Phymata salicis Cockerell, 1900
Figs 18A–D, 20P, 21Q. Map 16.
Phymata erosa salicis Cockerell, 1900
Cockerell, 1900: p66 (original description)
Phymata salicis Cockerell, 1900
Evans, 1931: p723 (taxonomy); Kormilev, 1962: p419 (revision); Henry and Froeschner, 1988: p604 (catalog); Froeschner and Kormilev, 1989: p58 (catalog)
Diagnosis: Recognized from other species of the Nearctic erosa group by the following combination of characters:(1) shallow lateral notch, (2) absence of dark pigmentation along the margin of the anterior pronotal lobe, (3) relatively small size and narrow body, and (4) greatly reduced posterior angle.
Redescription: Male: Medium, total length ~7.77–8.15 mm, width across lateral angles of pronotum: ~2.69–2.85 mm. STRUCTURE: HEAD (Fig. 18A,C): distiflagellomere of male shorter than pedicel + basiflagellomere. THORAX (Figs 18A,C, 20P): thoracic surface matte to glossy; anterior pronotal disk without elongated setaceous granulation; posterior pronotal disk punctate; area between lateral pronotal notch and longitudinal carina of the posterior pronotal lobe either with a small granulation patch or no granulation; longitudinal carina without prominent tubercle; lateral margin of anterior pronotal lobe not keeled and inconspicuous; lateral notch shallow; lateral margin of pronotum from lateral notch to lateral angle smooth or with light crenulation; lateral angle small and obtuse; posterior angle inconspicuous; lateral surface of forefemur smooth or sparsely granulated; lateral surface of thorax smooth or sparsely granulated; forewing membrane brown, cloudy, never hyaline. ABDOMEN (Fig. 18B): posterior corners of connexiva of abdominal segments 2–4 inconspicuous/subtle; lateral margins of connexiva of abdominal segments 4–5 concave or straight; lateral margins of connexiva of abdominal segments 3–6 with or without fine granulation; connexivum of abdominal segment 5 less than twice as wide as connexivum of abdominal segment 4; connexivum of abdominal segment 6 rhomboidal, anterior and posterior margin roughly the same width. COLORATION (Figs 18A–C): variable; anterior pronotal lobe never with dark marking; forefemur pale, never darkened; corium without obvious transverse band. Female: Medium, total length: ~8.01–9.00 mm, width across lateral angles of pronotum: ~2.71–3.04 mm. COLORATION (Figs 18A,B,D): Similar to that of male but generally lighter overall.
Biology: Phymata salicis is associated with riparian habitats along the Colorado River and its tributaries. It has been collected from species of Salix L. (Salicaceae), and several species of riparian associated Asteraceae including Baccharis salicifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers., Chloracantha spinosa (Benth.) G. L. Nesom, and Pluchea sericea (Nutt.) Coville. Specimens have been collected at elevations ranging between -50–650 m above sea level.
Distribution: Phymata salicis is found in the southwestern United States in riparian habitats along the Colorado River and its tributaries. Restricted to Arizona, southern Nevada, and California.
Discussion and identification remarks: This rare species can be distinguished from other desert taxa using pronotal morphology and color. Individuals vary from being a uniform pale yellow or green in color to having disruptive color patterning with dark brown markings on the head, pronotum, and abdomen. The corium might have whitish or pinkish markings.
Type information: Cockerell’s type of P. salicis was examined and is deposited in the United States National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C.
HOLOTYPE: ♀, USA: Arizona: Phoenix, 07 Oct 1899, T. D. A. Cockerell, ex: Salix (UCR_ENT 00008068), (USNM). Fig. 21Q.
Material examined: See Appendix; 23 specimens, including 13 adult males and 9 adult females.
