Sinosticta sylvatica, Yu, Xin & Bu, Wenjun, 2009

Yu, Xin & Bu, Wenjun, 2009, Description of two new damselflies, Protosticta zhengi and Sinosticta sylvatica, from China (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae), Zootaxa 2245, pp. 54-58 : 55

Sinosticta sylvatica sp. nov.

( Figs. 1–9 )

Material. Holotype: 3, China, Hainan, Diaoluoshan Nature Reserve, N 18° 39.978΄, E 109°55.954΄, 620m, 29-V-2007, leg. Xin Yu. Paratype: 1 3, China, Hainan, Yinggeling Nature Reserve, Hongmao, N 19°04.343΄, E 109°31.687΄, 470m, 25-V-2007, leg. Xin Yu. Holotype and Paratype will be deposited at Institute of Entomology, Life Sciences College of Nankai University, Tianjin, China.

Etymology. Species epithet is in reference to a deep forest where the new species was collected.

Description. Male. Labium, labrum, bases of mandibles, and genae yellow; anteclypeus and most parts of postclypeus greenish-blue, base of postclypeus black; frons black, with two large pale greenish-blue spots on each side ( Fig. 7 ); vertex including antennae black, with two small yellow spots distal to each lateral ocellus ( Fig. 2 ); postocular spots blue; postoccipital stripe absent. Anterior lobe of prothorax ( Fig. 3 ) blue; middle lobe black dorsally, with two large circular pale blue spots each sides, and yellow laterally; posterior lobe black; synthorax ( Fig. 2 ) black dorsally, with yellow antehumeral stripe; sides yellow, with a black stripe along mesothoracic pleural suture; legs pale yellow, with brown stripes on extensor surfaces of femora and tibiae; wings hyaline; pterostigmata deep brown, braced, each covering two cells; wing base sclerites blue. Abdomen black, with yellow and blue as follows: lateral of S1-2, lateral 0.80 of S3-8 yellow; S9-10 blue dorsally. Cerci blue, longer than S10, a little longer than black paraprocts ( Figs. 4–6 ). Head of genital ligula round, with digit-like apical lobes, short lateral branch on each apical lobe ( Figs. 8–9 ).

Measurements (mm): abdomen + appendages 40.0; hind wing 29.0.

Diagnosis. This new species is similar to Sinosticta debra in body size and coloration pattern, but differs by cerci a little longer than paraprocts, cerci apex acuter than S. debra and without subdistal inner horns. Also, unlike S. debra , the new species lacks narrow black stripe along the third lateral suture ( Fig. 2 ) but has a pair of large pale colored spots on the frons ( Fig. 7 ).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 9. Sinosticta sylvatica sp. nov., male: (1) left forewing; (2) head and thorax; (3) pronotum, dorsal; (4) caudal appendages, dorsal; (5) caudal appendages, lateral; (6) caudal appendages, ventral; (7) face; (8) genital ligula, ventral; (9) genital ligula, lateral.