Zhengitettix binduseni Dawwrueng et Vitheepradit, 2024

Dawwrueng, Pattarawich & Vitheepradit, Akekawat, 2024, The genus Zhengitettix Liang, 1994 (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae: Scelimeninae) from Thailand, with description of a new species, Zootaxa 5397 (4), pp. 589-597 : 593-596

Zhengitettix binduseni Dawwrueng et Vitheepradit sp. nov.

Figs. 3 , 4

Material examined. Holotype-male, Thailand: Ratchaburi Province , Pha Daeng waterfall, environs of Khao Krajom, 800–900m, 24 XII 2019, coll. M. Naiduangchan. Paratypes: 3 males, 1 female, same data as in holotype. Types are deposited in the Entomology Museum, Department of Entomology , Kasetsart University , Bangkok .

Description. Male (holotype). Body large for this genus.

Head and antennae. Head and eyes distinctly exserted above anterior margin of pronotum ( Fig. 3A ). Eyes globose. Antennae long, filiform, 14 segmented, mid segments of antennae (6–8 th) 8.2–8.9 times as long as wide. Antennal sockets situated on the level of lower margin of eyes ( Fig. 3E ). Eyes protruding above pronotum in lateral view ( Fig. 3A ) and distinctly separated from anterior margin of pronotum in dorsal view ( Fig. 3B ). Lateral ocelli placed near the middle of eyes ( Fig. 3E ). Fastigium of vertex about 2.8 times narrower than width of one eye from above; median carina of fastigium reaching middle of eyes ( Fig. 3B ). Frontal costa bifurcated slightly above lateral ocelli ( Fig. 3E ). Frontal ridge divergent between antennae in lateral view, broadly rounded ( Fig. 3A ). Width of frontal ridge near base of antennae very narrower than width of 1st antennal segment ( Fig. 3E ).

Pronotum. Pronotal surface almost smooth, with interhumeral carinae between shoulder ( Fig. 3B ); anterior margin of pronotum truncate, almost straight in dorsal view; posterior process of pronotum very long, reaching the end of hind tibia ( Fig. 3B ). Median carina in profile low, almost straight ( Fig. 3A ). Lateral carina of prozona constricted backward; prozona transverse, 2 times as wide as long ( Fig. 3B ). Hind margin of lateral lobes of pronotum with tegminal (upper) sinus almost twice shallow than lower sinus ( Fig. 3A ); lower part of lateral lobes of pronotum with long, slender, acute and slightly curved spine ( Fig. 3B ).

Wings. Tegmina ovate, with apical margin broadly rounded ( Fig. 3A ); visible part of tegmen 2.6 times as long as wide and 1.4 times as wide as mid femur. Hind wings reached apex of posterior process of pronotum ( Fig. 3A ).

Legs. Fore and mid femora rather long and slender, with lower and upper edges straight ( Fig. 3A ); fore femur 7.0 times, mid femur 6.0 times, and hind femur 3.6 times as long as wide. Dorsal part of hind tibia with 5–6 outer and 3–4 inner teeth. First tarsal segment of hind legs 1.3 times as long as third one (without claws); ventral surface of this segment with three triangular pads, two basal pads slightly larger than apical pad ( Fig. 3A ).

Abdominal apex. Epiproct triangular. Subgenital plate in ventral view with excised apex ( Fig. 3G ), 1.3 times as long as wide; in lateral view, subgenital plate conical ( Fig 3A ). Cerci with attenuated apex, 1.9 times as long as wide near base.

Variations. Paratype of males are similar with holotype, slightly different in the length of body, pronotum and legs. Armament of hind legs insignificantly varied (5–6 outer and 4–6 inner teeth).

General colouration. When alive, Head blackish from above with small light bands along the occiput; eyes blackish brown; antennae light brown ( Fig. 4A ). Genae and frons light brown. Disc of pronotum black with numerous small yellowish spots ( Fig. 4A ). Median carina of pronotum blackish, interrupted with light spots. Humeral carina and lateral carina of pronotum pinkish red; upper part of lateral lobes blackish brown ( Fig. 3A, C ); lower part of lateral lobes whitish brown ( Fig. 4A ). Tegmina black with light brown veins. Hind wings black with light brown veins ( Fig. 4C ). Fore and mid legs black with light bands and spots along the lateral side and ventral margin of femur ( Fig. 4C ). Hind femora brown with a few indistinct dark spots on most part of outer side; lower part of outer side completely black; ventral margin of hind femur whitish brown ( Fig. 4C ). Hind tibia black with dorsolateral margin white, all spines brown. hind tarsi white ( Fig. 4C ). Sternites black. Ventral part of subgenital plate black; but white laterally ( Fig. 4C ). Epiproct blackish. Cerci brown. After preservation, the head and pronotal surface were faded from black to blackish brown, the humeral carina and lateral carina of pronotum turned into brown, and the hind tarsi slightly darker (turned into whitish brown) ( Fig. 3A–B ).

