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Title: REVIEW OF THE NEOTROPICAL PHYLINE GENUS PLATYSCYTISCA, WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES FROM BAHIA, BRAZIL (HEMIPTERA: HETEROPTERA: MIRIDAE)

Author
item Henry, Thomas
item COSTA, LUIZ - UNIV. RIO DE JANEIRO

Submitted to: Journal of New York Entomological Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/2/2003
Publication Date: 5/2/2003
Citation: Henry, T.J., Costa, L.A. 2003. Review of the neotropical phyline genus platyscytisca, with the description of a new species from bahia, brazil (hemiptera: heteroptera: miridae). Journal of New York Entomological Society. 111: 120-125

Interpretive Summary: Numerous species of Plant Bugs, such as the cotton fleahopper and tarnished plant bug, are of considerable agricultural importance as pests, whereas other species are predatory and serve as effective controls of pest species. This paper provides the description of a new species found in northern Brail that is related to a more southerly species known to occur on fig trees. The relationship of species in this genus to other genera in the same subfamily is discussed. This information will be useful to biological control researchers studying the insects of fig and related crops and to regulatory personnel who must identify tropical and subtropical insects on cargos coming into the U.S.

Technical Abstract: The phyline genus Platyscytisca Costa and Henry is reviewed and one new species, P. nelsoni, is described from Bahia, Brazil. Platyscytisca nelsoni n. sp., the second species recognized in the genus, represents a considerable range extension for the genus. Provided for P. bergmannae Costa and Henry and P. nelsoni are illustrations of the adults, figures of male genitalia, and a key to help separate these two species.