Paralygocoris vittulatus ( Poppius, 1914 ), 2024

Yasunaga, Tomohide, 2024, New genera and species of the ‘ Lygus-complex’ ranging from the Himalaya-Oriental to the Wallacea region (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae), Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 72, pp. 371-423 : 416

Paralygocoris vittulatus ( Poppius, 1914) new combination

( Figs. 12 M−O, 17A–E, 34A−I)

Lygus vittulatus Poppius, 1914: 361 .

Lygocoris vittulatus : Schwartz & Chérot, 2005: 10 (new combination).

Material examined. INDONESIA: 5 males, 4 females, South Sulawesi, Lompobattan , 30 miles E of Makassar (Ujung Pandang), 5°19′S, 119°56′E, M. Takai, 22–25 December 1999 ( AMNH, TYCN, ZRC) (1 male bearing USI’s, AMNH _ PBI 00378789 ) .

Diagnosis. This species is recognised readily by its relatively large size and unique colour pattern on dorsum ( Fig. 12M, O ), in addition to the characters shown in the key. The male and female genitalic structures are herein described for the first time. Detailed description of external characters was provided by Poppius (1914).

Description. Male genitalia ( Figs. 17A–E , 34E, F ): Left paramere L-shaped, with apically inflated sensory lobe and sharply pointed apex of hypophysis; hypophysis of right paramere sharply pointed; vesical spicule elongate, stout, L-shaped. Female genitalia ( Figs. 17F , 34G–I ): Sclerotised rings elongate ovoid, narrow, relatively contiguous to each other mesally; dorsal structure basally fused with interramal lobes; and both of interramal lobe and dorsal structure spinulate along posterior margin.

Measurements. See Table 1.

Biology. Unknown. According to the collector (Takai M, pers. comm.), more than a few individuals of this mirid were captured by sweep-netting inflorescences of broadleaf trees around cultivated fields.

Remarks. This taxon has been known only by the female holotype from S. Celebes [= Sulawesi] (Bua-Kraeng) ( Schwartz & Chérot, 2005). During sorting a number of mirine specimens collected by Mr. M. Takai (Ehime University Expedition in 1999), several samples were found to match Poppius’ species. Although Schwartz & Chérot (2005) placed Lygus vittulatus in Lygocoris , the present close examination of the surface structures and genitalia recognised it as a member of Paralygocoris , new genus. A new combination is accordingly established.

Figures

Fig. 12. Habitus images of Himalisundacoris species from Bali, Indonesia (A–H) and Paralygocoris species (H–L). A, B, H. omiae, new species, holotype male; C, D, ditto, female; E, F, H. theoi, new species, male; G, H, ditto, female; H, I. P. balicus, new species, male; J, ditto, female; K, L, P. meridionalis, female; M, N, P. vittulatus, male; O, ditto, female.

Fig. 17. Male (A–E) and female (F–H) genitalia of Paralygocoris vittulatus (A–F) and P. meridionalis (G–H). A, Apex of pygophore (genital segment) with parameres, dorsal view; B, right paramere; C, left paramere; D, E, vesica; F, genital chamber; G, posterior wall; H, apex of ovipositor (gonapophysis I). Scale bars 0.2 mm.

Fig. 34. Scanning electron micrographs of Paralygocoris vittulatus (A–I), Sabactiopus schuhi, new species (J–L) and S. sauteri (M–O). A, head and pronotum, left lateral view; B, scutellum and hemelytron, left lateral view; C, metathoracic scent efferent system; D, metatarsus; E, pygophore, dorsal view; F, vesica; G, sclerotised ring; H, I, posterior wall; J, left lateral habitus; K, anterior body, dorsal view; L, O, thoracic pleura, left lateral view; M, anterior body, left lateral view; N, head, dorsal view.