Engytatus passionarius sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Miridae), a new natural enemy of the invasive stinking passion flower Passiflora foetida L.

Abstract

The new plant bug Engytatus passionarius sp. nov. from Formosa province in northern Argentina is described. This new dicyphine was always found in association with the sticky herbaceous vine Passiflora (Dysosmia) foetida L. (Passifloraceae), a species native to the Americas and an important invasive weed in some countries including Australia. The apparent host specificity, the ability to traverse the adhesive exudates of the glandular trichomes and the damage caused by nymphal and adult feeding make E. passionarius sp. nov. an interesting option for further research as a biological control agent. In this paper, a diagnosis, description and illustrations of adult, including the male genitalia, of this new species, as well as a key to the Argentinian species of Engytatus are provided.