Redescription and hosts of Melanorhopala infuscata parshley, with notes and new distribution records for M. froeschneri henry and wheeler (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae)

2006·3.8 MB·

by  Thomas J Henry

PROC. ENTOMOL. SOC. WASH.
108(4), 2006, pp. 917-922
REDESCRIPTION AND HOSTS OF MELANORHOPALA INFUSCATA
PARSHLEY, WITH NOTES AND NEW DISTRIBUTION RECORDS FOR M.
FROESCHNERI HENRY AND WHEELER (HEMIPTERA:
HETEROPTERA: TINGIDAE)
THOMAS J. HENRY AND A. G. WHEELER, JR.
(TJH) Systematic Entomology Laboratory, PSI, Agricultural Research Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, c/o National Museum of Natural History,
Smithsonian Institution, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 168, Washington, DC 20013-
07012, U.S.A. (e-mail: [email protected]); (AGW) Department of Entomol-
ogy, Soils, and Plant Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0315, U.S.A.
(e-mail: [email protected])
Abstract.4Some of the least-known North American lace bugs are those that feed
mostly on stems of their host plants, such as species of the genus Melanorhopala Stal,
rather than on host leaves, as do most other tingids. We cite new state records for the
rarely collected M. froeschneri Henry and Wheeler and M. infuscata Parshley and
report saucer magnolia (Magnolia < soulangiana) as the first plant on which nymphs
of M. infuscata have been found. Diagnoses and habitus photographs are provided
for the adult of both tingid species, and M. infuscata is redescribed.
Key Words: Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Tingidae, Me/anorhopala, new records, host
plants, Campsis radicans, Magnolia
Most lace bugs, such as members of the South Carolina are added to the distribu-
large genus Corythucha Stal, feed on lower tion of the rarely collected M. infuscata
leaf surfaces of their host plants and Parshley. We record an ornamental mag-
produce chlorosis on the upper surfaces. nolia (Magnoliaceae) as the first plant on
Species of Melanorhopala, however, gener- which nymphs of M. infuscata have been
ally feed on the stems of their hosts. observed. Diagnoses and habitus photo-
Because of their atypical feeding habits, graphs of both lace bug species are
which result in their hosts remaining provided, and M. infuscata is redescribed.
asymptomatic, Melanorhopala species tend All specimens are deposited in the Na-
to be rare in collections and their bionomics tional Museum of Natural History, Wash-
little known. Henry and Wheeler (1986) ington, D. C., unless indicated otherwise.
reviewed the genus, described the new
species M. froeschneri, and provided a key Melanorhopala froeschneri
to the four species of this Nearctic genus. Henry and Wheeler
Herein, we add nine states to the
@eigsa kh. 2, 5)
known distribution of M._ froeschneri
Henry and Wheeler, a lace bug restricted Melanorhopala_ froeschneri Henry and
to trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans (L.) Wheeler 1986: 236 (orig. descrip., host,
Seem.; Bignoniaceae). Kentucky and 5th instar); Froeschner 1988: 728 (cat.).
918 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
VOLUME 108, NUMBER 4 919
Diagnosis.4Melanorhopala _ froesch- Jr., taken on Campsis radicans. GEOR-
neri (Figs. 1, 2) 1s similar to M. infuscata GIA: 1 2, Wilkes Co., Tignall, 29 July
(Figs. 3, 4) in having an overall slender 2001 2AL (GG. Wheeler, IJr., ex. Campsis
antennal segment III that lacks the radicans. ILLINOIS: 1 6, 1 2, 1 fifth
clavate apex of M. clavata. From M. instar, Johnson Co., Rt. 37, 4 mi. S of
infuscata, it is distinguished by the over- Goreville #8 June 19915 A9 G: Wheeler;
all yellowish-brown coloration; shorter Jr., taken on Campsis radicans. INDI-
(<1.70 mm), basally thicker (diameter ANA: 1 4,2 2, Gibson Co., nr. Gibson
subequal to segment II) antennal seg- bake and9 Skelton; 3° June 1991, Ay G:
ment III; and the proportionately wider Wheeler, Jr., taken on Campsis radicans.
lateral height of an eye. MISSISSIPPI: 7 ¢, 2 2, Washington
Host.4 Melanorhopala froeschneri ap- Co: Greenvilles Rt. 82,8 June 19872 fe
parently is restricted to trumpet creeper, Henry & A. G. Wheeler, Jr., taken on
Campsis radicans. We have found nymphs Campsis radicans; 3 late instars, DeSoto
and adults only on green, mostly second- Co., Olive Branch, 4 July 1999, A. G.
