Phanerotomella gigantea Granger 1949

Phanerotomella gigantea Granger 1949: 211 (key), 215 (descr. ɗ, Madagascar).

Phanerotomella gigantea Granger 1949: Shenefelt 1973: 930 (cat.).

Phanerotomella gigantea Granger 1949: Sigwalt 1977: 530 (fig. 3).

Phanerotomella gigantea Granger 1949: Zettel 1989: 69 (key), 75 (tax., descr. ɗ, Madagascar), 132 (figs. 232-236).

Distribution: Madagascar: Prov. Toamasina: Andekaleka (Rogez) – Province Fianarantsoa*: NP Ranomafana – Province Antsiranana*: Marojejy NP – Prov. Toliara*: Ivohibe.

Endemic.

New data: 2ΨΨ & 2ɗɗ, “ MADAGASCAR: Province Fianarantsoa, Parc National Ranomafana, radio tower at forest edge, elev 1130 m, 5–15.VII.2002; 21°15.05’S - 47°24.43’E; coll: M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala” “California Acad of Sciences, malaise, mixed tropical forest, MA-02-09B-34”; 4 ΨΨ & ɗ, “ MADAGASCAR: Province Fianarantsoa, Parc National Ranomafana, radio tower at forest edge, elev 1130 m, 5–15.VII.2002; 21°15.05’S - 47°24.43’E; coll: M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala” “California Acad of Sciences, malaise, mixed tropical forest, MA-02- 09B-34”; Ψ, “ MADAGASCAR: Toliara, Foret Ivohibe 55km N Tolagnaro, 2–4.XII.2006; 24˚34'08"S - 047˚12'14"E; California Acad of Sciences” “colls B.L.Fisher et al., yellow pan trap, elev 200 m, rainforest, BLF15449”; Ψ, “ MADAGASCAR: Province Antsiranana, Marojejy National Park, 5 km W Manantenina village, Camp Mantella, 28.IV – 7.V.2005; 14°26.29'S - 49°46.44'E; California Acad of Sciences” “colls M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala, malaise trap, low altitude rainforest, elev. 490 m, MA-31-20”.

Comments: The body shows a great variation in length (3.5 to 6.2 mm), males are usually smaller than females. The scapus are mostly whitish but sometimes a small blackish patch is present on the outer side. The hind coxae are sometimes entirely whitish.