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Triozocera albocciput, new species Figs. 1–7 Specimens examined: CUBA, Cienfuegos Province, Mina Carlota, Trinidad Mountains, 1500’, 6 VI 1950, slide mounted (SHSU); DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Barahona Province, 9.2 km NW of Paraiso, Confluence of Rio Nizaito and Rio Coltico, 18° 03´N, 71° 12´W, 230 m, 9-10 VIII 1990, J. Rawlings & S. Thompson, pinned (CMNH); DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Barahona Province, 6 km NW of Paraiso, Rio Nizaito, 18° 02´N, 71° 12´W, 170 m, 25- 26 VIII 1990, C. Young, J. E. Rawlings & S. A. Thompson, pinned (SHSU); DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, La Vega Province, Arroyo Fria, 19° 0’ N, 70° 29’ W 1077 m, 01-17 X 2021, Malaise trap, M. Armentaros & S. Medrano, in alcohol (MTEC); PUERTO RICO, Cayey Province, Bosque Estatal de Carite, 4.2 km S of Campamento Guavate, 18° 05´25´´ N, 66° 02´07´´ W, 580 m, 7 VIII 1996, C. Young, R. Davidson, J. Rawlins, S. Thompson, M. Klingler, W. Zanol, pinned (CMNH). Male Description (all measurements in mm): Diagnosis: Male with antennal segments slender; segments III and IV, with flabella, about equal in length. Head wider than long, uniform length throughout region between eyes. Eyes with 20 facets or less, 12 visible dorsally. Maxillary palp much smaller than base, attached subapically. Scutellum longer than wide, triangular. Wing veins with two detached veins; R 2 in line with R 1 making it look much like a single vein with a large gap; long R3, about four times as long as R 2; CuA 1 shorter than CuA 2. Legs with short hairs throughout. Aedeagus long, slender, curved. Male description: Total length 1.59–1.97 (average 1.83), head width in dorsal view 0.43–0.47 (average 0.45), head length in dorsal view 0.18-0.25 (average 0.22), radial wing length 1.77–2.13 (average 1.95). Head in dorsal view (Fig. 1) contrasting dark brown in eyes and epicranial plate to almost white on other parts of head, wider than long; antefrons (between antennae) broadly rounded at apex, not protruding between antennal bases; epicranial plates (= vertex plates) adjacent to eyes, not connected medially although nearly so at anterior, wider at anterior, tapering posteriorly (Fig. 1). Eye width in lateral view 0.19–0.23 (average 0.21), length 0.23–0.26 (average 0.25), 18–20 total facets (ommatidia), 12 facets visible in dorsal view, many short hairs at margin and around ommatidia (Fig. 1). Antennae seven-segmented (Fig. 2), slender, average width approximately 0.03, lengths: I 0.02–0.03 (average 0.03), II 0.03–0.04 (average 0.04), III + flabella 0.49–0.51 (average 0.50), IV + flabella 0.40– 0.59 (average 0.47), V 0.26–0.28 (average 0.27), VI 0.08–0.11 (average 0.10), VII 0.11–0.16 (average 0.13); all segments with short hairs but sparse on I–II and bases of III–IV (Fig. 2); mandibles absent; maxilla with small subapical palp (Fig. 3), palp narrow, much shorter than base, with small hairs throughout base and palp; maxilla lengths: base 0.12–0.18 (average 0.15), palp 0.06–0.08 (average 0.07), palp width 0.02, narrowed at base. Thorax with dorsal sclerites shaped as in Fig. 4; scutellum longer than wide; prescutum about as long as wide, with visible dark band in center (Fig. 4); no unslerotized area between scutellum and postnotum. Leg segments as in Fig. 5; visible short hairs on all segments but not dense, slightly longer hairs at apex of tarsal segments; sensory pits on tarsal segments II and III, terminal tarsal claws on all legs, length of segments as follows (mm): protrochanter 0.23, profemur 0.15, protibial 0.25, protarsus I 0.13, protarsus II 0.10, protarsus III 0.08, protarsus IV 0.04, protarsus V 0.04, mesotrochanter 0.31, mesofemur 0.25, mesotibia 0.15, mesotarsus I 0.10, mesotarsus II 0.06, mesotarsus III 0.04, mesotarsus IV 0.04, mesotarsus V 0.02, metatrochanter 0.11, metafemur 0.29, metatibia 0.33, metatarsus I 0.17, metatarsus II 0.10, metatarsus III 0.08, metatarsus IV 0.06, metatarsus V 0.04. Hind wings with two detached radial veins (Fig. 6) R 1 short, extending less than half way to wing margin; detached R 2 short, near wing margin, nearly in line with R 1 making it appear like a single vein with a large gap; R 3 long, almost four times as long as R 2, R 4 and R 5 each distinct but nearly forming a line to wing margin; MA extending to wing margin; CuA 1 shorter than CuA 2; CuA 1 extending half way to wing margin, CuA 2 ¾ to wing margin; CuP absent. Abdomen about as long as thorax; genital capsule long; aedeagus (Fig. 7) thin as is typical for genus, s-shaped in side view, greatest length 0.59 mm. Female: Unknown Types: Holotype, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, La Vega Province, Arroyo Fria, 18.9927° N, 70° 29’ W 1077 m, 01-17 X 2021, Malaise trap, M. Armentaros & S. Medrano, in alcohol, deposited in MTEC. Three paratypes collected as reported above in specimens examined section section, two deposited in CMNH and one in SHSU. Distribution: This species is known from the specimens reported here that include Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Host: