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The
FLORIDA ENTOMOLOGIST
Volume 52 No. 3 September, 1969
CONTENTS
Page
SAKIMURA, K.-New Species and Subspecies of the Genus
Chaetisothrips from the Caribbean and Central Amer-
ican Region (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) .......................... 123
JANES, M. J. AND W. G. GENUNG-Status and Control of the
Corn Stem Weevil in the Florida Everglades ....-............ 137
LOOMIS, H. F.-Millipeds from Jamaican Caves_....---~..---..--.... 141
WIRTH, W. W.-A New Neotropical Species of Mosillus
(Diptera: Ephydridae) -----.. ------------.------ 147
WATVE, C. M., R. F. BROOKS, AND F. A. ROBINSON-Control
of Eastern Lubber Grasshopper on Florida Citrus......... 153
EMERSON, K. C., AND R. D. PRICE-A New Species of
Plegadiphilus (Mallophaga: Menoponidae) from the
Cayenne Ibis ........ --------..~...-.............. .........-....-.... 161
GENUNG, W. G., AND F. W. MEAD-Leafhopper Populations
(Homoptera: Cicadellidae) on 5 Pasture Grasses in the
Florida Everglades ......------------.. .....--------165
WOJCIK, D. P.-Mating Behavior of 8 Stored-Product
Beetles (Coleoptera: Dermestidae, Tenebrionidae, Cucu-
jidae, and Curculionidae) .... ...--------~....................... ...... 171
FAGAN, E. B., AND L. C. KUITERT-Biology of the Two-Lined
Spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta, on Florida Pastures
(Homoptera: Cercopidae) ...-..-....-............--- ......-- ......... 199
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NEW SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF THE GENUS
CHAETISOTHRIPS FROM THE CARIBBEAN AND
CENTRAL AMERICAN REGION
(THYSANOPTERA: THRIPIDAE)1
K. SAKIMURA
Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii
ABSTRACT
Ch"etisothrips striatus subsp. caribeanus from Jamaica, Puerto Rico,
Cuba, Mexico and Honduras, C. mecocephalus from Mexico, and C. medinai
from Puerto Rico are described as new.
In a preliminary review of the genus Chaetisothrips Priesner (Saki-
mura 1967), three undescribed taxa were recognized and included in a key
to species. They are herein named and described. The type specimens are
in the collections specified.
Grateful acknowledgements for their cooperation in various ways are
made to Silverio Medina Gaud, University of Puerto Rico Agricultural Ex-
periment Station; Kellie O'Neill, U. S. Department of Agriculture; and
Lewis J. Stannard, Illinois Natural History Survey.
Chaetisothrips striatus caribeanus, new subspecies
(Fig. 1-7, 11)
Chaetisothrips sp. No. 1: Medina 1961: 47.
Chaetisothrips sp. (couplet 8) : Sakimura 1967: 166.
DIAGNOSIS: Light grayish brown body with yellowish basal 1/4 of grayish
brown antenna IV but entirely grayish brown V (basal 1/3 of V yellow in
striatus), and deep brown forewing with clear basal 1/4 and clear scale.
Dense and nearly black ridge type striation (Fig. lla) conspicuous on head
and thorax. Recognizable through fully developed yet short outer protho-
racic posteroangle seta (minute in striatus), longer than minute postocu-
lar seta iii, uniform density of dense ridge type striae over entire pronotum
as well as over entire mesonotum, dense ridge type striae on mesanepi-
meron, dense ridge type striae on tergite II but anastomosing wrinkle type
striae on tergite IV, and longitudinal partially anastomosing striae on
pleurites.
FEMALE HOLOTYPE: Color: Light grayish brown body with head (except
pale for front) and tergites IX-X somewhat darker, thorax orange-washed.
Legs yellow with all femora weakly brown-washed along outer margin, on
some darker specimens all tibiae also weakly washed along outer margin
(brown wash darker and more extensive in striatus). Antenna deep gray-
ish brown with a pale narrow cross band immediately above each pedicel of
III, IV, V; III yellowish brown on pedicel, yellow at second and third 1/5
above pale band, grayish brown at fourth 1/5, decidedly pale again last
1/5; IV yellowish brown at basal 1/4, V entirely grayish brown (yellowish
brown at basal 1/3 in striatus, in addition to a pale cross band above pedi-
'Supported by NSF Grant GB-3145.
The Florida Entomologist
03 0
----- a I 10
am i //
Fig. 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Fig.u 2 I \
Fi 2g 2a .i
0oL I Fig. S. xi
F--------ig. 1 (inset), 6, 4 (insets), 11.
124
Vol. 52, No. 3
Sakimura: New Species of Chaetisothrips
cel; this difference in color persists on every specimen examined among
both taxa). Forewing deep brown with basal 1/4 clear, scale clear with
both apical and basal extremes weakly brown-washed. Ocellar crescent
red; major setae brown to blackish brown, variable.
Integument: Nearly black, fine, dense, and non-anastomosing but cut-
short ridge type striation (Fig. 11a) which constitutes the basic character-
istic of the genus conspicuous on head, thorax, and some of tergites;
sculpture on integuments essentially identical with that of striatus on every
sclerite. Head (Fig. 1), occiput with freely anastomosing regular wrinkle
type striae (Fig. 11b) on posterior 1/2 area, but with dense ridge type striae
elsewhere (about 16 lines all together below eye, many sharp thin ridges
visible on profile of cheek); ocellar hump and front with dense ridge type
striae (about 1.7 g apart). Antenna I-II with regular striae, III-VI with
shallow rings, profile weakly wavy, microtrichia on II-VI long, thick,
blackish, conspicuous. Pronotum (Fig. 1) entirely covered with dense
ridge type striae (uniformly about 1.7 u apart), premarginal bulge moder-
ate and premarginal trough shallow. Mesonotum (Fig. 4) entirely covered
with dense ridge type striae (uniformly about 1.6 g apart), transverse
above and divergent below seta i. Metanotum (Fig. 4) densely covered
with ridge type striae (somewhat denser than those on mesonotum) which
are transverse anteromesally, longitudinal and somewhat looped postero-
mesally, and diagonal laterad. Mesanepimeron (Fig. 6) [after anepimeron
of mesothorax by Jones (1954: 174, 182, Fig. 11b, 183, Fig. 12a) who rein-
terpreted and modified the earlier terminology; previously called metepi-
meron by Sakimura (1967: 166) after Doeksen (1941: 31, 87, Fig. 85), and
also called pro-epimeron by Priesner (1964: 84) also after Doeksen; See
Fig. by Jones for its disposition] covered with dense ridge type striae
(about as dense as those on metanotum). Abdomen, tergites I-VIII
covered with striae on side only; I with dense near-ridge type striae (par-
tially anastomosing) with few scattered microtrichia; II (ref. Fig. 9) with
dense ridge type striae (about 25 lines diagonally across tergite), with few
microtrichia near hind margin only (no microtrichia arise from true ridge
type striae) ; III with dense ridge type striae on anterolateral triangle only,
regular anastomosing striae elsewhere; IV-VIII uniformly with regular
anastomosing striae (about 13-15 lines diagonally across tergite IV, ref.
Fig. 10), sparse microtrichia at posterolateral corner only, one line each of
coarse and long microtrichia before dorsal seta ii on III-VIII; hind margin
Fig. 1-7. C. striatus caribeanus 9 : 1. Head and prothorax (paratype
ex Cuba, USNM 56-427). pr=premarginal trough; premarginal bulge
borders before the trough. 2. Right antenna holotypee) ; sense cones,
striae, microtrichia, setae, and wavy constrictions and notches in profile
are not shown. 3. Right antenna segment I holotypee). 4. Meso- and
metanota (paratype ex Cuba, USNM 56-427). 5. Left laterotergite III
(paratype ex Jamaica, Saki 4500b-1). 6. Left mesanepimeron (paratype
ex Cuba, USNM 56-427). 7 Tergites IX-X holotypee). d=dorsal seta;
IXi, ii, iii=tergite IX, posteromarginal setae i, ii, iii; Xi, ii=tergite X,
posteromarginal setae i, ii; ami, ii, iii=accessory marginal setae i, ii, iii.
Fig. 8-10. C. striatus striatus 9 (paratype, Hood 1077): 8. Prothorax,
posterodextral region. 9. Tergite II, sinistral region. 10. Tergite IV,
sinistral region. Fig. 11. Striae on integument in profile (diagramatic).
a=ridge type; b=wrinkle type. Insets in Fig. 1 and 4 cover an area of
26 x 39u each. All:-KS del.
The Florida Entomologist
of all tergites usually smooth at sides (that on striatus, usually lined with
microtrichia at sides). Laterotergites II-VII (Fig. 5) covered with rather
dense diagonal striae and uniformly lined with microtrichia, on II micro-
trichia lining only near hind margin; hind margin of all laterotergites en-
tirely lined with microtrichia; pleurites III-VII covered with longitudinal
partially-anastomosing striae, hind margin irregularly notched; sternites
II-VII entirely covered with anastomosing striae, hind margin smooth.
Body length: 1560 long (natural), range of 6 specimens: 1560-1700. All
measurements in g.
Head: (Fig. 1). 125 long; 155 (eye), 140 (below eye), 153 (cheek), 135
(base) wide (head of holotype tilted upward; measurements on a paratype
(Saki 4500b-1) are given here); strongly constricted below eye and bulged
out on cheek, front strongly concave before anterior ocellus but extended
forward at base of antenna and a short mesal ridge formed, ocellar hump
strongly elevated, occiput strongly bulged dorsomesally along hind margin.
Eye 85 long, 49 wide, 60 wide between eyes, cheek 60 long, occiput 38 long
below eye; ocellar triangle 43 high, 55 wide, all ocelli 22 across. Chaeto-
taxy as illustrated, interocellar seta 24 long, postocular seta series: i 23, ii
20, iii 17, iv 20, v 11 long. Mouth cone 225 long (Saki 4500b-1) (range of
6 specimens: head length 125-140, mouth cone length 225-255), maxillary
palpi 40 long. Antenna (Fig. 2), length (width) of segments: 24(33, 28 at
tip), 42(25), 70(20), 60(20), 38(16), 55(18), 7(7), 13(5), total 340; shape
as illustrated, I (Fig. 3) with 1 long grayish brown seta (24 long) near
inner apical corner of dorsum (same as in Scirtothrips and Sericothrips)
(a long seta also conspicuous in striatus), forked sense cone on III 37 long.
Prothorax: (Fig. 1). 138 long, 180 wide; chaetotaxy as illustrated,
outer posteroangle seta fully developed, deep brown, nearly as thick as but
about 1/2 as long as blackish brown inner seta, outer 30 and inner 57 long,
range and average of 7 specimens: outer 30-38 (34), inner 57-75 (66),
posteromarginal seta i 28 long; about 23-24 pairs of disc setae (about 14
long) and 3 pairs thicker and longer than the rest. On striatus (Fig. 8),
range and average of 6 specimens: outer (thin, decurved, yellowish brown)
17-24 (20), inner (thick, blackish brown) 45-55 (49) long; a minor seta be-
tween inner and outer angle setae also less developed (7-10 long in striatus
vs. 15-20 long in caribeanus).
Pterothorax: (Fig. 4). 260 (laterally, from lateral extreme of mesopre-
pisternum to posterolateral extreme of metepisternum, after Jones 1954:
182, fig. 11b), 225 (dorsally, along mason) long, 258 wide; mesenotum 90,
metanotum I 95, II 40 long, chaetotaxy as illustrated; both spinulae well
developed (mesospinula 100 long, metaspinula 75 long and complete), both
furcas 58 wide; both sterna with many short (about 13 long) disc setae;
hind leg slender, hind tibia 190 long, with 3 terminal stout setae (longest
25), hind tarsus 70 long. Forewing 830 long, 60 (middle), 80 (base) wide;
setae on both veins regularly spaced, number of setae on costa, forevein,
hind vein, scale vein: 36, 31, 21, 6-7; last seta 63 (costa), 45 (forevein), 53
(hind vein), 43 (scale vein; penultimate 38 and disc 30) long.
Abdomen: 1000 long, 260 wide on IV, dorsal seta i minute or nearly so
and far apart from each other on tergites I-VIII, sternites without acces-
sory setae, comb on tergite VIII complete, fine, long (teeth about 23 long,
Vol. 52, No. 3
Sakimura: New Species of Chaetisothrips
21 pairs), ovipositor 255 long. Terminal segments (Fig. 7), VIII 75, IX 93,
X 60 long, IX decidedly longer than X (normal for the genus), X dorsal
suture 1/4 way up; chaetotaxy as illustrated, posteromarginal setae IXi
80, ii 105, iii 110 long, dorsal seta 50 long, straight and thick, accessory
marginal setae i, ii, iii 43-55 long but thin; posteromarginal setae Xi-ii
both 95 long, accessory marginal setae i 63, ii 15, iii 45 long but thin; very
long but thin accessory marginal setae on IX-X are different from those of
Taeniothrips, but like those of Scirtothrips (in Sericothrips, however, these
accessory marginal setae on IX develop to thick major setae); long and
thick Xi-ii are different from those of Scirtothrips, but like those of Seri-
cothrips as well as Taeniothrips.
HOLOTYPE 9 (USNM Type 70489): Jamaica, Montego Bay, Porana pani-
culata (Sweet) Roxb. flowers, 27 Nov. 1964, K. Sakimura (Saki 4498a-1).
Paratypes: 1 9 (Sakimura), Jamaica, Negril, Cocos nucifera L., sticky trap
among inflorescence, 27 Nov. 1964, K. Sakimura (Saki 4500b-1) ; 1 9 (Uni-
versity of Puerto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station), Puerto Rico,
Ponce-Guayanilla Road K.10.5, Cestrum diurnum L. flowers, 15 Jan. 1959,
L. F. Martorell and S. Medina (15-59); 1 9 (UPRAES), Puerto Rico,
Utuado, Rio Abajo Insular Forest, Eugenia jambos L. flowers, 26 Jan.
1959, G. Rivera and S. Medina (47-59); 3 9 9 (2 USNM, 1 Sakimura),
Cuba, Havana, Pithecolobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. flowers, Dec. 1955, N. L.
H. Krauss (Krauss 5610; USNM 56-427); 1 9 (USNM), Cuba, intercepted
at New York, gardenia flowers, 15 May 1959, A. L. Brown (NY 147966 AIS;
USNM 57-11147); 2 9 9 (USNM and Sakimura), Mexico, intercepted at
Brownsville, Texas, gardenia, 4 May 1937 and 15 Apr. 1940, Singleton-
Callaghan and Parnell (USNM 37-14198 and 40-4963) ; 1 9 (Illinois Natural-
History Survey), Honduras, La Ceiba (on Caribbean coast), light trap, 17
June 1949, E. C. Becker.
DISTRIBUTION: Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras.
The relationship with striatus striatus is discussed below. C. s. cari-
beanus is next most closely related to reticulatus D. L. Crawford, which
is same in color of body, antenna, and wing, but has browner legs and
lighter-colored major setae. Many details of structure and integumental
sculpture are also same, and only the following 3 differences separate the
two species. (1) Mesonotal striae are uniformly dense ridge type over the
entire area on caribeanus, whereas they are decidedly sparse and turn into
scallops on anterior 1/3 area on reticulatus. (2) Striae on tergite II are
dense ridge type on caribeanus, whereas they are sparse and anastomosing
wrinkle type on reticulatus. (3) Postocular seta iii attains a fair length
and is subequal to ii and iv on caribeanus, whereas it is minute and incon-
spicuous between fairly long ii and iv on reticulatus. C. reticulatus is,
however, not a subspecies of striatus.
C. s. caribeanus is, however, readily separable from its other congeners:
from gardeniae J. C. Crawford which has peculiar coloration of mesal
gray-blotching on body, brown-washed scale at apical 1/2, and faint but
non-ridge type striae on tergite II; from mecocephalus which has elongated
head and banded wing; and from medinai which has peculiar coloration of
transverse gray-blotching on each tergite, entirely yellow antenna III-IV,
and entirely grayish brown forewing and scale.
The Florida Entomologist
(7
D
0
19
50 M
Fig. 12, 17.
-- Fig. 15, 14, 16, 18, 19,
25. 12 i ), 13 (
- 1 rFig. 12 (insets), 13 (in
128
Vol. 52, No. 3
Sakimura: New Species of Chaetisothrips
129
Chaetisothrips striatus striatus (Hood)
(Fig. 8-10)
Isochaetothrips striatus Hood, 1935: 166, Fig.
Chaetisothrips striatus: Priesner 1957: 161; Sakimura 1967: 167.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Holotype and 2 paratype 9 9 (USNM), Panama,
Barro Colorado Island, Coutarea hexandra (Jacq.) Schum. flowers, Oct.
1933, Silvestro Aviles (Hood 1077) ; 3 9 9 (INHS), Honduras, La Ceiba (on
Caribbean coast), light trap, 11 June 1949 and 26 Aug. to 3 Sep. 1949,
E. C. Becker (Stannard 301); 1 2 (INHS), Honduras, Olanchito (near
Caribbean coast, 25 miles SW of La Ceiba), 12 km W, no host record, 21
June 1949, E. C. Becker.
DISTRIBUTION: Panama, Honduras.
C. s. striatus and caribeanus are allopatric subspecies. Both subspecies
apparently make a contact along the Caribbean coastal region of Honduras.
The former has not yet been collected on any of the Caribbean islands, but
the latter has also been collected in Mexico to north of Honduras, but not
yet in Panama to south of Honduras. Collection data in Honduras, how-
ever, do not show whether both taxa are intermixed in the field. One of
the striatus specimens from La Ceiba, however, shows a possible inter-
mediary effect on intergradation in length and color of the outer protho-
racic posteroangle seta, although antenna V retains coloration of striatus.
These 2 subspecies are essentially identical in body size and color, in-
tegumental sculpture on every sclerite, and structural details on whole
body, but with 2 exceptions which are both beyond the range of variations
within each taxon. They are (1) antenna segment V which in both taxa
has a pale narrow cross band above pedicel, is entirely grayish brown on
caribeanus, but basal 1/3 yellow on striatus; (2) outer prothoracic postero-
angle seta fully developed on caribeanus (Fig. 1), but only minor on
striatus (Fig. 8).
The primary indication for supporting the subspecies relationship be-
tween both taxa is that integumental sculptures throughout body are not
only in the same pattern and in the same prominence, but also minutely
identical even in stria-density. Setal length is usually an unreliable char-
acteristic and is extremely difficult to evaluate for separating different taxa,
because a wide range of variation usually prevails within a taxon. In the
present case, however, the outer prothoracic posteroangle seta shows not
only a difference in length, but also difference between decurved minor
seta and well-developed major seta, and difference in color too. In addition,
the ranges of variation in length determined from a few examples of each
Fig. 12-15. C. mecocephalus 9 : 12. Head and prothorax holotypee).
13. Meso- and metanota (paratype). 14. Left antenna (paratype). 15.
Right mesanepimeron (paratype). Fig. 16. C. mecocephalus S tergites
IX-X (allotype). IXi, ii, iii---tergite IX, posteromarginal setae i, ii, iii;
ami, ii, iii--acccssory marginal setae i, ii, iii; c=clasper on sternite IX.
Fig. 17-20. C. medinai 2 : 17. Head and prothorax holotypee). 18. Meso-
and metanota holotypee). 19. Left antenna (paratype). 20. Right mesan-
epimeron (paratype). On Fig. 14 and 19, sense cones, striae, microtrichia,
setae, and wavy constrictions and notches in profile are not shown. Insets
in Fig. 12, 13, 17, and 18 cover an area of 26 x 39u each. AIl:-KS del.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
taxon clearly suggest a good probability that discontinuities exist between
the two taxa. These facts together with the persisting difference in color
on antenna V support that both taxa are sufficiently distinct to be different
subspecies.
Chaetisothrips mecocephalus, new species
(Fig. 11-16)
Chaetisothrips sp. (couplet 1) : Sakimura 1967: 166.
