Nigrotomocoris tibiopallidus Henry & Menard 2020, new combination

Nigrotomocoris tibiopallidus (Carvalho), new combination

(Figs. 58–60, 111, 112, 134)

Caulotops tibiopallidus Carvalho 1985a: 268 (original description); Carvalho and Froeschner 1987: 148 (type list); Schuh 1995: 540 (catalog), 2013 (online catalog).

DIAGNOSIS. This species (Fig. 58–60) is recognized by the overall black color, contrasting with the pale yellow tibiae and second antennal segment, the relatively robust body, and the broadly spatulate apex of the right paramere (Fig. 112) with a notched apex.

It is readily distinguished from N. keltoni, N. longirostris, and N. nigrus by the pale antennal segment II and tibiae, the more robust body, and the apically notched right paramere.

DESCRIPTION. Male: (n = 5): Length from apex of head to cuneal fracture 2.20–2.44 mm; length from apex of head to apex of membrane 3.00– 3.44 mm; widest point across hemelytra 1.41–1.60 mm. Head: Width across eyes 1.10– 1.10 mm; interocular width 0.61–0.69 mm. Labium: Length 1.20–1.26 mm. Antenna: Segment I length 0.32–0.35 mm; II, 0.50–0.54 mm; III, 0.35–0.37 mm; IV, 0.51–0.58 mm. Pronotum: Median length 0.61–0.69 mm; posterior width 1.22–1.31 mm.

Macropterous, weakly ovoid. COLORATION. Head: Dark brown to black, eyes purplish red to reddish brown. Antenna: Antennal segment I dark brown to black, remaining segments pale yellow. Labium: Dark brown to black. Pronotum: Dark brown to black. Mesoscutum and scutellum: Dark brown to black. Hemelytron: Dark brown to black, lacking a bluish sheen; membrane pale brown with a dark brown areole. Ventral surface: Thorax dark brown to dark reddish brown; abdomen brown to black, genital tubercle dark brown to black. Legs: Coxae brown; femora dark brown, tibiae pale yellow, bases of front and middle tibiae narrowly darkened; tarsomeres pale yellow; claws brown. SURFACE AND VESTITURE. Head: Surface dull or matte, head covered with short white sericeous setae, antennal segments with short, dense, simple setae. Thorax: Pronotum, mesoscutum, and scutellum with short white simple and sericeous setae, disc and anterior margin of pronotum punctate. Hemelytra and abdomen: As in generic description. STRUCTURE. As in generic description.

Male genitalia: Endosoma and phallotheca as in generic description. Left paramere (Fig. 111) C-shaped. Right paramere (Fig. 112) weakly C-shaped, flattened, apex broadly rounded or spatulate apically, with a distinct apical notch.

Female: (n = 5; holotype measurements in parentheses): Length from apex of head to cuneal fracture 2.16–2.40 mm (2.32 mm); length from apex of head to apex of membrane 3.08–3.36 mm (3.32 mm); widest point across hemelytra 1.57–1.88 mm (1.54 mm). Head: Width across eyes 1.09–1.18 mm (1.14 mm); interocular width 0.64–0.72 mm (0.67 mm). Labium: Length 1.25–1.33 mm (1.25 mm). Antenna: Segment I length 0.32–0.37 mm (0.34 mm); II, 0.48–0.53 mm (0.51 mm); III, 0.34–0.37 mm (0.37 mm); IV, 0.56–0.61 mm (broken). Pronotum: Median length 0.62–0.72 mm (0.66 mm); posterior width 1.20–1.28 mm (1.23 mm).

Similar to male in size and shape. Genitalia as in generic description.

HOSTS. Described from Nolina seeds (Carvalho 1985) (Nolinoideae: Asparagaceae). Agave stricta Salm-Dyck (Agavoideae: Asparagaceae) is a new host record based on TAMU specimens examined.

DISTRIBUTION. Described from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Nuevo Leon is a new state record for Mexico.

TYPE MATERIAL EXAMINED. Holotype ♀, MEXICO: San Luis Potosi: SLP, Br. Tex. [intercepted at Brownsville, Texas, from Mexico], 81268, XI-2-59, 27733, on Nolina seed (USNM). Note: Although the original description indicated that this specimen is deposited in UNAM, it was borrowed from the USNM where it is now correctly housed.

OTHER SPECIMENS EXAMINED. MEXICO: Nuevo Leon: 9♂♂, 22♀♀, 2 mi. N Pablillo, 28 July 1978, Plitt & Schaffner, on Agave stricta (TAMU 068-099; 2♂♂ [75, 103], 4♀♀ [92-95]); 1♂, 2 mi. N of La Ascension, 24 July 1976, Piegler, Gruetzmacher, R. & M. Murray, Schaffner (TAMU 100). San Luis Potosi: 5♂♂, 24 ♀♀, 4 mi. N of San Luis Potosi, 3 July 1987, Kovarik, Schaffner (TAMU [103-110, 112, 116-132]; 4♀♀ [111, 113-115] USNM); 3♂♂, 7.6 mi. N of San Luis Potosi, 4 July 1985, Jones, Schaffner (TAMU 133-135).

DISCUSSION. This species is the most different of the four species we include in Nigrotomocoris in having a wider head, the tibiae and antennal segments II and III pale yellow, and a more robust body form. Superficially, it looks similar to species of Halticotoma in general morphology, but the dense sericeous setae, coloration, shape of the pronotum, and the form of the right paramere clearly distinguish it from those taxa.