Unknown Etymology: The specific epithet albocciput combines two Latin roots, alb- meaning white and -occiput meaning back of the head. This refers to the distinctive white area at the back of the head in dorsal view, between the dark brown epicranial plates (Fig. 1). Discussion: The maxilla in Triozocera is a good character to aid in species identification, and this structure is usually easily observed in males of this genus. Triozocera albocciput n. sp. has a maxilla with a short palp that extends just beyond the extension of the maxillary base. This maxilla most closely resembles that of T. eurychilus from Costa Rica, however several characters easily separate these species. The wing of T. eurychilus has only one detached vein, an extremely long R 3 while T. albocciput n. sp. has two detached radial veins. The vein R 1 of T. eurychilus is continuous and nearly reaches the wing margin, while in T. albocciput it is very short. The wings of these species are easily distinguished and may be the best character to distinguish between the Caribbean species. Number of ommatidia, lengths of antennal segments and the shape of epicranial plates are among other differences between these species. The wing of Trozocera albocciput n. sp. is similar to that of T. mexicana, although the size of R 2 is less in T. albocciput n. sp. Still, both of these species have an R 1 that is very short, which is an unusual state. The maxilla of these species are also similar but the maxillary base of T. mexicana is much more slender. The antefrons of T. albocciput n. sp. is broadly rounded between the antennal segments while it is narrow and more pointed in T. mexicana. There are many other minor differences in the shapes of thoracic plates and the shape of the head, but in general these two species probably have the most similarities., Published as part of Cook, Jerry L., 2022, Two new species of Triozocera Pierce, 1909 (Insecta: Strepsiptera: Corioxenidae) from the Caribbean Islands, pp. 141-150 in Zootaxa 5214 (1) on pages 142-146, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5214.1.7, http://zenodo.org/record/7382098 more...

Triozocera macrognathus, new species Figs. 3, 8–13 Specimens examined: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Independencia Province, ESE Jimani, S. of Lago Limon, 18° 24´N, 71°, 44´W, 20 m, at light, 19 IV 1992, M. A. Ivie, D. S. Sikes, and W. Lanier, in alcohol (MTEC); DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Independencia Province, 4 km S of Los Pinos, Loma de Vientos, semiarid deciduous forest with pastures, 18° 35´N, 71°46´W, 455 m, 23 VII 1997, R. Davidson, J. Rawlins, S. Thompson, C. Young, pinned (CMNH) Male Description (all measurements in mm.): Diagnosis: Male with antennal segments robust, segment III and IV, with flabella, about equal in length, although IV is slightly shorter. Head much wider than long and somewhat barbell-shaped, reduced between eyes. Eyes with 15–16 facets, 13 visible dorsally. Maxillary palp about as long as base, attached ventrally, near middle of base. Scutellum longer than wide, not triangular. Wing with two detached veins; R 2 in line with R 1 with only a small gap between, making it look much like a single vein; long R3, about two times as long as R 2; CuA 1 shorter than CuA 2. Legs with sparse short hairs. Aedeagus long, slender, curved. Male description: Total length 2.50–2.76, head width in dorsal view 0.76–0.79, head length in dorsal view 0.24–0.28, radial wing length 1.95–2.16. Head in dorsal view (Fig. 8) dark brown except antennae lighter brown, wider than long, slightly narrowed in center, somewhat barbell-shaped; antefrons (between antennae) broadly angled from point at apex, protruding between antennal bases; epicranial plates (= vertex plates) adjacent to eyes, clearly separated in center, separation wider posteriorly, wider at anterior, tapering posteriorly (Fig. 8). Eye width in lateral view 0.22–0.23, length 0.37– 0.39, 15–16 total facets (ommatidia), 13 facets visible in dorsal view, few very short hairs at margin (Fig. 8). Antennae seven-segmented (Fig. 9), robust, average width approximately 0.08, lengths: I 0.03–0.04, II 0.04–0.05, III + flabella 0.73–0.81, IV + flabella 0.63–0.75, V 0.29–0.33, VI 0.6, VII 0.18–0.21; all segments with short hairs throughout (Fig. 9); mandibles absent; maxilla with long curve subapical palp emerging from near middle of base (Fig. 3), palp robust, narrowing towards apex, about equal in length to base, with short hairs throughout base and palp; maxilla lengths: base 0.19–0.29, palp 0.21–0.26, palp width varying, average 0.07. Thorax with dorsal sclerites shaped as in Fig. 10; scutellum longer than wide, irregularly shaped; prescutum about as long as wide, with faint dark band in center (Fig. 10); area between scutellum and postnotum membranous, irregularly shaped. Scutellum more than twice as long as wide. Leg segments as in Fig. 11; visible short hairs sparse, mostly along margins of all segments; sensory pits on tarsal segments II and III, terminal tarsal claws on all legs, length of segments