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Entomological Society of America Proposal Form for New Common Name or Change of ESA-Approved Common Name

Complete this form and e-mail to [email protected]. Submissions will not be considered unless this form is filled out completely.

The proposer is expected to be familiar with the rules, recommendations, and procedures outlined in the “Use and Submission of Common Names” on the ESA website at https://www.entsoc.org/pubs/use-and-submission-common-names.

1. Proposed new common name: seed bug

2. Previously approved common name (if any): none

3. Scientific name (genus, species, author): melanocephalus (Fabricius) :

Supporting Information

4. Please provide a clear and convincing explanation for why a common name is needed, possibly including but not limited to the taxon’s economic, ecological, or medical importance, striking appearance, abundance, or conservation status:

Arocatus melanocephalus is an emerging pest in the intermountain west and British Columbia where elm grows and has the propensity to become a major pest in other states east of the Rocky Mountains, such as Michigan. In Utah, this has become a major nuisance pest infesting homes and structures by the hundreds, or thousands, causing occupants major distress and discomfort. As the head diagnostician for Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab, I have received more calls and sample submissions for this insect than any other in the last ten years. Because this pest affects so many people, it is critical that a common name be established to improve the communication of biological and management information to a broad range of audiences, especially non-entomologists.

Since its detection in 2009, mention of in most North American publications have referred to the insect as the “elm seed bug” (excluding ESA pubs). As a major nuisance pest, and one that will be of

4/17/18 increasing prevalence and concern in the intermountain west and beyond, a designated common name for this insect is necessary so that all new information developed about this insect can be standardized.

The fact sheets/articles below help to clarify the taxon’s abundance and economic and ecological impacts. Currently, workers in at least three countries (United States of America, Canada and Italy) refer to Arocatus melanocephalus as the “elm seed bug.”

• Elm seed bugs. Utah State University Extension Fact Sheet ENT-186-17 • Managing Elm Seed Bugs around Your Home. University of Idaho Extension CIS 1223 • Elm seed bug, Arocatus melanocephalus: an exotic, invasive pest new to the U.S. Idaho State Department of Agriculture. • Elm seed and tuxedo bugs: new invasive seed bugs in British Columbia. British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture pest alert. • Rose’s VanderWerp identifies new Michigan bug. PCT Online.

5. Stage or characteristic to which the proposed common name refers.

The common name refers to the habit of all active feeding stages (adults, nymphs) to feed on seeds of elm (Ulmus spp.). Furthermore, it is a of “seed bug”, of the Hemipteran family Lygaeidae.

Images of these posted at BugGuide can be viewed at: https://bugguide.net/node/view/676409/bgimage

6. Distribution (references are supplied as embedded hyperlinks): This insect is native to Europe, but occurs in Asia and North America.

The first U.S. detection was in Idaho (2009).

Other U.S. reports, all using the name “elm seed bug”, include: Oregon, Washington, Utah, Colorado, and, most recently, Michigan.

I have received a personal communication from Jeff Knight (University of Nevada) of its detection in Nevada and it is known from British Columbia, Canada. A distribution record in BugGuide indicates it is also present in Montana.

Additional world records of this species occur in Asia (China (*Xinjiang), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Turkey) and Europe (Andorra, Austria, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Moldavia, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, (Central European Territory, South European Territory), Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine).

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7. Principal hosts (include references):

Arocatus melanocephalus develops on the seeds of elm (Ulmus spp.) particularly English elm (U. campestris) and Siberian elm (U. pumila).

There are some European reports of it being collected from linden and , but these are likely incidental collections.

8. Please provide multiple references indicating clearly that the proposed name is already established and ideally widespread in use. If the name has been newly coined for purposes of this application, please state so:

• Bug Guide • Elm seed bug used in Canadian literature (British Columbia). • In North America, the name elm seed bug is widely used by states that have populations of Arocatus melanocephalus (see links in section 6). • The Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbook references Arocatus melanocephalus as the elm seed bug. • In addition to a fact sheet, Utah State University has included Arocatus melanocephalus as the “elm seed bug” in numerous publications, outreach presentations, phone conversations, press releases, and newspaper, TV and radio interviews. • In Utah, the common name “elm seed bug” has generally been adopted by academics, professionals, residents and beyond. Similar use of elm seed bug has occurred in Idaho and other states where populations occur. • Syngenta also listed “elm seed bug” on its Demand CS FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendation.

9. Please identify any common names in use (include references) that have been applied to this taxon other than the one herein proposed. Please justify why each alternate name is inadequate:

None. Elm seed bug is the only common name that has ever been applied to this insect in North America.

10. Please identify any other organisms to which your proposed common name could apply, giving careful consideration to closely related taxa. Please justify why the proposed common name is (i) unsuitable for each of those taxa and/or (ii) better suited for the proposed taxon:

There are presently no other seed feeding bugs on elm in the United States.

11. Please document your efforts to consult with entomologists (including taxonomic specialists), colleagues, or other professionals who work with the taxon as to the suitability and need for the proposed common name. Please note

4/17/18 that this is an important element of your proposal; proposals that do not document these steps are less likely to be successful.

If the ESA Common Names committee wishes a further survey of this proposed name by Extension workers and/or taxonomists, this can be arranged. However, the proposed name does seem to have been universally and independently adopted by all states where this species has become established.

Proposed by: Ryan Davis

Address: 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 435-797-2435

Date submitted: 5-8-2019

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