Location: Systematic Entomology
Title: First North American record of the Old World cylapine Fulvius subnitens (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) from Virginia, with descriptions and a key to the U.S. species of Fulvius Authors
Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 9, 2011
Publication Date: June 22, 2011
Citation: Henry, T.J., Hoffman, R.L., Wolski, A. 2011. First North American record of the Old World cylapine Fulvius subnitens (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) from Virginia, with descriptions and a key to the U.S. species of Fulvius. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 113(2):127-136. Interpretive Summary: Plant bugs represent the largest family of true bugs and include numerous agriculturally important species. Many, such as lygus bugs and the cotton fleahopper, are important pests, causing millions of dollars of damage to crops annually. In contrast, a growing number of other plant bugs are known to be predaceous and are considered beneficial. This report provides the first North American record of a predacious species of plant bug that was previously known only from Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific. It is known to feed on the immature stages of flies, beetles, and other insects, especially those found under bark and in fungi. To help distinguish this newly discovered species from the three species known from the United States, we provide descriptions, color photographs, and an identification key to all four species. This information, along with a summary of their feeding habits, will allow others, including state and Federal regulatory agencies and research scientists involved in biological control, to accurately identify these potentially beneficial insects.
Technical Abstract: The first North American record for Fulvius subnitens Poppius is reported based on one specimen collected in southcentral Virginia. Fulvius anthocoroides, F. imbecilis, F. slateri, and F. subnitens are diagnosed and described, and color images of adults, updated distributions, a review of feeding habits, and an identification key are provided. For each species, a list of valid names, synonyms, misidentifications, and key citations that best summarize the respective taxonomic histories are given.