as follows: protrochanter 0.31, profemur 0.37, protibial 0.26, protarsus I 0.14, protarsus II 0.12, protarsus III 0.10, protarsus IV 0.07, protarsus V 0.08, mesotrochanter 0.32, mesofemur 0.38, mesotibia 0.42, mesotarsus I 0.31, mesotarsus II 0.15, mesotarsus III 0.12, mesotarsus IV 0.07, mesotarsus V 0.05, metatrochanter 0.23, metafemur 0.55, metatibia 0.40, metatarsus I 0.31, metatarsus II 0.17, metatarsus III 0.12, metatarsus IV 0.08, metatarsus V 0.04. Hind wings with two detached radial veins (Fig. 12), R 1 extending past half wing length to wing margin; detached R 2 curved, starting near end of R 1 and extending to near wing margin, in line with R 1; R 1 about 2.5x as long as R 2; R 3 long, almost two times as long as R 2; R 4 and R 5 distinct with an area of overlap, combined extending to near wing margin; MA extending to wing margin; CuA 1 shorter than CuA 2; CuA 1 extending about 2 / 3 to wing margin, CuA 2 nearly to wing margin; CuP absent. Abdomen about as long as thorax; genital capsule long; aedeagus (Fig. 13) thin as is typical for the genus, sshaped in side view, greatest length 0.48. Female: Unknown Types: Holotype, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Independencia Province, ESE Jimani, S. of Lago Limon, 18° 24´N, 71°, 44´W, 20 m, at light, 19 IV 1992, M. A. Ivie, D. S. Sikes, and W. Lanier, in alcohol deposited in MTEC; Paratype, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Independencia Province, 4 km S of Los Pinos, Loma de Vientos, semiarid deciduous forest with pastures, 18° 35´N, 71°46´W, 455 m, 23 VII 1997, R. Davidson, J. Rawlins, S. Thompson, C. Young, pinned deposited in CMNH. Distribution: Known only from type localities in the Dominican Republic. Host: Unknown Etymology: The specific epithet macrognathus combines two Greek roots, macro- meaning large and -gnathus meaning jaw. This refers to the large maxilla and its palp, which is easily seen and very distinctive in this species. Discussion: While the maxilla of Triozocera macrognathus n. sp. is a distinctive character, there are other species in Triozocera with maxillae of somewhat similar shape. Triozocera buehrheimi has a maxilla with a long palp that is attached subapically to the maxillary base, although not as close to the center of the base as is seen in T. macrognathus n. sp. The maxillary base of T. buehrheimi is also much narrower, as is the palp, compared to that of T. macrognathus n. sp. The antefrons and epicranial plates of T. macrognathus n. sp. and T. buehrheimi are also similar in shape but the structure of the antenna is quite different, having slender segments in T. buehrheimi compared to the robust antenna of T. macrognathus n. sp. Shape of sclerites of the thorax are also distinctly different between these species. The wing of T. buehrheimi has R 2 and R 3 veins that are similar to those of T. macrognathus n. sp., but T. buehrheimi has both an MA 1 and CuP vein that are absent in T. macrognathus n. sp. The wing of T. macrognathus n. sp. is most like that of T. tecpanensis. Both of these species have similar radial veins, although not with the exact same shapes. The relative lengths of MA, CuA 1, and CuA 2 between these two species are also similar. However, the maxilla is quite different, with T. tecpanensis having a short, nearly apical maxillary palp. There are many other morphological differences in other parts of the body., Published as part of Cook, Jerry L., 2022, Two new species of Triozocera Pierce, 1909 (Insecta: Strepsiptera: Corioxenidae) from the Caribbean Islands, pp. 141-150 in Zootaxa 5214 (1) on pages 146-150, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5214.1.7, http://zenodo.org/record/7382098 more...

Cook, Jerry L. (2021): Review of the Paraplea Esaki & China (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha Pleidae) of Australia, with description of a new species. Zootaxa 4985 (1): 81-90, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4985.1.4 more...

Paraplea liturata (Fieber, 1844) Specimens of P. liturata from Australia were not available for examination as part of this study. However, this is a widespread species and specimens were available from adjacent Southeast Asia. The 292 specimens used for the most recent supplementary description of P. liturata (Cook et al. 2020) were used as comparative material for this study., Published as part of Cook, Jerry L., 2021, Review of the Paraplea Esaki & China (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha Pleidae) of Australia, with description of a new species, pp. 81-90 in Zootaxa 4985 (1) on page 82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4985.1.4, http://zenodo.org/record/4929927, {"references":["Fieber, F. X. (1844) Entomologische Monographien. J. G. Calve'schen Buchhandlung, Leipzig, 138 pp.","Cook, J. L., Sites R. W. & Vitheepradit, A. (2020) The Pleidae (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) of Thailand, with descriptions of two new species and a discussion of the species from Southeast Asia. ZooKeys, 973, 35 - 68. https: // doi. org / 10.3897 / zookeys. 973.54026"]} more...