DIAGNOSIS: A large species. Chestnut brown body with fully quadrate
head, freely anastomosing striae on nearly entire occiput, entirely yellow
antenna III-IV, and banded wing make this species distinct from its con-
geners. Dense and nearly black ridge type striation (Fig. lla) conspicuous
on pro- and pterothoraxes. Further recognizable through reduced stria-
density at anterior 1/3 area of pronotum, reticulated mesanepimeron, dense
ridge type striae on tergite II with anastomosing regular striae on tergite
IV, scalloped sculpture on pleurites, minute postocular seta iii, fully de-
veloped but short outer prothoracic posteroangle seta, and unusually long
wing setae. Male with transversely oblong glandular area on sternites
III-VII, and 3 pairs of fully developed long stout setae on dorsum of tergite
IX.
FEMALE HOLOTYPE: Color: Chestnut brown body with head (including
front) and abdomen (X paler than IX) darker. Legs chestnut brown as
body, with entire foretibia and apical 1/4 to 1/3 of mid- and hind tibiae
and all tarsi yellow. Antenna I-II chestnut brown as head, III-V yellow
with apical extreme of V slightly brown-washed, VI-VIII light grayish
brown with basal 1/3 of VI yellowish. Forewing banded, basal 1/4 clear,
second 1/4 deep brown, third 1/4 and next 1/8 pale brown, apical 1/8 again
deep brown; scale clear with extreme base brown-washed. Ocellar crescent
red; major setae dark brown.
Integument: Nearly black, fine, dense, and non-anastomosing but cut-
short ridge type striation (Fig. lla) conspicuous on thorax, but scarcer or
less dense on head and some of tergites. Head (Fig. 12), occiput with deep
freely anastomosing regular wrinkle type striae (Fig. llb) practically over
entire area (about 8 to 10 lines below eye), cheek margin deeply serrate
throughout; ocellar hump and front covered with ridge type striae only
1/2 as dense as those on posterior portion of pronotum. Antenna I-II with
deep regular wrinkle type striae, III-VI weakly wavy in profile, micro-
trichia long and dense but inconspicuous because of their yellowish color.
Pronotum (Fig. 12) entirely covered with dense ridge type striae, dense on
posterior 2/3 area (about 2.0 f apart), but sparse and almost scalloped on
anterior 1/3 area (about 4.3 4 apart), premarginal bulge weak and pre-
marginal trough shallow. Mesonotum (Fig. 13) covered with dense ridge
type striae, dense on middle 1/3 area (about 1.6 p apart) and less dense
on anterior and posterior 1/3 areas, a small stria-free area around mesal
pores. Metanotum (Fig. 13) entirely covered with dense ridge type striae
(about 1.7 u apart), transverse anteromesally, longitudinal and somewhat
looped posteromesally, diagonal laterad. Mesanepimeron (Fig. 15) promi-
nently reticulated along inner and hind margins but covered with ridge
type striae elsewhere reticulationn on mesanepimeron is unique among
130
Sakimura: New Species of Chaetisothrips
all the known species of the genus). Abdomen, tergites I-VIII covered
with deep striae at side area only, dense ridge type striae on I-II and be-
coming somewhat scalloped locally near hind margin, anastomosing wrinkle
type striae on III-VIII (about 22 lines diagonally across tergite II but
only 13 lines across IV); a single line each of long and coarse micro-
trichia before dorsal seta ii on III-VIII, few other short microtrichia on
some anastomosing striae locally near hind margin on all tergites; hind
margin of all tergites lined with microtrichia at side. Laterotergites II-
VII with deep diagonal striae, microtrichia on these striae and also along
hind margin not readily visible but presumably present; pleurites III-VII
with deep longitudinal striae freely anastomosed into fine scallops, particu-
larly well developed on anterior 1/4 area (on allotype 8, scallops more con-
spicuous) (scalloped pleurites are unique among all the known species of
the genus), hind margin shallowly serrated; sternites II-VII entirely
covered with deep anastomosing striae, particularly deep and dense near
anterolateral corner, hind margin practically smooth.
Body length: 1700 (natural) ; all measurements in 1.
Head: (Fig. 12). 158 long; 165 (eye), 150 (below eye), 163 (cheek at
swell), 153 (cheek at middle constriction), 145 (base) wide; cheek strongly
constricted below eye and bulged once at postocular seta level but conspicu-
ously narrowed again at middle, front strongly concave before anterior
ocellus but strongly extended forward at base of antenna and a weak mesal
ridge formed; ocellar hump moderately elevated, occiput scarcely bulged
dorsomesally along hind margin. Eye 95 long, 50 wide, 65 wide between
eyes, cheek 80 long, occiput 55 long below eye; ocellar triangle 38 high, 53
wide, ocelli 17-18 across. Chaetotaxy as illustrated, interocellar seta 20
long, postocular seta series: i 13, ii 22, iii minute, iv 28, v 20 long, affinity
of postocular seta series with those of reticulatus and gardeniae, but not
with those of striatus-caribeanus and medinai. Mouth cone 280 long,
maxillary palpi rather stout and short (43 long). Antenna (Fig. 14) long
and slender, length (width) of segments: 35(38, 33 at tip), 45(30), 85(21),
63(21), 48(20), 63(21), 10(9), 19(7), total 370; shape as illustrated, long
and narrow neck of III and fully developed neck of IV conspicuous, forked
sense cone rather short, 33 long on III, I with a long seta near inner apical
corner of dorsum.
Prothorax: (Fig. 12). 150 long, 190 wide; chaetotaxy as illustrated,
outer posteroangle seta fully developed, blackish, somewhat thinner than
and about 1/2 as long as inner seta (outer 35, inner 73 long), posteromar-
ginal seta i 31 long, without minor seta between outer and inner postero-
angle setae; disc setae sparse, only about 8 pairs (about 20 long) and 2
pairs thicker and longer than the rest.
Pterothorax: (Fig. 13). 300 (laterally, see caribeanus), 235 (dorsally)
long, 288 wide; mesonotum 85, metanotum I 100, II 50 long, chaetotaxy as
illustrated; both spinulae well developed; mesospinula 105 long, metaspi-
nula 80 long and complete; mesofurca 58, metafurca 45 wide; disc setae on
both sterna thin, short and light-colored; hind tibia slender, 3 terminal
stout setae (longest 25), hind tarsus 90 long. Forewing 1120 long, 65
(middle), 100 (base) wide; setae on both veins regularly spaced, number of
setae on costa, forevein, hind vein, scale vein: 34, 26, 17, 7; last seta 90
132 The Florida Entomologist Vol. 52, No. 3
(costa), 63 (forevein), 75 (hind vein), 50 (scale vein; penultimate 40, disc
38) long.
Abdomen: 1100 long, 325 wide on IV; dorsal setae i minute or nearly so
and far apart from each other on tergites I-VIII, sternites without acces-
sory setae; comb on tergite VIII complete, fine, dense, long (about 24 pairs
of teeth, 25 long) ; ovipositor 270 long. Terminal segments VIII 88, IX 88,
X 65 long, X dorsal suture 1/2 way up; all major setae on IX-X very thick,
accessory marginal setae on IX-X very long but thin (normal for the
genus) ; posteromarginal setae IXi 93, ii 100, iii 130 long, dorsal seta 60
long, thick and straight (normal for the genus) ; posteromarginal setae
Xi-ii both 110 long.
MALE ALLOTYPE: Color and integument: As 9, but different with all
tibiae and all tarsi yellow, with antenna II pale grayish brown instead of
as dark as I.
Body length: 1200 (natural) ; all measurements in g.
Head: 135 long; 143 (eye), 125 (below eye), 130 (cheek at swell), 118
(base) wide; shape as 9. Eye 80 long, 43 wide, 58 wide between eyes,
cheek 70 long, occiput 55 long below eye; ocellar triangle 35 high, 46 wide,
ocelli 16-17 across. Chaetotaxy as 9, interocellar seta 20 long, postocular
seta series: i 12, ii 20, iii minute, iv 22, v 12 long. Antenna, length (width)
of segments: 25(34, 25 at tip), 38(22), 70(18), 59(18) 43(17), 50(20), 8(8),
16(6), total 315; shape as 9, sense cone on III 30 long. Prothorax: 125
long, 163 wide; chaetotaxy as 9, posteroangle setae 28 (outer, thick and
blackish), 53 (inner) long, posteromarginal seta i 25 long, disc setae 8 pairs
and 2 pairs longer and thicker than the rest. Pterothorax: 225 (laterally),
195 (dorsally) long, 210 wide; mesonotum 75, metanotum I 78, II 40 long,
chaetotaxy as 9 ; mesospinula 75, metaspinula 63 long; mesofurca 65, meta-
furca 50 wide; hind tarsus 80 long. Forewing 900 long, 48 (middle), 63
(base) wide; number of setae on costa, forevein, hind vein, scale vein: 27,
23, 18, 6; last seta 73 (costa), 63 (forevein), 63 (hind vein), 43 (scale vein;
penultimate 33, disc 21) long.
Abdomen: 750 long, 180 wide on IV; glandular area on sternites III-VII
transversely oblong, 17-20 long, 33-38 wide; comb on tergite VIII complete,
dense, long. Terminal segments (Fig. 16), IX 105 long (laterally, from
anterolateral extreme of tergite to posterolateral extreme of sternite), X
48 long (dorsally along mason) ; chaetotaxy as illustrated, 3 pairs of stout
and long setae on IX dorsum, posteromarginal IXi 28, accessory marginal
setae i 32, dorsal setae 30 long (normal for the genus); IXii 80 long,
thickest of all, its accessory seta thin and short, IXiii 87 long, its acces-
sory seta thin and long; clasper 75 long, somewhat thinner than IXii;
without small cuticular projection near IXii (commonly present in Thrips
and Taeniothrips); on tergite X, all setae long but delicate, yellow in
color; genitalia 70 long, 55 wide.
Holotype 9 (USNM Type 70490): Mexico, Morelos, Cuernavaca, road
60 km on Mexico City, no host record, 18 Sep. 1944, N. L. H. Krauss
(USNM 45-1651). Allotype S (USNM) and 5 paratype 9 9 (3 USNM, 2
Sakimura), as holotype.
DISTRIBUTION: Mexico.
C. mecocephalus is well differentiated from its congeners by having non-
ridge type striae on occiput, banded forewing, reticulated mesanepimeron,
and scalloped pleurites.
Sakimura: New Species of Chaetisothrips
C',. t... ri, *-' medinai, new species
(Fig. 11, 17-20)
Chaetisothrips sp. No. 2: Medina 1961: 47.
C'imr, i:..,,ti rips sp. (couplets 5 and 9) : Sakimura 1967: 166.
DIAGNOSIS: Yellow body with transverse gray-blotching band completely
circumscribing every abdominal segment, and uniformly deep brown fore-
wing and scale make this species distinct from its congeners. Dense and
nearly black ridge type striation (Fig. lla) conspicuous on head and
thorax. Further recognizable through fully developed but very short outer
prothoracic posteroangle seta, uniform stria-density over entire pronotum,
a stria-free area around mesonotal mesal pores, postocular seta iii longer
than minute, and ridge type dense striae on tergite II with anastomosing
wrinkle type striae on IV.
FEMALE HOLOTYPE: Color: Light grayish yellow body with head (except
pale front) and prothorax darker gray, tergites IX-X yellower than basal
tergites, anterior halves of all abdominal segments (circumscribing through
tergite, laterotergite, pleurite, and sternite) gray-washed. Legs uniformly
light brownish yellow. Antenna deep grayish brown with both basal and
apical quarters of III-IV and basal 1/3 of V decidedly pale. Forewing and
scale uniformly deep brown. Ocellar crescent presumably red; major setae
black on wing and tergites IX-X, yellow on legs, dark brown elsewhere.
Integument: Nearly black, fine, dense, and non-anastomosing but cut-
short ridge type striation (Fig. lla) conspicuous on head, thorax, and some
of tergites. Head (Fig. 17), occiput with freely anastomosing wrinkle type
striae (Fig. lib) on posterior 2/3 area but with dense ridge type striae
elsewhere (about 10 to 12 lines all together below eye; sharp thin ridges on
profile of cheek only near eye); ocellar hump and front with dense ridge
type striae (about 2.0 A apart). Antenna I-II with regular striae, III-VI
with shallow rings, weakly wavy in profile, microtrichia on II short but
those on III-VI long, nearly black, conspicuous. Prothorax (Fig. 17) en-
tirely covered with dense ridge type striae (uniformly about 2.0 a apart),
premarginal bulge weak and premarginal trough shallow. Mesonotum
(Fig. 18) covered with dense ridge type striae except around mesal pores
(about 2.0 c apart), somewhat less dense in posterior 1/3 area. Metanotum
(Fig. 18) entirely covered with dense ridge type striae (somewhat denser
than those on mesonotum), transverse anteromesally, longitudinal and
somewhat looped posteromesally, diagonal laterad. Mesanepimeron (Fig.
20) densely covered with ridge type striae. Abdomen, tergites I-VIII
covered with striae at side area only, I-II with nearly-black dense ridge
type striae, but III-VIII with inconspicuous shallow anastomosing regular
wrinkle type striae (about 19 lines diagonally across tergite II but about 8
lines across IV), a single line each of long and coarse microtrichia before
dorsal seta ii on III-VIII, few other short microtrichia on some anasto-
mosing striae locally near hind margin of all tergites, hind margin of all
tergites lined with microtrichia at side; laterotergites II-VII with diagonal
striae lined with short and scattered microtrichia, hind margin lined with
microtrichia; pleurites III-VII with shallow longitudinal striae, hind mar-
gin irregularly notched; sternites II-VII entirely covered with shallow anas-
tomosing striae, hind margin smooth.
Body length: 1450 long (natural) ; all measurements in cp.
134 The Florida Entomologist Vol. 52, No. 3
Head: (Fig. 17). 105 long; 145 (eye), 130 (below eye), 143 (cheek),
125 (base) wide; strongly constricted below eye and bulged out on cheek,
front strongly concave before anterior ocellus but extended forward at
base of antenna forming a short mesal ridge, ocellar hump strongly ele-
vated, occiput strongly bulged dorsomesally along hind margin. Eye 70
long, 43 wide, 60 wide between eyes, cheek 53 long, occiput 38 long below
eye; ocellar triangle 35 high, 50 wide, ocelli 20-22 across. Chaetotaxy as
illustrated, interocellar seta 15 long, postocular seta series: i 15, ii 12, iii
12, iv 12, v 8 long. Mouth cone 225 long, maxillary palpi 43 long. Antenna
(Fig. 19), length (width) of segments: 25(28, 25 at tip), 38(26), 63(18),
55(18), 38(15), 50(18), 7(8), 12(5), total 300 (I-II of holotype ill-oriented,
measurements on a paratype are given here); shape as illustrated, forked
sense cone on III slender and 40 long, I with a long and dark-colored seta
near inner apical corner of dorsum (some variation prevails in difference
of length from adjacent setae).
Prothorax: (Fig. 17). 120 long, 166 wide; chaetotaxy as illustrated,
outer posteroangle seta fully developed, nearly black, nearly as thick as
and not 1/2 as long as inner seta (outer 22, inner 55 long), posteromarginal
seta i 22 long; about 15 pairs of disc setae and 2 pairs longer and thicker
than the rest.
Pterothorax: (Fig. 18). 235 (laterally, see caribeanus), 185 (dorsally)
long, 245 wide; mesonotum 73, metanotum I 75, II 35 long, chaetotaxy as
illustrated; both spinulae well developed and metaspinula complete, both
75 long, both furcae 50-60 wide; disc setae on both sterna thin, short, yel-
lowish; hind tibia slender, with 3 terminal stout setae (longest 20), hind
tarsus 75 long. Forewing 780 long, 50 (middle), 73 (base) wide; setae on
both veins regularly spaced, number of setae on costa, forevein, hind vein,
scale vein: 30, 22, 10, 6; last seta 55 (costa), 43 (forevein), 50 (hind vein),
45 (scale vein; penultimate 30, disc 28) long.
Abdomen: 950 long, 260 wide on IV; dorsal seta i minute or nearly so
and far apart from each other on tergites I-VIII, sternites without acces-
sory setae; comb on tergite VIII complete, fine, long (about 19 pairs of
teeth, 18 long) ; ovipositor 250 long. Terminal segments VIII 75, IX 88, X
58 long, X dorsal suture 1/3 way up; posteromarginal setae IXi 80, ii 90,
iii 90 long, dorsal seta 40 long, rather thin but straight (normal for the
genus); posteromarginal setae Xi 95, ii 90 long, accessory marginal setae
on IX-X thin but very long (normal for the genus).
Holotype 9 (USNM Type 70492) : Puerto Rico, Arecibo, Cambalache In-
sular Forest, Chiococca alba (L.) Hitch. flowers, 27 Jan. 1959, G. Rivera
and S. Medina (53-59) ; 4 paratype 9 9 (1 USNM, 2 UPRAES, 1 Saki-
mura), as holotype.
DISTRIBUTION: Puerto Rico.
C. medinai is distinct by its color of abdomen, forewing, and scale. The
nearest species in coloration is gardeniae which has, however, a single
mesal gray blotching from head to abdominal tip, and basal 1/4 of fore-
wing as well as scale is partly clear. Furthermore, medinai is separable
from its congeners as follows: from gardeniae which has practically indis-
cernible striae on tergite II; from reticulatus which has wrinkle type striae
on tergite II; from mecocephalus which has varying stria-density over
Sakimura: New Species of Chaetisothrips
pronotum and extensive wrinkle type striae over the entire occiput; from
striatus and caribeanus which has uniform stria-density over the entire
mesonotum.
This species is named after Silverio Medina Gaud in honor of his con-
tribution in the first monographic study of the Thysanoptera of Puerto
Rico.
LITERATURE CITED
Doeksen, J. 1941. Bijdrage tot de vergelijkende morphologie der Thysa-
noptera. Meded. Landbouwhoogeschool, Wageningen 45(5) : 1-114.
Hood, J. D. 1935. Eleven new Thripidae (Thysanoptera) from Panama.
J. N. Y. Entomol. Soc. 43: 143-171.
Jones, T. 1954. The external morphology of Chirothrips hamatus (Try-
bom) (Thysanoptera). Trans. Roy. Entomol. Soc. Lond. 105: 163-
187.
Medina Gaud, S. 1961. The Thysanoptera of Puerto Rico. Univ. Puerto
Rico Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Paper 32. 160 p.
Priesner, H. 1957. Zur vergleichenden Morphologie des Endothorax der
Thysanopteren (Vorlhufige Mitteilung). Zool. Anz. 159: 159-167.
Priesner, H. 1964. A monograph of the Thysanoptera of the Egyptian
deserts. Pub. Inst. Desert Egypte 13: i-ix, 1-549. P1. I-XXI.
Sakimura, K. 1967. A preliminary note on a review of the genus Chaetis-
othrips Priesner (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Fla. Entomol. 50, 165-
168.
The Florida Entomologist 52(3) 1969
Now
a new name stands out
on the pesticide label...
CYTHION
INSECTICIDE
THE PREMIUM GRADE MALATHION*
*TRADEMARK
The name "Cythion" on the label means the
product is premium-grade.
Cythion is manufactured under our exclusive
patented process that assures maximum quality
and superior reliability.
Low in odor and low in hazard-only Cythion is
registered for use on stored grain, recommended
for use inside homes, and accepted for use on
humans. Registered for use on a wider range of
pests than any other product, and on a larger
number of crops and animals, with no.residue
problems for close-to-harvest uses.
Look for Cythion, the premium-grade malathion,
on pesticides for agricultural, home and garden,
pet, stored product, ULV and public health use-
in liquids, wettable powders, dusts, aerosols and
low-pressure bombs. Cythion is your assurance of
the highest quality.
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AMERICAN CYANAMID COMPANY
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY
Before using any pesticide, stop and read the label.
