium (Lichtenstein)]; Rhopalidae [Niesthrea ashlocki Froeschner, Niesthrea sidae (Fabricius)]; and Tingidae [Leptobyrsa decora Drake]. For each species, we give a diagnosis, dorsal photograph, a summary of the distribution and host plants, and provide information to facilitate identification. With the discovery of these new taxa and the correction of several misidentifications, the number of Heteroptera known from the Galápagos Islands is increased from 20 families, 71 genera, and 131 species to 21 families, 76 genera, and 140 species.

New United States Records for Six Neotropical Miridae (Hemiptera) in Southern Florida

Six species of plant bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) collected in southern Florida are reported as new United States records: Hyalopsallus diaphanus (Reuter) (Phylinae); Ceratocapsus nigropiceus Reuter, Jobertus chrysolectrus Distant, and Paramixia carmelitana (Carvalho) (Orthotylinae); Paracarnus cubanus Bruner (Deraeocorinae); and Proba hyalina Maldonado (Mirinae). Distribution and host plants in Florida and diagnoses are provided for all 6 species.

Revision of the Plant Bug Genus Tytthus (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Miridae, Phylinae)

Abstract The phyline plant bug genus Tytthus Fieber, previously containing 19 species, is revised. Isoproba Osborn and Drake, 1915, incorrectly placed in the subfamily Bryocorinae, tribe Dicyphini, is synonymized as a junior synonym of Tytthus Fieber, syn. n.; the only included species, Isoproba picea Osborn and Drake is transferred to Tytthus, comb. n., as the senior synonym of Tytthus hondurensis Carvalho, syn. n.; and Tytthus koreanus Josifov and Kerzhner, 1972 is synonymized with Tytthus chinensis (Stål 1860), syn. n.; and a lectotype for Tytthus parviceps is designated. The six new species Tytthus femoralis from Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, and Peru,Tytthus fuscicornis from New Mexico (USA), Tytthus mexicanus from Mexico, Tytthus pallidus from Brazil and Panama, Tytthus uniformis from Arizona and New Mexico (USA), and Tytthus wheeleri from the eastern United States are described, bringing the total number of species for the genus to 24. A color adult habitus illustration of Tytthus wheeleri, color photographs for each species (except Tytthus juturnaiba Carvalho and Wallerstein), illustrations of male genitalia, scanning electron photomicrographs of selected structures of certain species, and an identification key are provided to facilitate species recognition. A phylogenetic analysis is offered to help infer relationships.

The Big-Eyed Bugs, Chinch Bugs, and Seed Bugs (Lygaeoidea)

The Lygaeoidea, representing the second largest superfamily in the infraorder Pentatomomorpha, are one of the most diverse groups of Heteroptera with about 700 genera and more than 4,200 species in the world. In the Neotropics, about 184 genera and 836 species are included in 12 of the world’s 16 families. For each family, we provide a diagnosis; an overview of the classification; information on the general life history, ecology, and economic importance; and comprehensive keys to subfamilies, tribes, and genera for the Neotropical Region, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the West Indies.

AN ANNOTATED LIST OF THE PLANT BUGS, OR MIRIDAE (HEMIPTERA: HETEROPTERA), OF KENTUCKY

Abstract A list of 202 species of Miridae, or plant bugs, of Kentucky is presented, based on study of more than 4,000 specimens from the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville collections and fieldwork conducted by the authors, supplemented by a review of the literature. One- hundred seventy-six species are newly recorded from the state; 26 species previously were known in Kentucky based on the most recent North American Heteroptera catalog and a few other literature sources. The Miridae in this list are arranged alphabetically by subfamily, tribe, genus, and species. Distribution, dates, host plants, depository, and number of specimens examined are provided for each species. When a Kentucky host was not recorded, literature documenting known hosts is given, along with selected papers providing biological information.

Genus Parthenicus in the Eastern United States, with Descriptions of New Species (Hemiptera: Miridae)

The eastern United States species of the orthotyline plant bug genus Parthenicus Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae) are reviewed. Parthenicus juniperi (Heidemann), P. psalliodes Reuter (type of genus), P. taxodii Knight, and P. vaccini (Van Duzee) are redescribed. The new species P. knighti, P. rufus, and P. weemsi are described from specimens collected in Florida. Known distributions and host plants, illustrations of male parameres, photographs of adults, and a key to the 7 eastern U.S. species are provided.

Life history, diagnosis, and biological aspects of Engytatus varians (Hemiptera: Miridae), a predator of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae)

ABSTRACT The life cycle and several life parameters of the zoophytophagous predator Engytatus varians (Distant) (Heteroptera: Miridae), including nymphal growth according to Dyar’s rule, were examined in the laboratory. The egg, nymph (five instars), and adult stages were 9.20, 17.36, and 19.02u2005d in length, respectively. The growth ratio for nymphs was consistent with Dyar’s rule based on the lengths of the femora of the forelegs, the tibiae and femora of the middle legs, and the antennae. Some biological characteristics of E. varians were also evaluated when the mirid was fed three different diets (B. cockerelli third instars, Sitotroga cerealella Olivier [Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae] eggs, and a mixture of both instars and eggs). The length of the nymphal stage was three days longer on a diet of only S. cerealella eggs than when the mirids were fed the third instars of B. cockerelli only or a mixture of both. The sex ratio was not affected by the type of diet. Nymphs of E. varians consumed B. cockerelli nymphs (80–85) when fed third instars only and third instarsu2009+u2009S. cerealella eggs, respectively. The potential use of this predator as a biological control agent of B. cockerelli is discussed.

Acrolophyses, a new seed bug genus and two new species (Hemiptera; Heteroptera: Rhyparochromidae: Myodochini) from forest-canopy fogging in Ecuador and Peru.

Th e new myodochine (Rhyparochromidae) genus Acrolophyses is described to accommodate the two new species A. arboricolous from Ecuador and Peru, designated as the type species, and A. hadros from Ecuador. Th e new species are diagnosed and described, and adult photographs, scanning electron photomicrographs of selected structures and illustrations of male genitalia are provided to aid in identifi cation. Th e relationship of Acrolophyes with the genera Distingphyses and Pephysena is discussed.