Paraplea brunni (Kirkaldy, 1898) New South Wales Sydney, Clarence River, 1919?, Department of Agriculture (17 specimens SEMC); Northern Territory: Salt Creek on Roper Barr Road, 16 km W of Stuart Hwy., 2 X 1992, G. Challet (4 specimens UMC, 1 specimen SHSU); pond at Edith Falls turn off of Hwy. 1, 6 IX 2002, G. Challet (3 specimens UMC); pond on road to Butterfly Gorge, 6.5 km from Douglas Hot Springs, 10 IX 2002, G. Challet (1 specimen UMC); Leeches Lagoon, 51 km S. Kathrine, Hwy. 1, 10 IX 2002, G. Challet (1 specimen UMC); Howard River at Gunn Point Road, 12 IX 2002, G. Challet, (94 specimens UMC, 11 specimens SHSU). Queensland: N. Queensland, Kurada, 12 VIII 1938, R. G. Wind (3 specimens SEMC); N. Queensland, Freshwater Creek Red Lynch, 27 IX 1938, R. G. Wind (2 specimens SEMC); N. Queensland, Alta Beach pool, 28 V 1952, T. E. Woodward (3 specimens SEMC); Laura River, 25 km NE of Laura, CL 1741, 20 VIII 1983, J. T. and D. A. Polhemus (3 specimens USNM); Creek E of Wairuna, 7 IX 1997, G. Challet (4 specimens UMC); White Mountains National Park, Bungeree Creek, 14 III 2011, K. B. Miller (17 specimens UMC), cattle pond along road, 14 III 2011, K. B. Miller (11 specimens UMC). Western Australia: Naasra Creek on road to Wyndham, 7 IX 2002, G. Challet (2 specimens UMC); Maggie Creek on Hwy. to Wyndham, 7 IX 2002, G. Challet (11 specimens UMC); Yearling Creek, 30 km W of Kununurra on Victoria Hwy., 10 IX 2002, G. Challet (2 specimens UMC, 1 specimen SHSU)., Published as part of Cook, Jerry L., 2021, Review of the Paraplea Esaki & China (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha Pleidae) of Australia, with description of a new species, pp. 81-90 in Zootaxa 4985 (1) on page 82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4985.1.4, http://zenodo.org/record/4929927, {"references":["Kirkaldy, G. W. (1898) Neue und seltene Notonectiden-Arten. Wiener Entomologische Zeitung, 17, 141 - 142."]} more...

Paraplea bifurcata n. sp. (Figs. 1-8) Type Material: HOLOTYPE Female. Australia, Northern Territory, Howard River at Gunn Point Road, 12 IX 2002, G. Challet, deposited in Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC). PARATYPES Same collection data as holotype, 1 male deposited in ANIC, 1 male and one female deposited in UMC, 2 males deposited in SHSU. Description: Measurements of type series (mm): total length 1.62���1.81, body depth (greatest height of hemelytra) 0.52���0.70, greatest body width 0.85���0.92; BSI 50���57. Color: Body generally tan with brown markings and occasional favose (honeycomb) pattern that is almost white (Fig. 1,2). Brown markings usually restricted to surrounding some punctures on the elytra (Fig. 1, 2), faint brown makings between eyes (Fig. 3) and on pronotum (Fig. 1), legs tan, mouthparts brown, eyes silver to red (Figs. 1���3). Head: Triangular in frontal view (Fig. 3), vertex convex in frontal view, tan with slightly darker markings associated with faint punctures, darker steak usually present between eyes (Fig. 3), setae present but difficult to see, width 0.79���0.85; distance between eyes 0.36���0.44, OI 47���52 (distance between eyes subequal to combined width of eyes); antenna three-segmented, concealed below eye by cuticular ridge; mouthparts short (Fig. 3), extending just past base of prothoracic coxa, darker than rest of head. Thorax: Pronotum usually with slight lateral bulge posteriorly, distinctly wider than long (Fig. 1), length 0.48��� 0.62, width 0.85���0.94, PI 53���73, posterior center slightly indented medially (Fig. 1), honeycomb pattern barely visible (Fig. 1); pits small, diameter about 0.02, closely packed (Fig. 1). Scutellum slightly wider than long, width 0.38���0.43, length 0.35���0.41, SI 105���123, color uniform, pits obscured, honeycomb absent. Wings: Hemelytral pits similar in size to thoracic pits but 0.04���0.05 apart, most dark brown except for pits on anterior clavus and portion of clavus near scutellum (Fig. 1), each pit surrounded by honeycomb; claval suture complete (Fig. 1, 2); long hairs common, each associated with hemelytral pit; membranous flight wings present, completely covered by elytra. Legs: Prothoracic and mesothoracic femur with small spines along ventral side; setae present on most leg segments, most common on coxa, trochanter, tibia and tarsus; metathoracic tibia and tarsus longer than on other legs; leg dimensions as in Fig. 4. Ventral keel: first four abdominal segments with bifurcated keel in ventral view (Fig. 5); thoracic segments irregularly shaped as in Fig. 6, only mesothoracic keel with teeth, prothoracic and metathoracic keel rounded. Male characters: Male genital plate generally triangular, longer than wide, width 0.27, length 0.36, setae throughout except for small area near apex, rugose sculpture throughout but most apparent near apex (Fig. 7). Female characters: Genital