Rhiginia cinctiventris

Western R. cinctiventris

I'm now confident these can be moved to R. cinctiventris. I've examined this particular specimen; it is an adult male.

I had been entertaining the notion that this was an undescribed species of Rhiginia closely related to R. cinctiventris on the basis of the seemingly discrete color pattern (central black markings of head and pronotum) and the slightly larger size. After comparing several specimens from the western and eastern populations, I could find no morphological differences, including in the structure of the pygophore. Thus, I've concluded they represent no more than geographic variants.

Moved from Rhiginia.

… drswanny, 20 August, 2012 - 9:59am

Potentially Rhiginia cinctiventris

Given the dorsal habitus shot, it looks to be Rhiginia cintiventris, but a ventral view would be most helpful. Based on Doughtery's 1980 dissertation, if the abdominal sternites are solidly dark colored or with patched color patterns that are never distinct transverse stripes, and is usually greater than 17.2 mm in body length, it's R. cinctiventris.

Going back through descriptions, the color pattern on the pronotum is not documented. However, this species, like many other Rhiginia spp. tend to show a wide range of color variations.

… Michael Forthman, 17 August, 2012 - 12:02pm

'Nother unknown Rhiginia...

and nearly positive it is not R. cinctiventris. Not R. crucifera for similar reasons. Was leaning toward R. crudelis but I'm not even sure that fits anymore.

As you've now contributed two images of this unknown species on different occasions, I have to ask: where are you seeing these? Are they coming to lights? Actually that question can apply to any of the reduviids you've photographed. I'm going to be in Cochise Co. around the 2nd-3rd week of Sept. and I will definitely be looking for these. I hesitate to ask but if you happen to see more...perhaps you wouldn't mind keeping them for me? Regardless, any help you can give me is much appreciated.

… drswanny, 24 July, 2009 - 10:47am

To your questions:

I have kept almost everything I photographed in the freezer. I'm keeping one voucher specimen of each sp. for my collection, you are welcome to pick up the others while you are here (I'm in Tucson). You've done so much research for the BG, you certainly deserve them.
The two Rhiginia came to blacklight, so did the Triatoma. Only T. rubida is common, but the season is over. Did you see my new smaller black one from Miller Cny? T. protracta?
All the Apiomerus were on plants, day-active. A. flaviventris is sporadically everywhere, the last big one only on roadsides in Cochise Co (I 181 and I 92) where they gorged themselves on several spp of Zygogramma. A. cazieri was a spring bug, but I've got some frozen ones.
Give me a call when you get here (520) 682 2837 and bring alcohol or something to keep frozen specimen from molding.

… margarethe brummermann, 24 July, 2009 - 1:41pm

Wow!

That is very kind of you and I can't express how excited I am! You will definitely be hearing from me come mid-September. I plan on doing some black-lighting myself while I'm down there, if there are particularly good areas to check out, feel free to offer me some suggestions.

And yes, I thought I was missing one image, I'll check out the Triatoma right now.

Thanks again!

… drswanny, 28 July, 2009 - 2:05pm

Here is a link to my AZ Heteroptera collection

http://www.flickr.com/photos/margarethebrummermann/sets/72157608718400313/
I'm working hard on getting it organized

… margarethe brummermann, 24 July, 2009 - 1:45pm

As always..

your images are incredibly clear and exceptionally beautiful! BG is fortunate to have you as a contributor.

… drswanny, 28 July, 2009 - 2:06pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… margarethe brummermann, 22 July, 2009 - 8:04pm

Nice.

Sweet bug. Way bigger than the eastern species....

… Eric R. Eaton, 22 July, 2009 - 1:22pm