STATUS AND CONTROL OF THE CORN STEM WEEVIL
IN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES'
M. J. JANES AND W. G. GENUNG2
University of Florida, Everglades Experiment Station, Belle Glade 33430
ABSTRACT
The corn stem weevil, Hyperodes humilis (Gyllenhal), has been a pest
of sweet corn in the Florida Everglades since 1959. The combination of
soil applied insecticides for wireworm control and aerial sprays for bud-
worms may keep this insect in check. In recent tests the most effective
experimentally applied insecticides for controlling this pest were Furadan
(2,3-dihydro-2, 2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate), Azodrin
(d&methy phosphate ester with cis 3-hydroxy-N-methylcrotonamide), GC
6506, (dimethyl p-[methylthio] phenyl phosphate), and the following
combinations: azinphosmethyl+-DDT, toxaphene+DDT, parathion+methyl
parathion, and diazinon+DDT.
The corn stem weevil, Hyperodes humiiis (Gyllenhal), was first re-
ported attacking cultivated crops by Harris (1960) who described and
illustrated the injury and life stages. In 1959 he found larvae mining
the lower stems of young sweet corn plants in the Everglades, producing
stunting, withering, or break-over. Some damage also resulted from egg
punctures and adult feeding. Most injury occurred in the region of the
soil line during the first five weeks in the growth of the corn.
STATUS AS A SWEET CORN PEST:-Normally the corn stem weevil infests
50% or more of young sweet corn plants, severely injuring about 1/3 of
these. During the cropping season, which extends from September to June,
the weevils are most abundant during late spring and on into late fall.
Chemicals used in the control of other pests reduce the incidence of this
insect so that under a full pesticide program special treatments for the
corn stem weevil often are unnecessary. However, the abundance of these
insects varies and in some years substantial losses may occur in fields re-
ceiving customary insecticide applications. Harris and Orsenigo (1961)
attributed reduced corn stem weevil populations in sweet corn plots treated
with preemergence herbicides to discouragement of oviposition. Harris
(1960) found DDT and azinphosmethyl most effective for control of the
corn stem weevil in applications made at 4 day intervals for approximately
1 month beginning on the day of seedling emergence. Later Harris (1961,
1962) reported control of the weevil with DDT and parathion.
In the present tests it was found that preemergence soil applied chemi-
cals for wireworm control combined with foliage insecticides for budworm
often hold the insects in check. During heavy infestation additional treat-
ments must be made specifically against the weevil. Assessing the effec-
tiveness of these materials has been the objective of the present tests.
CHEMICAL CONTROL.-Insecticides of the type used to control budworms
in sweet corn were evaluated for control'of the corn stem weevil during the
fall of 1966 and 1967. The insecticides were evaluated in field plot tests
'University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Stations Journal Series
Number 3199. These investigations were partially supported by Niagara
Chemical Division and Shell Chemical Company.
'Assistant Entomologist and Associate Entomologist, respectively.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
0,. .
:.. ;i b lV~, c
A. ~ -
Fig. 1. Sweet corn of the stage of growth attacked by the corn stem
weevil, and showing plot arrangement.
using randomized complete blocks, with 5 replications. Each plot was 4
rows, 25 ft long and surrounded on all sides by an alleyway (Fig. 1).
Spray applications were made twice weekly.
TABLE 1. CONTROL OF THE CORN STEM WEEVIL, Hyperodes humilis
(GYLLENHAL), ON SWEET CORN AT EVERGLADES STATION, EARLY
FALL 1966.
Insecticide & Formulation
Lb. actual
insecticide
per acre
% injury
free plants*
Azinphosmethyl (2E)+DDT (2E) 0.5+1.0 88 a
GC 6506 (4E) 0.5 87 a
Toxaphene (6E)+DDT (2E) 1.0+2.0 81 a
Azinphosmethyl (2E) 0.5 70 b
Thuricide 90TS':" 1 qt. 69 b
Toxaphene (6E)+TDE (2E) 2.0+1.0 63 bc
Stauffer R-3422-st (4E) 0.5 61 bc
Trichlorfon (80 WP) 3.0 61 bc
Check 52 cd
TDE (50 WP) 2.0 46 d
* Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at the 5% level using
Duncan's multiple range test.
** Thuricide 90TS, 15 billion spores/g.
t Ethyl (2-mercaptoethyl) carbamate, O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate.
Janes: Corn Stem Weevil in the Everglades
CONTROL OF THE CORN
(GYLLENHAL), ON SWEET
FALL 1966.
STEM WEEVIL Hyperodes humilis
CORN AT EVERGLADES STATION, LATE
Lb. actual
Insecticide & Formulation insecticide % injury
per acre free plants*
GC506 (4E) 0.5 100 a
Furadan (50 WP) 0.5 100 a
Azinphosmethyl (2E)+DDT (2E) 0.5+1.0 99 a
Azodrin (3.2 E) 0.5 97 ab
Toxaphene (6E)+DDT (2E) 1.0+0.5 97 ab
Toxaphene (6E)+DDT (2E)+methyl
parathion (4E) 1.0+0.5+0.25 96 ab
Stauffer N-4543** (2E) 0.5 95 ab
Gardonat (75 WP) 0.75 91 ab
Carbaryl (50 WP) 1.25 88 b
Check 75 c
* Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at the 5% level using
Duncan's multiple range test.
** O-isopropyl s- (phthalimidomethyl) ethyl phosphonodithioate.
t 2-chloro 1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)vinyl dimethyl phosphate.
TABLE 3. CONTROL OF THE CORN STEM WEEVIL, Hyperodes humilis
(GYLLENHAL), ON SWEET CORN AT EVERGLADES STATION, FALL
1967.
Lb. actual
Insecticide & Formulation insecticide % injury
per acre free plants*
Furadan (10 G) 2.0** 94 a
Parathion (6E) & methyl parathion (3E) 0.34+0.16 89 ab
Diazinon (4E)+DDT (2E) 0.75+0.5 88 ab
Azodrin (3.2E) 0.5 86 ab
Azodrin (3.2E) 0.5t 84 bc
Carbaryl (2E) 1.5 84 bc
Diazinon (4E)+carbaryl (2E) 0.75+0.5 81 bc
Thuricide$+m-parathion (4E) 1 qt.+0.25 81 bc
Furadan (10 G) 1.0** 77 c
Check -69 d
* Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at the 5% level using
Duncan's multiple range test.
** Placed in band and incorporated in soil with seed at time of planting.
t Contained wetting agent S Allied Chemical 4oz./100 gal. water.
$ Thuricide SS, 15 billion spores/gram.
In the early fall 1966 test, when the infestation was fairly heavy, azin-
phosmethyl+DDT, GC 6506 (dimethyl p-[methylthio] phenyl phosphate),
and toxaphene+DDT produced the greatest percentage of injury free
plants (Table 1). Several other materials tested were considerably less
effective. In the late fall 1966 test, with a light population, most of the
nine materials were highly effective (Table 2). In 1967 Furadan (2, 3-di-
TABLE 2.
139
140 The Florida Entomologist Vol. 52, No. 3
hydro-2, 2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate), parathion methyl
parathion, diazinon+DDT, and Azodrin (dimethyl phosphate ester with
cis 3-hydroxy-N-methylcrotonamide) were the most effective materials, al-
though carbaryl, diazinon+DDT, and Thuricide (Bacillus thuringiensis
Berliner) +methyl parathion also gave good results.
It is interesting to note that classes of compounds other than chlori-
nated hydrocarbons are showing effectiveness against the corn stem weevil.
LITERATURE CITED
Harris, E. D., Jr. 1960. Hyperodes humilis, a new pest cf sweet corn in
the Everglades, and its control. J. Econ. Entomol. 53:251-7.
Harris, E. D., Jr. 1961. DDT spray formulations and dosages for control
of corn stem weevil, Hyperodes humilis, and fall armyworm La-
phygma frugiperda on sweet corn. J. Econ. Entomol. 54:546-9.
Harris, E. D., Jr., and J. R. Orsenigo. 1961. A relationship of chemical
weed control to corn stem weevil control on sweet corn. Proc. Fla.
State Hort. Soc. 74:166-8.
Harris, E. D., Jr. 1962. Control of a corn stem weevil (Hyperodes humi-
lis), and fall armyworm with DDT and Parathion in South Florida.
J. Econ. Entomol. 55:83-5.
The Florida Entomologist 52(3) 1969
.*
~~*1-
momma a L !:
~-YL8% 1w I
MILLIPEDS FROM JAMAICAN CAVES1
H. F. LooMIs'
5355 SW 92 St., Miami, Fla. 33156
ABSTRACT
Described from a collection of millipeds of Jamaican caves are a new
species of Caraibodesmus and a new genus and species of the family Chyto-
desmidae. Specimens of a genus and species (Inodesmus jamaicensis) not
seen since originally diagnosed in 1896 allowed amplified description, and
removal of two other species to a new genus. Young specimens were rec-
ognized as members of two families not previously recorded in Jamaica.
In the spring of 1968 a collection of arthropods was made in a number
of Jamaican caves by Stewart B. Peck, Museum of Comparative Zoology,
assisted by Alan Fiske, Harvard College student. The milliped portion of
the collection was sent to me for determination and contained two un-
described species, one of a new genus. Also present were both sexes of
the genotype species, Inodesmus jamaicensis, which O. F. Cook (1896)
diagnosed very briefly in erecting the genus and which species has not
been reported since. Comparison of males of this species with those of
another from Panama, assigned to Inodesmus in 1964 and rediscovered by
Peck in 1966, showed the latter to typify an undescribed genus. Two
families not previously known in Jamaica were represented by specimens
too young for identification or description, but they are further evidence
of close relationship of the Jamaican milliped fauna with that of Central
America rather than that of any West Indian islands. None of the
species collected has modifications indicating restriction to cave life.
Holotypes of the new species have been deposited in the U. S. National
Museum. Paratypes of them and specimens of the other two named
species have been placed in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods, in
Gainesville.
CHELODESMIDAE
Caraibodesmus Chamberlin
Caraibodesmus pictus spec. nov.
Holotype male, another male, and 4 females, Oxford Cave, Auchtembed-
die, Manchester Parish, 4 & 8 April 1968.
DIAGNOSIS:-This is the largest Jamaican species and is closest to C.
bruesi Chamberlin but is distinguished from it, as based on description of
that species, by a median tooth on outer margin of keels 11 and 12; the
large projecting tooth on each side of posterior margin of segments 2-15;
and the much sturdier gonopods.
DESCRIPTION :-Males more slender than females with keels larger and
more elevated, their posterior margin deeply concave in both sexes; largest
male 30 mm long, 3.5 mm wide; largest female 32 mm long, 4 mm wide.
1Contribution No. 142, Entomology Section, Division of Plant Industry,
Florida Department of Agriculture, Gainesville.
2Research Associate, Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Division of
Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
Head with clypeal-labral region yellow; front and vertex dark brown; body
elsewhere yellow and brown, as described for bruesi.
Segment 1 smooth and shining, the disk strongly convex with the
nearly horizontal keels set off sharply from it, the junction marked by a
fine furrow extending forward from the posterior margin.
On succeeding segments the surface of the metazonites, in front of the
deep but indefinitely marked transverse depression, scattered with tiny,
low, shining granules extending onto base of keels; surface behind depres-
sion somewhat granular, especially on sides; posterior margin of dorsum
on anterior segments with four rounded tubercles between two large pro-
jecting teeth near base of keels; farther back the median tubercles increase
to six or eight, and on segments 16-18 the projecting tooth on each side
becomes as small as the intervening tubercles and barely exceeds margin;
segment 19 without tubercles or projecting teeth. Keels from front of
body to near its caudal end with basal portion having one or frequently
two rounded tubercles plus small scattered granules. Anal valves with
inner margins high and thin; inner surface with wrinkles nearly parallel-
ing margins. Scale large, triangular, the two subapical setae well sep-
arated and rising from small rounded tubercles on the margin.
Gonopods as shown in Fig. 1 and 2. Sternum of third male legs
with two transverse, conic, basally touching tubercles. Fourth sternum
broadly swollen on each side.
CHYTODESMIDAE
Peckfiskia gen. nov.
TYPE SPECIES:-Peckfiskia cavernicola spec. nov.
DIAGNOSIS:-The distinct separation of the 10 anterior lobes of segment
1, and the caudally produced midjoint of the gonopods, immediately distin-
guish this genus from any other of the family.
DESCRIPTION:-Size small, not over 7 or 8 mm in length; dorsum
moderately convex with rather narrow descending keels, their lobes sep-
arated by sublageniform sinuses; surface of metazonites and keels irregu-
larly b:set with small to tiny tubercles; only one row of three primary
tubercles each side of middorsum, the tubercles and margins of lobes of
keels minutely spiculate and retaining varying deposits of organic matter
in mature animals, giving their nearly colorless bodies a more or less
brownish coating.
Antennae rather long and slenderly clavate. Segment 1 with narrow
anterior border of 10 separated lobes, the median four largest. Lobes of
lateral keels of some segments tending to vary in number, even on the
same segment. Pores in normal sequence, opening from a large swelling at
middle of keels on usual segments, but on segment 19 the pores not ele-
vated. Last segment bilobate behind, above the setose, conic apex.
Gonopods composed of three joints, the middle one large and greatly
produced backward at apex. Anterior legs and sterna without unusual
modifications.
Peckfiskia cavernicola spec. nov.
Holotype male, female, and 7 young, Coffee River Cave, 1.5 miles N
Oxford, Auchtembeddie, Manchester Parish, 4 April 1968; posterior half
Loomis: Millipeds from Jamaican Caves
2
Fig. 1-2, Caraibodesmus pictus. 1, left gonopod, ventral view; 2, left
gonopod, lateral view.
Fig. 3-6, Peckfiskia cavernicola. 3, segment 1; 4, right half of segments
18-20; 5, left gonopod, ventro-lateral view from slightly in front; 6, left
gonopod, anteroventral view.
Fig. 7, Inodesmus jamaicensis, right gonopod, lateral view.
Fig. 8, Hypsoporus globulosus, left gonopod, lateral view.
of young specimen, Oxford Cave, Auchtembeddie, Manchester Parish, 4 or
8 April 1968; 2 males, 3 females, 1 young, Windsor Great Cave, Windsor,
10 miles S Falmouth, Trelawney Parish, 5 April 1968.
DESCRIPTION:-Holotype 5.7 mm long, 1 mm wide; female 7 mm long,
1.2 mm wide; color light except for brownish material adhering to meta-
zonites and in openings between marginal, lobes.
Head smooth at crest of vertex, with a granular area in front beginning
at top of interantennal space and widening behind; clypeal area contin-
uous with labrum, surface almost uniformly hispid; interantennal space
about twice diameter of a socket. Antennae long, slenderly clavate; joint
1 shortest, subequal joints 2, 4, 6, and 7 next, followed by joint 3, with
143
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
joint 5 about as long as 6 and 7 together; joints 5 and 6 with a fine seta, as
long as joint 5, at outer distal third.
Segment 1 (Fig. 3) transversely suboval, moderately convex; anterior
border short, with 10 separated lobes, the inner four largest; posterior
border distinctly lobed each side, much less obviously so across middle; sur-
face with small, scattered tubercles and six larger ones across posterior
quarter; all tubercles and those of other segments spiculate; Succeeding
segments with small scattered tubercles, a row of three larger ones each
side of middle. Keels rather narrow; anterior ones descending at nearly
same rate as dorsum but less so toward caudal end of body. Keels of
segments 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, and 14, 3-lobed; 4, 2- or rarely 3-lobed; 9, 17, 18,
and 19, 4-lobed; other keels usually with 4 lobes but reduced to 3 on some
keels; lobes separated by lageniform openings, except on segment 19, as
shown in Fig. 4 which also shows last segment. Margins of anal valves
raised, shining, in contrast to dull surface elsewhere. Preanal scale broad,
the apex somewhat rounded between the two rather closely placed, sub-
marginal, seta-bearing tubercles.
Gonopods as shown in Fig. 5 and 6.
COMODESMIDAE
Inodesmus Cook
Inodesmus jamaicensis Cook
Brandtia, p. 25, 1896
Over three dozen males and females, Windsor Great Cave, Windsor, 10
miles S of Falmouth, Trelawney Parish, 5 April 1968; male, 3 females,
Drip Cave, 1.5 miles SSE of Stewart Town, Trelawney Parish, 2 April
1968.
The exceedingly brief description of this species, its type locality given
merely as "a cave in Jamaica," failed to mention many of the following
characters which are of importance.
Males with 19 segments, females with 20; body to 9 mm long. Segment
2 extending well below segment 1, directed somewhat forward on each side;
posterior angle each side rounded, without a caudal projection. Prozonites
considerably exposed, strongly convex, as are the metazonites, and sep-
arated from them by a deep constriction; surface conspicuously reticulated,
the reticulations in the constriction largest. Metazonites notably higher
than prozonites; dorsum densely beset with scattered, long, erect setae ris-
ing from distinct, shining, subconic tubercles; lower sides to base of legs
with smaller, rounded, shining, and glabrous tubercles. Pores tiny and
difficult to see, in the position Cook described but appearing to open from
the surface rather than from a depression
Gonopods (Fig. 7) 3-jointed; outer joint complex, with a large lateral
lobe and a sharp terminal branch plus three others along mesal edge, the
two basal ones with slightly expanded, spiculate tips. In the figure the basal
branch is hidden by the outer lobe but it is short, thick, with apex larger
than on next branch. Second joint of gonopods with a large, acute, distal
extension.
144
Loomis: Millipeds from Jamaican Caves
145
Hypsoporus gen. nov.
TYPE SPECIES:--Inodesmus globulosus Loomis
DIAGNOSIS:-This genus is distinguished from Inodesmus Cook by its
smaller size, elevated pores, strong projection from the posterior angle
each side of segment 2, and the simple 2-jointed gonopods. Males with 19
segments, females with 20.
Hypsoporus globulosus (Loomis)
Inodesmus globulosus Loomis. 1964. Fieldiana: Zoology, Chicago Nat.
Hist. Mus. 47:30.
Two males, one broken, and many females, Chilibrillo Cave, Panama
Province, Panama, 26 July 1966, Stewart B. Peck.
Comparison of the gonopods of these males (Fig. 8) with those of
I. jamaicensis Cook leaves no doubt of the necessity of establishing the
above genus. Although no males have been seen, the description and
figure of I. peduncularis Loomis (Loomis 1934) suggest its transfer to
Hypsoporus and, similarly, of retaining Lasiodesmus caraibicus (Silvestri
1908) in Inodesmus, where I placed it in 1934, loc. cit.
Immature specimens of the following families were collected.
GLOMERIDESMIDAE
One specimen, Worthy Park Cave, St. Catherine Parish, 6 April 1968.
Undoubtedly Glomeridesmus Gervais & Gould.
ONISCODESMIDAE
A 17-segmented specimen, Oxford Cave, Auchtembeddie, Manchester
Parish, 4 or 8 April 1968. This appears to be of an undescribed genus.
TRICHOPOLYDESMIDAE
One specimen, St. Claire Cave, 1% miles SW Ewarton, St. Catherine
Parish, 7 April 1968; one specimen, Worthy Park Cave No. 2, Worthy Park,
St. Catherine Parish, 6 April 1968. Both specimens appear to be of the
same species, probably belonging to an undescribed genus.
LITERATURE CITED
Cook, O. F. 1896. Brandtia. A series of occasional papers on Diplopoda
and other Arthropoda. 1-75. Privately printed.
Loomis, H. F. 1934. Millipeds of the West Indies and Guiana collected by
the Allison V. Armour Expedition in 1932. Smithsonian Misc. Coll.
89(14) :1-69, illus.
Silvestri, F. 1908. Myriapoda from Porto Rico and Culebra. Bull Amer.
Mus. Nat. Hist. 24(28) :563-578, illus.
The Florida Entomologist 52(3) 1969
Mite-free groves yield top-dollar citrus.
At the first sign of mites on citrus foliage, take warning. That's the
time for KELTHANE@, the miticide that is doing such a great job
throughout California and Florida in killing citrus-attacking mites.
Cover foliage thoroughly with the recommended dosage of this
powerful miticide and repeat when necessary up to a week before
harvest. When used as suggested, KELTHANE will not harm
beneficial insect mite predators, but will go a long way toward
producing top-quantity, top-quality fruit. Ask your farm
supply dealer for KELTHANE.