plate with lateral sides curved. (Fig. 8), about as wide as long, width 0.12, length 0.13, tufts of long coarse setae at sides approximately half the distance to apex, sparse setae on other parts of plate, rugulose sculpture throughout (Fig. 8); ovipositor most commonly as in Fig. 9. First gonapophyses of ovipositor small, with numerous teeth, width 0.07, length 0.21, with eight distinct teeth along posterior border (apical row), three ventral teeth, two primary teeth, two secondary teeth, three tertiary teeth, accessory tooth between primary and secondary row above ventral tooth 1, at least two additional accessory teeth posterior of T 3. Discussion and diagnosis: The single character that separates Paraplea bifurcata n. sp. from all other species of pleids is its bifurcated abdominal keel. This is an easily observed apomorphy for this species. In many other characters, P. bifurcata n. sp. most closely resembles P. brunni. Paraplea bifurcata n. sp. has a body shape similar to P. brunni, although there are distinct differences in sculpturing. Paraplea bifurcata n. sp. has a pronotum that is evenly sculptured with punctures throughout and exhibits little or no honeycombing. Paraplea brunni has a pronotum that lacks punctures in the center but has punctures laterally. The pronotal punctures are much smaller and more tightly packed in P. bifurcata n. sp. compared to those in P. brunni. The scutellum has similar differences between these species. Paraplea bifurcata n. sp. has a somewhat rugose scutellum, with punctures not discernable. Paraplea brunni has a smooth scutellum with a small number of unevenly spaced punctures. Both species have the punctures on the hemelytra similarly darkened but these punctures are associated with relatively longer hairs in P. bifurcata n. sp. The size of P. bifurcata n. sp. and P. brunni does not appear to overlap, with P. brunni being larger. Paraplea brunni is reported to have a total length between 1.9 to 2.1 mm, varying little throughout its geographical range (in the specimens examined for this study, as reported in the materials and methods, all were about 2mm). Paraplea bifurcata n. sp. is described as not being more than 1.81 mm, averaging about 1.7 mm. The genital plates of P. bifurcata n. sp. are interesting in their differences between the male and female, and they are diagnostic for this species. The male genital plate is not unusual for a species of Paraplea in its relative size and dimensions, although it has more setae than are found on most species. The female genital plate of P. bifurcata n. sp. is much smaller than the male genital plate, although the total body length of this species is similar (females appear to be slightly larger than the male although it is difficult know if this generalization holds true since only two females and six males were used for this study). This large difference in size of genital plates within a species is unusual. Setae on the female genital plate are longer than in the male, especially the lateral tufts. While lateral tufts are usual for female genital plates, the setae of B. bifurcata n. sp. are unusually long and thick. The first gonapophysis of the ovipositor shares similarities with P. brunni but P. bifurcata n. sp. has more teeth, even though the ovipositor of P. bifurcata n. sp. is smaller. There are also differences in size and the placement of some teeth when comparing these species. Distribution: Known only from type locality. Ecology: Nothing is known of the ecology of this species. Etymology: The specific epithet comes from an apomorphy of having a bifurcated keel in the first four abdominal segments. Diagnosis: The bifurcated keel on the first four abdominal segments is an easily seen characteristic that will distinguish this species from all other members of Pleidae., Published as part of Cook, Jerry L., 2021, Review of the Paraplea Esaki & China (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha Pleidae) of Australia, with description of a new species, pp. 81-90 in Zootaxa 4985 (1) on pages 83-85, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4985.1.4, http://zenodo.org/record/4929927 more...

Paraplea halei (Lundblad, 1933) New South Wales: Junction Guyra-Tingha Road, Ollera Creek, 5 IX 1961, D. J. Woodland (1 specimen SEMC, 1 specimen SHU)., Published as part of Cook, Jerry L., 2021, Review of the Paraplea Esaki & China (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha Pleidae) of Australia, with description of a new species, pp. 81-90 in Zootaxa 4985 (1) on page 82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4985.1.4, http://zenodo.org/record/4929927, {"references":["Lundblad, O. (1933) Zur kenntnis der aquatilen und semiaquatilen Hemipteran von Sumatra, Java und Bali. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, Supplement 12, 125 - 145."]} more...

