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Submitted to: Jeffersoniana
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 2/5/2007 Publication Date: 3/28/2007 Citation: Henry, T.J. 2007. A new crataegus-feeding plant bug of the genus neolygus hemiptera: heteroptera: miridae) from eastern United States. Jeffersoniana. 17:1-10. Interpretive Summary: Plant bugs represent the largest and most economically important family of true bugs. Species, such as lygus bugs and the cotton fleahopper, are important pests causing millions of dollars in losses annually to agricultural crops. Many plant bugs are poorly known and difficult to identify. This paper provides information on a species new to science from eastern United States that feeds on native hawthorns. Because hawthorns are closely related to cultivated fruits, this new plant bug is of potential concern in commercial orchards. This paper presents the description and illustrations of the adult male and female, distribution and host information, and a discussion on how to separate this new hawthorn plant bug from closely related species. This information will be valuable to agricultural researchers and extension specialists involved in the biological control and identification of fruit crop insect pests. Technical Abstract: The new species Neolygus crataegi is described from two counties in southern Virginia where it was collected in June on flowers of hawthorn, Crataegus spp. Dorsal and lateral digital images and a habitus illustration of the adult, scanning electron photomicrographs of selected structures, and male genitalia are provided to help recognize N. crataegi from other species of the genus. |