Your partner in crop production ROHM V
!HRRSE
PHILADELPHIA. PENNSYLVANIA 19105
A NEW NEOTROPICAL SPECIES OF MOSILLUS
(DIPTERA: EPHYDRIDAE)
WILLIS W. WIRTH
Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Entomology Research Division,
Agr. Res. Serv., USDA1
ABSTRACT
Mosillus stegmaieri n. sp. is described from Florida and a key and illus-
trations including characters of the male genitalia are furnished to distin-
guish the three American species.
Two species of the genus Mosillus Latreille (Gymnopa Fall6n) are
currently known to occur in the Western Hemisphere, M. tibialis Cresson
which is widespread in North America and south into the Neotropical Re-
gion, and M. bidentatus (Cresson) which occurs in the West as far east
as Manitoba and New Mexico. The purpose of this paper is to describe
a new species which has been confused with the Neotropical population of
M. tibialis, and to give a key and illustrations facilitating recognition.
KEY TO THE AMERICAN SPECIES OF Mosillus
1. Face with whitish pollen only in antennal fovea; parafacies each with
two small white pollinose spots at eye margin at level of antenna;
fifth tergum of abdomen with distomedian area rugulose to scabrose
but without dense microsetae ...................---------------- bidentatus (Cresson)
Face with extensive areas of whitish pollen; parafacies each with long
angulate area of whitish pollen near eye margin; fifth tergum of abdo-
men with elongate oval median area with dense microsetae .-................ 2
2. Wing with yellowish to smoky tinge; whitish pollinose area of para-
facies more truncate below, scarcely extending below lower eye margin;
male surstylus angulate between the bristly and microsetose portions
of the margin, inner clasper bilobed distally ....--........... --- tibialis Cresson
Wing whitish; whitish pollinose area of parafacies more acutely angu-
late below, extending more than half the distance from lower eye mar-
gin to oral margin; male surstylus without distinct angle between
bristly and microsetose portions of margin, inner clasper a simple
rounded lobe distally ...........-..................-................. stegamaieri, n. sp.
Mosillus stegmaieri Wirth, new species
(Fig. 2, 5, 8, 9, 12)
Male, female.-Wing length 2.20-2.34 mm. (av. 2.26).
Shining black, in some lights with greenish or violet reflections; wing
whitish, costa yellowish; halter whitish. Antenna brown, third segment
reddish brown; tibiae pale brown, hind tibia dark brown in midportion,
all with dense silvery-white pollen on outer surface; tarsi yellowish brown,
four distal tarsomeres on fore leg and two distal tarsomeres on mid and
hind legs dark brown.
1 Mail address: c/o U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C. 20560
The Florida Entomologist
-A ,,
Fig. 1-15, Mosillus spp. 1-3, face view of head, whitish pollinose areas
stippled: 1, bidentatus; 2, stegmaieri; 3, tibialis. 4-6, dorsal view of scu-
tellum: 4, bidentatus; 5, stegmaieri; 6, tibialis. 7, 8, 15, male surstylus: 7,
bidentatus; 8, stegmaieri; 15, tibialis. 9, 10, 11, inner clasper (lateral pro-
cess of hypandrium) : 9, stegmaieri; 10 and 11, different views of biden-
tatus. 12, ventral view of aedeagus and aedeagal apodeme of stegmaieri.
13, ventral view of male genitalia of tibialis, left inner clasper removed,
and tip of aedeagus shown separately at left. 14, lateral view of tip of
male abdomen of tibialis.
Abbreviations: aed.--aedeagus; aed. ap.-aedeagal apodeme; cer.-cer-
cus; ej.-ejaculatory apodcme; hyp.-hypandrium; in cl.-inner clasper;
st.-sternum; sur.-surstylus; t.-tergum.
148
Vol. 52, No. 3
Wirth: New Species of Mosillus
Head: Frons 0.47 as wide as breadth of head; combined frons and
vertex slightly broader than long; orbital margin with row of fine setae;
mesofrons with scattered fine setae of same length as on orbits, with
coarse whitish scalelike pollen except a pair of bare crescentic sub-
median stripes below anterior ocellus. Face (Fig. 2) densely whitish polli-
nose, except facial tubercle, two small lateral spots below antennae, scat-
tered dots at bases of facial setae, and a narrow line bordering parafacies
shining black; parafacies with a single whitish pollinose patch with
oblique upper margin at level of antenna base, and extending ventrally
in an acute angle along parafacial suture for over half the distance from
lower eye margin to oral margin.
Thorax: Mesonotum and scutellum with coarse whitish pollinosity,
with tiny blackish dots at bases of the short, fine semi-appressed setose
vestiture. Scutellum (Fig. 5) only slightly convex, margin with four
stout bristles arising from small round tubercles, the laterals and apicals
nearly equidistant, their lengths about as great as distance between their
bases. Mesopleuron with large posterior area before wing base with coarse
whitish scabrose pollinosity. Fore femur with anteroventral armature of
7-8 stout spines on distal half. Wing with second costal section 1.88-2.24
(av. 2.08) as long as third; distal section of fourth vein 1.70-1.95 (av. 1.78)
as long as next to last section.
Abdomen: Polished black with very sparse vestiture of fine, appresed
setae; second tergum with anterior band of coarse gray microsetae ex-
tending to about one-half its width and up to one-fifth the length of ter-
gum in midportion; fifth tergum with an oval median longitudinal area of
dense gray microsetae extending its entire length. Male genitalia with sur-
stylus (Fig. 8) bearing a scattered line of long bristles proximally on
hind margin, followed anteriorly by a marginal row of very fine microsetae,
the margin with only a slight angulation between these areas. Inner
clasper (Fig. 9) or lateral process of hypandrium in form of a simple
lobe with simple rounded apex and bearing a single long hair on anterior
margin. Aedeagal apodeme (Fig. 12) broadly vase-shaped in ventral
view; aedeagus tapering distally in a long slender blade cleft about two-
thirds way to base, the distal portion filamentous.
Distribution.-New Jersey, south through the West Indies to Venezuela
and Ecuador, Mexico.
Types.-Holotype male, allotype female, Miami, Dade Co., Florida, 14
April 1967, C. E. Stegmaier, swept from grasses on seashore (Type no.
70438, USNM). Paratypes, 21 3, 18 9, as follows: FLORIDA: Biscayne
Bay, Mrs. A. T. Slosson, 2 & (Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.). Bradenton, March,
M. C. Van Duzee, 2 9. Fort Myers, 24 Apr. 1960, A. L. Melander, 1 &.
Long Key, 19 Apr. 1923, Matecumba, 1 Feb. 1933, A. L. Melander, 1 S.
Miami, same data as type, 5 $. Placida, 11 Apr. 1952, J. R. Vockeroth 3 &
(Cam. Nat. Coll.). Punta Gorda, 16 Nov. 1911, 2 8, 2 9. St. Petersburg,
24 Feb. 1924, E. T. Cresson, Jr., 1 S, 6 9'; 26 March 1932, A. L. Melander,
1 ; 21 Dec. 1964, C. B. Bennett, in Steiner trap, 2 9. NEW JERSEY:
Wildwood, 18 July 1908, E. T. Cresson, Jr., 8 a, 3 9. BAHAMAS, W. I.:
Andros Town, Andros Island, 7-13 Mar. 1966, O. L. Cartwright, 1 9.
BARBUDA, W. I.: Cocoa Point, 28 Apr. 1958, J. F. G. Clarke, 1 9. BER-
MUDA: St. George, 3 Feb. 1934, A. L. Melander, 1 9. ECUADOR: Pal-
150 The Florida Entomologist Vol. 52, No. 3
mar, Guayas, 10 Oct. 1954, R. Levi-Castillo, 1 S. MEXICO: Mazatlan,
Sinaloa, 22 July 1954, Cazier, Gertsch, and Bradts, 1 9. Progreso, Yuca-
tan, 11 Dec. 1907, 1 male; 7 Aug. 1964, J. C. and D. Pallister, 1 $ (AMNH).
San Blas, Nayarit, 20 July 1951, P. D. Hurd, 2 $. VENEZUELA: Tacari-
gua, 1 March 1945, M. Villegas-O., 1 9.
Discussion.-This species is named in honor of the collector, Carl E.
Stegmaier, Jr. of Hialeah, Florida, in recognition of his important contri-
butions to the biology of Florida Diptera. Paratypes are deposited in the
Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, the Florida State Collection
of Arthropods, Gainesville, and the U. S. National Museum in Washington,
D. C.
Mosillus stegmaieri is very closely related to M. tibialis Cresson, but
can be distinguished from it by the more acutely angulate and more exten-
sive whitish pollinose marking on the parafacies, the more definite whitish
pollinose area on the posterior margin of the mesopleuron, the presence
of only two pairs of well-developed marginal scutellars, the whitish wings,
the less angulate surstylus, the simple rounded apex of the inner clasper
and the more convexly swollen aedeagal apodeme, and longer, more pointed
hyaline distal prolongation of the aedeagus.
Mosillus tibialis Cresson
(Fig. 3, 6, 13-15)
Mosillus tibialis Cresson, 1916, Entomol. News 27: 149 (male, female; New
Jersey).
Gymnopa tibialis (Cresson); Cresson, 1922, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc.
47: 329 (redescribed; distribution); Cole, 1923, Proc. California Acad.
Sci. (4) 12: 478 (Baja California); Cresson, 1942, Trans. Amer.
Entomol. Soc. 68: 106 (distribution); Cresson, 1946, Trans. Amer.
Entomol. Soc. 71: 136 (Neotropical distribution).
Male, female.-Wing length 2.44-2.62 mm (av. 2.51).
Differing from M. stegmaieri n. sp. in the following: its larger size;
wing with more yellowish to smoky tinge. Pollen of frons brassy, not as
dense, without the bare crescent-shaped marks below anterior ocellus.
Median tubercle of face not as prominent, the whitish pollinose mark on
parafacies (Fig. 3) much shorter and not as acutely angulate below, ex-
tending very little below level of lower eye margin. Scutellum (Fig. 6)
with about three pairs of slightly smaller marginal hairs arising from dis-
tinct tubercles in addition to the stronger apical and lateral pairs. Sca-
brose posterior area of mesopleuron not so prominent. Male genitalia
(Fig. 13, 14) with surstylus (Fig. 15) distinctly angulate between the pos-
teroventral area of long bristles and the anteroventral row of fine micro-
setae along margin. Inner clasper expanded distally in a broadly rounded
anterior lobe bearing a subapical bristle, and a stronger, more acute pos-
terodistal process. Aedeagus shorter and broader than in M. stegmaieri,
basal portion more strongly sclerotized to nearly half of total length, distal
portion cleft into two hyaline blades, each with apical serrations.
Distribution.-Widespread and very common in saline areas in North
Wirth: New Species of Mosillus 151
America from British Columbia to Quebec, and south to the Bahamas and
Mexico.
Type.-Holotype male, Wildwood, New Jersey, 18 July 1908, E. T.
Cresson, Jr. (Type no. 6103, Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia).
New Neotropical Records.-BAHAMAS, W. I.: Turks and Caicos Is-
lands, South Caicos Island, 11 Feb. 1953, E. B. Hayden and G. B. Rabb, 1
S. MEXICO: Chihuahua, Chihuahua, 12 Aug. 1951, on Baccharis, P. D.
Hurd, 1 2. Milpa Alta, D. F., 8 Dec. 1953, R. Nettel-F., 1 &, 2 9. Mulege,
Baja California, 14 May 1921, E. P. Van Duzee, 1 &. Oaxaca, L. O. Howard
coll., 1 $. Texcoco, Mexico, 28 Nov. 1957, W. W. Gibson, 2 9. GUATE-
MALA: Coban, Alta Vera Paz, 14 May 1926, J. M. Aldrich, 1 9.
Discussion.-The type series of M. tibialis in the Philadelphia Academy
collection was examined and found to include: Holotype and ten male
and two female paratypes, M. tibialis; allotype and eight male and two fe-
male paratypes, M. stegmaieri.
Mosillus bidentatus (Cresson)
(Fig. 1, 4, 7, 10-11)
Gymnopa bidentata Cresson, 1926, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 52: 249
(male, female; Utah) ; Cresson, 1942, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 68:
106 (distribution).
Mosillus bidentatus (Cresson); Wirth, 1965, Cat. Dipt. N. Amer. p. 734
(combination).
Male, female.-Wing length 2.20-2.72 mm (av. 2.50).
More closely related to the Palaearctic M. subsultans (Fabricius), and
differing from M. tibialis and M. stegmaieri as follows: Wing creamy white,
the veins yellowish; second costal section 2.06-2.26 (av. 2.20) times as
long as third; last section of fourth vein 1.50-1.68 (av. 1.55) times as long
as next to last. Mesofrons much smaller, roughened and furnished with
sparse coarse brassy pollen. Face (Fig. 1) shining, without pollinose ves-
titure, pitted on sides, facial tubercle prominent; parafacies transversely
wrinkled below, shining, with two whitish pollinose areas at eye margin
at level of antenna; antenna fovea whitish pollinose. Mesonotum with
three shining black narrow longitudinal lines in addition to the scattered
black dots at the seta bases. Fore femur with 6-7 anteroventral spines.
Scutellum (Fig. 4) with only the lateral and apical bristles developed and
arising from small rounded tubercles. Mesopleuron rugulose posteriorly,
but without whitish pollinosity. Abdominal vestiture of slightly stronger
and more numerous setae; fifth tergum finely rugulose posteriorly in
midportion, but without the definite oval patch of dense microsetae. Male
genitalia with surstylus (Fig. 7) more elongate, in form of a rather trape-
zoidal lobe with anterolateral corner longer, rounded and provided with
numerous fine setae. Inner clasper (Fig. 10, 11) with distal portion
broadly rounded, a small thumblike anterior, sub-basal lobe bearing a sub-
apical tubercle with a fine hair.
Distribution.-Western North America from British Columbia and Baja
California east to Manitoba and New Mexico.
152 The Florida Entomologist Vol. 52, No. 3
Type.-Holotype male, Saltair, Utah, July 1908, J. M. Aldrich (Type
no. 6318, Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia).
Discussion.-The Palaearctic M. subsultana (Fabricius) has the uni-
formly shining face with prominent tubercle like M. bidentatus, and the
surstyli of the male genitalia are similar in shape and setose vestiture, but
with even more prominent anterodistal elongation. In M. subsultans,
moreover, the white pollinose area on the parafacies is a narrow line
along the eye margin, the tibiae and fore tarsus are blackish, the meso-
frons is not pollinose and the mesonotum and scutellum are uniformly
shining black without pollinose vestiture. The fifth tergum is much
broader and the median rugulose area is more extensive, the male inner
claspers are deeply divided apically into two lobes of the type found in M.
tibialis, but the anterior one is in the form of a convoluted wing and the
posterior one is rugulose and angulate.
The Florida Entomologist 52(3) 1969
CONTROL OF EASTERN LUBBER GRASSHOPPER
ON FLORIDA CITRUS1
C. M. WATVE,2 R. F. BROOKS," AND F. A. ROBINSON4
Department of Entomology, University of Florida, Gainesville
ABSTRACT
Field tests were conducted from May to July 1967 at the Citrus Experi-
ment Station, Lake Alfred, Florida to evaluate several insecticides against
the eastern lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera (Palisot de Beauvois).
The insecticides tested for both initial and residual toxicity included organ-
ophosphate, carbamate, and chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds, many of
which had been reported effective for the control of other grasshopper
species. The most effective compounds 5 days after application were para-
thion, dieldrin, Mobam, Lannate, carbaryl, and phosphamidon. None
of the materials were effective 12 days after application.
The eastern lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera (Palisot de Beau-
vois), is sometimes a serious pest of young citrus groves in Florida. In
the spring, thousands of nymphs move from swamplands to adjacent
citrus groves. They attack in such large numbers that their feeding
causes severe defoliation.
Although the damage this pest can do to young citrus groves has long
been recognized, its control has not been thoroughly investigated. Griffiths
and Thompson (1952) suggested the use of some insecticides to control the
lubber grasshopper, but their recommendations were based on a study of
the American grasshopper, Schistocerca americana (Drury). The experi-
ments reported here were designed to evaluate several insecticides for the
control of the eastern lubber grasshopper.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Each experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design
with 4 replicates. The data were subjected to analysis of variance with
Duncan's Multiple Range Test. 'Valencia' orange trees 5 to 6 years old
were used at the Citrus Experiment Station, Lake Alfred, Florida.
The experiments included studies of initial and residual toxicity. In
initial toxicity tests, caged grasshoppers were exposed to treated foliage
for periods up to 5 days. Residual toxicity data were obtained by ex-
posing additional grasshoppers to the same treated foliage 6 to 7 days
after treatment.
Insecticides were applied with a high-pressure sprayer equipped with
double Boyce handguns and operated at a pressure between 500 and 600 psi.
After the sprays had dried, 10 grasshoppers of the desired stage were con-
fined in a cage enclosing treated foliage. The cage used was a modifica-
tion of a bivalve insect-feeding cage described by Rings (1957) and Wilde
1Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Journal Series No. 3238.
'Research Assistant, Department of Entomology and Nematology.
3Associate Entomologist, Citrus Experiment Station, Lake Alfred, Flor-
ida 33850.
4Associate Professor, Department of Entomology and Nematology.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
(1951). The grasshoppers used in all tests were collected one day before
treatment from an infested and unsprayed orange grove.
Several compounds reported by other workers as giving good control
of other species of grasshoppers and a few experimental materials sug-
gested by commercial companies were evaluated against adult grasshop-
pers. All tests were conducted from the last week of May until the first
week of July, 1967. Compounds that gave less than 75% mortality were
arbitrarily considered to be ineffective.
The chemical definitions of the proprietary compounds used without
approved common names are as follows.
CIBA C-9491
Geigy GS-13005
Hercules 13462
Hercules 14503
Lannate
Mobam
Morton EP-332
Stauffer N-4543
Thompson-Hay-
ward 346-I
Zolone@
0, O-dimethyl-O-2,5 dichloro-4-iodophenyl thiophosphate
S- [ (2-methoxy-5-OXO-A-1,3,4,-thiadiazolin-4-yl) -methyl]
0,0-dimethyl phosphorodithioate
0, 0-dimethyl S-(1-succinimidoethyl) phosphorodithioate
S-(2-chloro-l-phthalimidoethyl) 0, O-diethyl phos-
phorodithioate
S-methyl N[(methylcarbamoyl) oxy]thioacetimidate
Benzo[6] thien-4-yl-methylcarbamate (also 4-ben-
zothienyl-N-methylcarbamate)
3-dimethylaminomethyleneiminophenyl-N-methylcarbamate
0-isopropyl S- (pthal-imidomethyl) ethylphosphonodithioate
ethyl mercaptophenylacetate, 0,0-dimethyl phosphoro-
dithioate
S- [ (6-chloro-20XO-2-benzoxazolinyl) methyl] 0,0-diethyl
phosphorodithioate
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of an experiment conducted on 23 May 1967 against adult
grasshoppers are shown in Table 1. These data show that parathion,
dieldrin, carbaryl, and phosphamidon provided initial mortality but lacked
residual toxicity. Parathion was effective at 1.0 lb active rate but not at
the 0.5 lb rate.
The results of the second experiment initiated on 6 June 1967 are pre-
sented in Table 2. These data reveal that dieldrin at 2 rates, parathion,
chlordane, carbaryl, and phosphamidon provided effective initial toxicity
but were ineffective after 7 days.
A third experiment was initiated on 13 June 1967 against adult mating
grasshoppers. The results of this experiment are shown in Table 3.
These data show that only Mobam@, 2 rates of dieldrin, and parathion
afforded effective initial toxicity. However, these as well as the remain-
ing treatments were ineffective after 8 days,
Another experiment was initiated 27 June 1967 using adult grass-
hoppers that were no longer mating. The results of this test are shown
in Table 4. These data reveal that all 3 rates of Mobam@, 2 rates of dield-
rin, and carbaryl as well as Lannate@ provided effective initial toxicity.
