Hishimonus phycitis (Distant)

Viraktamath, C. A. & Anantha Murthy, H. V., 2014, Review of the genera Hishimonus Ishihara and Litura Knight (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from the Indian subcontinent with description of new species, Zootaxa 3785 (2), pp. 101-138 : 114

Hishimonus phycitis (Distant)

Figs 23–26 , 161–176 .

Eutettix phycitis Distant 1908: 363 –364, fig. 231.

Eutettix lugubris Distant 1918: 60 . Synonymised by Knight 1970a:128 Hishimonus orientalis Emeljanov 1969: 1102 . Synonymised by Knight 1970a:128 Hishimonus phycitis (Distant) , Knight 1970a:128 –130, figs 10, 11, 13.

Knight (1970a) gave an adequate description of the species to which we add details of the female genitalia.

Female genitalia: Female seventh sternite 2.5 times as wide at base as long medially, posterior margin with median notch with lateral triangular projection, posterolateral angles acutely rounded. Gonocoxae I about 0.66 as wide as long. Second pair of valvulae with irregular teeth on dorsoapical margin, ventroapical margin serrated.

Material examined. Numerous specimens from the following locations were examined: INDIA: Delhi: New Delhi; Gujarat: Dandi, Sasangir. Haryana: Sonipat, Kalka. Jammu & Kashmir: Ganganagar; Karnataka: Bangalore, Channapatna, Dharwad, Gadag, Gulbarga, Halebidu, Hoskote, Hunsur, Khanapur, Kemmannagundi, Kodlipeth, Kollegal, Nandi Hills, Raichur, Thithimathi, Vijayapur. Kerala: Meppadi. Maharashtra: Daund, Khandala. Meghalaya: Cherrapunjee. Tamil Nadu: Kodaikanal, Silver Cascade. SRI LANKA: Maskeliya.

Remarks: H. phycitis was described from an unstated number of specimens (syntypes) from “Calcutta (Indian Mus.); Pusa (Lefroy); Purneah (Paiva). Ceylon; Kandy (Green)”. Knight (1970) redescribed the species, based on the type series (BMNH) and designated a female specimen as the lectotype. This species is closely related to H. sellatus but differs principally in the absence of the concavity on the lateral margin of the shafts of the aedeagus. It also resembles H. gillespiei in aedeagal characters but lacks folding on aedeagal shafts and apical fingerlike process on each shaft.

Coloration of this species varies considerably ( Figs 23–26 ) including the development of the median spot. A few of the specimens collected near Thithimathi (Karnataka) in teak ( Tectona grandis ) plantations varied considerably from typical specimens in the coloration and structure of vertex although no significant differences were observed in male genital characters. These specimens have a comparatively more angled vertex in front with brown mottling on the disc as compared to a somewhat broadly rounded greenish yellow vertex (lacking any markings) found in the typical specimens.

Figures

FIGURES 13 – 24. Species of Hishimonus. 13 & 14. H. dwipae sp. nov.; 15 & 16. H. gillespiei Dai, Fletcher & Zhang; 17 & 18. H. indicus (Sohi); 19 & 20. H. nielsoni Knight; 21 & 22. H. pallidus Dai, Fletcher & Zhang; 23 & 24 H. phycitis (Distant), pale color morph. Figs 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23. Dorsal view; Figs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24. Dorsolateral view.

FIGURES 25 – 38. Species of Hishimonus and Litura. 25 & 26. H. phycitis (Distant) dark color morph; 27 & 28. H. spicans sp. nov.; 29 & 30. H. thapai sp. nov.; 31 – 33. H. viraktamathi Knight, color variation; 34 & 35. H. zeylanicus sp. nov.; 36 & 37. Litura unda Knight; 38. Litura triangula sp. nov. Figs 25, 27, 29, 31, 32, 34, 36, 38. Dorsal view; Figs 26, 28, 30, 33, 35, 37. Dorsolateral view.

FIGURES 161 – 176. Hishimonus phycitis (Distant). 161. Head and thorax, dorsal view; 162. Head and thorax, profile; 163. Face; 164. Head and thorax, variation; 165. Male pygofer, lateral view; 166. Subgenital plate, ventral view; 167. Male valve, ventral view; 168. Style, dorsal view; 169. Apex of apophysis of style, lateral view; 170. Connective, dorsal view; 171. Aedeagus, posterior view ;; 172. Aedeagal shaft, lateral view 173. Female sternite VII, ventral view; 174. Base of first pair of valvulae, ventral view; 175. Second pair of valvula, lateral view; 176. Apex of second pair of valvulae, lateral view magnified.