Neoplea melanosoma n. sp. (Figs. 7���12) Type Material: Universidad Pedag��gica y Tecnol��gica de Colombia, Tunja, Colombia (UPTC) HOLOTYPE. Female. Colombia, Boyac��, Puerto Boyac��, Vereda Muelle Velasquez, Jag��ey, 6.0476��N, 74.4993W, 151 m., 29 IX 2019, P. Mondrag��n (UPTC-In-00015). PARATYPES: Male; Colombia, Boyac��, Puerto Boyac��, Vereda Muelle Velasquez, Ci��naga de Palagua, 6.0589��N, 74.4899W, 151m, 03 XI 2019, Patricia Mondrag��n (UPTC-In-00016); 1 female; Colombia, Boyac��, Puerto Boyac��, Vereda Muelle Velasquez, Ci��naga de Palagua, 6.0589��N, 74.4899W, 151m, 30 I 2020, Patricia Mondrag��n (UPTC-In-00017). Description: Measurements (mm) of type series: total length 1.30���1.84; body depth (greatest height of hemelytra) 0.84���1.00; body width 0.92���1.13; BSI 110-113. Color: Base color from grey-brown to almost black, partially overlain with tan and differing amounts of tan honeycomb; honeycomb most prevalent on pronotum but sometimes on hemelytra; irregular dark blotches throughout head, pronotum and hemelytra, pattern of dark markings variable (see Figs. 7 and 8); legs golden; eyes red to almost black; often with dark markings between eyes. Head: Somewhat triangular in frontal view, vertex evenly convex (Fig. 7C, 8C), grey-brown with dark-brown markings, brown bar usually visible between eyes (Fig. 7C) but sometimes obscured by dark markings (Fig. 8C), with small pits (0.01���0.02) barely visible, width 0.71���0.86, distance between eyes 0.35���0.50, OI 49���58 (distance between eyes subequal to combined width of eyes), antenna three-segmented but concealed below eye by cuticular ridge; mouthparts short (Fig. 8C), extending to anterior base of mesothoracic coxa. Thorax: Variably sized prominent dark-brown to black patches (Figs. 7A, 8A); pronotum with slight lateral bulge posteriorly, distinctly wider than long (Fig. 8B), length 0.35���0.66, width 0.67���0.98, PI 49���69, posterior center appearing slightly indented medially (Fig. 8A) to straight (Fig. 7A), some specimens with highly visible honeycomb pattern (Fig. 7A) but less visible in others (Fig. 8A), pits between honeycomb somewhat obscured, pit diameter about 0.03 (Fig. 7A). Scutellum usually darker anteriorly, can be wider than long or longer than wide, width 0.34���0.54, length 0.32���0.55, SI 80���115, punctures more widely spaced than on hemelytra (Fig. 7A) or sometimes absent (Fig. 8A). Wings: Dark-brown to black patches of variably sized prominent (Fig. 7B, 8B); hemelytral pits similar to thoracic pits, but less obscured, only rarely surrounded by honeycomb; claval suture complete (Fig. 7B, 8B). Flight wings present, membranous (Fig. 7A), normally fully concealed under hemelytra. Legs: Prothoracic femur and tibia with short ventral basal spines except near base and apex; mesothoracic femur with short ventral basal spines similar to prothoracic femur, short stiff setae on ventral apical half, tarsomere II with short ventral setae; metathoracic ventral tibia with setae on tibia and tarsomeres II and III. Leg dimensions as in Fig. 9. Male characters: Male genital plate as in Fig. 10A, subtriangular, sides sinuous, longer than wide, width 0.23, length 0.26, relatively smooth, small dark marks toward center, numerous very short setae; parameres shaped as in Fig. 10B Female characters: Female genital plate (Fig. 11A) mostly smooth, subtriangular, about as wide as long, width 0.24, length 0.25, tufts of setae at each side near apex mostly absent, some small setae on basal half, dark spots faintly visible; ovipositor most commonly as in Fig. 11B., subrectangular; six distinct teeth along posterior border (apical row), first apical tooth at dorsal margin, apical tooth 4 largest, apical tooth 5 shorter and thinner than 4 and 6, three teeth on ventral border, two rows of teeth away from apex, three primary and three secondary, primary and secondary about equal size but slightly increasing in size ventrally, seven or more tertiary teeth, five tertiary teeth in line with primary 1 and secondary 1. Diagnosis: Neoplea melanosoma n. sp. appears most closely allied with N. maculosa. However, N. maculosa is most likely a complex of species including N. melanosoma. The confusion with N. maculosa began with its description by Berg (1879), who described N. maculosa almost completely by coloration while also making the comment that his species was variable in its pattern of dark spots (referred to as patches in the description above). Coloration between related species in this complex can be quite similar while there can be considerable variation within each species. Some specimens deposited at the USNM that Drake had compared to the types have markings that are nearly identical to Fig. 7; however, there are also specimens with a different pattern of spots and patches as reported by Berg and seen here in Fig. 8. Drake and Chapman (1953) studied the type series of N. maculosa and determined that it was ���quite evident that Berg had two different species before him as he characterized maculosa ���. Drake and Chapman (1953) compared specimens from Argentina and Peru with the type series and determined them to also be consistent with N. maculosa. Bachmann (1967) improved the understanding of N. maculosa by studying the type series along with other specimens from Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia and providing drawings of male and female genital structures. Nieser (1975) provided morphological details of specimens from Suriname that he believed to be N. maculosa but these have characteristics with several important differences, including an ovipositor that is quite different from those depicted by Bachman (1967). Thus, the Nieser specimens from Suriname are probably an undescribed species closely resembling N. maculosa and not actually that species. This