However, only the 2 dieldrin treatments provided effective residual toxicity
after 10 days.
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160 The Florida Entomologist Vol. 52, No. 3
The results of an experiment initiated on 5 July 1967 against adult
grasshoppers that had completed their mating are presented in Table 5.
These data indicate that dieldrin, Mobam, Lannate, and carbaryl pro-
vided effective initial mortality. However, only dieldrin provided effective
residual toxicity after 11 days.
LITERATURE CITED
Griffiths, J. T. and W. L. Thompson. 1952. Grasshoppers in citrus groves.
Univ. Fla. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 496. 26 p.
Rings, R. W. 1957. Types and seasonal incidence of stink bug injury to
peaches. J. Econ. Entomol. 50: 599-604.
Wilde, W. H. A. 1951. A bi-valve type of insect feeding cage. Can. Ento-
mol. 83: 206-208.
The Florida Entomologist 52(3) 1969
A NEW SPECIES OF PLEGADIPHILUS
(MALLOPHAGA: MENOPONIDAE)
FROM THE CAYENNE IBIS
K. C. EMERSON AND ROGER D. PRICE
2704 N. Kensington St., Arlington, Virginia 22207 and Dept. Entomology,
Fisheries, and Wildlife, Univ. Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101, re-
spectively.
ABSTRACT
A new species of Mallophaga, Plegadiphilus cayennensis, collected in
Venezuela off the Cayenne Ibis is described. This is the fifth known
species in the genus.
The genus Plegadiphilus Bedford, currently contains four known spe-
cies all of which are restricted to ibises. Recently Dr. Vernon Tipton,
Brigham Young University, sent us several Mallophaga from Venezuelan
birds for identification. Included in the lot was a small series of Plegadi-
philus, which represented a new species. It is herewith described and
illustrated.
Plegadiphilus cayennensis, new species
(Fig. 1-3)
FEMALE HOLOTYPE: Head triangular-shaped; preocular width, 0.45;
temple width, 0.66; and head length, 0.38 mm. Lateral margin notched,
with deep narrow slit. Chaetotaxy of head as shown in Fig. 3.
Prothorax width, 0.43 mm; with 16 marginal pronotal setae, 12 of these
are long. Mesosternal plate with 8 medium-length and 2 short setae.
Metasternal plate with 18 medium-length setae. Metanotum with 22 mar-
ginal setae, 12 of these are long, and 2 short medioanterior setae. Meta-
thorax width, 0.58 mm. Third femoral brushes with 26 setae each.
Abdominal pleurites of segments II-VI with posteroventral angles pro-
longed posteriorly as pointed projections. Marginal tergal setae: I, 24;
11, 26; III-IV, 32; V, 26; VI, 24; VII, 16; and VIII, 10. Post spiracular setae
very long on segments II-VIII. Sternal setae: I, 10; II, 48; III, 52; IV, 80;
V, 92; VI, 74; VII, 54; and VIII, 28. Vulva marginally with 20 setae.
Anus ventrally with 34 medium-length setae and 34 short-setae, dorsally
with 36 medium-length setae and 28 short setae. Total length 2.35 mm.
General shape and chaetotaxy as shown in Fig. 3.
MALE ALLOTYPE: Head preocular width, 0.40; temple width, 0.58; and
head length, 0.33 mm. Prothorax width, 0.37; and metathorax width, 0.44
mm. Front margin of head more rounded than in female. Thorax similar
to female except smaller in size; and with 15 marginal pronotal setae, 11 of
these long; 20 metasternal plate setae; and 16 marginal metanotal setae,
8 of these long. Third femoral brushes with 22 setae each.
Marginal tergal setae on abdominal segments I-VIII: 21, 22, 25, 23, 27,
20, 18, and 15. Sternal setae on abdominal segments I-VIII: 5, 36, 37, 54,
61, 55, 34, and 24. Pleurites as for the female.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
Fig. 1-3. Plegadiphilus cayennensis, new species, Fig. 1, Dorsal-ventral
view of male. Fig. 2. Male genitalia. Fig. 3. Dorsal-ventral view of
female.
Total length, 1.93 mm. General shape and chaetotaxy as shown in Fig.
1. Male genitalia as shown in Fig. 2.
Discussion; Male genitalia of P. cayennensis differ grossly from those
of P. threskiornis Bedford but are nearer to those found in the other
species of the genus. P. plegadis (Dubinin') and P. mamillatus (Piaget)
have posterior pleurite projections on abdominal segments II-VII, whereas
these projections are found only on segments II-VI in P. cayennensis and
P. eudocimus. P. cayennensis is closely related to P. eudocimus but can be
separated from it by the following differences: (1) larger in size in both
sexes; (2) more setae in the femoral brushes; (3) postspiracular setae on
abdominal segment V longer in both sexes; (4) male with fewer marginal
Emerson: New Species of Plegadiphilus 163
tergal setae on segments VI-VIII; (5) female with longer marginal tergal
setae medially on segment VIII; and (6) pleurites III-VI of female with 1
marginal seta much longer than others.
Type host: Mesembrinibis cayennensis (Gmelin).
Type material: Holotype female, allotype male, and paratype female
collected off type host at Hato La Florida, Bolivar, Venezuela on 14 April
1967. The holotype and allotype will be desposited in the U.S. National
Museum.
KEY TO SPECIES OF Plegadiphilus
1. Pleurites of abdominal segment VII with posterior projections ......--.... 2
1'. Pleurites of abdominal segment VII without posterior projections ...... 3
2. Two rows of setae on metanotum .....--------.......---....--...........------..... mamillatus
2'. One row of setae on metanotum ................................................. plegadis
3. Pleurites of abdominal segment VI with posterior projections .......... 4
3'. Pleurites of abdominal segment VI without posterior projections............
....-..-..--.-..-....--....------.......... .... .---------- ------...... ......-......-.. theskiornis
4. Pleurites of abdominal segments III-VI of female with marginal
setae of equal length. Total length of male 1.4 mm. ............ eudocimus
4'. Pleurites of abdominal segments III-VI of female with one marginal
seta much longer than others. Total length of male 1.9 mm .-....-
.... ... .. ...----------------- -- --.--- ....- -------c...................... ayennensis
The Florida Entomologist 52(3) 1969
164 The Florida Entomologist Vol. 52, No.
SHELL PESTICIDES MEET THE
NEEDS OF FARM AND INDUSTRY
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endrin, methyl parathion, Phosdrin and
Vapona Insecticides have been of major
assistance to the farmer, homeowner and
industry. So have D-D and Nemagon
Soil Fumigants and Aqualin herbicide,
slimicide, biocide.
These products have proved their effec-
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write: Shell Chemical Co., Agricultural
Chemicals Division, 110 West 51st Street,
New York 20, N. Y.
Produce No. Agricultural No. Non-Agricultural No. Pests
Crop Uses Uses Controlled
Dieldrin 153
Aldrin 159
Endrin 37
Phosdrin
Insecticide 51
Vapona
Insecticide
Methyl Parathion 23
Nemagon Soil 49
Fumigant
D-D Soil 50
Fumigant
SHELL CHEMICAL SHELI
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L *Thhe :ar more trhan 130 species of nemn;-
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D- Soil Funiigants contlul most of these.
- -- -
-- -- --
3
LEAFHOPPER POPULATIONS (HOMOPTERA:
CICADELLIDAE) ON FIVE PASTURE GRASSES
IN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES1
WILLIAM G. GENUNG AND FRANK W. MEAD
Associate Entomologist, University of Florida Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences, Everglades Experiment Station, and Entomologist,
Florida Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry, respectively
ABSTRACT
Eighteen cicadellid species in 13 genera were collected from five pasture
grasses. Several of these leafhopper species are of suspected economic
importance. Striking host differences, reflected in total populations as
well as numbers of genera and species, were indicated. Paragrass and St.
Augustinegrass were lowest in these categories; Bermudagrass and pan-
golagrass highest. Highest populations occurred in late summer and fall.
Population trends appeared influenced by meteorological conditions but in-
dicated variable specific response thereto.
Leafhoppers are among the more conspicuous components of the insect
fauna of grass pastures in the Florida Everglades. During seasons of
heavy populations several ranchers expressed concern over possible dam-
age by these insects to pasture grasses. Because of their abundance and
suspected economic importance in some instances, it seemed desirable to
determine the composition of the cicadellid fauna on certain of the more
important commercial grasses in the area, the degree of host specificity,
and their seasonal occurrence on these grass species. The investigations
reported herein were consequently conducted.
METHODS
Five commonly used pasture grasses were selected for observations
and leafhopper collections. The pastures were located at the Everglades
Experiment Station, Belle Glade, on Everglades peaty muck soil contain-
ing about 90% organic matter and were typical of the better commercial
pastures in the area. Each pasture was 20-21 acres except Bermudagrass
which was 2 acres. Each pasture was being grazed during the study
period. Sod in each case was reasonably pure although slight admixtures
of other species, weed grasses, and forbs were noted in spots. Such areas
were avoided in making collections. The grass species were: Bermuda-
grass, Cynodon dactylon L. (Pers.); St. Augustinegrass, Stenotaphrum
secundatum Walt. (Kuntze); pangolagrass, Digitaria decumbens Stent.;
caribgrass, Eriochloa polystachya H. B. K.; and paragrass, Panicum pur-
purpurascens Raddi.
Monthly collections were made on each grass species by making 10
sweeps with an insect sweeping net near the center of each pasture. The
insects collected were separated from debris and stored for determination.
Leafhopper identifications were made by the junior author.
1A joint contribution of the University of Florida, Inst. of Food and
Agr. Sci., Everglades Experiment Station, (Journal Series No. 3258) and
the Florida Dep. of Agr. Div. of Plant Ind., (Contribution No. 17).
166 The Florida Entomologist Vol. 52, No. 3
100 Monthly Tempnrcture and Rainfall -16
80 14
._ Mean Max.Temperature 12-
-- ,- ..Mean Min.Temperature.....-- --"" -. 0 0
S60
o A* 8 -
E 6
I 40 -Min.Temperature
4
20 a 1 f a I
20 2Rainfl 2
10 0
July Sept. Nov. Jan. Mar. May July Sept. Nov
Aug. Oct. Dec. Feb. Apr. June Aug. Oct.
Fig. 1. Temperature and rainfall during the period July 1955 to Novem-
ber 1956. Everglades Experiment Station, Belle Glade, Florida.
Since weather conditions are important to the condition of the herbage
and to the direct effects on the leafhopper population, temperatures and
rainfall at the Everglades Experiment Station during the period of study
are shown in Fig. 1.
RESULTS
COMPOSITION OF THE LEAFHOPPER FAUNA:-Eighteen species of leafhop-
pers in 13 genera were identified from Everglades grass pastures. The
species collected during this study were black-faced leafhopper, Grami-
nella nigrifrons (Forbes), G. villicus (Crumb), Deltocephalus flavicosta
(Stil) 2, Hortensia similis (Walker), Carneocephala sagittifera (Uhler),
yellow-headed leafhopper, C. flaviceps (Riley), Agallia constricta Van Du-
zee, Draeculacephala p. portola Ball, D. product (Walker), Exitianus
exitiosus (Uhler), Balclutha hebe (Kirkaldy), B. guajanae (DeLong), B.
neglect (DeLong and Davidson), aster leafhopper, Macrosteles fascifrons
(StAl), Spangbergiella quadripunctata Lawson, Xestocephalus pulicarius
Van Duzee, Paraphlepsius sp., and Empoasca sp.
HOST RELATIONS:-A decided host differential was observed among the
eight leafhopper species that occurred in large numbers or were regularly
observed in smaller numbers. Comparative abundance of the six most
regularly occurring are shown in Fig. 2-4. The black-faced leafhopper,
2Deltocephalus sonorus Ball has been taken occasionally in the Ever-
glades on grasses and therefore should be mentioned even though it was
lacking on all grasses used during this study.
Genung: Leafhoppers on Pasture Grasses
Graminella nigrifrons, was common on all the grasses, but was much more
plentiful on Bermudagrass, pangolagrass, and caribgrass than on the other
species. G. villicus was found most abundantly on Bermudagrass and pan-
Bermudagrass
G.nigrifrons
----- G.villicus
S ----- E.exitiosus
..-----C. sagittifera
i- --D. flavicosto /
--/ \ ---..H.similis
/ .\ ..
Jan.
July
280
240
200
160
120
80
40
0
160
120
80
40
0
Fig. 2. Numbers of leafhoppers of dominant species on Bermudagrass,
July 1955 to November 1956, on basis of 10 sweeps per monthly sample.
Everglades Experiment Station, Belle Glade, Florida.
Paragrass
G.nigrifrons
------. G.villicus
---- D.flavicosta
...................... H sim ilis
/ Pangolagrass
/1\
I. \.
/:
Jan.
July
Nov.
Fig. 3. Numbers of leafhoppers of dominant species on paragrass and
pangolagrass, July 1955 to November 1956, on basis of 10 sweeps per
monthly sample, Everglades Experiment Station, Belle Glade, Florida.
Nov.
July
120r
80
40
0
200
160
120
80t
401
July
The Florida Entomologist
golagrass, was relatively scarce on caribgrass and St. Augustinegrass, and
only one specimen was taken on paragrass. Deltocephalus flavicosta oc-
curred in relatively moderate numbers on all the grasses and was the
St Augustinegrass
A
Caribgrass
-C.nigrifrons
- D.flavicost
SH. similis
-. I
120
80
40
w 0
280
E 240
o
200
o
-J 160
0
z 120
80
40
0
July
Oct.
Fig. 4. Numbers of leafhoppers of dominant species on St. Augustine-
grass and caribgrass, July 1955 to October 1956, on basis of 10 sweeps per
monthly sample. Everglades Experiment Station, Belle Glade, Florida.
16 o
C
a)
8 (
0
0
Fig. 5. Total number of leafhoppers, number of species, and number of
genera from five pasture grasses. Everglades Experiment Station, Belle
Glade, Florida.
Jan.
July
3200
2400
1600
800
0
1 _I r I~
_1 ~T I
Vol. 52, No. 3
a
Genung: Leafhoppers on Pasture Grasses
169
dominant species on St. Augustinegrass, closely followed by G. nigrifrons.
G. nigrifrons and D. flavicosta ranked just behind H. similis in abundance
on paragrass. H. similis was almost equally plentiful on caribgrass,
pangolagrass, and Bermudagrass and somewhat less plentiful on paragrass,
while populations on St. Augustinegrass were regular but consistently
low. A. constricta occurred lightly but fairly frequently on pangolagrass
but was very scarce on Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, and caribgrass,
and was not taken on paragrass. E. exitiosus was of regular occurrence
only on Bermudagrass and occurred very infrequently on the other grass
species. C. sagittifera was generally present and fairly common on
Bermudagrass but was scarce on pangolagrass and caribgrass, and was
not collected on St. Augustine or paragrass. D. portola was often present
but generally scarce on pangolagrass, paragrass, and caribgrass, and
more infrequent on Bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass. Other leaf-
hoppers were very scarce throughout the period of study and were of too
infrequent occurrence to make any conclusions regarding their host pre-
ferences. It appears that paragrass and St. Augustinegrass are much
less subject to heavy leafhopper infestations than Bermudagrass, pangola-
grass, or even caribgrass, on the basis of overall population as well as
numbers of genera and species." Fig. 5 shows these striking differences.
SEASONAL OCCURRENCE:--Hortensia similis appears to be a late summer
and fall species. The other species were much more irregular in occur-
rence of peak populations but tended toward similar trends but with more
pronounced fluctuations during spring and early summer. All species
were usually scarce in midwinter.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
A large complex of leafhopper species, showing considerable host
differential occurs in Everglades grass pastures. Six species occurred with
sufficient regularity and in high enough numbers, alone or as a strong
element of the complex, to be suspected of having economic importance
during this study, Fig 2-4.
The data presented in Fig. 2-5 indicate that among the five pasture
grasses investigated, paragrass and St. Augustinegrass are less liable to
heavy infestation than the other three species. The differences between
these grasses and Bermudagrass and pangolagrass are particularly strik-
ing both as to total leafhoppers and numbers of species and genera, Fig. 5.
Reasons for the low preference for paragrass and St. Augustinegrass are
not readily apparent except that paragrass is slightly more hairy than all
other grasses used. This physical factor might possibly impede some of
the smaller species.
The low populations of all these leafhoppers during mid-winter was
probably due in part to poor host conditions caused by low temperatures
as well as direct effects of freezing temperatures on some species. Horten-
sia similis is a neo-tropical species that has penetrated into the nearctic
3Since the completion of this study bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum
Flugge has come into some favor as a pasture grass in the Everglades
area. Many observations have shown that it also is heavily attacked by
leafhoppers including H. similis, D. flavicosta, and G. nigrifrons.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
region and therefore may be more cold susceptible than the more truly
nearctic species. This may account for its virtual absence for long
periods following freezes, Fig. 2-4. However, according to Wolcott (1948)
rainfall and humidity have a great effect on abundance of H. similis in
Puerto Rico where it becomes scarce in dry weather, except in wet mea-
dows. Since mid-winter and early spring are usually the driest periods
of the year in south Florida this condition may also contribute to the low
populations in the Everglades at that time, Fig. 1.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Our thanks go to Dr. Dwight M. DeLong, Department of Zoology and
Entomology, The Ohio State University, for permission to examine his
personal collection of Cicadellidae, including types of Graminella; to Dr. H.
Derrick Blocker, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, and
Dr. James P. Kramer, USDA, ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory,
U. S. National Museum, for taxonomic help on leafhoppers.
LITERATURE CITED
Wolcott, G. N. 1948. (issued in 1950). The insects of Puerto Rico. J.
Agr. Univ. of Puerto Rico. 32 (1): 110-111.
The Florida Entomologist 52(3) 1969
170
MATING BEHAVIOR OF 8 STORED-PRODUCT
BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: DERMESTIDAE,
TENEBRIONIDAE, CUCUJIDAE, AND
CURCULIONIDAE)'
DANIEL P. WOJCIK
Department of Entomology and Nematology,
University of Florida, Gainesville, 32601
ABSTRACT
Mating behavior and mating position were studied for Anthrenus flavi-
pes LeConte, furniture carpet beetle; Trogoderma glabrum (Herbst) ; Tri-
bolium castaneum (Herbst), red flour beetle; T. confusum Jacquelin duVal,
confused flour beetle; Tenebrio obscurus F., dark mealworm; Oryzae-
philus mcrcator (Fauvel), merchant grain beetle; Cryptolestes pusillus
(Schinherr), flat grain beetle; and Sitophilus granarius (L.), granary
weevil.
Actions of the male vary with the species and include touching the
female abdominal tip with the maxillary palpi prior to mounting, tapping
the female with the antennae and maxillary palpi, wiping motions with
the legs, touching the female with the mandibles, and aedeagal movements.
C. pusillus exhibited distinctive postcopulatory behavior.
The importance of mating behavior is often underestimated in insect
biology. Mating behavior functions in speciation, species isolation, and
species recognition (Alexander 1962, 1964; Lloyd 1966a, 1966b). A knowl-
edge of mating behavior is important when sex attraction or sterilization
techniques are to be used in controlling pest species. Coleoptera, the
largest order of insects, has over 250 thousand described species, but the
mating behavior of less than 0.1% of these species has been described
(Wojcik 1969a).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The 8 species studied were Anthrenus flavipes LeConte, furniture carpet
beetle, and Trogoderma glabrum (Herbst) (Dermestidae); Tribolium casta-
neum (Herbst),2 red flour beetle, T. confusum Jacquelin duVal, confused
flour beetle, and Tenebrio obscurus F.,3 dark mealworm (Tenebrionidae);
Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauvel), merchant grain beetle, and Cryptolestes
pusillus (Schbnherr), flat grain beetle (Cucujidae); and Sitophilus grana-
rius (L.),3 granary weevil (Curculionidae). All of the insect colonies except
as noted were obtained from Dr. P. T. M. Lum, USDA, Stored-Product
Insects Research and Development Laboratory, Savannah, Georgia.
