Catching the bug: the influence of Thomas Henry on a young entomologist

A refection of Dr. Thomas Henry's influence on a young entomologist in the field of Heteroptera

Leucophoropterini

159 p. : ill. (some col.), maps ; 26 cm.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 5 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

Mesquite bugs, other insects, and a bat in the diet of pallid bats in southeastern Arizona

The pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) is a species of western North America, inhabiting ecoregions ranging from desert to oak and pine forest. They are primarily insectivorous predators on large arthropods that occasionally take small vertebrate prey, and are at least seasonally omnivorous in certain parts of their geographic range where they take nectar from cactus flowers and eat cactus fruit pulp and seeds. Until recently, mesquite bugs were primarily tropical-subtropical inhabitants of Mexico and Central America but have since occupied the southwestern United States where mesquite trees occur. Using a noninvasive method, we investigated the bats’ diet at the Cienega Creek Natural Preserve, Arizona, by collecting food parts discarded beneath three night roosts in soil-piping cavities in a mesquite bosque. We also made phenological and behavioral observations of mesquite bugs, Thasus neocalifornicus, and their interactions with the mesquite trees. We determined that the bats discarded inedible parts of 36 species in 8 orders of mainly large-bodied and nocturnal insects below the night-roosts. In addition, one partial bat wing represents probable predation upon a phyllostomid bat, Choeronycteris mexicana. About 17 of the insect taxa are newly reported as prey for pallid bats, as is the bat C. mexicana. The majority of culled insect parts (88%) were from adult mesquite bugs. Mesquite bug nymphs did not appear in the culled insect parts. After breeding in late summer, when nighttime low temperatures dropped below 21 °C, the adult bugs became immobile on the periphery of trees where they probably make easy prey for opportunistic foliage-gleaning pallid bats. Proximity of night-roosts to mesquite bug habitat probably also enhances the bats’ exploitation of these insects in this location

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

Menard, Katrina L. (2015): 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. Zootaxa 3973 (1): 139-158, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3973.1.

FIGURE 2 in 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

FIGURE 2. Male genitalia of Spanagonicus Berg species. Spanagonicus albofasciatus: A. endosoma, B. left paramere, C. phallotheca; S. argentinus: D. endosoma, E. left paramere, F. phallotheca; S. aricanus: G. endosoma, H. left paramere, I. phallotheca; S. schusterus n. sp.: J. endosoma, K. left paramere, L. phallotheca

Sejanus umi Schuh 1984

<i>Sejanus umi</i> Schuh Figure 37 <p> <i>Sejanus umi</i> Schuh, 1984: 186, figs. 500, 612–621 (diag., descr., disc., n. sp., diag., descr., DV, MG, SEM).</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by black dorsum and yellowish ventral surface of head, prosternal xyphus, and appendages, lateral surface of eyes parallel to anterior margin of pronotum, relatively flat dorsal surface of hemelytron relative to rest of body, and secondary gonopore reduced to two subapical, lateral processes.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION: See Schuh (1984).</p> <p>HOSTS: Unknown.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION: Papua New Guinea.</p> <p> DISCUSSION: This species is unique in having yellowish coloration on the venter, whereas in all other <i>Sejanus</i> species the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, pronotum, and thorax are unicolorous dark.</p> <p> HOLOTYPE: <b>PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Morobe Prov.:</b> Umi river, Markham Valley, 480 m, November 23, 1959, L.J. Brass 18 (AMNH).</p> <p> SPECIMENS EXAMINED: <b>INDONESIA: Papua:</b> Central Mountains, Archbold Lake, 3.41 <b>°</b> S 138.53 <b>°</b> E, 760 m, 26 Nov 1961 – 03 Dec 1961, S. Quate & L. Quate, Light Trap, paratype, 18 (00321114) (BPBM). <b>PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Morobe Province:</b> No.14, Umi River, Markham Valley, 6.45746 <b>°</b> S 146.4- 7425 <b>°</b> E, 480 m, 17 Nov 1959, L.J. Brass, paratype, 18 (00196418) (AMNH); 20 Nov 1959, L.J. Brass, paratype, 18 (00196419) (AMNH); 23 Nov 1959, L.J. Brass, 18 (00196420) (AMNH). Wau, 7.33333 <b>°</b> S 146.71- 667 <b>°</b> E, 11 Aug 1972, G.G.E. Scudder, Light Trap, paratype, 18 (00321113) (BPBM). <b>Sandaun aka West Sepik Province:</b> Torricelli Mits, Mokai Village, 3.3667 <b>°</b> S 141.9667 <b>°</b> E, 750 m, 08 Dec 1958 – 15 Dec 1958, W.W. Brandt, paratype, 18 (00321115) (BPBM). <b>Western Highlands:</b> Korop, 1300 m, 12 Jul 1955, J.L. Gressitt, 18 (00196423) (AMNH). <b>Prov. unknown:</b> Biniguni, Gwariu River, 150 m, 27 Jul 1953 – 14 Aug 1973, G.M. Tate, paratype, 28 (00196421, 00196422) (AMNH). Karop, Upper Jimmi, 6.433 <b>°</b> S 145.083 <b>°</b> E, 1300 m, 12 Jul 1955, J.L. Gressitt, Light Trap, paratype, 28 (00321111, 00321112) (BPBM).</p>Published as part of <i>Menard, Katrina L. & Schuh, Randall T., 2011, Revision Of Leucophoropterini: Diagnoses, Key To Genera, Redescription Of The Australian Fauna, And Descriptions Of New Indo-Pacific Genera And Species (Insecta: Hemiptera: Miridae), pp. 1-159 in Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2011 (361)</i> on page 143, DOI: 10.1206/361.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5410834">http://zenodo.org/record/5410834</a&gt

