Penthicodes caja caja (Walker, 1851)

Figs. 5 A–E, 25.

Diagnostic characters: (1) tegmina with white patch along sutural margin and along costal margin on nodal line of cross-veins (Fig. 5 A); (2) legs I and II dark brown with pale yellow rings (Fig. 5 E); (3) dark-brown to black-brown markings of tegmina large and irregular, also on membrane, ground colour of membrane paler (Fig. 5 A); (4) disc of hind wings orange with base red, and with 4 (3–6) black spots, one elongate black line near base and 1–4 small white spots (Fig. 5 A); (5) abdominal tergites black medially (Fig. 5 A).

LT: ɞ (n = 1): 28.0 mm; Ψ (n = 3): 30.9 mm (30.1 – 32.0). Wingspan: Ψ (n = 3): 56.7 mm (55.4 – 57.5).

Note: the species is easy to recognize by the large, irregular, dark brown markings of the tegmina, and the subspecies is easily recognized by the disc of hind wings orange with base red.

Distribution (Fig. 25): Bengladesh, India (N), Laos *, Myanmar *, Thailand, Vietnam (* = new data).

Typical material examined: Bengladesh: photo of the holotype Ψ labeled: [Silhet – on the reverse – 46 48] [Type] [Holo-type] (BMNH) coordinates of Silhet (= Sylhet): 24°53'N 91°52'E.

Notes: the original description refers to a male specimen but Walker and other authors very often confused males and females in Fulgoridae and other Fulgoromorphs, e.g. Eurybrachidae .

1 Ψ labeled [Silhet] [Stevens] [ caja W. (B.M.)] [Typus] [497 58] [383 61] [Riksmuseum Stockholm] [NHRS-HEMI 000000032] (NHRS) has also been examined. This sspecimen is not regarded as typical because the original description refers to one specimen from Mr. Stainforth collection while this specimen is from Mr. Stevens’ collection.

Material examined: 2 Ψ: no data (MHNL). Myanmar: 2 Ψ: Dawna, vi.1992 (MHNL) coordinates: 16°50'N 98°15'E; Laos: 1 Ψ: Phong Saly (= Phôngsali), viii.1920, R. Vitalis de Salvaza (RBINS) coordinates: 21°41'N 102°06'E; 1 ɞ: idem, v.1920 (FSAG). Thailand: 2 Ψ: Thailand (GGC); 2 Ψ: Chiang Mai, iv1992, M. Donskoff (MNHN) coordinates: 18°47'N 98°59'E. India: 1 ɞ, 1 Ψ: Sikkim, Elwes (FSAG) coordinates: 27°45'N 88°30'E; 1 ɞ, 2 Ψ: Sikkim (NHRS).

Note: 1 Ψ erroneously labeled from N Celebes, ex coll. E.P. VanDuzee (CAS) has also been examined.

Additional data: Vietnam: 1 ɞ: Vinh Phuc province, Tam Dao National Park, vi.2000, alt 1000m, H.T. Pham (IEBR) coordinates: 21°29'N 105°38'E.

Data compliled by A. Wessel and S. Seidel: India: 1 ɞ: Darjeeling, det. V. Lallemand (ZMHB) 2 ex.: Sikkim (SMTD).