year stems of this woody vine that were Wheeler, Jr., ex Campsis radicans. MIS-
attached to the trunks of coniferous and SOURL 1)2> Mississippr ¬o., Rt.'62, O'S
deciduous hardwood trees, suggesting mi. NE of Wilson City, 9 June 1991, A. G.
that the growth stage of trumpet creeper Wheeler, Jr., taken on Campsis radicans.
and suitable humidity and other micro- SOUTH CAROLINA: Tf 2Oconee' Cox
environmental factors are necessary for S537-68,- Oniakim: Wycr. Rt0 1275S Ww oF
successful colonization by this cryptic Westminster, 10 June 2001, A. G. Wheel-
tingid (Henry and Wheeler 1986; see also er, Jr., ex stems of Campsis radicans; 2 ¢,
specimens examined below). T-- Oconece CO., )\Ctr hts.) 70 ca 258
Distribution (Fig. 5).4No additional Westminster, 4 July 2001, A. G. Wheeler,
records of M. froeschneri have been Jr., ex Campsis radicans. VIRGINIA:
published since its original description [eSSsBssex. Coy, mir st Dunnsville:
from Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, 37 S2)IN, 16 48W 27 July 1993) or. Y.
North Carolina, and Tennessee (Henry Henry, taken on Campsis radicans.
and Wheeler 1986). New state records
Melanorhopala infuscata Parshley
are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, IlIli-
nois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, (Figs. 345)
South Carolina, and Virginia.
Melanorhopala infuscata Parshley 1917:
Specimens examined.4ALABAMA: 8
19 (orig. descrip.), 1920: 274 (note,
o25. 2 uscaloosa -Co., Tuscaloosa,
host); McAtee 1923: 145 (distr., host);
University of Alabama, 7 June 1987, T.
Drake and Ruhoff 1965: 298 (cat.);
J. Henry & A. G. Wheeler, Jr., taken on
Horn (et <al 19792014 (ote, ihest):
@ampsis. radicans: 2.4651 25 Wee Co:,
McPherson and Weber 1981: 138 (list);
Davis Arboretum, Auburn University,
Henry and Wheeler 1986 (note, distr.):
Auburn, 30 June 2001, A.G. Wheeler,
Froeschner 1988: 728 (cat.).
Jr., ex Campsis radicans. ARKANSAS:
Seal Ve JohnnsonyCo.,. Clarkyvalle:, 13 Diagnosis.4 Melanorhopala infuscata
June 1987, T. J. Henry & A. G. Wheeler, (Figs. 3, 4) is most similar to M.
4
Figs. 1-4. Melanorhopala spp. 1, 2. M.froeschneri. 1, Male, dorsal aspect. 2, Female, dorsal aspect. 3,
4. M. infuscata. 3, Male, dorsal aspect. 4, Female, dorsal aspect.
920 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Distribution of Melanorhopala spp. Open circles = previous records of M. froeschneri. Closed
circles = new records of M. froeschneri. Open squares = previous records of M. infuscata. Closed squares
= new records of M. infuscata.
froeschneri (Figs. 1, 2) based on the Structure: Head spines moderately
overall slender antennal segment III, developed; occipital spines extending
unlike the strongly clavate segments of past eyes but usually not reaching
M. clavata. This species can be distin- bases of frontal spines; median spine
guished from M. froeschneri by the usually extending to apices of frontal
longer (>1.70 mm), uniformly slender spines; frontal spines extending to basal
(diameter less than segment IT) antennal one third of antennal segment I.
segment III, the dark, mottled dorsum, Rostrum extending beyond metacoxae
and relatively narrow lateral height of to posterior margin of second visible
the eyes. abdominal segment. Antennal segment
Description.4 Coloration: Yellowish I slightly longer than II; segment III
brown to darker brown, strongly ac- longest, length slightly longer than
cented and mottled with dark brown to length of pronotum in male, slightly
fuscous, especially on head, antenna, less than pronotal length in female,
discal area and carinae on pronotum, evenly slender, diameter slightly less
abdomen, mesosternum, and on many than diameter of segment II; segment
cells of hemelytra. IV fusiform. Hemelytra macropterous
VOLUME 108, NUMBER 4 SP)
(brachypterous forms unknown), lateral ville, Maryland, by G. Steyskal on July
margins subparallel, only slightly con- 18, 1965. This specimen had been mis-
vex; costal area with two rows of identified by C. J. Drake as Teleonemia
closed cells, with an irregular third cylindricornis Champion.
