ARS | Publication request: A new species of Anthocoris (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) from western North America

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: July 24, 2012
Publication Date: October 20, 2012
Citation: Lewis, T.M., Horton, D.R. 2012. A new species of Anthocoris (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) from western North America. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 114(4):476-491. doi:10.4289/0013-8797.114.4.476.

Interpretive Summary: The checkered flower bug Anthocoris tomentosus is a primary source of biological control as a predator of orchard insect pests in western North America. Scientists with USDA-ARS, Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory, Wapato, WA discovered a new, undescribed species of Anthocoris which is very similar in appearance to A. tomentosus, and which has been consistently misidentified as A. tomentosus in museum collections. Traits which can be used to separate the two species were determined and are listed here, and the new species is described (as Anthocoris aquilivenis). These results clarify our understanding of the Anthocoris complexes in North America, information that is necessary to make completely effective use of these predators as agents of biological control in crop systems.

Technical Abstract: Anthocoris aquilivenis Lewis, n. sp. is described from the mountainous areas of western North America. It is compared to the Nearctic species Anthocoris tomentosus Péricart and Anthocoris antevolens White, and to Anthocoris sibiricus Reuter, a related Palearctic species. Illustrations are provided of the adult habitus, external morphological features, paramere, copulatory tube, and forewing venation for A. aquilivenis, and membrane microsculpture and genitalic outlines for A. aquilivenis, A. tomentosus, and A. sibiricus.