Schaffnerocoris pallipes Henry and Menard 2020, new species

Schaffnerocoris pallipes Henry and Menard, new species (Figs. 63, 64, 115, 116, 136) urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 2DDBA6C5-355A-44EB-8394-EBE75F6E9D72 DIAGNOSIS. This species (Figs. 63, 64) is distinguished by the pale to dark red hemelytra (with the costal margin pale on the darkest specimens), uniformly pale legs, and male genitalia, especially the large, stout genital tubercle (Fig. 136), and weakly C-shaped, apically acute right paramere (Fig. 116). It is similar to S. similis in general color, including the pale legs, but differs in the male genitalia, especially the longer, stouter genital tubercle and the C-shaped rather than S-shaped right paramere. From S. fuscotibialis it is distinguished by the uniformly pale legs and apically acute right paramere. DESCRIPTION. Male: (n = 5; holotype measurements in parentheses): Length from apex of head to cuneal fracture 3.40–3.70 mm (3.55 mm); length from apex of head to apex of membrane 4.60–4.90 mm (4.70 mm); widest point across hemelytra 1.82–1.98 mm (1.90 mm). Head: Width across eyes 1.22–1.30 mm (1.28 mm); interocular width 0.66–0.70 mm (0.67 mm). Labium: Length 2.14–2.27 mm (2.21 mm), extending beyond hind coxae to about abdominal segment III. Antenna: Segment I length 0.59–0.61 mm (0.64 mm); II, 1.10– 1.04 mm (1.02 mm); III, 0.59–0.66 mm (1.02 mm); IV, 0.69–0.75 mm (missing). Pronotum: Median length mm 0.81–0.93 mm (0.85 mm); posterior width 1.38–1.46 mm (1.47 mm). Macropterous, elongate oval. COLORATION. Head: Whitish gray with medially separated dark reddish-gray transverse stripes across vertex and frons, posterior margin red to dark red; eyes purplish red to reddish brown; clypeus and gena dark brown to black. Labium: Pale yellow. Antenna: All segments brown to black. Pronotum: Whitish gray to dark gray, furrows around calli distinctly darker; disc sometimes darker, posterior always paler. Mesoscutum: Dark gray. Scutellum: Dark reddish gray, with lateral margins sometimes contrastingly paler or yellowish. Hemelytron: Grayish pink to deep red, with darkening along the margin of claval commissure, corial margins paler yellowish red in darker specimens; cuneus concolorous with corium; membrane pale grayish brown, veins dark brown. Ventral surface: thorax, episternum, and abdomen grayish red to dark red. Legs: Uniformly yellow. SUR- FACE AND VESTITURE. As in generic description. STRUCTURE. Basal half of second antennal segment slightly thicker than distal half; remainder as in generic description. Male genitalia: Endosoma and phallotheca as in generic description. Left paramere (Fig. 115), small, scytheshaped. Right paramere (Fig. 116) weaky C-shaped, with apex pointed. Female: (n = 5): Length from apex of head to cuneal fracture 3.45–3.60 mm; length from apex of head to apex of membrane 4.30–4.70 mm; widest point across hemelytra 1.86–2.02 mm. Head: Width across eyes 1.33–1.38 mm; interocular width 0.70–0.75 mm. Labium: Length 2.34–2.40 mm. Antenna: Segment I length 0.64–0.66 mm; II, 1.02–1.07 mm; III, 0.61–0.70 mm; IV, 0.72–0.75 mm. Pronotum: Median length 0.90–0.94 mm; posterior width 1.42–1.52 mm. Similar to male in color and general form. Genitalia as in generic description. ETYMOLOGY. The specific epithet pallipes is used to denote the uniformly pale or whitish legs of this species. HOST. Unknown. DISTRIBUTION. Known from only Puebla, Mexico. TYPE MATERIAL. Holotype ♂, MEXICO: Puebla: 6 mi. sw. Tehuacan, 12 Aug. 1978, Plitt & Schaffner (TAMU 789). PARATYPES: MEXICO: Puebla: 3♂♂ 12♀♀, same data as for holotype, (TAMU 722-724, 792-801); 1♂, 8-10 July 1973, Mastro & Schaffner (TAMU 775); 15♂♂ 35♀♀, 9 Aug. 1980, Schaffner, Weaver, Friedlander (11♂♂, 31, ♀♀ TAMU [770-791, 777-789, 802-831, 833-837]; 1♂, 1♀, UNAM [790, 832]; 1♂, 1♀, UNAM; 4 ♂♂, 4♀♀ USNM [775, 777, 782, 784, 829-832, 834]), 27 July 1973, Mastro & Schaffner (TAMU).Published as part of Henry, Thomas J. & Menard, Katrina L., 2020, Revision and Phylogeny of the Eccritotarsine Plant Bug Genus Caulotops Bergroth, with Descriptions of Four New Genera and 14 New Species (Hemiptera Heteroptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae) Associated with Agave (Agavoideae Asparagaceae) and Related Plant Genera, pp. 201-252 in Zootaxa 4772 (2) on pages 247-249, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4772.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/381646

