Neoperla pani Chen & Du

Chen, Zhi-Teng & Du, Yu-Zhou, 2016, A new species of Neoperla (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from Zhejiang Province of China, Zootaxa 4093 (4), pp. 589-594 : 589-590

Neoperla pani Chen & Du , sp. nov.

Figs. 1–9

Adult habitus. General color yellow patterned with brown. Head slightly wider than pronotum, with a dark stigma on anterior frons and a distinct median brown area covering ocelli; compound eyes dark and antennae dark brown ( Fig. 1 ). Pronotum disc pale brown with obscure rugosities and dark brown anterior and lateral margins ( Fig. 1 ). Wing membrane subhyaline, veins brown; coxae pale, distal half of femora and basal part of tibia dark brown, tarsi dark brown. Cerci pale ( Figs. 8, 9 ).

Male ( Figs. 1–6 , 8 ). Forewing length 13.0– 13.5 mm, hindwing length 10.0– 10.5 mm. The posterior margin of tergum 7 with upraised process, covered with dense sensilla basiconica. Tergum 8 with an upcurved tongue-shaped process bearing small spines at distal margin ( Figs. 2–3 ). Tergum 9 without sensilla basiconica. Hemitergal processes of tergum 10 slightly curved medially ( Fig. 2 ). Aedeagal tube strongly sclerotized, ventroapically with a pair of curved finger-like lobes, each lobe gradually enlarging to apex. Aedeagal sac short and gradually tapering to apex; curved ventrally and bearing fine spinules apically ( Figs. 4 –6 ).

Female ( Figs. 7 , 9 ). Forewing length 14.0– 14.5 mm, hindwing length 11.0– 11.5 mm. Subgenital plate with a median sclerotized area, forming a semicircular notch at the tip ( Fig. 7 ).

Type material. Holotype: male, China: Zhejiang Province, Taizhou City, Xianju County, Dan Zhu Primeval Forest, 28.6403 N, 120.5431 E, 2015. X.18, Zhi-Xiang Pan. Paratypes: 2 males and 1 female, same data as holotype.

Etymology. The species is named for Zhi-Xiang Pan, who collected the types.

Diagnosis. The aedeagal tube of this species has two separate curved finger-like lobes, each lobe gradually enlarging to apex. Additionally, the aedeagal sac is gradually tapering to apex and has fine spinules apically.

Remarks. The new species is a member of the N. clymene group. The aedeagal tube and sac of the new species is similar to that of N. duratubulata Du, 1999 , N. biprojecta Du, 2001 , N. qingyuanensis Yang & Yang, 1995 , N. brevistyla Li & Murányi, 2013 and N. yentu Cao & Bae, 2007 (Du 1999, Du 2001, Li et al. 2013a, Yang & Yang 1995, Qin et al. 2013, Cao et al. 2007, Stark & Sivec 2008). However, in N. duratubulata , the aedeagal tube is thinner and the lobes do not enlarge gradually (see Fig. 25– 13 in Du 1999). In N. biprojecta , the lobes are much shorter and not curved (see Figs. 3–4 in Li et al. 2013a). In N. qingyuanensis , the aedeagal tube is much longer and the lobes do not enlarge apically (see Fig. 7 in Li et al. 2013a). In N. brevistyla , the aedeagal tube and sac is much longer, and the lobes are very small (see Figs. 1–2 in Qin et al. 2013). In N. yentu , the aedeagal tube is longer and the lobes are smaller. (see Figs. 75–77 in Stark & Sivec 2008). In addition, the new species can be easily distinguished by the distinct head pattern.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 3. Neoperla pani, sp. nov. 1. Male head and pronotum, dorsal view; 2 – 3. Male terminalia: 2. dorsal view, 3. lateral view.

FIGURES 4 – 7. Neoperla pani, sp. nov. 4 – 5. Aedeagus before eversion: 4. lateral view, 5. ventral view; 6. Aedeagus, lateral view; 7. Female terminalia, ventral view.

FIGURES 8 – 9. Neoperla pani, sp. nov. 8. Male habitus, dorsal view; 9. Female habitus, dorsal view.