Sub-brachypterous form of <i>Nysius caledoniae</i> Distant (Hemiptera: Orsillidae) found in Bay of Plenty

Abstract

Nysius caledoniae is a species of seed bug found across many islands in the South Pacific including Australia. N. caledoniae was first sighted in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2006. Here, we report finding six specimens of N. caledoniae in Te Puke from 2014 to 2015. In 2014 a male N. caledoniae was found during searches for N. huttoni. The following summer three N. caledoniae were caught in wind vane traps set up in loadout zones of kiwifruit orchards in Te Puke, one of which appears to be sub-brachypterous. Another male N. caledoniae was found feeding on cudweed in a Paengaroa orchard in March. A sub-brachypterous female N. caledoniae was also found in an artificial hibernation hide on May 29 th on the Plant and Food Te Puke Research station.