Nephus cf. similincludens Canepari, 2003

Nephus cf. similincludens Canepari, 2003

Figs 8a–j

Nephus similincludens Canepari, 2003: 262 .

Material examined. Pakistan, Punjab, Rawalpindi, PMAS– Arid Agriculture University , 33°38’56” N, 73°04’54” E, 501 m, 3♂♂, 4♀♀, 27.v.2015 GoogleMaps , Murree, 22 Mill , 33°48’21” N, 73°16’90” E, 771 m, 5♂♂, 16♀♀, 12.x.2017, leg. Z. Iqbal ( PMAS – AAUR), 1♂, 2♀♀, 13.xi.2017, leg. I. Bodlah ( PMAS – AAUR) . Gilgit–Baltistan, Gilgit, Jutial ( Khomer ), 1♂, 1♀, 35°54’37” N, 74°20’44” E, 1473 m, 6.vii.2015 GoogleMaps , Jutial Nala , 35°53’20” N, 74°20’37” E, 1815 m, 2♂♂, 2♀♀, 29.viii.2015 GoogleMaps , 1♂, 2♀♀, 3.viii.2015 GoogleMaps , 2♂♂, 3♀♀, 30.viii.2015, leg. M. F. Nasir ( PMAS – AAUR), 4♀♀, 3♂♂, 15.ix.2016 , Minawar , 2♂♂, 2♀♀, 35°52’31” N, 74°25’38” E, 1508 m, 12.ix.2016, leg. Z. Iqbal ( PMAS – AAUR) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis. This species is similar to Nephus quartrimaculatus in general appearance but can easily be distinguished by abdominal postcoxal lines slightly recurved laterally ( Fig. 8d), penis guide in lateral view almost sub-parallel sided, much narrower ( Fig. 8h), while, in N. quartrimaculatus abdominal postcoxal lines are not recurved laterally ( Fig. 5d), penis guide in lateral view with 2/5 of basal length projected, then narrowing toward apex ( Fig. 5g).

Description. TL: 1.80–1.92 mm, TW: 1.29–1.37 mm, TH: 0.67–0.79 mm, HW: 0.53–0.58, TL/TW: 1.40, PL/ PW: 0.38–0.40; EL/EW: 1.01–1.03.

Body elongate oval, weakly convex, dorsum with dense white pubescence; head dark brown to black, antennae and mouth–parts dark brown ( Fig. 8b); pronotum black; elytra black, with two pairs of reddish yellow spots on each elytron ( Fig. 8a); antennae composed of 10 antennomeres ( Fig. 8e); prosternal process without carinae ( Fig. 8c); abdominal ventrite 1 with postcoxal line incomplete and slightly recurved laterally ( Fig. 8d).

Male genitalia ( Figs 8f–i). Penis stout and long, penis capsule with inner arm long and outer one short ( Fig. 8f); apex of penis slightly curved and pointed, with short apical membranous flagellum-like appendage ( Fig. 8g); tegmen stout with penis guide slightly projected at middle in lateral view and narrowing toward pointed tip ( Fig. 8h); penis guide in inner view asymmetrical with blunt apical tip ( Fig. 8i); parameres stout, slightly longer than penis guide, bearing long setae on apical margins ( Fig. 8h).

Female genitalia ( Fig. 8j). Coxites triangular and elongate, with styli, sperm duct uniform and membranous, adjacent to apex of bursa, infundibulum absent; spermatheca vermiform with tubular cornu and without clearly defined nodulus or ramus, accessory gland present.

Prey. This species has been reported as a predator of Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green ( Hemiptera : Pseudococcidae ), Drosicha sp. ( Hemiptera : Margarodidae ) (First record for these prey).

Associated plants. This species was collected from the Rosales : Moraceae : Morus alba Linnaeus , Morus nigra Linnaeus ; Rosales : Elaeagnaceae : Hippophae rhamnoides Linnaeus ; Rosales : Rosaceae : Prunus persica (Linnaeus) Batsch , Malus pumila (Suckow) Borkh , Prunus armeniaca Linnaeus ; Vitales : Vitaceae : Vitis vinifera Linnaeus.

Distribution. Pakistan: Punjab, Rawalpindi, Murree, Gilgit–Baltistan, Gilgit, Minawar, (current study); Nepal ( Canepari 2003). New species record for Pakistan.

Remarks. The male genitalia of the examined specimens appear to be very similar to Nephus similincludens as described by Canepari (2003) from Nepal. The male specimen illustrated by Canepari has the flagellum at the tip of the penis slightly shorter, and the middle part of the penis guide is more projected in lateral view, in addition the parameres, and the C-shaped markings on the elytra are slenderer. However, since Canepari’s illustrations were hand-drawn, and we have not examined the type of N. similincludens , it is unclear whether our examined specimens are variants of that species. This species requires further verification.