Tetyra antillarum Kirkaldy

Wheeler, A. G. & Eger, Joseph E., 2022, Natural History and Spread of Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia; Anacardiaceae) in Florida and Its Role in Range Expansion by Tetyra antillarum Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae), Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 124 (1), pp. 150-163 : 153-156

Tetyra antillarum Kirkaldy

( Figs. 1, 2)

Recognition.—Adults of this large (13–14 mm), broadly oval, strongly convex shield bug ( Fig. 1) can be distinguished in Florida from a congener, T. bipunctata , by having a shorter labium, which extends to the third visible abdominal segment. The annulated antennae of nymphs and adults—black and white banded—provide a reliable means of field recognition. McDonald (1966) described and illustrated the male terminalia, and Weiler et al. (2017) illustrated structures of the external scent efferent system.

Distribution—Until the paper by Clark (2016), T. antillarum had been reported from Florida in the United States; Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Puerto Rico in the West Indies; in a few states of Mexico; and in Costa Rica and Nicaragua in Central America ( Barber 1939, Maes 1994, Eger et al. 2015). The new country records ( Clark 2016) and their sources (Clark, pers. comm.) are Martinique ( Touroult et al. 2014) and U.S. Virgin Islands [St. Croix] (Miskimen and Boyd 1970) [also St. John and St. Thomas; USNM] in the West Indies, and Panama (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Henk Wolda Insect Collection) in Central America. Clark’s (2016) new state records for Mexico and their source (iDigBio) are Jalisco, Querétaro, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Zacatecas.

Our new records are West Indies (Bahamas, British Virgin Islands [Guana, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda], Caribbean Netherlands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Grenadines, Jamaica, and St. Lucia); Mexico (Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, and Sonora); and Central America (Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras).

The first published record of T. antillarum in the United States is based on an adult collected by Annie Slosson at Biscany [sic] Bay, Florida ( Van Duzee 1904). “Biscany” is a lapsus for Biscayne Bay, which extends nearly the length of Miami-Dade County from North Miami south to the upper Keys. The oldest specimen from Florida, perhaps the one noted by Van Duzee (1904), is an adult that Slosson collected at Key West (Monroe Co.) in 1887 ( Lattin 1964). More than 75 years later, the scutellerid still was considered restricted to extreme southern Florida ( Lattin 1964). The current northernmost records for Florida are Duval and Nassau Counties based on data from DOACS DPI.

The following U. S. records, listed as T. antillarum on iDigBio (Integrated Digitized Biocollections) and one on GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility), refer to T. bipunctata : District of Columbia: 6 Jun 1896 ,1♂, Otto Heidemann Collection, Cornell University; Florida: Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, 1 adult, 16 Mar 1949, J. G. Needham; Georgia: Clayton [Rabun Co.], 1 adult, beaten from pine, 18–26 May 1911, J. C. Bradley, and Billys Island, Okefenokee Swamp [Charlton Co.], 1 adult, 29 May 1921; and Mississippi: Lucedale [George Co.], 1 adult, 1 Jan 1931, H. Dietrich. The specimens were stated to have been determined by J. D. Lattin in 2000 and supposedly are in the C. A. Triplehorn Insect Collection, Ohio State University, Columbus. Based on specimens borrowed from other insect collections, however, Lattin (1964), examined specimens of T. bipunctata taken at the same localities on the same dates; he indicated that they were borrowed from the Cornell University Insect Collection. The records posted on iDigBio and GBIF as T. antillarum are based on specimens of T. bipunctata that Lattin (1964) correctly identified in his unpublished dissertation.

In Florida, we collected T. antillarum on Brazilian peppertree in Lake, Manatee, and Polk Counties. Based on specimens in the FSCA and JEEC, T. antillarum is also known from the Florida counties of Brevard, Broward, Collier, Duval, Hillsborough, Lee, Nassau, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, and Volusia.

Host associations. — Few records are available. For example, no Cuban hosts are known for T. antillarum , including Ciénaga de Zapata, Matanzas, where it was particularly abundant ( Grillo 2012), or for the nearly 40 specimens collected in Puerto Rico ( Segarra et al. 2016). Blatchley (1926) beat an adult male and a nymph from potatotree ( Solanum erianthum D. Don ; Solanaceae [as S. verbascifolium L.]) at Brickell Hammock, Miami, Florida, on 11 March (year not given). An adult was collected from akee ( Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig ; Sapindaceae ) on 10 May 1945 in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami ( Lattin 1964). Maes (1994) recorded the scutellerid from Coffea sp. ( Rubiaceae ) in Nicaragua. Adults, nymphs, or both have been found in Florida on gumbo limbo ( Bursera simaruba [L.] Sarg.; Burseraceae ) in Brevard, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties ( Halbert 2018, DOACS DPI, JEEC). In addition, adults have been collected three times in Florida on loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica [Thunb.] Lindl.; Rosaceae ), an Asian plant ( DOACS DPI).

