Physatocheila Fieber 1844
Creators: name: Golub, V. B.
name: Soboleva, V. A.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hemiptera
Tingidae
Physatocheila

description: Key to the imagines of Physatocheila species of the fauna of Russia, with brief data on their distribution
The genus Physatocheila includes eight species and one subspecies known in the fauna of Russia: Ph. confinis Horváth, 1905, Ph. costata (Fabricius, 1794), Ph. distinguenda (Jakovlev, 1880), Ph. dumetorum (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1838), Ph. marginulata Golub, 1976, Ph. miyatakei latiuscula subsp. nov., Ph. orientis Drake, 1942, Ph. putshkovi Golub, 1976, and Ph. smreczynskii China, 1952.
The key presented below is supplemented with the new species described here, as this expands the understanding of the composition of the Chinese fauna and the complex of characters that can be used in the further development of the taxonomy of the entire genus and in the compilation of more complete keys by subsequent authors. In addition to the new taxa, three more species are known from China, Ph. enodis Drake, 1948, Ph. fieberi (Scott, 1874) and Ph. ruris Drake, 1942, which are not included in this key, since the authors did not have the opportunity to study the collection material of these species.
1(2). Lateral carinae of pronotum strongly converging anteriorly from posterior margin of pronotum to middle of disc, distance between them at highest point of disc less than or equal to width of vertex; they touching or almost touching outer margins of reflexed paranota at long distance: line of contact or very close convergence between outer margin of paranotum and lateral carina posteriorly almost reaching the highest point of disc. Body length 3.10–3.80 mm ................... Ph. distinguenda (Fig. 3A, C)
Distribution: southern part of European Russia, Russian Far East, mountains of south-eastern Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, north-eastern China, Korean Peninsula, and Japan.
2(1). Lateral carinae of pronotum parallel or weakly converging anteriorly, distance between them at highest point of disc greater than width of vertex, often not touching distal margins of reflexed paranota or touching them only at short distance, and line of contact between outer margin of paranotum and lateral carina posteriorly far not reaching the highest point of disc (Figs 2–6).
3(8). Reflexed paranota distinctly inflated throughout entire lengths (Fig. 1A, C) or over most of lengths, or only on lateral angles of pronotum; in latter case, paranota cyst-like posteriorly (Fig. 2B, D). Costal area of hemelytra within transverse dark spot with no more than 20 small areolae arranged in two or three rows.
4(5). Reflexed paranota moderately inflated along almost their entire lengths, except for the anterior small parts; inflated rather strongly at lateral angles of pronotum; veins between areolae of paranota rather strongly prominent, areolae deeply depressed, with concave surfaces. Outer margins of hemelytra strongly and sharply rounded at middle part of their length. Body length 2.80–2.95 mm ............................. Ph. explanata sp. nov. (Fig. 1A, C)
Distribution: southern China (Sichuan Province).
5(4). Reflexed paranota distinctly inflated only on lateral angles of pronotum; veins between areolae of paranota not strongly prominent, surfaces of areolae flat. Outer margins of hemelytra smoothly rounded along almost their entire lengths, except for apex.
6(7). Costal areas of hemelytra each with one row of rather large areolae over most of its length and with several small areolae of a second row, located in different parts of this area, including middle of length of this area. Body narrow, 2.54–2.63 times as long as wide. Smaller: body length 3.10–3.25 mm ................................ Ph. angusta sp. nov. (Fig. 1B, D)
Distribution: southern China (Yunnan Province).
7(6). Costal areas of hemelytra in anterior quarter each with two rows of rather large areolae, with about 20 small areolae arranged in three rows within dark spot in anterior third. Body wider, only twice as long as wide. Larger: body length 3.95 mm ..................................... Ph. potanini sp. nov. (Fig. 2A, C)
Distribution: southern China (Sichuan Province).
8(3). Reflexed paranota usually completely adpressed to surface of disc or slightly raised above disc over almost their entire lengths (Fig. 3B, D), except for outer vein; if paranota weakly inflated on lateral angles of pronotum (Ph. putshkovi; Fig. 4A, C), then dark transverse spot of costal area of hemelytra with about 30 small areolae arranged in four rows.
9(20). Costal areas of hemelytra with three rows of areolae at base, three to four in middle, and two rows beyond; if third row incomplete near base, then body no shorter than 3–4 mm.
10(13). Median frontal spine rising noticeably above surface of head and above lateral frontal spines, sometimes curved downwards, if so, then that being short and thick, with blunt apex being hardly protruding anteriorly beyond bases of lateral frontal spines, located above them and visible laterally (Fig. 3B). Each paranotum with no more than 45 areolae.
11(12). Paranota pressed to disc or slightly raised above it, except for distal vein (viewed from above and slightly from side; Fig. 3D). Lateral carinae of pronotum parallel along most of their lengths, except for their short anterior parts. Hemelytra at rest 1.30–1.40 times as wide as pronotum, 2.80–3.00 times as wide as head. Body length 3.40–3.90 mm ............................... Ph. costata (Fig. 3B)
Distribution: transpalaearctic species, predominantly in forest zone.
