Bergrothista andasibensis, Heiss, 2010

Heiss, E., 2010, New taxa and systematic assignments of Madagascan Aradidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), Zootaxa 2728, pp. 23-38 : 32-33

Bergrothista andasibensis n. sp.

(Photo 14,17)

Material examined. Holotype ♀: Madagascar / Andasibe – Périnet / 31 XII 2004 R.Dolin // Holotype ♀ / Bergrothista / andasibensis n. sp. / des. E.Heiss 2010.

Diagnosis. A small species; its abdomen ovate, only slightly widening posteriorly; its body structures and distribution of flat scales as in villiersi ; but differs from the latter by its smaller size, by genae shorter and unicolorous. the brown dorsum and venter; from maculipennis n. sp. by its much longer antennae and different colouration of the body and membrane.

Description. Macropterous female; round flat scales are scattered on head, pronotum and scutellum, surface of deltg II–VII finely granulate, colouration brown with some lighter spots on deltg II–VII.

Head: Slightly wider than long (15/13); genae as long as clypeus; antenniferous lobes apically blunt as long as clypeus; antennae 2.89 x as long as width of head, length of antennal segments I/II/III/IV = 9.5/5.5/17.5/8.

Pronotum: 1.75x as wide as long (28/16); lateral margins sinuate, anterolateral angles subacute; disk on anterior half with scales, posterior half granulate.

Scutellum: Triangular and wider than long (17/13); lateral margins carinate, basal carina and posterior disk beset with flat scales.

Abdomen: Lateral margins of deltg II–VI straight, pe-angles V and VI slightly protruding, VII triangular; paratergites VIII as long as deltg VII but longer than truncate tergites IX+X.

Venter: Metathoracic scent gland canal and stridulatory file on vltg III developed; spiracles II–IV ventral far from lateral margin, V sublateral but not visible, VI–VIII lateral, visible from above.

Hemelytra: Membrane uniformly dark brown and finely rugose.

Legs: As in other species of Bergrothista .

Measurements. Length 4.6 mm; width of abdomen across tergite IV 40.5, V 40 and VI 35.

Etymology. Named after the type locality Andasibe (Périnet), a place where many other interesting Aradidae were discovered.

Distribution. To date only known from the type locality Andasibe.

Discussion. Although there is only a single female specimen available, its clear differences to villiersi and maculipennis n. sp. have made it necessary to classify and describe it as a new species.

PHOTOS 13–18. Bergrothista species. 13― villiersi ♀ (Périnet); 14― andasibensis n. sp., holotype ♀ (Andasibe); 15― maculipennis n. sp., holotype ♂ (Périnet); 16― villiersi ♀ (Périnet, ventral; 17― andasibensis n. sp., holotype ♀ ventral; 18― maculipennis n. sp., paratype ♀ (S Imaha), ventral.