Reevaluation of the Genus Triozocera Pierce (Strepsipera: Corioxenidae) in the United States

• Published in: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington Vol. 117; no. 2; pp. 126 - 134
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Entomological Society of Washington 01.04.2015
• Subjects: United States; Mexico
• ISSN: 0013-8797; 2378-6477
• DOI: 10.4289/0013-8797.117.2.126

The status of members of the genus Triozocera occurring in the United States has been inconsistent throughout most of the last century. The first Triozocera species named was T. mexicana from Vera Cruz, Mexico and afterwards most specimens found in the United States were placed in that species. Triozocera texana was the first new species named from the United States but its status has been uncertain, often being considered a synonym of T. mexicana. With the availability of more specimens, it is clear that T. texana should be considered a valid species. In the United States, there is specimen-based evidence that Triozocera is represented by T. texana and T. vernalis but T. mexicana might not occur in the United States. These data leave the only Triozocera host association in the New World in doubt.