Pseudonicsara (P.) pugio, Ingrisch, 2009

Ingrisch, Sigfrid, 2009, Revision of the genus Pseudonicsara Karny, 1912 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae: Agraeciini) 2185, Zootaxa 2185, pp. 1-122 : 39-40

Pseudonicsara (P.) pugio sp. n.

Figs. 3, 60, 95, 129, 172, 204, 232, 285, 305, 348–349, 393, 442–443, 488, 518, 538, map 2.

Holotype (male): Papua New Guinea, East Sepik: D. N. Guinea, Kaiserin Augustafl. Exp. 180, Standlager am Aprilfluss [4° 29' S, 142° 29' E], 12.X.1912, Bürgers, depository: Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt- Universität , Berlin, Germany ( ZMB).

Paratypes: Papua New Guinea, East Sepik: 1 female, KAE 238, Hauptlager bei Malu [4° 14' S, 142° 51' E], 13.I.1913, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 1 female, KAE 266, Lager am Rosensee [Lake Chambri, 4° 18' S, 143° 7' E], 15.II.1913, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 1 female, KAE 112, without precise locality, 1912, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 1 female, New Guinea (NE), Dreikikir [3° 35' S, 142° 45' E], Sepik Distr. , 350 m, 24.VI.1961, J.L. & M. Gressitt ( BPBM) .

Diagnosis. Males of P. pugio are similar to those of P. apicata . The cerci have the apico-internal process in basal half plain, the baso-internal process is curved ventrad; the epiproct is quadrangular; the tenth abdominal tergite has triangular apical lobes. They differ by the apico-internal process of the cercus pointing nearly mediad, gradually narrowing into the apical spine, the baso-internal process having the apex obtuse. The epiproct is wide; the titillators have the margin of the apical parts regularly rounded. The female subgenital plate of P. pugio is similar to that of P. missim in that both share a membranous area in midline, the lobes being only on proximal surface furrowed, and the lateral surface being convex. The female subgenital plate of P. pugio differs by having the baso-internal angle simply rounded, the lobes at baso-lateral angle little projecting; the external margin of the lobes faintly concave, and by having a membranous auricular projection next to the baso-lateral angle on both sides. Differences to other species are outlined in the key.

Description. Fastigium verticis in front of eyes 1.3–1.6 mm, from base 1.8–2.1 mm; dorsal eye length 1.8 mm; greatest diameter of eye 1.9 mm; index fastigium verticis from base: eye length 1.0–1.2. Face rugose but impressed dots rather shallow; surface shining. Tegmen little surpassing hind knees, rather narrow; presubcostal field widened in about basal two thirds, narrow thereafter ( Fig. 3). Femora with the following number of spines on ventral margins: fore femur 8 external, 5-7 internal; mid femur 6-7 external, 3-4 internal near base; hind femur 10-14 external, 5-10 minute internal in basal area.

Male ( Fig. 3). Stridulatory file sinuate, 2.0 mm long; teeth at apex very dense and indistinct; with 72 teeth or 35.7 teeth per mm, in middle of file with 30.4 teeth per mm ( Fig. 60). Mirror pentagonal with rounded angles; hind margin straight; 1.6 mm long, 1.6 mm wide; index length:width = 1.0. Tenth abdominal tergite transverse but slightly globular in middle; apical margin broad roundly excised in middle and triangularly projecting on both sides of excision; setose ( Fig. 95). Epiproct about quadrangular with margins greatly raised and surface deeply grooved ( Fig. 129). Projection of paraproct rather small, obtuse (distorted in specimen at hand). Cerci conical, slightly curved, dorso-internal margin forming a projecting lamella which forms at proximal end a compressed, curved projection which is widening and faintly bilobate at apex; distal lobe carrying a spinule at tip; distal end of lamella forming a long acute projection just before obtuse apex of cercus ( Figs. 172, 204, 232). Subgenital plate with deep and narrow apical excision; styli small ( Fig. 285).

Titillators separate; basal parts rather broad, band-shaped; apical parts circa ovoid, surface with clinging hairs, margin granular, little undulate; central membranous area with dark, granular spots ( Figs. 305, 348–349, 393). Baso-lateral sclerites rather large.

Female. Ninth abdominal tergite with ventro-lateral apical area slightly swollen but smooth. Tenth abdominal tergite transverse, furrowed in midline; epiproct rounded; surface depressed. Subgenital plate divided by a membranous zone into two roughly triangular lobes with obtuse apex; at both sides with a wide furrow; dorso-lateral of lateral margins with a membranous, roughly circular lateral lobe ( Fig. 442–443, 488, 518). Ventral ovipositor valves at very base and above those lateral lobes with an ovoid groove ( Fig. 538).

Coloration. Medium brown (discoloured and green when alive?). Face intensely reddish brown (male) or concolorous (female); fastigium frontis, antennal scrobae, ventral side of scapus, and a spot at base of pedicellus dark brown or black; a transverse band along both sides of clypeo-frontal suture black; ventral area of clypeus and labrum yellow; mandibles for greatest part or only at apex dark brown. Pronotum with the following inconspicuous pattern (sometimes absent): disc and dorsal area of paranota brown with light dots, a large spot before first transverse sulcus and ventral area of paranota yellowish brown. Hind femur yellowish brown, hind knees brown or only with a dark brown spot in ventral area. Fore tibia infumate except at apex and for some light spots in tympanal area. Hind tibia with brown spots at bases of spines or with dorsal surface completely brown but base of spines yellowish, apices of spines dark. Tegmen dark brown with a network of pale green veins and veinlets, sometimes little conspicuous. Ovipositor yellowish brown at base, otherwise reddish brown.

Measurements (1 male, 4 females): body male 37, female 29–37; pronotum male 8.9, female 8.5–9.8; tegmen male 30, female 31.0–34.5; hind femur male 21, female 21.0–24.5; antenna female 105–130; ovipositor 20–23 mm.

Etymology. Name refers to the dagger-shaped apical tooth of the male cerci [Lat. = pugio]; noun in apposition.