coincides with the specimens deposited in USNM from this region. These USNM specimens are labeled as N. maculosa (identification made by unknown) but are almost certainly not N. maculosa, nor are the USNM specimens from Venezuela. These specimens need further study to determine their identity. Roback and Nieser (1974) described N. tenuistyla from Colombia, which also has some morphological affinities to N. maculosa and could be included as a member of this species complex. secondary teeth). Neoplea melanosoma n. sp. has several clear differences from N. maculosa, N. tenuistyla, and the specimens labeled by Nieser (1974) as N. maculosa. The pattern of teeth on the ovipositors provides an easy distinction among all these species. Neoplea melanosoma n. sp. and N. maculosa have patterns of teeth on the ovipositor that are most similar, each having a distinct line of teeth angling across the center. Differences between these two species include N. melanosoma n. sp. having a tooth at the posterodorsal apex, which is not found in N. maculosa and differences in size and numbers of teeth [see Fig. 11B compared to Fig. 12 in Bachman (1967)]. Neoplea melanosoma n. sp. has fewer teeth of different sizes and spacing compared to those of N. tenuistyla [see Fig. 11B and Fig. 44 in Roback and Nieser (1974)]. Neoplea maculosa of Nieser (1975) lacks the line of teeth across the center of the ovipositor that is found in N. melanosoma n. sp. (Fig. 11B). The female genital plate of N. melanosoma n. sp. is lacking the two long tufts of hairs on each side of the center apex. The male genital plate in N. maculosa is triangular with straight sides but has sinuous sides and is clearly longer than wide in N. melanosoma n. sp. The parameres of male N. melanosoma n. sp. are thinner and shaped clearly differently from other species in what is being classified here as the N. maculosa species complex. Distribution: Known only from type series from Puerto Boyac��, Boyac��, Colombia. Ecology: Collections of the specimens included in this study were from two bodies of water with similar habitat type. The holotype was collected in a lentic body of water close to a swamp with a sandy bottom. This small lake (Fig. 12) had abundant riparian and emergent vegetation where specimens were collected near the margin. Paratypes were collected in the same ci��naga (Fig. 6) as N. hyaloderma n. sp. (Fig. 6). Nothing is known of their feeding habits. Etymology: The specific epithet comes from the common coloration of the body of N. melanosoma n. sp. This name combines two Greek root words, melano- meaning black and ���soma meaning body. This name then describes the body base coloration that is mostly black, which is an unusual coloration in the family Pleidae, as well as having dark colored patches upon the light colored honeycombing., Published as part of Cook, Jerry L., Mondrag��n-F, Silvia P. & Morales, Irina, 2020, Description of two new species of Neoplea Esaki & China (Hemiptera: Pleidae) from Colombia, pp. 55-66 in Zootaxa 4860 (1) on pages 61-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4860.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/4413486, {"references":["Berg, C. (1879) Hemiptera Argentina enumeravit species que novas. Apuli E. Coni., Bonairiae, 176 pp. https: // doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 36493","Drake, C. J. & Chapman, H. C. (1953) Preliminary report on the Pleidae (Hemiptera) of the Americas. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 66, 53 - 60.","Nieser, N. (1975) The water bugs (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha) of the Guyana region. Studies on the fauna of Suriname and other Guyanas, 59, 165 - 175. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / 978 - 94 - 017 - 7118 - 4 _ 1","Bachman, A. O. (1967) Las Pleidae de la Republica Argentina (Hemiptera). Revista de la Sociedad Entomologica Argentina, 30, 121 - 129.","Roback, S. S. & Nieser, N. (1974) Aquatic Hemiptera (Heteroptera) from the llanos of Colombia. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 126, 29 - 49."]} more...

Key to the species of Neoplea of Colombia There is considerable variation among individuals of Neoplea species in Colombia, making it unreliable to base a species identification on a single specimen. For example, most specimens of N. melanosoma n. sp. have a pattern of dark markings on the prothorax and hemelytra but there is much variation in the size and shape of these dark markings. The following key should work for the majority of specimens, although accuracy is improved if a series of specimens or the most common form of the series is used. 1. Pronotum and hemelytra with large brown to black patches (Fig. 8)............................................. 2 - Pronotum and hemelytra without large brown to black patches (Figs. 1, 2)........................................ 3 2. More than 1.9 mm in length, markings usually light brown, center of ovipositor without row of at least 7 teeth between apex and base.................................................................................. N. tenuistyla - Less than 1.9 mm in length, markings usually dark brown to black, center of ovipositor with row of at least 7 teeth between apex and base (Fig. 11B)................................................................... N. melanosoma n. sp. 3. More than 1.8 mm in length, claval suture complete (Fig. 1A), honeycombing on prothorax and hemelytra common (Figs. 1A, B) and cuticle shining only between honeycombs........................................... N. hyaloderma n. sp. - Less than 1.8 mm in length, claval suture incomplete, honeycombing usually absent resulting in a mostly shiny cuticle................................................................................................. N. lingula more...

