Planiblatta Luo & Wang, 2023

Luo, Xin-Xing, Deng, Wen-Bo, Che, Yan-Li & Wang, Zong-Qing, 2023, Two new genera (Vittiblatta gen. nov. and Planiblatta gen. nov.) of Blattinae (Blattodea, Blattidae) from Southwest China and the discovery of chirally dimorphic male genitalia in Vittiblatta punctata sp. nov., ZooKeys 1187, pp. 401-421 : 401

Planiblatta Luo & Wang gen. nov.

Type species.

Planiblatta crassispina Luo & Wang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis.

This genus belongs to subfamily Blattinae (front femur of type A2, tarsi long and slender, cerci long and distinctly segmented, subgenital plate symmetrical) and can be distinguished from other genera of Blattinae by the following characters: 1) this sexually dimorphic genus can be distinguished from sexually monomorphic genera (see the diagnosis of Vittiblatta gen. nov.); 2) the genus (male macropterous, female micropterous) can be distinguished from the genera that female are apterous (see the diagnosis of Vittiblatta gen. nov.) and brachypterous ( Vittiblatta gen. nov., Cartoblatta , Scabinopsis , Bundoksia ); 3) hind metatarsus of this genus is longer than or equal to the remaining segments combined, distinguished from Eumethana and Scabinopsis ; 4) visible tergal gland could be used to differ from Cartoblatta , Periplaneta s.s., and Blatta ; 5) mesonotum and metanotum of this genus without finger-like projections can be distinguished from Pseudoderopeltis ; 6) as mentioned in the diagnosis of Vittiblatta gen. nov., the difference of sclerite L4C and R1G within a genus is stable, this new genus (L4C curved and subhyaline, R1G with two curved, strong spines) can be distinguished from 10 genera of Blattinae (see the diagnosis of Vittiblatta gen. nov.).

Generic description.

Sexual dimorphism present. Male. Body flat. Antennae longer than the body. Pronotum subelliptical. The posterior-lateral angles of metanotum without finger-like projections. Tegmina and wings well developed, surpassing the tip of abdomen. Front femur of type A2; hind metatarsus equal to the remaining segments combined; pulvilli present, pulvilli of front metatarsus developed; claws symmetrical and unspecialized, arolium moderate. First tergite of the male abdomen with visible gland, setose gland not obscured by metanotum. Posterolateral corners of abdominal tergite V-VII produced. Supra-anal plate short, the hind margin slightly concave. The hind margin of subgenital plate straight. L2 folded, the dorsal sclerite broad, the distal part with one long spine. L3 unciform and the distal part bifurcated, longer than other sclerites. L4C less sclerotized, curved and subhyaline. The inner margin of R1H with two strong spines. The distal part of R1G with two curved and strong spines. Female. Tegmina and wings reduced. Tegmina small lobes. Hind wings absent. Spermatheca branched, the leading duct longer than the branching duct, the end capsule oval.

Etymology.

The generic epithet is from two Latin words " plan " and " blatta ", in reference to the flat male body. The gender of Planiblatta is feminine.

Distribution.

China (Yunnan).