We collected 10 nymphs (instars I, II, III, and V) and 56 adults of T. antillarum from fruit-bearing branches of Brazilian peppertree in Lake, Manatee, and Polk Counties. The scutellerid was not found during limited sampling of this plant in Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and Sarasota Counties. In addition, T. antillarum was collected (2016) from Brazilian peppertree in Pinellas County ( DOACS DPI).

Seasonality.— Lattin (1964) mentioned that adults had been collected in March, April, May, and July. Specimens in the FSCA indicate that adults of T. antillarum are present nearly year-round.

We observed adults on Brazilian peppertree from mid-January to early April. A female collected in mid-January and placed in a 50-dram vial deposited eggs ( Fig. 2) on the plastic cap. A fifth instar was taken in mid-February, a first instar in early March, and second and third instars in late March and on 1 April. Adults and nymphs were not found on the plant from October to December, or in late July when nearly all fruits had dropped. Our fieldwork suggests that T. antillarum overwinters as an adult and produces one generation on Brazilian peppertree. Whether the scutellerid is univoltine requires additional field study to verify its voltinism.

Specimens collected by AGW from Schinus terebinthifolia . — USA: Florida: Lake Co., Rt. 27, 1.6 km S of northbound entrance to FL Turnpike, 20 km N of Clermont , 28°39.62′ N 81°50. 97′ W, 1–I, 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀ (1 Mar 2018) , 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ (17– 19 Jan 2019) , 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀ (7, 8 Mar 2019) , 1 ♂ (21Nov 2019) , 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀ (14 Jan 2021) , 3–II, 4–III (1 molted to IV next day) , 4 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀ (1, 2 Apr 2021) ; Rt. 27 at jct. Rt. 561, 28°37.26′ N 81°45.56′ W, 7 km N of Clermont , 3 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀ (1 Mar 2018) ; Rt. 27, 8.5 km S of Clermont , 28°28.36′ N 81°42.94′ W, 1 ♀ (13 Feb 2016) ; Rt. 27, 1.6 km N of Polk Co. line, 28°21.99′ N 81°40.94′ W, 1 ♀ (14 Jan 2021) , 1–III, 2 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀ (1 Apr 2021) . Manatee Co., Co. Rd. 780 (= Clay Gulley Rd. ) , 2.2 km W of Sandy , 4 ♀♀ (2 Mar 2018) . Polk Co., Rt. 27, 7.5 km S of Haines City , 28°03.56′ N 81°38.18′ W, 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (30 Mar 2017) , 2 ♀♀ (1 Mar 2018) ; Rt. 27, Lake Wales , 27°57.91′ N 81°37.50′ W, 1–V (molted to adult ♂ same day) (13 Feb 2016) ; Rt. 27, 16 km S of Lake Wales , 27°45.87′ N 81°35.64′ W, 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (3 Mar 2018) .