Female (Paratype). Shape and structure of body similar to those of male ( Fig. 3C–D ).Antennae 15-segmented; middle segments of antennae (6–8 th) 7.8–10.5 times as long as wide. Fastigium of vertex 2.9 times narrower than width of one eye from above ( Fig. 3D ). Width of frontal ridge near base of antennae as in male ( Fig. 3F ). Median and lateral carinae of pronotum as in male; prozona transverse, 1.9 times as wide as long ( Fig. 3D ). Visible part of tegmen 2.9 times as long as wide and 1.5 times as wide as mid femur ( Fig. 3C ). Hind wings as in male. Fore femur 6.4 times, mid femur 6.5 times, and hind femur 3.7 times as long as wide. Upper side of hind tibia with 4–5 outer and 5 inner teeth. Ventral surface of first segment with two basal triangular pads as in male, but apical pad narrow ( Fig. 3C ). Epiproct narrowly triangular, with pointed apex. Subgenital plate almost square, about 1.1 as long as wide, the apical process triangular, subacute, surface of plate with shallow transversal creases from apical part to near basal part ( Fig. 3H ). Cerci conical as in male. Valves of ovipositor narrow, dentate; upper valve 4.9 times and lower valve 6.2 times longer than their maximum width.

General coloration. As in male ( Fig. 3C–D , 4B ). Sternites black. Subgenital plate blackish brown with blackish median line but apex of this plate light brown. Ovipositor brown with blackish brown teeth.

Measurements (in mm). Length of body (from frontal ridge to apex of subgenital plate) male 8.1–8.4, female

10.6 pronotum male 12.6–13.9, female 15.1; fore femur male 2.1–2.4, female 3.0; mid femur male 2.1–2.3, female

2.9; hind femur male 5.3–6.0, female 7.2; ovipositor 2.0. Distribution. Thailand: Ratchaburi Province.

Diagnosis. This species is similar to Z. transpicula from China by the fastigium of vertex distinctly narrower toward end between eyes and the lower part of lateral lobes of pronotum with these spines long, acute and almost straight in female. However, this species can be distinguished from female holotype of Z. transpicula by the distinctly larger (pronotum length 15.1mm in female), the coloration of pronotal surface of the new species after preservation blackish brown, the hind tibia entirely black without any light rings, and the shaped of subgenital plate with truncated apex with median projection, whereas the latter species are with a smaller pronotum (about 11mm in length), the coloration of pronotal surface after preservation ochraeus red, the hind tibia black with two light rings, and the shape of subgenital plate with triangular lateral lobes on apical area beside the median projection.

This new species also similar to Z. hosticus from Vietnam by the lower part of lateral lobes of pronotum with curved upward spines in male. However, This species can be distinguished from Z. hosticus by the slightly larger in size (pronotum length 12.6–13.9mm, female 15.1mm), the fastigium of vertex between eyes more narrower (2.8–2.9 times) than an eye, the lower part of lateral lobe of pronotum with long and slender spines, the hind tarsi white and the female subgenital plate with shallow transversal creases from apical part to near basal part, whereas the latter species is a smaller species (pronotum length male 11.2mm, female 11.0– 14.3mm), the fastigium of vertex between eyes more wider (1.7–2.2 times) than an eye, the lower part of lateral lobe of pronotum with relatively short spines, hind tarsi light brown and the female subgenital plate smooth.

This new species also similar to Z. curvispinus from China and Vietnam by the lower part of lateral lobes of pronotum with curved upward spines in male. However, This species can be distinguished from Z. curvispinus by the larger in size (pronotum length 12.6–13.9 mm, female 15.1 mm), the antennal socket situated on the level of the lower margin of eyes, the lower part of lateral lobe of pronotum with more slender spines, the hind tibia black, and the female subgenital plate with shallow transversal creases from apical part to near basal part, whereas the latter species is smaller species (pronotum length in male 9.6–11.2mm and female 9.8–11.8mm), the antennal socket situated slightly below the level of the lower margin of eyes, lower part of lateral lobe of pronotum with slightly thicker spines, hind tibia ochrous with basal part light, and the female subgenital plate with distinct longitudinal creases around the triangular median projection. For other species in Thailand, please see the above key.

Habitats. The new species was collected in moist areas on stones beside the waterfall at elevation 800–900 m.

Etymology. The species epithet is name after Mr. Charnchai Bindusen (Rabbit in the Moon Foundation, Thailand) for his support and suggestion for study about the diversity of Orthoptera from Khao Krajom, Ratchaburi, Thailand.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Zhengitettix binduseni sp. nov. male (Holotype; A, B, E, G) and female (Paratype; C, D, F, H): General habitus, in lateral view (A, C) and dorsal view (B, D); Frons (E–F); Subgenital plate of male (G) and female (H), ventral view.

FIGURE 4. Zhengitettix binduseni sp. nov. male (A, C) and female (B): General habitus when alive, in dorsal view (A–B) and lateral view (C).