Prepops rubroscutellatus

(Knight, 1929)

Prepops rubroscutellatus is a of plant bug in the Miridae, first described by Knight in 1929. The species is known from two recognized : P. r. nigriscutis and P. r. rubroscutellatus. It occurs in North America, with confirmed records from New Mexico.

Prepops rubroscutellatus by (c) Andrew Meeds, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Meeds. Used under a CC-BY license.

Prepops rubroscutellatus 46135899 by Andrew Meeds. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Prepops rubroscutellatus: //ˈprɛ.pɒps ˌruː.brɒ.skuː.təˈlæ.təs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The specific epithet "rubroscutellatus" refers to a reddish scutellum, a potentially diagnostic feature. The P. r. nigriscutis is distinguished by a dark scutellum, contrasting with the reddish scutellum of the nominate subspecies. As with many Miridae, detailed identification requires examination of genitalic structures.

Images

Distribution

North America. Documented from New Mexico, USA. The ' broader range within North America requires further documentation.

Similar Taxa

Prepops insitivusAnother North American Prepops ; separation requires careful examination of coloration and male genitalia
Prepops fraternusOverlapping distribution; distinguished by scutellum coloration and structural features

More Details

Subspecies

Two are recognized: Prepops rubroscutellatus rubroscutellatus (nominate form with reddish scutellum) and Prepops rubroscutellatus nigriscutis (with dark scutellum). Both were described by Knight in the same 1929 publication.

Taxonomic history

Originally described by H.H. Knight in 1929, a prolific authority on North American Miridae. The epithet and names directly reference scutellum coloration, a common diagnostic character in this .