Other specimens examined.— BAHAMAS: 1 ♀, Eleuthera, Rainbow Bay , 16–26 Oct 1985 ; 1 ♂, 7, Mar– 19 Dec 1986 ; 1 ♂, 6 ♀♀, July–Dec 1987 ; 21 ♂♂, 55 ♀♀, Jan–Dec 1988 ; 9 ♂♂, 52 ♀♀, Jan–Mar 1989 ; 7 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Jan–Jun 1990 ; 3 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀, Jan–Jul 1992, D. B., J. R. and R. W. Riley (includes 4 specimens taken at blacklight trap) [ FSCA, JEEC] . BELIZE: 1 ♀, Orange Walk Dist., Rio Bravo Conservation Area , 17 Apr 1995, at light trap and 1 ♀, 7–14 Apr 1995, P. Kovarik and J. Shuey, at light [ JEEC] ; 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 19 Jul 1996, C. W. and L. B. O’Brien, UV and MV lights [ JEEC] ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Belize, 26 May 2004 and 1 ♀, 29 May 2004, R. M. Baranowski [ FSCA] ; 1 ♀, Corozal District, Copper Bank Inn, nr Copper Bank Village , 16Aug 2007, P.Kovarik and 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀,9Aug 2007 [ FSCA] ; 1♀, Stann Creek, Mayflower Bocawina NP, N16°55.952′ W88°22.981′, 60 m, 30 May 2008, R. D. Cave [ FSCA] ; 1 ♂, Cayo Dist., Benque Viejo, Riverside N. Mopan R. Resort , 16 Oct 2009, M. Chrysler, BLT [ FSCA] . BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS: 1 ♀, Guana Island, 9–15 Oct 2002 and 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 3–24 Oct 2003, B. and B. Valentine, at UV light ; 1♀, Guana Island, sand pit, 25 Oct 2004, B. D and S. C. Valentine [ FSCA] ; 3 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, Guana Island, Upper Camano UV, 22 Sep–12 Oct 2006 –2010, B. D. Valentine family [ FSCA] ; 1 ♀, Guana Island, laundry area UV trap, J. Cokendolpher [ FSCA] ; 1 ♂, Guana Island, generator UV trap, J. Cokendolpher [ FSCA] . 1 ♀, Jost Van Dyke Island, 18 Oct 2009, W. Lu and S. Valentine-Cooper [ FSCA] . 1 ♂, Tortola, Chalwell , Sep 2003, at light, C. Petrovic [ FSCA] . 1 ♀, Virgin Gorda, Spring Bay , 15 Oct 1992, H. V. and R. M. Baranowski [ FSCA] . CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS (formerly Netherlands Antilles): 1 ♀, Saba, Windwardside , 20 Aug 1992, B.L. Trap, H. V.and R. M. Baranowski [ FSCA] ; 2 ♀♀, Saba, Hells Gate , 21, 28 Jun 1995, BLT, T. van Oosteren [ JEEC] ; 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, Saba, The Level , April, May 2006, M. P. K. Yeh [JEEC, FSCA] ; 1 ♂, Saba, The Level, 25 Jan 2007, M. P. K. Yeh [ FSCA] ; CAYMAN ISLANDS: 1 ♂ (Oxford Univ. Biol. Expeditions, 17 Apr–26 Aug 1938), Cayman Brac, Earthquake Hole , light trap, 24 May 1938, C. B. Lewis and G. H. Thompson [ JEEC] ; 3 ♂♂, 15 ♀♀, Cayman Brac, The Creek , 18 Oct 1995 – 7 Aug 1998, blacklight trap, R. M. and H. V. Baranowski (1 collection by E. A. Dilbert) [ JEEC] ; 2 ♀♀, Cayman Brac, Brac Paradise Subdivision , 6 Jun 2008, M. C. Thomas, R. H. Turnbow, and B. K. Dozier, blacklight trap [ FSCA] ; 1 ♂, Cayman Brac, Major Donald Dr ., 6 km E Jct. Ashton Reid Dr., 3 Jul 2013, blacklight trap, M. C. Thomas [ FSCA] ; 1 ♂, Cayman Brac, 0.9 km E Brac Parrot Res. , 3, 4 Jul 2013, M. Thomas [ FSCA] ; 2 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, Grand Cayman, Boatswain Point, Lime Tree Estate , 21 Jun 1976, 1 May and 20 Sep 1983, 16 Feb 1985, 27 Feb 1987, E. J. Gerberg [ FSCA] ; 1 ♀, Grand Cayman, South Sound , 5 Jul 1986, BL trap, P. Fitzgerald [ FSCA] ; Grand Cayman, Botanic Garden , 4 Jun 2008, blacklight trap, M. C. Thomas, R. H. Turnbow, and B. K. Dozier [ FSCA] . DOMINICA: Clarke Hall , 1 ♀, 11 Jan 1965, 1 ♀, 18 Feb 1965, J. F. G. and T. M. Clarke ; 1 ♀, 1–10 Mar 1965, light trap, W. W. Wirth ; 1 ♀, 18 May 1966, G. Steyskal . GRENADA: 1 ♀, Par. St. Andrew, Plains , 10 May 1990, uv trap, F. Noel [ FSCA] ; 1 ♂, St. Andrew, Mirabeau Agr. Lab. , 12 Oct 