row on distal third before narrowing Parshley (1920) suggested that M#.
to one row; subcostal area with two infuscata might live on the bark of
rows of closed cells. L. tulipifera, a magnoliaceous tree,
Measurements: Male (n = 10): Length and subsist on sap from the trunk rather
4.80-5.10 mm, width 1.8041.85 mm. than from the leaves. Our collections
Head: Width 0.644-0.66 mm, vertex of adults on three species of Magnolia
0.3840.39 mm; buccula length 0.70 mm. support an association with the Magno-
Rostrum: Length 2.1342.15 mm, extend- liaceae. The beating of nymphs from
ing to 2nd visible abdominal segment. twigs of saucer magnolia and apparent
Antenna: Segment I, 0.2540.30 mm; II, feeding on twigs in rearing containers
0.2040.23 mm; II], 2.0842.20 mm; IV, is evidence of bark rather than leaf
CSonmnm., ~Pronotum: Wength 1\-.944 feeding by this lace bug. Because
1.98 mm; basal width 1.2541.28 mm. nymphs have been taken only on
Female (n = 10): Length 5.1045.40 mm, saucer magnolia, a hybrid between
width 2.0042.08 mm. Head: Width 0.654 two Chinese species (Everett 1981),
0.70 mm, vertex 0.3940.44 mm, buccula native hosts of M. infuscata still are
0.7840.80 mm. Rostrum: Length 2.204 unknown. Tulip tree and bull bay are
2.35 mm. Antenna: Segment I, 0.254 possible native hosts, as is sweet bay,
G2o mm: I, 020-022 mm; Il, 1:754 M. virginiana L., which is known
1.98 mm; IV, 0.4540.50 mm. Pronotum: from Plummers_ Island, Maryland
Length 0.7840.80 mm, basal width 1.254 (Shetler et al. 2006), where the tingid
has been collected on tulip tree (Parshley
E35 mam.
1920).
Host.4Host relationships of M. in-
Distribution (Fig. 5).4Following its
fuscata have remained enigmatic until
description from Falls Church, Virginia
recently when nymphs first were found.
(Parshley 1917), M. infuscata soon was
Adults have been taken on bark and at
recorded from additional localities in
sap of tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera
Virginia; Glen Echo, Maryland; and
L.; Magnoliaceae) (Parshley 1917, 1920),
Washington D.C. (Parshley 1920, Mc-
on flowers of New Jersey tea (Ceanothus
Atee 1923). Since the 1920s, only two
americanus L.; Rhamnaceae) (McAtee
adults of this lace bug have _ been
Io) andwon. sa: peach tree CPrunius
reported: one from an unspecified local-
persica (L.) Batsch; Rosaceae) (Horn et
ity in North Carolina (Horn et al. 1979)
al. 1979). We have collected single adults
and another from McDowell County,
on magnolicaceous plants: bull bay or
about 64 km east of Asheville (McPher-
southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora
son and Weber 1981). The specimen
L.) at Suffolk, Virginia, and star mag- listed from North Carolina by Horn et
nolia (M. stellata (Sieb. & Zucc.) Max- al. (1979), in the North Carolina State
im.) in Whitley County, Kentucky. We University Collection, was taken at
collected nymphs, nymphal exuviae, and McCuller, Wake County (R. L. Blinn,
adults from twigs of saucer magnolia (M7. personal communication). We have dis-
< soulangiana Soul.) in Franklin Coun- covered one other specimen, a female
ty, Kentucky. taken at Rockville, Maryland. New state
In addition, we discovered a female records are Kentucky and South Car-
taken on Liriodendron tulipifera at Rock- olina.
927 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Specimens examined.4DISTRICT OF Michael G. Pogue (SEL) kindly reviewed
COLUMBIA: | &, 887-5-20,= E. D. Ball. a draft of the manuscript.
KENDWGKoy;9 29. S,) 19) 2) iBranklin
Co., Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort,
LITERATURE CITED
38°11'48"N, 84°52902"W, 23, June 2001,
Drake, C. J. and F. A. Ruhoff. 1965. Lacebugs of
kr. Jatlenry and Ax .G.. Wheeler; Jr:j.0on
the World: A Catalog (Hemiptera: Tingidae).