Neoplea hyaloderma n. sp. (Figs. 1–6) Type Material: Deposited in Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja, Colombia (UPTC) HOLOTYPE Female. Colombia, Boyacá, Puerto Boyacá, Vereda Muelle Velásquez, Ciénaga de Palagua, 6.0649°N, 74.5078W, 148m, 03 IX 2019, Patricia Mondragón. (UPTC-In-00011). PARATYPES: Male with same collection data as holotype (UPTC-In-00012); five males and four females Colombia, Boyacá, Puerto Boyacá, Vereda Muelle Velásquez, Ciénaga de Palagua, 6.0582°N, 74.5013W, 134m, 27 IX 2019, Patricia Mondragón (UPTC-In-00013); 2 males and 2 females Colombia, Boyacá, Puerto Boyacá, Vereda Muelle Velásquez, Ciénaga de Palagua, 6.0649°N, 74.5078W, 148m, 30 I 2020, Patricia Mondragón (UPTC-In- 00014). Description: Measurements (mm) of type series: total length 1.83–2.28, body depth (greatest height of hemelytra) 0.60–0.69, body width 0.70–0.87; BSI 117–126. Color: Body generally grey-brown with light-brown honeycomb throughout most of body except head, often with brown pattern on posterior portion of hemelytra (Fig. 1, 2), legs golden-brown, eyes red, usually with darker markings between eyes (Figs. 1C, 2C). Head: Triangular in frontal view (Fig. 1C, 2C), vertex convex in frontal view, grey-brown with mottled tan coloring, golden bar usually visible between eyes (Fig. 2C) but sometimes obscured by dark markings (Fig. 1C), without pits or visible setae, width 0.94–1.12; distance between eyes 0.47–0.61, OI 50–54 (distance between eyes subequal to combined width of eyes); antenna three-segmented but concealed below eye by cuticular ridge; mouthparts short (Fig. 1C), extending just past base of prothoracic coxa, apex darker than base. Thorax: Pronotum usually with slight lateral bulge posteriorly, male distinctly wider than long (Fig. 2B), less so in female (Fig. 1B), length 0.56–0.75, width 0.99–1.22, PI 57–69, posterior center indented medially (Fig. 2A), often with visible honeycomb pattern (Fig. 1A), pits somewhat obscured, pit diameter about 0.03 (Fig. 1A). Scutellum slightly wider than long, width 0.47–0.64, length 0.43–0.59, SI 108–129, anterior usually darker than posterior. Wings Hemelytral pits similar to thoracic pits but clearly visible, surrounded by honeycomb; claval suture complete (Fig. 1B), flight wings not observed. Legs: Prothoracic femur with stiff ventral basal setae, tibia with short ventral spines from middle to apex; mesothoracic femur with short ventral basal spines, slightly longer ventral tibial spines except near base; metathoracic ventral tibia with small apical spines. Leg dimensions as in Fig. 3. Male characters: Male genital plate triangular, about as wide as long, length and width 0.28, sparse setae throughout except at base, small dark markings present (Fig. 4A); parameres shaped as in Fig. 4B. Female characters: Female body usually more robust than male (Figs. 1, 2). Female genital plate roughly triangular, longer than wide, width 0.25, length 0.28, tufts of setae at sides near apex, small setae on basal half, basal center with rugulose sculpture, dark spots in apical half, shape as in Fig. 5A; ovipositor most commonly as in Fig. 5B., subrectangular, six distinct teeth along posterior border (apical row), gap between apical teeth 5 and 6, no teeth on ventral border, two subapical rows of teeth, four primary teeth, four secondary teeth, primary and secondary teeth subequal in size, primary row above apical tooth 6. Diagnosis: Neoplea hyaloderma n. sp. most closely resembles N. lingula, which also occurs in Colombia, although several distinct characters separate these species.Although all species of Neoplea vary somewhat in size, the lengths of these species do not overlap. Neoplea hyaloderma n. sp. is larger (1.83–2.28) than N. lingula (1.55–1.80). However, both species are similar in body width, with N. hyaloderma n. sp. 0.70–0.87 and N. lingula 1.65–1.80. The claval suture is complete in N. hyaloderma n. sp. and incomplete in N. lingula. Although both species are colored similarly, N. lingula is shiny throughout its body, whereas N. hyaloderma is marked with apparent honeycomb and some brown markings that are not shiny, along with areas of shiny cuticle. Punctures of the hemelytra are easily observed in N. hyaloderma, n. sp. except on the scutellum while only vague traces of punctures are found on the hemelytra of N. lingula. Genital plates of these two species differ substantially in shape in both male and female [Figs. 4A, 5A for N. hyaloderma n. sp. can be compared to Figs. 35 and 37, respectively, for N. lingula in Roback & Nieser (1974)]. The ovipositor of N. hyaloderma is quite different than that of N. lingula [see Fig. 5B compared to Fig. 38 in Roback and Nieser (1974)]. Thus, the overall appearances of these two species are quite similar, but they differ in several taxonomically important characters. Distribution: Known only from type locality. Ecology: Collections of the specimens included in this study were from a muddy-bottomed lentic body of water with macrophytes mostly along the margin (Fig. 6). This habitat is similar to what has been reported for many members of Neoplea, which commonly live in very slow or non-moving water with dense aquatic vegetation. Nothing is known of their feeding habits or niche within this environment. Etymology: The specific epithet comes from the appearance of the body of N. hyaloderma n. sp. This name combines two Greek root words, hyalo- meaning glassy and -derma meaning skin. This describes the shining and somewhat transparent looking cuticle that resembles windows surrounded by the honeycombing portion of the body. more...

Cook, Jerry L., Mondragón-F, Silvia P., Morales, Irina (2020): Description of two new species of Neoplea Esaki & China (Hemiptera: Pleidae) from Colombia. Zootaxa 4860 (1): 55-66, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4860.1.2 more...