A remarkable new genus and new species of the plant bug (Heteroptera, Miridae, Phylinae), inhabiting psyllid leaf margin roll gall on Indian banyan, Ficus benghalensis. (American Museum novitates, no. 3839)

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Date

2015-10-07

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

American Museum of Natural History.

DOI

DOI

Abstract

A new genus and new species of the plant bug, Chimairacoris lakshmiae Yasunaga, Schuh, and Cassis are described from Bangalore, India. This morphologically and ecologically specialized mirid belongs to the subfamily Phylinae on the basis of genitalic structures and is currently considered best placed in the subtribe Oncotylina of the tribe Phylini. Its morphological convergence with termatophyline mirids and placement within the Phylinae are discussed. It is associated with psyllid leaf galls on Indian banyan, Ficus benghalensis. The gall-producing psyllid, Trioza sp., and a mealybug, Phenacoccus parvus, are confirmed as prey of this unique mirid. A similar phenomenon observed in some Montandoniola spp. (Anthocoridae) and Fingulus species (Miridae: Deraeocorinae), which are associated with thrips species of the genus Gynaikothrips (Thysanoptera: Tubulifera) on Ficus microcarpa, is also documented.

Description

15 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 26 cm.

Keywords

Chimairacoris lakshmiae., Phylinae., Miridae., Banyan tree., Jumping plant-lice., Parasites., Parasitic insects., Insect-plant relationships., Bangalore (India : District), India.

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