Magnolia < soulangiana Soul.-Bod.; 6 2 ,
United States National Museum Bulletin 243:
5 2°, Franklin Co., Frankfort Cemetery, 1-634.
Frankfort, 7 July 2001, A. G. Wheeler, Everett, T. H. 1981. The New York Botanical
Jr., on Magnolia X soulangiana Soul. Garden Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horticul-
=sBod:) 8lee2. Hranklins Co, sFrankfort ture, Vol. 6 Id-Ma, pp. 1777-2130. Garland
Publishing, New York.
Cemetery, Frankfort, 25 Aug. 2003, A.
Froeschner, R. C. 1988. Family Fingidae Laporte,
G. Wheeler, Jr., on M. X soulangiana;
1807 [error for 1832] (= Tingididae; Tingiti-
1 3, Whitley Co., jct. Main & Depot dae). The lace bugs, pp. 7084733. Jn Henry, T.
streets, Williamsburg, 6 July 2001, A. G. J. and R. C. Froeschner, eds. Catalog of the
Wheeler, Jr., ex Magnolia _ stellata. Heteroptera, or True Bugs, of Canada and the
MARYLAND: 3 2, Montgomery Co., Continental United States. E. J. Brill, Leiden
and New York. 958 pp.
near Plummer9s Island, 5425 July 1914,
Henry; TIT. J: -and <Ac* G2= Wheeler wre 1986:
at tulip pop[lar] sap, R. C. Shannon; | &, Melanorhopala froeschneri (Heteroptera: Tin-
Montgomery Co., Rockville, 18 July gidae): A new lace bug from eastern United
1965, George Steyskal, on Liriodendron States, with notes on host plant and habits,
tulipifera. PENNSYLVANIA: 1 ¢, Phi- description of fifth instar, and key to species of
the genus. Journal of the New York Entomo-
ladelphia Co., Philadelphia, VIII-7-1927,
logical Society94 : 235-244.
ijG.intzcolla22 246 PaceSOULM
Horn, K. F., ¬.:G. Wright; and) M. H. Farner:
CAROLINA: 1 6, Pickens Co., Clem- 1979. The lace bugs (Hemiptera: Tingidae) of
sony) 2) duly *193s4 9S) Wee Hamilton North Carolina and their hosts. North Car-
(Clemson University Arthropod Collec- olina Agricultural Experiment Station Techni-
tion, Clemson, SC). VIRGINIA: 1 4, cal Bulletin No. 275, 22 pp.
McAtee, W. L. 1923. Tingitoidea of the vicinity of
4-2, Fairfax -Co:, Falls G@hurch,:2,Aug:,
Washington, D. C. (Heteroptera). Proceedings
N. Banks colln.; 1 ¢°, Fairfax Co., Great
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Suffolk, 15 June 1985; A-'G. Wheeler; McPherson, J. E. and B. C. Weber. 1981. Seasonal
Jr., on Magnolia grandiflora. flight patterns of Hemiptera in a North Carolina
black walnut plantation. 6. Tingidae and Aradi-
dae. Great Lakes Entomologist 14: 137-140.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Parshley, H. M. 1917. Notes on North American
We thank Patrick McMillan (Depart- Tingidae (Hemiptera). Psyche 24: 13425.
ment of Biological Sciences, Clemson . 1920. Hemipterological notices I. (Tingi-
University) for identifying magnolias dae). Entomological News 31: 271-274.
Shetler(Sj1G-= 8SsvS, Orit Eases Wellss and sVir
and Michele A. Touchet (Systematic
Beyersdorfer. 2006. Checklist of the vascular
Entomology Laboratory [SEL], Agricul-
plants of Plummers Island, Maryland. Contri-
tural Research Service, USDA, c/o Na-
bution XX to the natural history of Plummers
tional Museum of Natural History, Island, Maryland. Bulletin of the Biological
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photographs used in this paper. Peter ler, S. G., S. Stone Orli, and M. Beyersdorfer.
2005. Checklist of the vascular plants of
Adler (Department .of Entomology,
Plummers Island, Montgomery County, Mary-
Soils, and Plant Sciences, Clemson Uni-
land. Http://persoon.si.edu/dcflora/DCPlummers
versity), Ronald A. Ochoa (SEL), and (accessed 14 September 2005).