Phymata mexicana Melin, 1931 stat. nov.
Figs 10A–E, 20H, 21I+K. Map 8.
Phymata fasciata mexicana Melin, 1931
Melin, 1931: p10 (original description); Froeschner and Kormilev, 1989: p52 (catalog, listed as Phymata fasciata mexicanus [sic]); Kormilev, 1962: p409 (revision)
Phymata fasciata panamensis Kormilev, 1962 syn. nov.
Kormilev, 1962: p411 (original description)
Diagnosis: Recognized from other species of the Nearctic erosa group by the following combination of characters: (1) the relatively large size (~8–10 mm), (2) deep lateral notch, (3) integument lacking elongated setaceous granulation, (4) keeled margin of the anterior pronotal lobe, (5) conspicuous cluster of raised granules on the pronotum mesad to lateral notch, and (6) a very prominent acute lateral angle.
Redescription: Male: Large, total length: ~8.14–9.80 mm, width across lateral angles of pronotum: ~3.29–4.06 mm. STRUCTURE: HEAD (Fig. 10A): distiflagellomere of male shorter than pedicel + basiflagellomere. THORAX (Figs 10A,C,D, 20H): thoracic surface 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 with a distinct granulation patch; longitudinal carina with prominent knoblike tubercle; lateral margin of anterior pronotal lobe keeled and semicircular; lateral notch deep; lateral margin of pronotum from lateral notch to lateral angle smooth or with light crenulation; lateral angle prominent and acute; posterior angle prominent, right or acute; lateral surface of forefemur smooth or sparsely granulated; lateral surface of thorax smooth or sparsely granulated; forewing membrane brown, cloudy, never hyaline. ABDOMEN (Fig. 10B): posterior corners of connexiva of abdominal segments 2–4 strongly serrate or dentiform; lateral margins of connexiva of abdominal segments 4–5 sinuous; lateral margins of connexiva of abdominal segments 3–6 with or without fine granulation; connexivum of abdominal segment 5 twice as wide as connexivum of abdominal segment 4; connexivum of abdominal segment 6 trapezoidal, anterior margin roughly twice as wide as posterior margin. COLORATION (Figs 10A–D): variable; anterior pronotal lobe usually with dark marking; forefemur darkened; corium with a conspicuous transverse band. Female: Large, total length: ~9.12–9.80 mm, width across lateral angles of pronotum: ~3.51–4.19 mm. COLORATION (Figs 10A,B,E): color patterning is generally similar to that of males, but overall lighter in color; forefemur pale, never darkened.
Biology: Specimens have been found on species of Asteraceae and Fabaceae and collected at elevations ranging between 30–2,200 m above sea level.
Distribution: Phymata mexicana is distributed from central Mexico to Panama.
Discussion: Based on morphological similarities,Phymata fasciata panamensis Kormilev is here synonymized with P. mexicana.
Identification remarks: Like P. fasciata, P. mexicana also bears (1) a prominent knoblike tubercle of longitudinal pronotal carina, (2) glossy thoracic cuticle, (3) semicircular margin of the anterior pronotal lobe, (4) sinuous lateral margins of connexiva of abdominal segments 4–5, and (6) strongly contrasting markings on the posterior pronotal disk and longitudinal carina. The lateral angles of P. mexicana, however, are much more prominent and acute than that of P. fasciata. The body color of P. mexicana can vary drastically from teneral to mature adults. Males often exhibit very dark (brown to black) pigmentation on their head, thorax, and forelegs.
Type information: Melin’s type series of P. fasciata mexicana is deposited in the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Only images of a syntype were examined and it is this specimen which we here designate as the lectotype for P. mexicana. Having not seen the other syntypes, we are unable to confirm whether they are all conspecific. Kormilev’s holotype of P. fasciata panamensis was examined and is deposited in the United States National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C.
LECTOTYPE: (Phymata mexicana Melin, 1931): Male: MEXICO, Sallé, (UCR_ENT 00123208), (NHRS-GULI000075672) (NRM). Fig. 21I. Image: http://www2.nrm.se/en/het_nrm/f/phymata_fasciatamexicana.html
HOLOTYPE: (Phymata fasciata panamensis Kormilev, 1962): Male: PANAMA: Canal Zone, Barro Colorado
Island, Jul–Aug 1942, Jas. Zetek, (UCR_ENT00008095) (USNM). Fig. 21K.
Additional material examined: See Appendix; 59 specimens, including 28 adult males and 28 adult females.