1990, uv trap, R. E. Woodruff [ FSCA] . GRENADINES: 1 ♂, Canouan Island, Corbec Bay , N12°51.43′45′′ W89°61.20′15′′, 7 Aug 2008, dry scrub woodland, uv trap, 100 m, S. Peck and M. de Silva [ FSCA] . GUATEMALA: 4 ♂♂, Zacapa, road to Lorenzo , 19 Jul 2001, ~ 1890 m el., N15°02′30′′ W89°40′07′′, W. B. Warner [ FSCA] ; 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Dept. Izabal, Nr. Cerro Negro Norte , 1 km W Honduras, 60 m elev., 5 Apr 2002, MV light, J. and C. Monzon, S. Davis, and R. E. Woodruff [ FSCA] ; 1 ♂, Suchitepequez, Volcan Atilan , Finca Tarrales, 14°32.05′′N 91°08.86′′, 1050 m elev., 5 Jun 2005, K. N. Landolt [ JEEC] ; 2 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, Dep. Petén, Reserva natural Ixpanpajul , 16–20 Oct 2005, decid. trop. for., sec. growth, beat/sweep, MV/ UV, G. B. Edwards [ FSCA] ; 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Petén Ixpanpajul, nr. Santa Ana , 6–9 Jun 2007, 180 m, J. B. Heppner [ FSCA] ; 2 ♂♂, Petén Dept., Parque natural Ixpanpajul, N16°51.377′ W89°48.895′, 224 m, Rt. CA-13 near Santa Ana , 11, 12 Sep 2009, P. J. Landolt [ FSCA] ; 1 ♀, Petén, CA 13, 8 km N of Santa Ana, Ixpanpajul Nature Reserve , 20 Jul 2008, F. Skillman and C. and L. O’Brien, at light [ FSCA] ; 3 ♂♂, D. Zacapa, San Lorenzo, Quarry Rd. , 7 km N Sta.Cruz., CA 9, 17 Jul 2008, dry for., UV light, C. W. and L. B. O’Brien and F. Skillman [ FSCA] . HONDURAS: 1 ♀, Olancno, Montaño del Malacate , 900 m, N15°08′04′′ W85°35′36′′, 18 Jun 2001, B. Ratcliffe, M. L. Jameson, and R. Cave [ JEEC] . JAMAICA: 6 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, Trelawny Parish, 3 mi S Falmouth , 17 Jul 1985, C. and K. Messenger [ FSCA] ; 1 ♀, Trelawny Parish, Trelawny Beach Hotel , 2–4 Aug 1985, J. E. Eger [ JEEC] . MEXICO: 1 ♀, Baja California Sur, 4 mi NW La Paz , 28 Jun 1983, I. Stange and R. B. Miller [ FSCA] ; 1 ♂, Baja California Sur, Sierra de la Giganta, San Javier Road , 3.7 mi SW jct. Hwy 1 nr Loreto, 13 Sep 1984, elev. 250 ft., J. P. and K. E. Donahue [ JEEC] ; 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Baja California Sur, Valle Perdido , 16 Jul 1999, R. Aalbu [ DBTC] ; 1 ♀, Campeche, W Ixpujil , 9 May 1999, 50 m, Thomas and Robacker [ DBTC] ; 2 ♂♂, Chiapas, Sierra de la Calmena , 12 Jun 1972, e. slope, 700 ft., G. E. Ball [ FSCA] ; 1 ♀, Chiapas, Aguacero, 7 mi. N Ocozocuatla , 10 Jun 1986, Reifschneider, Thomas, Bazata, Caldwell [ FSCA] ; 2 ♀♀, Chiapas, Parque Nacional El Aguacero, 23 May 1987, mercury vapor and blacklight, D. A. Rider, and E. G. and T. J. Riley [ DARC] . 1 ♀, Chiapas, Hwy 199, 10 km s. Palenque, San Manuel Rd. 30 May 1987, mercury vapor and blacklight, D. A. Rider and E. G. Riley [ DARC] ; 1 ♂, Oaxaca, Rte. 131, 2.4 km n. Sola de Vega , 16, 18 Jan 1979, 1520 m, dry oak-thorn scrub, in bromeliads, G. E. and K. E. Ball [ JEEC] ; 1 ♀, Oaxaca, Hwy 190, 0.5 km SE Huitzo , 18 Jul 1992, G. H. Nelson [ FSCA] ; 8 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, Quintana Roo, 20 km N Felipe Carillo Puerto , 12–14 Jun 1983, E. Riley [ DARC] ; 4 ♀♀, Quintana Roo, Nuevo , X-Can, 29 Aug and 2 Sep 1980, 8 Apr and 12 Aug 1983, E. C. Welling [ JEEC] ; 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, Quintana Roo, 5 km W. Chetumal , Hwy. 186, 20 May 1987, mercury vapor and blacklight, D. A. Rider and E. G. and T. J. Riley [ DARC] 1 ♂, Son.[ora], 10 mi. S. Yecora at cabins, 4 Jul 2008, C. W. O’Brien [ FSCA] ; 2 ♀♀, Sonora, 16 km Hwy. 155, 38 km E. Tecoripa , 8 Jul 2008, UV and MV lights, C. W. O’Brien [ FSCA] . SAINT LUCIA: 1 ♀, 2 rd mi S of Anse la Raye , 16–19 Apr 1972, E. Giesbert [ JEEC] . U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS: 1 ♀, St. Thomas, French Bay Estate , 30 Sep 1978, El. 360 ft. [ JEEC] .