Equirria phalaena Distant, 1917

Löcker, Holger, Löcker, Birgit & Holzinger, Werner E., 2009, Revision of the Derbidae of Seychelles Islands (Insecta: Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha), Zootaxa 2221, pp. 1-26 : 9

Equirria phalaena Distant, 1917

( Fig. 4 )

Equirria phalaena Distant, 1917: 290 .

Type. Holotype, 3 (examined, not dissected), SEYCHELLES, Mahé: pinned, labelled (round label with red border) Type, H. T., (handwritten) Equirria phalaena Type Dist., Mahe ’08-09’, Seychelles Exp., (handwritten) 110, (handwritten) Spec. figd., Seychelle Islands, Percy Sladen Trust Expedition, 1913-170 ( BMNH).

Remarks. This is the only specimen known of this species. Therefore, in order to preserve all the external structures, the specimen has not been dissected. This means that no description of the male genitalia can be provided at this stage. However, the diagnostic features mentioned above and in the identification key should allow easy identification of this species.

Description. The original description is accurate. Head without subantennal processes. Antennae large. Apex of head rounded in lateral view. Frons narrow but not linear (carinae not contiguous). Lateral pronotal carinae and ventral lateral margins of pronotum not foliately raised. Forewings without setiferous tubercles; M forked distinctly basad of level of apex of clavus. Hindwing more than half as long as forewing. Resting position with wings folded above abdomen. Hind tibia without lateral spines; with 5 apical teeth with the outermost spine separated from the other 4 spines by a large diastema; 1st and 2nd tarsomere with 4 apical teeth. Body length 4.1 mm, forewing length 6.5 mm.

Distribution. Mahé, “near Morne Blanc, ca. 800–1000 feet ” ( Distant 1917: 290).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Equirria phalaena (holotype): A habitus dorsal; B face; C forewing. Scalebar 1 mm applies to figure A; scalebar 0.5 mm applies to figure B; scalebar 2 mm applies to figure C.