They were reared according to methods described in the USDA rear-
ing manual (1965) except for T. obscurus (reared on 95% bran and 5%
'This research was undertaken in conjunction with Cooperative agree-
ment No. 12-14-100-9025 (51), between the University of Florida and the
Agricultural Research Service, USDA, and is part of the author's M. S.
thesis. University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station Journal
Series no. 3275.
2Obtained locally by Dr. T. J. Walker, University of Florida.
'Obtained from Mr. Gailen D. White, Mid-West Grain Investigation
Laboratory, Manhattan, Kan.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
brewer's yeast) and S. granarius (reared on 95% wheat grains and 5%
brewer's yeast).
Pupae of each species were removed from the rearing media, sexed,
and isolated in vials to obtain virgin adults. The characters given by Hal-
stead (1963) were used to sex the adults and pupae except the following;
A. flavipes adults (Ayyappa et al. 1957), Trogoderma glabrum adults
(Hinton 1945), Tribolium castaneum and T. confusum (Park 1934), and
S. granarius adults (Richards 1947). Virgin S. granarius adults were
obtained from isolated wheat grains.
Virgin adults of known age of each species were individually placed in
numbered vials (25 mm high X 5 mm diam) except for Tenebrio obscurus
which were placed in larger vials (30 mm high X 30 mm diam). For ob-
servation a male was transferred into a vial containing a female, and the
vials were placed in a row. The vials were viewed from the side with a
stereo-microscope at 7x to 30x. Usually 10, but no more than 11, vials
were observed at one time. During intensive observation of a mating
pair, the remaining pairs were not watched continuously. All observations
were recorded verbally on magnetic tape. All observations were carried
out under fluorescent room lighting (110 ft-c) except for S. granarius
which were observed under red light (Westinghouse 71/2 w red bulb).
The genitalia terminology of Lindroth and Palmen (1956) and Lindroth
(1957) is used here. The genitalia of Tribolium castaneum and T. confusum
are described by El-Kifl (1953), and those of T. confusum by Stanley and
Grundmann (1965), 0. mercator by Slow (1958), and C. pusillus by Reid
(1942). The genitalia of the other species studied apparently have not been
described. The genitalia of 2 Anthrenus spp. are described by Greenwald
(1941) and Pradhan (1949); several species of Trogoderma by Beal (1954,
1956); and Tenebrio molitor L. by Doyen (1966). Not all the preceding
authors use Lindroth and Palmen's (1956) terminology but it can be
applied using the figures.
The following terms are defined to clarify their usage in this paper.
Attempted mating or attempt to mate-the male assuming the mating
position for that species and extruding his genitalia. An attempt was con-
sidered terminated when the male's activity ceased. Attempted matings
are defined in terms of male activity since the females of the species
studied are largely passive during mating.
Successful mating-copulation. If the male withdraws his penis, re-
tracts it into his body, but remains in position and intromits again, it is
counted as a new successful mating.
Time in copula-the time span from intromission to withdrawal.
Trial-a pair of beetles placed in an observation vial and observed for
at least 15 min. When mating occurred, the trial continued as long as
observation was necessary. A trial was counted as an attempted mating
if the male attempted to mate once regardless of how many attempts were
made in that trial. A trial was counted as a successful mating if the male
successfully mated once regardless of how many times the male success-
fully mated or attempted to mate in that trial.
OBSERVATIONS
The number of pairs that attempted or successfully mated and the
total number of trials are given in Table 1, along with the age in days
Wojcik: Mating Behavior of Stored-Product Beetles 173
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The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
TABLE 2. SUMMARY OF ATTEMPTED AND SUCCESSFUL MATINGS OF Anthrenus
flavipes. EACH LINE REPRESENTS ONE TRIAL.
Female Male
Age Age A Time in
Ident. in Ident. in or copula
no. Activity* days no. Activity* days S** in mint
1 2-3 11 1 1-2 19 SAAS 2, X
2 2-3 12 2 1-2 17 AAAA
3 1-1 14 3 1-2 14 AAA
4 1-1 14 4 1-1 19 AAS 4
2 3-3 17 5 2-2 21 AS X
5 1-1 19 6 1-1 21 SS 5.5,8
6 1-1 23 7 1-1 23 A
7 1-1 23 8 2-2 23 AAS X
8 3-3 23 9 2-2 28 A
9 1-1 28 10 2-2 28 S 3
10 2-2 31 11 2-2 31 AAASAA 1
* Activity=trial in which individual attempted or successfully mated, and total no. of trials
for that individual; e.g., 2-3, individual mated in the 2nd trial of the 3 in which it was
used.
** A=attempted, or S=successfully mated in the sequence given for one trial.
SAn X indicates that mating was not timed.
from eclosion of all beetles tested. Mean values and ranges of time in
copula are given with the number of successful matings that were timed.
Successful or attempted mating after successfully mating once in the same
trial was observed in all species; in some species additional successful mat-
ings occurred in subsequent trials.
Anthrenus flavipes
(furniture carpet beetle)
In 74 trials, 5% of the males attempted to mate without success, and
10% successfully mated (Table 2). The male approaches the female from
any direction but does not appear to perceive the female from distances of
over 2 mm. Often he first touches the posterodorsal margins of her
elytra with his maxillary palpi (Fig. 1).
Copulation occurs with the male firmly mounted, having his venter on
her dorsum. When he first mounts, his fore legs grasp her elytra, but as
he extrudes his genitalia and starts to copulate, his fore legs are lifted
from her. Neither the antennae, held horizontally at right angles to the
body axis, nor the palpi touch her. The middle legs grasp the lateral mar-
gins of the female's elytra. The hind legs are on the substrate near the
apex of her abdomen (a small male may have his hind legs on the tip of
her elytra, not on the substrate). At time's the ventral surface of one or
both middle legs may rub along the forward lateral edges of her elytra in
a "wiping motion" (Fig. 2). This wiping motion appears to be unrelated
to female restlessness. As the genitalia extrude the aedeagus comes
straight out of the male abdomen, bending 90 downward, and the penis is
inserted into the female's genital opening. The parameres do not enter
the female, but are placed flatly against her 5th sternite. No tapping or
Wojcik: Mating Behavior of Stored-Product Beetles 175
- I mm
Fig. 1. Precopulatory behavior of Anthrenus flavipes; male touching
posterodorsal margins of female's elytra prior to mounting.
rubbing of the aedeagus was observed prior to intromission. Greenwald
(1941) described the mating position of A. scrophulariae L. as male over
female with the male grasping the female with his middle and hind legs.
If the female is receptive and does not run from the male, she does
not appear to respond to him in any way even if he mounts her facing
the wrong way or falls off. The female lowers her 5th sternite prior to
copulation. During the entire mating, she stands with all legs on the
substrate. Her antennae are held horizontally, or slightly elevated, at right
angles to her body axis. Usually her venter is parallel to the substrate,
but sometimes she will raise up on her fore legs and lower the tip of her
abdomen, so that her venter is at a 150to 30 angle to the substrate.
Copulation ends with the male withdrawing his penis from the female as
she raises her 5th sternite.
Copulation usually lasted 1 to 4 min, but one pair remained for 5.5
and 8 min in successive copulations, which is shorter than the 9 min re.-
ported by Kunike (1939) for 4 other species of Anthrenus. Males usually
copulate only once (Table 2), but some will mount repeatedly when they
fall off or are dislodged. Some mountings do not lead to copulation.
When copulation is completed or the inale falls off, the female walks
away from the male if he is not on her dorsum. In 4 trials the male re-
mained mounted on the female's dorsum after successfully mating, attempt-
ed to copulate again, and succeeded in 3 cases. Fifteen females and 22
males were used in more than one trial, but only one female and no males
attempted or successfully mated in more than one trial.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
jI- I mm
Fig. 2. Anthrenus flavipes copulating, arrow shows direction of wiping
motion of male's middle legs on forward lateral edges of female's elytra.
Trogoderma glabrum
In 122 trials, 14% of the males attempted to mate without success and
10% successfully mated (Table 3). The male seems to perceive the female
only if his maxillary palpi or antennae contact the dorsal surface of the
female's body. In 3 different trials, after pushing the female's body,
apparently attempting to crawl under her, and butting her with his head,
the male did not become sexually active. In one of these instances, the
male subsequently became sexually active and attempted to mate but only
after his maxillary palpi came into contact with the female's elytra. Wod-
sedalek (1912) and Beal (1954) have reported the necessity of palpal con-
tact as a preliminary to mating in other species of Trogoderma.
A chemical emitted from the female, stimulating copulatory activity,
has been reported in T. glabrum by Burkholder and Dicke (1966). I noted
possible evidence of such a pheromone in only 3 trials. The female was
on her dorsum in the first and 3rd cases, and right side up in the 2nd case.
The male was on his dorsum in the first and 2nd cases, and right side up in
the 3rd case. In each instance, the female extended her abdomen with the
intersegmental membrane visible between each segment, without the geni-
176
Wojcik: Mating Behavior of Stored-Product Beetles 177
talia being extruded. While extended, the abdomen was undulated up and
down for 2 to 5 sec. During the undulation, the elytra were sometimes
raised with the wings flapping. (This behavior of the female cannot be
distinguished from that of other females and of males in attempting to
TABLE 3. SUMMARY OF ATTEMPTED AND SUCCESSFUL MATINGS OF Tro-
goderma glabrum. EACH LINE REPRESENTS ONE TRIAL.
Female Male
Age Age A Time in Repro-
Ident. in Ident. in or copula duction
no. Activity* days no. Activity* days S** in mint noted$
2-3
1-1
2-3
2-3
3-4
1-6
1-5
1-1
3-5
4-5
4-5
1-1
1-1
1-1
3-3
4-5
4-4
1-1
1-2
1-1
1-2
4-4
4-4
4-4
5-5
5-5
5-5
6-6
2-2
5-5
7
10
5
5
9
10
8
11
7
13
8
9
11
11
14
10
12
17
AA
SA
AS
S
AS
AA
A
S
A
A
AAS
AAA
A
A
AA
S
AA
AAAAA
AAS
AAAA
A
A
A
AAAAA
ASASAA
AA
AAAAA
AAAAS
AA
AAS
AAAAS
S
X -
1, 0.8
3 N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
* Activity=trial in which individual attempted or successfully
mated, and total no. of trials
for that individual; e.g., 2-3, individual mated in the 2nd trial of the 3 in which it was
used.
** A=attempted, or S=successfully mated in the sequence given for one trial.
t An X indicates that mating was not timed.
$ +=additional adults, larvae, and/or eggs observed; -=none observed; and N.A.=data
not available.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
--- Imm
Fig. 3. Precopulatory behavior of Trogoderma glabrum, male touching
end of female's abdomen prior to copulation. Arrow indicates direction
male turns.
turn over when placed on their dorsum.) Each time this activity occurred
the male responded by waving his antennae excitedly, becoming very agi-
tated, and extruding his genitalia. Similar activity was observed by Burk-
holder and Dicke (1966). In the 3rd case, where the male was upright,
he crossed the vial quickly and attempted to mate.
In all other instances the male became sexually active only when he
came in contact with the female and touched her dorsal surface with his
antennae or maxillary palpi. Regardless of where he first touches the
female, the male moves to the apex of her abdomen, tapping her body
with his maxillary palpi as he moves caudad. Upon reaching the abdom-
inal apex, he ceases moving, and touches the end of her elytra and
abdomen with his maxillary palpi. Then, while extruding his aedeagus, he
turns around either clockwise, if he is on her right, or counter clockwise,
if he is on her left, and attempts to copulate (Fig. 3). Two males attempt-
ed copulation from both the right and left sides successively. When in
copula the male and female stand with all legs on the substrate. The male
is at a 60' to 90' angle to the female's body, and only the tips of their
abdomens touch (Fig. 4). Once the male'inserts his penis, the only move-
ment other than rhythmic abdominal contractions is an occasional twitch of
an antenna.
Prior to intromission the male lowers the last sternite, raises the last
tergite, and extends the aedeagus. Upon emerging from the abdomen, the
aedeagus immediately bends 90 in the horizontal plane so that it extends
directly away from the female and parallel to and above her longitudinal
Wojcik: Mating Behavior of Stored-Product Beetles
179
I mm
Fig. 4. Trogoderma glabrum copulating.
aedeagus
A elytra B
last sternite 0 0.2 mm
---l I mm
Fig. 5. Trogoderma glabrum. A. copulating pair, end view of female,
lateral view of male. B. Extruded aedeagUs with arrows showing bending.
body axis. The aedeagus then bends 180' cephalad to her body and intro-
mission follows. The large lobe-like parameres do not enter the female
but extend under her last sternite (Fig. 5). Apparently she does not lower
her last sternite but only raises her last tergite.
180 The Florida Entomologist Vol. 52, No. 3
If the male does not immediately intromit upon touching the end of
the female's abdomen, he rubs his aedeagus about the end of her abdomen
and may thereby find the genital opening. The parameres sometimes ap-
pear to tap the female's last sternite.
Often, when the male turns around, he swings too far or turns away
from the female, missing her entirely. When this happens, he returns to
his original position. Upon relocating the female, he again touches her
abdominal apex and turns into the copulatory position. Copulations were
observed only when the male stood 60 to 900 to the female.
Copulations lasted less than 1 min to 4.5 min (Table 3). In only 2
cases did a male attempt to copulate a 2nd time in a single trial (succeed-
ing in one case) (Table 3). Twenty-nine females and 26 males were used in
more than one trial, but only 5 females and 5 males attempted or success-
fully mated in more than one trial.
Similar mating behavior and position of other species of Trogoderma
have been reported by Wodsedalek (1912) and Beal (1954). Beal (1954)
reported 4 Trogoderma spp. as copulating at a 1300 angle while I observed
T. glabrum to copulate only at a 600 to 900 angle. The mean time in
copula (2.2 min) agrees with the time in copula (2.5 min) reported by
Beal (1954). However some of the copulations lasted considerably longer
than any reported by Beal.
Tribolium castaneum
(red flour beetle)
In 34 trials, 3% of the males attempted to mate without success and
86% successfully mated (Table 4). The male approaches the female from
any direction but does not appear to perceive her from distances over 2 mm.
Usually he mounts immediately after coming into contact with the female.
Sometimes he touches the tips of her elytra with his maxillary palpi
before mounting. In mounting, he climbs on her posterior dorsum and,
walking forward, taps the top of her prothorax lightly with his maxillary
palpi. Then, sliding backwards, he lowers his last sternite, and extrudes
his aedeagus. Copulation is achieved with the male firmly mounted having
his venter on her dorsum. A few of his sternites touch the end of her
elytra. His head is bent down with his maxillary palpi lightly touching
the dorsal surface of her prothorax. His antennae are held horizontally
at right angles to the body axis. The maxillary palpi may twitch slightly.
The fore legs grasp the side of her prothorax, with the middle legs being
placed at the humeral angle and the hind legs holding near the end of her
elytra. None of his legs touch the substrate although those of a large
male are long enough. At times the ventral surface of one or both fore
or middle tarsi may be rubbed in a wiping motion along the lateral
edges of her prothorax, or elytra, respectively. The fore and middle legs
were never observed to rub at the same time (Fig. 6).
While protruding his genitalia, the male drops his last sternite and
extrudes his aedeagus. The aedeagus rotates 1800 about its longitudinal
axis as it is extruded, simultaneously moving down and forward. El-Kifl
(1953) states that the tip of the aedeagus points caudad and dorsally when
at rest, and points cephalad and ventrally when fully extruded. If the
female does not admit the aedeagus immediately, the male pushes and
Wojcik: Mating Behavior of Stored-Product Beetles 181
TABLE 4. SUMMARY OF ATTEMPTED AND SUCCESSFUL MATINGS OF Tribolium
castaneum. EACH LINE REPRESENTS ONE TRIAL.
Male
Ident.
no.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
6
7
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Female
Activity*
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-2
1-2
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
2-2
2-2
1-1
2-2
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
Age
in
days
7
7
9
12
13
13
13
13
15
15
15
15
15
17
17
18
19
22
22
22
23
24
24
24
24
27
27
29
29
29
29
Ident.
no.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
6
7
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
* Activity=trial in which individual attempted or successfully mated, and total no. of trials
for that individual; e.g., 1-2, individual mated in the first trial of the 2 in which it was
used.
** A=attempted, or S=successfully mated in the sequence given for one trial.
t An X indicates that mating was not timed.
S-+=additional adults and/or larvae observed, none observed, and N.A.=data not
available.
prys at her with the aedeagus, but no tapping was observed. Only the
small, narrow, dark-colored penis, not the fused parameres, enters the
female. For the male to intromit, the female must lower her last sternite.
In copula she usually stands with all legs on the substrate, without bend-
Activity*
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-2
1-2
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
2-2
2-2
1-1
2-2
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
Age
in
days
7
7
11
12
7
13
13
29
13
15
15
15
15
17
17
15
17
22
22
22
13
22
24
24
24
27
27
25
25
25
29
A Time in
or copula
S** in mint
S X
S X
S X
S X
S X
S X
SS 2,3
S X
S X
S X
S X
AAS X
SASA 0.5, 1
SA 1
S 1
AS X
S 3.5
S 4.5
S 5
SA 5
S X
S 7
AS X
SA 7.5
SAS 0.3, 1
ASAA X
SAA X
A
AS X
S X
S X
Repro-
duction
noted)
+
+
+
+
+
+
-I
+
+
N.A.
N.A.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
The Florida Entomologist
c
S--- I Imm
Fig. 6. Tribolium c:staneum copulating. Arrow indicates direction of
wiping motion of male's fore and middle legs on the lateral edges of the
female's elytra.
ing her body, holding her antennae horizontally, straight forward. While
in copula she may walk or feed.
The male sometimes mounts from the female's anterior and, when fully
on her turns around to the correct position and attempts to copulate.
Copulations lasted from less than 1 to 7.5 min (Table 4). After successfully
mating, 8 males attempted to mate again in the same trial and 3 succeeded.
After intromission the male stays in copula even if the pair falls on their
sides or turns completely over onto his dorsum. After the male with-
draws, the female walks around, often falling over and dislodging him.
Three females and 3 males were used in more than one trial, with 2 fe-
males and 2 males successfully mating in more than one trial.
Tribolium confusum
(confused flour beetle)
In 28 trials, 7'( of the males attempted to mate without success and
29 / successfully mated (Table 5). The male may approach the female
from any direction but does not appear to perceive her from distances of
over 2 mm. After coming into contact with her the male usually mounts
immediately from her posterior (without tapping her with his antennae)
and attempts to copulate. Other times he will slowly climb on her body,
tapping her with his antennae. Frequently he touches the posterodorsal
margins of her elytra with his maxillary palpi before mounting. He some-
times mounts from the female's anterior and, when fully on her, turns
around to the correct position and attempts to copulate. Copulation is
achieved with the male firmly mounted, having his venter on her dorsum,
182
Vol. 52, No. 3
Wojcik: Mating Behavior of Stored-Product Beetles 183
TABLE 5. SUMMARY OF ATTEMPTED AND SUCCESSFUL MATINGS OF Tribolium
confusum. EACH LINE REPRESENTS ONE TRIAL.
Female Male
Age Age A Time in Repro-
Ident. in Ident. in or copula duction
no. Activity* Days no. Activity* days S** in mint noted*
1 1-1 6 1 3-3 13 S X-
2 1-1 8 2 1-1 3 S X
3 2-2 10 3 1-1 7 S X
4 1-1 13 4 1-1 8 AS X +
5 2-2 13 5 1-1 8 S X
6 2-2 13 6 4-4 13 AAAAS X +
7 1-2 78 7 1-2 77 A
8 1-1 86 8 1-1 81 A
9 2-2 206 9 1-1 206 S 1 -
10 1-1 208 10 1-1 208 SSSS 1 to 2 +
* Activity-trial in which individual attempted or successfully mated, and total no. of trials
for that individual; e.g., 3-3, individual mated in 3rd trial of the 3 in which it was used.
