ARS | Publication request: RESURRECTION OF THE PLANT BUG GENUS PAPPUS DISTANT, WITH CLARIFICATION OF INCLUDED SPECIES (HEMIPTERA: HETEROPTERA: MIRIDAE).

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 25, 2005
Publication Date: October 12, 2006
Citation: Henry, T.J. 2006. Resurrection of the plant bug genus pappus distant, with clarification of included species (hemiptera: heteroptera: miridae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 108:822-829.

Interpretive Summary: Plant bugs are the largest family of true bugs and contain numerous agriculturally important species. Many plant bugs, such as lygus bugs, cotton fleahopper, and black grass bugs, are important pests causing significant economic losses. In contrast, a growing number of other plant bugs are recognized as important predators and are considered beneficial. Two of the four species treated in this paper belong in the former group of plant-feeding bugs, and two belong in the latter group of beneficial bugs. This paper presents clarification of the taxonomic position of the four species, and the transfer of 31 species to another genus. This information will be useful to all researchers and agricultural specialists involved in the biological control and identification of crop pests.

Technical Abstract: Abstract.—The genus Pappus, with P. sordidus Distant as the type species, is resurrected from synonymy under the orthotyline genus Ceratocapsus Reuter (revised status), redescribed, transferred to the subfamily Mirinae, tribe Mirini, and shown to be the senior synonym of Platylygus Van Duzee, new synonymy. As a result, 31 species previously placed in Platylygus are transferred to the genus Pappus. Pappus breviceps Osborn and Drake, 1915 is transferred from the subfamily Orthotylinae, tribe Ceratocapsini, in the genus Ceratocapsus Reuter to the subfamily Mirinae, nominate tribe Mirini, as a member of the genus Tropidosteptes Uhler and as a junior synonym of T. fasciatus (Distant), new synonymy. Pappus egens Distant and P. insignis Distant are tentatively retained in the genus Ceratocapsus (Orthotylinae: Ceratocapsini) pending further study, Pappus sordidus and Tropidosteptes fasciatus are redescribed, and a dorsal photograph for each is provided.