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Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 3/22/2002 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The true bug family Miridae, commonly referred to as plant bugs, contains numerous species of agricultural importance, including such noteworthy pests as the tarnished plant bug and cotton fleahopper. Many other species are beneficial and prey on other arthropods such as aphids, mites, and moth larvae. The species treated in this paper belong to a group of plant-feeding species. One species is known only from Mexico; the other, previously known only from Puerto Rico, is reported for the first time from the United States based on records from southern Florida. This paper provides descriptions and illustrations each species and an identification key to help agricultural and quarantine personnel recognize these potentially important plant-feeding species. Technical Abstract: Parthenicus nigrosquamis Maldonado, described and previously known only from Puerto Rico, is reported for the first time in the United States from Key West, Florida. Based on head morphology, vestiture, and male genital structures, this species is removed from Parthenicus Reuter and transferred to the monotypic genus Proboscidotylus Henry (n.comb.), previously known only from Mexico. The types species of Proboscidotylus, P. carvalhoi Henry, and P. nigrosquamis are redescribed and their relationships are discussed. Scanning electron micrographs of selected structures, dorsal and lateral photographs, and illustrations of male genitalia for both species are provided to help facilitate recognition. |
