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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #353878
Research Project: Systematics of Hemiptera and Related Groups: Plant Pests, Predators and Disease Vectors

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: Revision of the plant bug genus Semium (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae: Semiini), with the description of three new species and a revised key

Author
item Henry, Thomas

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/18/2018
Publication Date: 8/8/2018
Citation: Henry, T.J. 2018. Revision of the plant bug genus Semium (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae: Semiini), with the description of three new species and a revised key. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 120(3):508-532.

Interpretive Summary: Plant bugs represent the largest family of true bugs and include numerous agriculturally important species. Many, such as lygus bugs, are serious crop pests, causing enormous economic losses in the United States annually. This paper provides the review of a group of plant-feeding bugs that feed on plants in the family commonly called spurges. In this paper, six previously known species are redescribed and three species new to science are described. Color photos of all species and illustrations various diagnostic structures are provided, and a dichotomous identification key is given to aid in their identification. This research will be of interest to all workers involved in research on spurges and the insects associated with them.

Technical Abstract: The plant bug genus Semium Reuter, previously containing six species, is reviewed and the new Mexican species Semium albocuneatum from Puebla and S. cervantesi from Guerrero, and S. texanum from western Texas are described. Previously known species are diagnosed and redescribed, a color dorsal illustration of S. albocuneatum, color dorsal images of all species, selected SEM images of S. hirtum, and illustrations of male genitalia are provided, and a revised key to the nine species of the genus is given.