A new species of Carvalhomiris from Colombia with an assessment of its phylogenetic position (Heteroptera, Miridae, Orthotylinae)

Abstract

Plant bugs, species of Miridae (Heteroptera), are not well known in the Neotropics, and Colombia is not an exception. Based on data from the available systematic catalog (Schuh 2002–2013) fewer than 150 species are recorded from the country, clearly an underestimation. Recent fieldwork has resulted in several new interesting taxa from Colombia. Carvalhomiris Maldonado & Ferreira, 1971, contains three described species from Colombia and Ecuador. From specimens collected in Jardín, Antioquia, Carvalhomirishenryisp. n. is described. Images of the dorsal habitus and the male and female genitalia are provided. Based on morphological examination of the new species and published information, morphological characters were coded to construct a phylogenetic matrix for a cladistic analysis in which the phylogenetic position of the new species is assessed. Carvalhomirishenryisp. n. is the northernmost species of the genus and noteworthy because it is the first record of any species of the genus in the Western Cordillera: all other species are known from the eastern flank of the Andes (Ecuador) or the Eastern Cordillera (Colombia). Natural history observations of the new species, including associations with composites (Asteraceae) are provided. It is speculated that the mirid might be predacious.

Filicicapsus smaragdus gen. et sp. nov. (Heteroptera: Miridae), a new plant bug genus and species from New Guinea

“…Zheng and Liu (1993) reported Zanchius iranicus Zheng & Liu, 1993 as preying on mites infesting a fig tree, Z. tarasovi Kerzhner, 1988 and Z. mosaicus Zheng and Liang, 1991 as preying on a typhlocybid leafhopper. Henry (2002) and Forero et al (2018) provided evidence in favour of largely predatory feeding habits, and search for prey across many unrelated host plants by Hyalochloria and Carvalhomiris spp., respectively. However, some members of the Zanchius group were shown to be associated with discrete broadleaf angiosperm species from the families Euphorbiaceae, Juglandaceae, Malvaceae, Fagaceae, Urticaceae, and others (Carvalho 1946, 1956; Schuh 1974, 2002–2013; Yasunaga 1999).…”

The Genus Thionia Stål, 1859 (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Issidae) in Colombia: Highlighting the Value of Entomological Collections

“…Despite their importance, several concerns and challenges persist related to curatorial work, financial support, and lack of experts (taxonomists, para-taxonomists) in various taxonomic groups, among other concerns (Martinez Revelo and Medina Uribe 2017 ). This situation is much more marked for less charismatic insect species such as planthoppers and other hemipterans (Llano et al 2016 ; Paradell and Defea 2017 ), where there is a clear underestimation of diversity (Forero 2008 ; Forero et al 2018 ).…”