Schaffnerocoris Henry and Menard 2020

Key to the Species of Schaffnerocoris 1. Hind tibia and femur, except for base, uniformly fuscous; distribution: Neuvo Leon, Mexico............ fuscotibialis, n. sp. – Hind tibia and femur uniformly pale...................................................................... 2 2. Genital tubercle (Fig. 137) long and evenly slender; distribution: Guerrero, Mexico...................... similis, n. sp. – Genital tubercle (Fig. 136) broader at base, narrowing to a point apically; distribution: Puebla, Mexico...... pallipes, n. sp.Published as part of Henry, Thomas J. & Menard, Katrina L., 2020, Revision and Phylogeny of the Eccritotarsine Plant Bug Genus Caulotops Bergroth, with Descriptions of Four New Genera and 14 New Species (Hemiptera Heteroptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae) Associated with Agave (Agavoideae Asparagaceae) and Related Plant Genera, pp. 201-252 in Zootaxa 4772 (2) on page 244, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4772.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/381646

Nigrotomocoris longirostris Henry and Menard 2020, new species

Nigrotomocoris longirostris Henry and Menard, new species (Figs. 52–54, 107, 108, 132) urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: F7626D5D-1F31-4A34-B143-91E7E1F6B156 Diagnosis. This species (Figs. 52–54) is distinguished by the relatively small size, the uniformly black color, the long labium that extends to the hind coxae, and the more elongate, conical male genital tubercle (Fig. 132). It is most similar to N. keltoni and N. nigrus in the overall uniformly black antennae and legs. Nigrotomocoris nigrus differs from N. longirostris by the larger size (3.24–3.88 mm), the pale fascia across the base of the head, the labium extending only to the middle coxae, the hemelytra having a bluish sheen, and the stout, apically rounded genital tubercle; N. keltoni, differs in having a much shorter antennal segment II, the distinct dirty white pleural areas on the thorax, and the much more elongate and spinelike genital tubercle. DESCRIPTION. Male (n = 5; holotype measurements in parentheses): Length from apex of head to cuneal fracture 2.08–2.16 mm (2.08 mm); length from apex of head to apex of membrane 3.00– 3.12 mm (2.92 mm); widest point across hemelytra 1.38–1.44 mm (1.42 mm). Head: Width across eyes 0.83–0.88 mm (0.85 mm); interocular width 0.50–0.56 mm (0.54 mm). Labium: Length 1.15–1.20 mm (1.15 mm). Antenna: Segment I length 0.38–0.43 mm (0.42 mm); II, 0.54–0.61 mm (0.59 mm); III, 0.22–0.26 mm (0.26 mm); IV, 0.21–0.26 mm (0.26 mm). Pronotum: Median length 0.43–0.45 mm (0.45 mm); posterior width 1.10–1.18 mm (1.14 mm). Macropterous, weakly ovoid. COLORATION. Head: Uniformly black, eyes purplish red to reddish brown. Labium: Dark brown to black, extending to hind coxae. Antenna: Uniformly brown to black. Pronotum, mesoscutum, scutellum brown to black. Hemelytron: Dark brown to black, lacking