12(11). Paranota more strongly inflated on lateral angles of pronotum than in other part of their surface (Fig. 4C). Lateral carinae of pronotum slightly converging anteriorly throughout. Hemelytra 1.45–1.50 times as wide as pronotum, 3.00–3.40 times as wide as head. Body length 3.70–3.95 mm ......................................... Ph. putshkovi (Fig. 4A)
Distribution: mountains of Altai and south-eastern Kazakhstan; Eastern Siberia, southern Primorskiy Territory of Russia, and northern Mongolia.
13(10). Median frontal spine usually strongly curved to head, thin or with pointed apex, significantly protruding beyond bases of lateral frontal spines or passing between their bases or reaching bases of lateral frontal spines (in Ph. marginulata); sometimes (in some specimens of Ph. orientis), median spine slightly or noticeably erected, short and blunt at apex, but then each paranotum with 50–60 areolae.
14(15). Costal area of hemelytra with two rows of areolae in middle. Median frontal spine short, not protruding anteriorly beyond bases of lateral frontal spines; apices of occipital spines not reaching bases of lateral spines. Reflexed paranota each with about 60 small areolae. Body length 3.65 mm ......................................... Ph. marginulata (Fig. 4B, D)
Distribution: southern Primorskiy Territory of Russia.
15(14). Costal area of hemelytra in middle with two rows of areolae and several areolae of a third row, or with three complete rows of areolae, or with three complete rows and several areolae of a fourth row. Median frontal spine long, extending anteriorly beyond the bases of lateral frontal spines; occipital spines reach imaginary line connecting their bases. Reflexed paranota with rather large areolae in different numbers (30–45 in Ph. miyatakei latiuscula subsp. nov. and Ph. smreczynskii, 50–60 in Ph. orientis).
16(17). Costal area of hemelytra in middle with two rows of areolae and several areolae of a third row and here with 7–8 areolae being smaller than most areolae in posterior half of this area. Reflexed paranota each with approximately 30 areolae. Body length 3.40–3.50 mm ............. Ph. miyatakei latiuscula subsp. nov. (Fig. 2B, D)
Distribution: China (Sichuan Province), Russia (Primorskiy Territory).
17(16). Costal area of hemelytra with three complete rows of areolae in middle or also with a fourth row comprising approximately 15 (in Ph. costata) or 25–30 (in Ph. orientis) areolae being 0.33–0.50 times as large as areolae in apical half of this area. Reflexed paranota each with 35–60 areolae.
18(19). Paranota each with 35–45 areolae being considerably, often twice as large as those in costal areas of hemelytra in middle, located in 4–5 (rarely six) rows in widest part; outer margins of paranota usually straight or slightly convex in middle, not touching or hardly touching lateral carinae of pronotum anteriorly. Third antennal segment 1.80–2.00 (rarely 2.10) times as long as head width in males, 1.60– 1.85 (rarely 1.90) times, in females. Smaller on average: 3.2–3.6 mm ................................... Ph. smreczynskii (Fig. 5A, C)
Distribution: transpalaearctic species, mainly in boreal and subboreal zones.
19(18). Paranota each with 50–60 areolae being usually not larger or slightly larger than areolae of costal area in middle, arranged in 7–8 (rarely six) rows; outer margins of paranota distinctly convex along their entire lengths, always touching lateral carinae anteriorly and at some distance, often covering anterior portion of lateral carinae from above. Third antennal segment 2.20–2.40 (rarely 2.10) times as long as head width in males, 1.75–1.90 (very rarely 1.70) times, in females. Larger on average: 3.50–4.50 mm .... Ph. orientis (Fig. 5B, D)
Distribution: Russia (Transbaikalia, south-western Yakutia, Amur Province, southern Khabarovsk Territory, Sakhalin, Primorskiy Territory, Kuril Islands), Korean Peninsula, north-eastern China, and Japan.
20(9). Costal areas of hemelytra each with two rows of areolae or with only several areolae of third row in basal half, and with one row or with only several areolae of second row in apical half. Usually smaller: body length 2.70– 3.45 mm.
21(22). Head black. Reflexed paranota 2.15–2.35 times as long as wide (measured when pronotum viewed obliquely dorsally and laterally), their outer margins weakly or noticeably convex along their entire lengths (Fig. 6C). Body length 2.7–3.1 mm .................................... Ph. dumetorum (Fig. 6A)
Distribution: central and southern Europe, Ukraine, Moldova, and forest-steppe and steppe zones of European part of Russia, north-western and north-eastern China.
22(21). Head red or brown. Paranota 2.60–2.80 times as long as wide, their outer margins very weakly convex, straight or slightly concave in middle (viewed dorsally and slightly laterally; Fig. 6D). Body length 2.70–3.45 mm ............................ Ph. confinis (Fig. 6B)
Distribution: southern Europe, Ukraine, southern part of European Russia, North Caucasus, Transcaucasia, South-Western Asia, and mountains of Kyrgyzstan.
description: Published as part of Golub, V. B. & Soboleva, V. A., 2023, Descriptions of three new species and one subspecies of Physatocheila (Heteroptera: Tingidae) from China and the Russian Far East, with an identification key to the species of the Russian fauna, pp. 27-42 in Zoosystematica Rossica (Zoosyst. Rossica) (Zoosyst. Rossica) 32 (1) on pages 37-40, DOI: 10.31610/zsr/2023.32.1.27, http://zenodo.org/record/10124267