Species Pseudoxenetus regalis

Eastern Regal Oak Mirid (EROM)

Pseudoxenetus regalis (Uhler)

Orig. Comb: Xenetus regalis Uhler 1890

Syn: Pseudoxenetus scutellatus (Uhler)

Monotypic genus (1)

6-8 mm (BG data)

Adult: slender black ant mimic with two main color forms: form "regalis" (more common from North Carolina southward) usually has reddish-orange pronotum and white scutellum; form "scutellatus" (more common from North Carolina northward) usually has blackish pronotum and white scutellum but there is considerable variation in color within both forms; some individuals have a dark scutellum, some individuals have an orange scutellum, and individuals of both color forms may be found anywhere within the range of the species [see References below]

Nymph: first and second instars are whitish-green; third to fifth instars are reddish-brown

e US (TX-FL-NY-MN) / Ont. - Map (1)(2)

mostly: Apr-Jun (BG data)

nymphs and adults feed on leaves of oak (Quercus spp.) (3); on red oak Q. buckleyi in central Texas (4)

one generation per year; overwinters as an egg

The names "regalis" and "scutellatus" were proposed at the same time (in 1890 by Uhler) but regalis was designated the type species of the genus Trigonotylus at that time, so the name "regalis" has been retained instead of "scutellatus". (5)

Uhler, P.R. 1890. Observations on North American Capsidae, with descriptions of new species (No. 5). Transactions of the Maryland Academy of Sciences 1: 73–88. Full Text

Blinn (1988) - description of nymphs, seasonality, distribution of color forms, hostplants - AMNH