** A=attempted, or S=successfully mated in the sequence given for one trial.
t An X indicates that mating was not timed.
S+=adults and/or larvae observed, and -none observed.
with his last few sternites touching the end of her elytra. His body axis
is convexly curved. The male taps with his antennae on the forward and
lateral margins of her prothorax (the exact point of contact depends on
the size of the male). He may touch the tips of his mandibles to the
forward margin of her prothorax, while slowly tapping the tips of his
maxillary palpi on her prothorax. The positions of his legs are variable.
Usually the fore legs grasp the female between the prothorax and meso-
thorax, with the middle and hind legs grasping the lateral edges of her
elytra. The ventral surface of the fore tarsi may be rubbed in a wiping
motion along the lateral margins, near the humeral angle of her elytra.
The speed of this wiping motion did not seem to be correlated with female
restlessness. None of his legs touch the substrate although those of a
large male are long enough (Fig. 7).
The male drops his last sternite to extrude his aedeagus, which rotates
180 about its longitudinal axis, as it moves down and forward. El-Kifl
(1953) states that the tip of the aedeagus points caudad and dorsally when
at rest, pointing cephalad and ventrally when fully extruded. If the fe-
male does not admit the aedeagus immediately, the male pries and pushes
at her with his aedeagus. He may repeatedly extend and withdraw his
aedeagus, thus tapping her. Only the small, narrow, dark-colored penis
enters the female; the fused parameres do not. The female must drop her
last sternite prior to intromission. While in copula, she slightly extrudes
her ovipositor so that the styli are visible. The styli are pointed downward
towards the substrate (probably being forced in this position by the para-
meres). She usually stands with all legs on the substrate with her body
in a straight position. Her antennae are held horizontally straight for-
ward. While in copula she may walk around and feed.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
F-H Imm
Fig. 7. Tribolium confusum copulating. Arrows show direction of
movement of male's antennae and fore legs on female, and placement of
male's mandibles and maxillary palpi on female's prothorax.
Copulation lasted from 1 to 2 min. After intromission the male usually
stays in copula even if the pair falls on their sides or completely over onto
the male's dorsum. Upon withdrawal, the male either remains in position
and attempts copulation again, or walks off the female. One male mated
4 times in a single trial. However, of the 6 females and 5 males used in
more than one trial, none attempted or successfully mated in more than
one trial.
The observed mating behavior and position agrees with the mating
behavior and position reported by Park (1934) and by Stanley and Grund-
mann (1965). The latter did not associate the wiping motion of the
male's legs with copulatory behavior. The rhythmic tapping of the
aedeagus reported by Stanley and Grundmann (1965) was observed, and
prying and pushing of the aedeagus was also observed.
Tenebrio obscures
(dark mealworm)
In 54 trials, 28/c of the males attempted to mate without success and
39%( successfully mated (Table 6). The male approaches the female from
any direction, but does not appear to perceive her from more than 10 mm.
The male stops 5 to 10 mm away from her and slowly waves his antennae
from side to side. As he moves closer and mounts her, he very rapidly
waves his antennae from side to side. His head and prothorax also move
slightly from side to side. In mounting, he climbs onto her posterior
dorsum and moves forward rapidly tapping her elytra, prothorax, and
finally her head with his antennae. When on her dorsum, he holds on to
her elytra with his middle and hind legs and rubs the ventral surface of his
front tarsi along the lateral margins of her prothorax. He rubs the tips
of his maxillary palpi on the dorsal surface of her prothorax and rapidly
184
Wojcik: Mating Behavior of Stored-Product Beetles 185
TABLE 6. SUMMARY OF ATTEMPTED AND SUCCESSFUL MATINGS OF Tenebrio
obscures. EACH LINE REPRESENTS ONE TRIAL.
Female Male
Age Age A Time in
Ident. in Ident. in or Copula
no. Activity* days no. Activity* days S** in mint
A
S
A
S
A
A
S
AA
S
A
S
ASSSASS
S
SSS
S
S
A
S
ASASS
AS
A
S
A
S
S
AS
AAA
AAA
AAAA
AAS
AAA
AAAA
AS
AAAS
AAS
SS
A
A
1.6
X
1
1
X
X
1.5
X
1
X
2
0.3, 1, 2
1
2.5
3
X
3
0.5
2
0.8, 5.5
0.3, 0.3
* Activity=trial in which individual attempted or successfully mated, and
total no. of trials
for that individual; e.g., 1-4, individual mated in the first trial of the 4 in which it was
used.
** A=attempted, or S=successfully mated in the sequence given for one trial.
t An X indicates that mating was not timed.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
I inmm
Fig. 8. Tenebrio obscurus copulating. Arrows show direction of
movement of male's antennae, forelegs, and aedeagus.
taps her head with his antennae. Once he has inserted the penis, the
rapid rubbing of the fore legs and tapping of the antennae ceases. The
fore legs hold on to the bases of her elytra, while the antennae are held
forward over her prothorax. His maxillary palpi lightly touch the rear
margin of her prothorax. His body is convexly curved over hers (Fig. 8).
When in copula the pair is inactive with little movement of antennae,
mouthparts, or legs. The male's antennae may slowly move from side
to side without touching her, and his mouthparts or legs may occasionally
twitch.
The female stands still after the male contacts her, and she lowers her
last sternite as the male taps with his antennae on her prothorax and
head. Prior to intromission she raises her last tergite, and slightly ex-
trudes her ovipositor. While in copula the female has all legs on the sub-
strate, and her motionless antennae are held forward.
In extruding the genitalia the male lowers his last sternite and bends
the aedeagus down and forward. Only the fine needle-like penis enters the
female. If she does not admit it when he first attempts to copulate, he
moves the tip of the aedeagus from side to side across the end of her
abdomen until she lowers the last sternite and permits copulation.
Time in copula ranged from 0.3 to 5.5 min. Males often showed no
further response to the female immediately after copulating but 5 males did
copulate more than once in one trial (Table 6). Of the 10 females and 4
males used in more than one trial, 5 females and 4 males attempted or
successfully mated in more than one trial. Copulations occurred only with
the male mounted on the female's dorsum, both facing in the same direc-
tion. Occasionally a male mounted the female's dorsum from the anterior
and probed at her head with the penis. After probing this way for 1 to
3 min the male either walked off the female or turned and attempted to
Wojcik: Mating Behavior of Stored-Product Beetles 187
copulate in the correct position. Females occasionally showed behavior
similar to the mounting behavior of the males. In these cases the female
mounted the male's dorsum, slightly moved her fore legs on the male's
elytra, and then walked off.
The mating behavior and position reported for T. molitor by Tschinkel
et al. (1967) are similar to the mating behavior and position I observed
for T. obscurus.
Oryzaephilus mercator
(merchant grain beetle)
In 26 trials, 15% of the males attempted to mate without success and
81% successfully mated (Table 7). Males do not seem to perceive the
TABLE 7. SUMMARY OF ATTEMPTED AND SUCCESSFUL MATINGS OF Oryzae-
philus mercator. EACH LINE REPRESENTS ONE TRIAL.
Female Male
Age Age A Time in Repro-
Ident. in Ident. in or copula duction
no. Activity* days no. Activity* days S** in mint noted
1 1-1
2 1-1
3 1-2
4 1-2
5 1-1
6 1-1
7 1-2
8 1-1
9 1-1
3 2-2
4 2-2
10 1-1
11 1-1
7 2-2
12 1-1
13 1-1
14 1-1
15 1-1
16 1-1
17 1-1
18 1-1
19 1-1
20 1-1
21 1-1
22 1-1
individual attempted
A
S
S
SS
A
SS
SA
A
SSA
S
S
S
AS
S
S
SS
SAA
SSAAAA
SS
SA
SAA
AS
A
AS
AS
10
13
18.5, 3
29, 9
30
20.5, 2
5
6
X
X
6
2.5
23, 2
11
15, 2
5, 9
29
15
X
+
+
-
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
-I-
+
+
+
or successfully mated, and total no. of trials
for that individual; e.g., 1-2, individual mated in the first trial of the 2 in which it was
used.
** A=attempted, or S=successfully mated in the sequence given for one trial.
t An X indicates that mating was not timed.
t +=additional adults, larvae, and/or eggs observed, --=none observed, and N.A.=data not
available.
Activity=trial in which
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
c0
--I I mm
Fig. 9. Oryzaephilus mercator copulating. Note placement of male's
antennae and mandibles.
females unless their antennae or maxillary palpi contact the female. Re-
gardless of where he first touches the female's body, the male always moves
to her rear before mounting. Often he touches the tip of her abdomen
with his maxillary palpi before mounting. As he mounts and moves for-
ward he taps her dorsal surface with his maxillary palpi. Meanwhile the
female stands still and holds her antennae horizontally at 90 to her body
axis. His antennae are held forward crossing over and sometimes touching
her antennae (Fig. 9). The male lowers his last sternite and extrudes his
genitalia. The female lowers her last sternite and admits the penis. While
in copula his legs grasp her body, the position varying with the size of the
male. If she is inactive during copulation, he slowly nibbles the middle
ridge of her prothorax with his mandibles and lightly touches her pro-
thorax with his maxillary palpi, but his antennae do not touch her antennae
although they are held over hers. If she is active during copulation, he
chews more actively on the middle ridge, and sometimes on the raised for-
ward margins of her prothorax (with no apparent injury). His maxillary
palpi actively tap on her prothorax and his antennae cross and touch her
antennae. In copula his body is arched with the last few sternites touching
her elytra. In about half of the copulations observed the female's body
was also arched downward.
Prior to intromission the aedeagus bends 90 down and then forward.
I was not able to observe if the penis wa inserted into the female. It is
dorsoventrally flattened and has a long internal sac (Slow 1958). The
parameres do not enter the female but are held against her last sternite.
Once in copula the male remains in position even if the pair rolls over
on their sides or completely over onto his dorsum. The male may remain
in position after withdrawal and attempt to copulate again. Six of 10
males succeeded in a 2nd consecutive copulation in a single trial, although
188
Wojcik: Mating Behavior of Stored-Product Beetles 189
TABLE 8. SUMMARY OF ATTEMPTED AND SUCCESSFUL MATINGS OF Crypto-
lestes pusillus. EACH LINE REPRESENTS A TRIAL.
Female Male
Age Age A Time in
Ident. in Ident. in or copula
no. Activity* days no. Activity* days S** in mint
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1 4 5
1-1 9 14
1-1 5 AS
1-1 6 AAS
1-1 4 A
1-1 4 AAAA
AAAA
1-1 5 AAAA
AS
1-1 7 SAAA
1-1 7 AAAA
AA
1-1 11 S
1-2 11 S
1-1 7 ASAAA
1-1 7 AS
1-1 9 AAAAS
1-1 11 AAAA
AAAS
1-1 12 S
* Activity=trial in which individual
attempted or successfully mated, and total no. of trials
for that individual; e.g., 1-3, individual mated in the first trial of the 3 in which it was
used.
** A=attempted, or S=successfully mated in the sequence given for one trial.
t An X indicates that mating was not timed.
it was usually much shorter than the first. Time in copula varied from 2
to 30 min. Three females and 3 males used in 2 trials successfully mated
in both trials.
Cryptolestes pusillus
(flat grain beetle)
In 29 trials, 10'/c of the males attempted to mate without success and
38% successfully mated (Table 8). The male does not seem to perceive
the female until his antennae touch her. If he approaches her from the
front, they both stop moving when their antennae touch. Usually his an-
tennae cross over hers. He then moves to her side. If he approaches her
from the rear, he touches the tips of her elytra and abdomen with his
maxillary palpi, and then moves to her side. After moving to or approach-
ing from her side, the male places his antennae horizontally along the side
of her body, pushing her body with his mouthparts (Fig. 10). He does this
for 0.3 to 1.0 min, and then moves to the tip of her abdomen and touches
the end of her elytra and abdomen with his maxillary palpi, placing his
antennae horizontally forward, one along each side of her body. Inter-
mittently he raises up on his legs, spasmodically twitching his body for a
few seconds, then lowers himself to his normal position and resumes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
The Florida Entomologist
6
Imm
Fig. 10. Precopulatory behavior of Cryptolestes pusillus. Male push-
ing against side of female preparatory to copulation.
touching the end of her abdomen. After 0.3 to 1.5 min, the male extrudes
his genitalia slightly and turns 1800. He slightly raises his elytra (held
together, not spread) while slightly lowering his abdomen. With the last
tergite raised and the last sternite lowered, he backs into the female and
pushes hard against her abdomen (Fig. 11), occasionally pushing hard
enough to raise the end of her abdomen up in the air. I was unable to ob-
serve which parts of the male's genitalia enter the female. The female
lowers the last sternite (I was not able to observe if the last tergite is
raised). During the entire courtship she does not move, except for an oc-
casional twitch of an antenna.
When in copula, the ends of the abdomens are tightly pressed together.
The male's elytra overlap the female's elytra, and his last sternite overlaps
hers. All of their legs are on the substrate, and the antennae are held
horizontally 90 to the side. Usually the only movement observed during
copulation is an occasional twitch of an antenna. In 2 cases, however, the
pair rhythmically moved up and down while in copula. Time in copula
ranged from 11 to 43 min (Table 8).
Vol. 52, No. 3
Wojcik: Mating Behavior of Stored-Product Beetles 191
I I- mm
Fig. 11. Cryptolestes pusillus copulating.
-' I 1mm "
Fig. 12. Postcopulatory behavior of Cryptolestes pusillus. Male's
antennae cross over female's antennae prior to male touching female with
his mandibles.
In withdrawal, the male pulls himself away from the female and re-
tracts his slightly protruded genitalia. He then walks in front of her head
and crosses her antennae with his on top. Then he moves forward and
touches her head, particularly the mandibles, the clypeal area, the eyes, and
immediate area, with his mandibles and maxillary palpi (Fig. 12). For the
first time the female moves, and she repeats these actions on the male.
The pair may continue this activity for 1 to 2 min.
After this postcopulatory behavior the pair usually separates and the
male shows no further reaction to the female. In 2 cases the male did at-
192 The Florida Entomologist Vol. 52, No. 3
TABLE 9. SUMMARY OF ATTEMPTED AND SUCCESSFUL MATING OF Sitophilus
granarius. EACH LINE REPRESENTS ONE TRIAL.
Female Male
Age Age A Time in
Ident. in Ident. in or copula
no. Activity* days** no. Activity* days** St in mint
1 1-1 2 1 1-1 10 AS 55.5
2 1-2 3 2 1-2 11 AS 36+
2 2-2 9 2 2-2 17 AS 72
3 1-2 11 3 1-2 18 ASA X
4 1-2 11 4 1-2 18 AS 30+
4 2-2 17 4 2-2 24 A
5 1-2 18 5 1-2 18 A
5 2-2 24 5 2-2 24 AS 43
* Activity=trial in which individual attempted or successfully mated, and total no. of trials
for that individual; e.g., 1-2, individual mated in the first trial of the 2 in which it was
used.
** Age is no. of days since emergency from wheat grains.
t A=attempted, or S=successfully mated in the sequence given for one trial.
SAn X indicates that mating not timed.
tempt to copulate again in the same trial. In one case the attempt was
immediately after completing the postcopulatory behavior. None of the 3
females, nor the one male used in more than one trial, attempted or suc-
cessfully mated in more than one trial.
The mating position reported by Rilett (1949) for C. ferrugineus is
similar to that observed for C. pusillus, but differences are apparent be-
tween the 2 species in precopulatory behavior. C. ferrugineus did not
move to the side of the female but stayed at her rear. C. ferrugineus did
not exhibit any postcopulatory behavior. The observed times in copula
for C. pusillus were much less than the maximum time in copula reported
for C. ferrugineus. Rilett reported successive matings of C. ferrugineus
while C. pusillus did not successfully mate more than once (only 2 males
attempted to mate again after successfully mating in one trial).
Sitophilus granarius
(granary weevil)
In 11 trials, 18'/ of the males attempted to mate without success and
55% successfully mated (Table 9). The male approaches the female from
any direction and does not appear to perceive her until he touches her. On
contacting the female, he mounts her immediately. The male grasps her
with 3 pairs of legs. The fore and middle legs wrap around her body from
the side. The hind legs are positioned as follows: coxae placed against her
elytra, femora held against his abdomen, and tibiae and tarsi held against
the sides and bottom of her abdomen. He is positioned far back on her
with his abdomen bent downward along the top of her elytra (Fig. 13).
The tip of his beak touches the top of her prothorax. If she starts to move
about, he rubs his beak across the top of her prothorax thus quieting her.
His antennae may lightly tap the sides of her prothorax; usually they are
held in the air and may twitch slightly.
Wojcik: Mating Behavior of Stored-Product Beetles
. hind leg ,
SI mm
Fig. 13. Sitophilus granarius copulating. Female's rear leg stippled
to show placement of male's rear leg. Note placement of male's beak on
female's prothorax.
In extruding his aedeagus, the male raises his pygidium and extrudes
the last (hidden) tergite downward and forward, rubbing it about on the
female's pygidium. When she raises her pygidium and lowers her last
sternite, he inserts the aedeagus which has been covered by the last tergite.
The last tergite is pointed posteriorly until extruded and then moves down
and forward, resting upon her lowered last sternite. None of the female's
genitalia are extruded (Fig. 14).
In no other curculionids have the males been reported to rub the top of
the female's prothorax with the beak, but Malkin (1949) reported this
action for a brentid, Brenthis anchorage L.
Copulation lasted from 30+ to 72 min. The next longest time in
copula, reported for a curculionid, is up to 30 min for Anthonomus grandis
Boheman (Cross and Mitchell 1966). In only one trial did the male re-
main mounted on the female's dorsum after successfully mating and attempt
to copulate again. Four females and 4 males were used in more than one
trial with one female and one male successfully mating in more than one
trial.
DISCUSSION
Males use many tactile stimuli (see Table 10 for particular species)
as part of the precopulatory behavior. The male often touches the apex
of the female's abdomen and elytra with his maxillary palpi prior to
mounting. Some males tap the female with their antennae while mounting
prior to intromission. The males of some of the species which copulate
in the male over female position, move the fore or middle legs in a wiping
movement on the female. The possible quieting function of this activity
has not been recognized by many authors. The maxillary palpi are some-
times used to tap the female after mounting. The mandibles were used in
194 The Florida Entomologist Vol. 52, No. 3
elytra
J last
sternite
pygidium
hidden last tergite
Fig. 14. Lateral view of Sitophilus granarius copulating. All legs
removed to show placement of male's hidden last tergite.
precopulatory behavior in only 4 species. 0. mercator chewed on the edges
of the female's prothorax with his mandibles, T. confusum and S. granarius
placed their mandibles on the top of the female's prothorax, and C. pusillus
pushed against the female with his mandibles. In some cases, after ex-
truding the aedeagus, the male taps, pushes, pries, or rubs the aedeagus on
the end of the female's abdomen prior to intromission. This was usually
done when the female did not immediately expose her genitalia and permit
copulation.
After intromission, the male is quiet or shows little movement unless
the female becomes active. If she becomes active, he usually repeats all of
the actions he had performed after mounting except aedeagal movements.
Receptive females in all cases were passive and did not show any special
behavior during courtship and mounting, except for lowering the last ster-
nite, raising the last tergite, or both permitting copulation. C. pusillus was
the only species observed to exhibit distinctive postcopulatory behavior.
Neither audible nor ultrasonic stridulatory sounds were produced dur-
ing any of the observations (Wojcik 1969b). C. pusillus is the only species
studied with a presumed stridulatory apparatus (Reid 1942).