a bluish sheen; membrane smoky brown, veins dark brown. Ventral surface: Thorax dark brown, mesosternum shiny; abdomen dark brown to black, genital tubercle dark brown to black. Legs: Coxae dark brown; femora dark brown; tibiae dark brown; tarsomeres and claws dark brown. SURFACE AND VESTITURE. Head: Surface shiny, impunctate, with short white sericeous setae. Antenna: setae short, dense, simple. Thorax: Pronotum, mesoscutum, and scutellum with short white simple and sericeous setae; calli and anterior margin somewhat shiny, calli and anterior margin impunctate, disc posterior to calli uniformly punctate. Hemelytron: Setae short, simple, white; surface dull black, without a bluish sheen; veins of membrane with short setae. Abdomen with sparse simple setae. STRUCTURE. As in generic description. Male genitalia: Endosoma and phallotheca as in generic description. Left paramere (Fig. 107) L- or scytheshaped. Right paramere (Fig. 108) elongate, shallow C-shaped, apex broadly spatulate with a small upturned hook. Female: (n = 5): Length from apex of head to cuneal fracture 2.04–2.20 mm; length from apex of head to apex of membrane 3.00– 3.12 mm; widest point across hemelytra 1.39–1.50 mm. Head: Width across eyes 0.85–0.90 mm; interocular width 0.53–0.56 mm. Labium: Length 1.17–1.22 mm. Antenna: Segment I length 0.43–0.45 mm; II, 0.54–0.56 mm; III, 0.22–0.24 mm; IV, 0.22–0.27 mm. Pronotum: Median length 0.52–0.56 mm; posterior width 1.38–1.50 mm. Similar to male in size, shape, and coloration. Genitalia as in generic description. ETYMOLOGY. This species is named longirostris to denote the relatively long labium that extends to the hind coxae or beyond. HOST. Taken on ponytail palm, Beaucarnea recurvata Lem. [Nolinoideae: Asparagaceae]. DISTRIBUTION. Known only from Puebla, Mexico. TYPE MATERIAL. Holotype ♂, MEXICO: Puebla: 1 mi. sw. Zapotitlan, 11 July 1973, Maestro & Schaffner, ex Beaucarnea recurvata (TAMU). Paratypes: MEXICO: Puebla: 23♂♂, 9♀♀, same data as for holotype (21♂, 7♀♀ TAMU; 2♂♂, 2♀♀ USNM); 36♂♂, 15♀♀, 1 mi. sw. Zapotitlan, 8 July 1973, Mastro & Schaffner, ex Beaucarnea recurvata (TAMU [267-271, 273-275, 277-294, 296, 298-299, 301, 303-310, 312-324, 326-333, 335-338, 340, 342, 344, 345, 347]; 2♂♂, 2♀♀, UNAM [267, 325, 334, 346]; 5 ♂♂ [272, 276, 300, 302, 311], 5 ♀♀ [295, 297, 339, 341, 343] USNM); 1♂, Puebla, 2 km W Zapotitlan, 1470 m, 18°19.5’N, 97°29.9’W, 30 July 1995, T. J. Henry & E. Barrera (USNM).Published as part of Henry, Thomas J. & Menard, Katrina L., 2020, Revision and Phylogeny of the Eccritotarsine Plant Bug Genus Caulotops Bergroth, with Descriptions of Four New Genera and 14 New Species (Hemiptera Heteroptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae) Associated with Agave (Agavoideae Asparagaceae) and Related Plant Genera, pp. 201-252 in Zootaxa 4772 (2) on pages 234-235, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4772.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/381646