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Submitted to: Journal of New York Entomological Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/2012 Publication Date: 1/18/2013 Citation: Henry, T.J. 2013. Randallophorus schuhi, a new Neotropical genus and species of Pilophorini (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae). Journal of New York Entomological Society. 118(1-4):177-282. Interpretive Summary: Plant bugs represent the largest family of true bugs and include numerous agriculturally important species. Many are serious crop pests, causing enormous economic losses in the United States annually. A large number of these bugs, however, are beneficial and prey on various arthropod pests, such as scale insects, mites, and caterpillars, making them of considerable interest to researchers involved in biological control. This paper provides the description of a new genus and new species of plant bug from South America. Although the hosts and habits are unknown, its relationship with other members of this group suggestions that it is predatory. Color photographs of the male and female, illustrations of male genitalia, and an identification key to related genera are provided to help identify this new predator. Information on this insect will be of interest to a wide range of researchers, regulatory personnel, and Federal and state departments of agriculture working in insect pest management and biological control. Technical Abstract: The new pilophorine plant bug genus Randallophorus is described to accommodate the new species R. schuhi from Paraguay. Images of the holotype male and a paratype female, illustrations of male genitalia, and a key to the New World genera of Pilophorini (Miridae: Phylinae) are provided to facilitate identification. |