Some differences in behavior are apparent between species where there
is sufficient information available to allow comparisons. The Tribolium
confusum male taps the female with his antennae prior to intromission,
touches the female's prothorax with his mandibles before and after intro-
mission, and taps the female with his antennae after intromission; T.
castaneum does not. Prior to and after intromission, T. confusum wipes
Wojcik: Mating Behavior of Stored-Product Beetles 195
TABLE 10. SUMMARY OF OBSERVED MATING BEHAVIOR
Species
t
0
h d
Behavior
a$a
;sr
06
Ou
rg
b
F-cw
'" 3
L
-0~s
o
X,
ho
Co
Co
CC
Co
CC
a)CC
Before mounting
$ touches 9 abdominal
tip with maxillary
palpi
Mounted before intromission
S taps 9 with antennae
S wipes 9 with legs
S touches 9 with
mandibles
S touches 9 with
maxillary palpi
aedeagel movements
9 lowers last sternite
9 raises last tergite
After intromission
$ taps 9 with antennae
S wipes 9 with legs
$ touches 9 with
mandibles
$ touches 9 with
maxillary palpi
Postcopulatory behavior
Symbols used: A, always or almost
not observed.
A A A
A N A A N
N N N A N A A A
N N N A N A N A
N
N
always
A
N
occurs,
A A
N N
N, never or
A N ?
N A N
almost never occurs. ?,
the female's elytra only with his fore legs, while T. castaneum uses either
the fore or middle legs. The mating behavior of C. pusillus is different in
some respects from C. ferrugineus. C. ferrugineus does not move to the
side of the female as does C. pusillus. The male of C. pusillus does not
nudge or push the end of the female's abdomen with his head as does the
male of C. ferrugineus. Finally C. ferrugineus does not have any post-
copulatory behavior such as occurs with C. pusillus.
The morphological differences between the 2 species of Tribolium and
the 2 species of Cryptolestes are not great, and mating behavior differences
probably serve as isolating mechanisms.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish to express my thanks to Dr. T. J. Walker and Dr. D. H. Habeck,
University of Florida, for their aid and encouragement, and to the
USDA, Stored-Product Insects Research and Development Laboratory,
Savannah, Georgia, for supplying the funds which made this research
possible.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
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Greenwald, M. 1941. Studies on the biology of four common carpet
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Halstead, D. G. H. 1963. External sex differences in stored-product
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Lloyd, J. E. 1966a. Studies on the flash communication systems in
Photinus fireflies. Misc. Pub., Univ. Mich. Mus. Zool. 130: 1-95.
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The Florida Entomologist 52(3) 1969
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PR
N
G
BIOLOGY OF THE TWO-LINED SPITTLEBUG,
PROSAPIA BICINCTA, ON FLORIDA PASTURES
(HOMOPTERA: CERCOPIDAE)
E. BRAD FAGAN AND L. C. KUITERT2
Department of Entomology and Nematology,
University of Florida, Gainesville
ABSTRACT
Biological studies on the two-lined spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta (Say),
were conducted at 3 locations in Florida. It overwinters in the egg stage.
Eggs hatched in 19 days under optimum conditions. There were 5 nymphal
instars and the nymphal period averaged 50 days. The life cycle was about
76 days from egg to egg. Nymphs were recorded on 40 plants, predomi-
nantly grasses.
Transformation to adult took place within the spittlemass formed
at the last feeding site of the 5th instar nymph. Females evidently mate
before and after oviposition. Virgin females 2-6 days old gave off a per-
fume-like odor. Caged females began ovipositing when 7 days old and
averaged 50.3 eggs. Two parasites and 4 predators were recorded on the
adults.
In light trap studies, about 85/,r of the adults were captured within 4
hr after sunset. There were 2 peaks of seasonal abundance in light traps,
one in June and another in August to early September. Catches averaged
96% males.
Adults, rather than nymphs, apparently cause the visible damage to the
grass. Single adults caged on individual stems of pangolagrass killed the
blades in 1-3 days and the stems in 3-4 days.
The two-lined spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta (Say), is the single repre-
sentative of the genus in North America. The adults are easily recog-
nized by size and coloration. They are about 1 cm long and dark brown
to black dorsally with 2 reddish orange transverse bands on the wings.
The literature prior to 1963 is mostly taxonomic and contains few refer-
ences to biology. This species was first recognized as a pest in Florida on
pangolagrass and St. Augustinegrass (Genung et al. 1954). It has since
become one of the most important pests on improved pasture grasses
throughout the Southeast.
Beck (1963) and Byers (1965) discussed the biology and control of P.
bicincta on Coastal bermudagrass in Georgia. Pass and Reed (1965) con-
ducted a similar study in South Carolina. The present investigation was
initiated because little information was available on the biology or bio-
nomics on pasture grasses under Florida conditions. The results of studies
conducted from September 1966 to November 1968 are reported here.
METHODS
REARING:-Eggs were collected for laboratory work following the
methods developed by Beck (1963) and Byers (1965). Eggs were placed
in 9 cm petri dishes on filter paper, then kept continually moist under
greenhouse conditions until hatching.
1 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Journal Series No. 3260.
2 Graduate Research Assistant and Entomologist respectively.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
Nymphal studies were conducted in the field and greenhouse. Nymphs
were reared using the method described by Byers and Wells (1966). In
determining the nymphal instars, head capsules were measured across the
outer margins of the eyes and the mesothoracic wing pads were measured
from the posterior edge of the pronotum to the posterior tip of the pads.
LIGHT TRAPPING:-Light traps used in determining the seasonal occur-
rence were of the type described by Hollingsworth et al. (1963). They
were omnidirectional in coverage and used 15-w blacklight lamps. Traps
were placed on stands with the light source centered 48 inches above the
ground. The spittlebugs were trapped and preserved in 70% isopropyl
alcohol.
To determine the periods of adult activity at night, a light trap which
divided the catch into hourly samples was utilized. It was a slight modifi-
cation of a design by King et al. (1965).
NATURE OF INJURY TO PANGOLAGRASS:--Individual adults were confined
about 6 inches above the soil on stems of potted pangolagrass in the
seed-head stage. This was replicated 12 times. Visual observations on the
progression of symptoms were recorded. Maerz and Paul (1930) color
charts were used to determine the colors in describing the symptoms.
RESULTS
EGG STAGE:-P. bicincta overwinters in the egg stage in Florida with
only an occasional adult recorded in the winter in the Belle Glade area.
Eggs are deposited at the base of grass in moist litter and debris.
Occasionally they are inserted between the leaf sheath and stem or into
the stem of the grass. The base of the grass, rather than the runners or
matted top growth, is the favored oviposition site. The eggs are produced
singly but many eggs may be found in one location.
Fifty eggs averaged 1.02 mm in length (range .96 mm to 1.06 mm) and
.35 mm in width (range .32 mm to .37 mm). New eggs are bright yellow
and more pointed at the anterior than at the posterior end. There is no
evidence of a micropyle in the egg chorion. As the egg matures, a dark
longitudinal streak develops from the anterior tip to about the middle of
the egg. The area gradually darkens for 5 to 6 days, then a black "hatch-
ing lid" splits the chorion and protrudes until the egg hatches. Eggs 12-15
days old have a red spot on each side of the "hatching lid" and also on each
side of the posterior end. These red areas later coincide with the red eyes
and the 2 red areas on the abdomen of the nymph. Eggs held at 22.2-
24.4C on moist filter paper hatched in 16-21 days (mean of 19 days). At
hatching, the black lid breaks away and the nymph emerges head first and
ventral side uppermost. Most eggs hatched at night.
Eggs were obtained from field collected females from June through
October. Eggs collected in September and October failed to hatch and
were considered in diapause. This suggests that eggs oviposted by fall
females enter diapause regardless of environmental conditions in the field.
NYMPHAL STAGE:-Upon hatching, the 1st instar nymph seeks a suit-
able feeding site. It probes in several spots before the mouth parts are
finally inserted and a spittlemass is produced. The nymphs are not con-
fined to one site and move about, especially after molting. Their move-
ments should render them susceptible to residual insecticides.
200
Fagan: Biology of Two-Lined Spittlebug
One to 6 nymphs, sometimes in different instars, have been observed
in a single spittlemass. The 3rd instar produces an easily visible spittle-
mass and is commonly the first one observed in the field. During wet
periods nymphs crawl up stems, produce spittlemasses, and remain until
surface water recedes. Stems and runners of grass at ground level are
favored feeding sites of the nymphs.
Nymphs were recorded on 40 plants (Table 1). These were predomi-
nantly grasses on which the adults also commonly feed.
Molts between instars take place within the spittlemass. Byers (1965)
and Washbon (1968) found 4 nymphal instars while Pass and Reed (1965)
recorded 5. A perusal of the literature indicates that 5 instars are the
rule for cercopids. There were 5 instars recognized in this study based
on the number of molts observed during rearing and on measurements of
the head capsules and mesothoracic wing pads of both reared and field
collected nymphs. Body length was found to be a poor indicator of instars.
Measurements from 150 nymphs are summarized in Table 2.
Two-lined spittlebug nymphs were difficult to rear, especially through
the early instars. Nymphs reared in the greenhouse in July averaged 8
days for the 1st instar, 8 days-2nd, 10 days-3rd, 12 days-4th, and 12 days
for the 5th instar. The nymphal stage averaged 50 days.
The 5th instar changes in appearance about 24 hr before the final molt
as the reddish bands of the adult become visible through the nymphal exo-
skeleton. Transformation to the adult takes place within the spittlemass
formed at the last feeding site of the 5th instar nymph. The nymph often
crawls several inches up a stem and feeds long enough to form a spittle-
mass. Ball (1928) first described the manner in which molting is accom-
plished; i.e., the nymphal skin splits over the top of the head and thorax
and the adult crawls out.
ADULT STAGE:-Most adults emerge in the early morning, rest inside
the spittlemass until the wings harden, and depart before noon. The
general adults are white except for the red bands on the wings and pro-
notum. They attain the mature coloration within hours.
Adults readily mated in cages. In the field, mating usually was ob-
served in the grass near the ground. Mating was observed throughout
the day and growing season. Some females of mating pairs captured in the
field contained developed eggs, others did not. This indicates that females
mate both before and after oviposition begins.
Caged virgin females, 2-6 days old, gave off a perfume-like odor. The
odor was easily detectable and especially strong in the mornings. The
nature or function of this odor was not ascertained.
Caged females began ovipositing when 7 days old and the average ovi-
position period was 14 days. Females laid from 0-142 eggs with the
average being 50.3. Of 349 eggs collected in July, 94% were viable. Caged
females in the greenhouse lived an average of 21 days. Eggs are deposited
in the field throughout the growing season.
PARASITES AND PREDATORS:-No parasites or predators of the eggs and
nymphs were found or have been recorded for P. bicincta.
A parasitic fungus, Entomophthora grylli Fresenius,3 attacks the adults,
especially in September. Large numbers of parasitized adults were ob-
: Identified by L. R. Batra, Crops Production Research Branch, USDA,
ARS, Beltsville, Md.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
TABLE 1. HOST LIST OF Prosapia bicincta NYMPHS IN FLORIDA.
Numbers following common names refer to citation in this list.
1. Personal observation 4. Maines, 1954
2. Genung and Allen, 1962 5. Mead, 1962
3. Genung et al., 1954 6. Washbon, 1968
Scientific Name
Andropogon capillipes Nash
A. nodosus (Willem.) Nash
A. virginicus L.
Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle) Schw.
Chloris petraea Swartz
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.
Cyperus distinctus Steud.
C. globulosus Aubl.
Digitaria decumbens Stent
D. gazensis Rendle
D. pentzii Stent
D. sanguinalis (L.) Scop.
D. setivalva Stent
D. swazilandensis Stent
D. valida Stent
Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertin.
Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees
Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.
Eriochloa polystachya H.B.K.
Gerbera jamesoni Hook
Hemarthria altissima Stapf & Hubb.
Malpighia glabra L.
Panicum antidotale Rentz.
P. coloratum L.
P. hemitomon Schult.
P. maximum Jacq.
P. ppurpurascens Raddi
P. repens L.
P. virgatum L.
Paspalum notatum Flugge
P. plicatulum Michx.
P. urvillei Steud.
Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link
Rhynchelytrum roseum (Nees) Stapf & Hubb.
Saccharum officinarum L.
Setaria geniculata (Lam.) Beauv.
Sorghum vulgare Pers.
Sporobolus poiretii (Roem. & Schult.) Hitchc.
Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze
Zea mays L.
Common Name
bluestem, chalky 1
bluestem 2
bluestem, broomsedge 1
grass 1
chloris, stiffleaf 1
grass, bermuda 1,5,6
sedge 1
sedge 1
grass, pangola 1,3,5
grass 1
grass 1,2
grass, hairy crab 1
grass 2
grass 2
grass 1,2
grass, goose 1
grass 2
grass, centipede 5
grass, carib 6
gebera 4
grass 1
cherry, Barbados 5
grass 2
grass 2
maidencane 1
grass, guinea 1,6
grass, para 1,6
grass, torpedo 1
grass, switch 1
grass, bahia 1
grass 1
grass, vasey 1
grass 2
grass, natal 1
sugarcane 1
bristlegrass 1
sorghum 1
grass, smut 1
grass, St. Augustine 3
corn 6
202
Fagan: Biology of Two-Lined Spittlebug
203
TABLE 2. HEAD CAPSULE AND MESOTHORACIC WING PAD MEASUREMENTS
(IN MM) OF THE NYMPHAL INSTARS OF Prosapia bicincta IN
FLORIDA-1968.
Mean Mean
head wing pad
Instar width Range length Range
I 0.34 0.32-0.37
II 0.61 0.57-0.69 0.14 0.12-0.15
III 0.98 0.94-1.02 1.31 0.29-0.35
IV 1.51 1.42-1.63 0.82 0.79-0.84
V 2.16 2.01-2.25 2.50 2.40-2.55
served both at Belle Glade and Ona. Mummified adults were found at-
tached to blades of grass relatively high above the ground. W. G. Genung
(unpublished data) found the remains of the two-lined spittlebug in the
stomachs of several southern meadow larks, Sturnella magna argulata
kBangs). He also has observed the adults in the webs of the garden
spider, Argiope aurantia Lucas, and the golden silk spider, Nephila clavipes
(L.). Finally he recorded the reduviid, Zelus bilobus (Say), as a predator.
Many spittlebugs were encountered in light traps with mites attached
to them. Individuals had up to 6 mites, attached mostly to the legs and
wings. Most of the mites were Leptus sp. (Trombidiformes: Erythraei-
dae) and one Clavidromus transvaalensis (Nesbitt) (Mesostigmata: Phy-
toseiidae) .4
LIFE CYCLE:-The length of the life cycle is influenced by environmental
factors, especially temperature. At 22.2-24.4 C about 19 days are needed
for the eggs to hatch. Under greenhouse conditions the nymphal period
lasts about 50 days. Females can oviposit when 7 days old, giving a total
of 76 days for the life cycle from egg to egg.
Depending upon temperature and precipitation, most of the overwinter-
ing eggs hatch from late March to late April. The 1st generation adults
are then abundant in June. The adult population peaks again in early
August to early September, and this generation deposits overwintering
eggs.
LIGHT TRAPPING:-Adults, especially males, are active at night and are
attracted to light traps. In 5 nights at Belle Glade, about 85% of the
adults were captured within 4 hr after sunset (Fig. 1). The peak occurred
about 1 hr after sunset. The activity of the females was similar to that
of the males. When precipitation occurred during this period of activity,
the catch was greatly reduced.
The seasonal occurrences of adults in light traps at Gainesville are
shown in Fig. 2 for the years 1966-68. Adults were captured as early
as May 1 and as late as December 2. Catches averaged 96% males. There
were 2 peaks of abundance indicating two generations per year.
When light traps were compared at 2 heights, those with lamps centered
24 inches above the ground captured 18% more spittlebugs than 48 inch
Identified by H. A. Denmark, Fla. State Dep. of Agr., Div. of Plant
Industry, Gainesville.
The Florida Entomologist
Vol. 52, No. 3
Tota I
Males =13,139
------ Females = 478
Sunset -8:18 to 8:20 E.D.T.
8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12 12-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7
Trapping interval Eastern Daylight Time
Fig. 1. Percentages of male and female Prosapia bicincta trapped per
hour in five nights at Belle Glade, Fla.-June 1968.
high traps. Catches were about 95% males in the high traps compared to
90% males in the low traps.
NATURE OF INJURY TO PANGOLAGRASS:-Byers and Wells (1966) proved
that only the adults caused injury through the injection of phytotoxic
salivary substances. Age and sex were not important in the ability of the
adult to produce injury (Byers and Taliaferro 1967).
P. bicincta is primarily a pest on pangolagrass, Digitaria decumbens
Stent, in Central Florida. Field observations indicated that it is the adult
that damages pangola. Large populations of nymphs went unnoticed until
the adults emerged and caused injury.
Adults caged on pangolagrass caused injury symptoms within 24 hr.
Symptoms first appeared on the blades immediately above the feeding site,
then progressed to the next higher blade. Injury to a single blade began
at the terminal end. The tip turned yellow (Plate 9K4; Maerz and Paul
1930) and this discoloration proceeded basally. Yellowing was followed
by the blade turning brown (Plate 19J1) and curling. Where the stem
forked above the feeding site, only one fork showed symptoms. The
blades died in 1-3 days and the stem in 3-4 days.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors express thanks to L. A. Hetrick and D. H. Habeck for pro-
viding samples from which the 1966 and 1968 light trap data were obtained.
A special thanks is extended to W. G. Genung for his contributions to this
study.
204
40
30
Fagan: Biology of Two-Lined Spittlebug
205
200 -
150 -
1968
100 -
0
2 ioo
o 100
> 80
0
6 0 1967
l 20 .1 E.111
0
600
500
400
300 1966
200 -
100
0
May June July Aug. Sept. Oct.
Fig. 2. Seasonal occurrence of Prosapia bicincta in light traps at
Gainesville, Fla.
LITERATURE CITED
Ball, E. D. 1928. Notes on the Cercopidae of America North of Mexico
(Homoptera). Entomol. News 39: 47-49.
Beck, E. W. 1963. Observations on the biology and cultural-insecticidal
control of Prosapia bicincta, a spittlebug, on Coastal bermudagrass.
J. Econ. Entomol. 56: 747-52.
Byers, R. A. 1965. Biology and control of a spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta
(Say), on Coastal bermudagrass. Univ. of Georgia Agr. Exp. Sta.
Tech Bull. N.S. 42. 26p.
Byers, R. A., and C. M. Taliaferro. 1967. Effects of age on ability of the
adult two-lined spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta, to produce phyto-
toxemia of Coastal bermudagrass. J. Econ. Entomol. 60: 1760-1.
206 The Florida Entomologist Vol. 52, No. 3
Byers, R. A., and H. D. Wells. 1966. Phytotoxemia of Coastal bermuda-
grass caused by the two-lined spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta (Homop-
tera: Cercopidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 59: 1067-71.
Genung, W. G., and R. J. Allen, Jr. 1962. Survey of insects associated
with agronomic introductions. Proc. Soil and Crop Sci. Soc. Fla.
22: 153-59.
Genung, W. G., W. Thames, and D. D. Questal. 1954. Coop. Econ. Insect
Rep. 4(20) : 400.
Hollingsworth, J. P., J. G. Hartsock, and J. M. Stanley. 1963. Electrical
insect traps for survey purposes. USDA, ARS, 42-3-1. 10p.
King, E. W., C. D. Pless, and J. K. Reed. 1965. An automatic sample-
changing device for light-trap collections. J. Econ. Entomol. 58:
170-2.
Maerz, A., and M. R. Paul. 1930. Dictionary of Color. McGraw-Hill
Book Co., Inc., New York. 207p.
Maines. 1954. Coop. Econ. Insect Rep. 4(13) : 259.
Mead, F. W. 1962. A spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta (Say) (Homoptera:
Cercopidae). Fla. Dep. Agr. Div. Plant Industry Entomol. Circ. No.
7. Ip.
Pass, B. C., and J. K. Reed. 1965. Biology and control of the spittlebug,
Prosapia bicincta, in Coastal bermuda grass. J. Econ. Entomol. 58:
275-8.
Washbon, E. C. 1968. The biology and control of two species of spittle-
bugs, genus Prosapia, (Homoptera: Cercopidae) in South Florida
and Costa Rica. M. S. thesis, University of Florida.
The Florida Entomologist 52(3) 1969
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