Bhaskaraena webbi, Constant, 2016
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.13272762 |
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publication LSID |
lsid:zoobank.org:pub:57C2CB38-DBC2-4650-8566-D3A3AD033A10 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/039287A8-FFC6-FF9F-FDC0-FF33789D85D8 |
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treatment provided by |
Felipe |
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scientific name |
Bhaskaraena webbi |
| status |
sp. nov. |
Bhaskaraena webbi View in CoL sp. nov.
DIAGNOSIS. The species can be easily separated from B. nigrifrons sp. nov. using the above key.
ETYMOLOGY. The species is dedicated to Mr Mick Webb (BMNH) in acknowledgement for his help for many years.
TYPE MATERIAL. Holotype ♀: [Malaya, Pahang Nr Karak, Chintamani , Jungle light, Aug. 22 nd 1935.] [Ex F.M.S. Museum., B.M. 1955-354] ( BMNH).
DESCRIPTION
Measurements and ratios: LT: ♀ (n = 1): 22.8 mm. Ratio BV/LV = 1.15; LF/BF = 0.8; LTg/BTg = 3.21.
Head: Vertex slightly longer than broad, excavate, reddish yellow with small black points ( Fig. 5 B View Fig ). Frons yellow-brown with black points sometimes fused together between carinae ( Fig. 5 D View Fig ); carinae slightly projecting anteriorly; frons slightly convex in side view ( Fig. 5 F View Fig ). Genae pale yellow-brown; sides of vertex higher than eye, visible above eye in lateral view and roundly angular at mid-length of eye ( Fig. 5 F View Fig ). Cephalic process pointed, projecting anterodorsally, pale yellow-brown ( Fig. 5 D, F View Fig ); anterior face with brown median line, darker in middle ( Fig. 5 D View Fig ). Clypeus convex, carinate on apical half, with sides sinuate; base narrower than frons; brown variegated with yellow-brown ( Fig. 5 D View Fig ). Antennae dark brown ( Fig. 5 D, F View Fig ).
Thorax: Pronotum brown variegated with yellow-brown, with small black points, and transverse dark brown marking along posterior margin ( Fig. 5 B View Fig ). Sides of pronotum brown variegated with yellow-brown; pale yellow spot on anterior margin, behind eye ( Fig. 5 F View Fig ). Mesonotum brown variegated with yellow-brown with small black spots, with black-brown markings on lateral fields, one v-shaped along anterior margin and one near posterior margin ( Fig. 5 B View Fig ). Scutellum flattened ( Fig. 5 F View Fig ). Tegulae yellow-brown ( Fig. 5 B, F View Fig ).
Tegmina: ( Fig. 5 A View Fig ) Reddish with irregular brown markings; costal area brown with pale yellow-brown markings; apical half of membrane mostly brown, with white spots along apical margin; small white marking along sutural margin, on nodal line.
Hind wings: ( Fig. 5 A, C View Fig ) Dark brown with central elongate hyaline patch. Three elongate red markings originating from base: one extending on anal area to half length; one along claval joint on 2/3 of length and one along costal margin on basal half; brown areas between red markings tinged with red. Veins black-brown, red on anal and claval red areas and on basal half of costal red area.
Legs: ( Fig. 5 A, C View Fig ) Elongate and slender. Pro- and mesocoxae brown with pale yellow markings; metacoxae brown. Pro- and mesofemora brown with three oblique pale yellow rings, narrowing from base to apex; metafemora brown with pale yellow markings. Pro- and mesotibiae brown with 2 pale yellow rings. Pro- and mesotarsi brown. Metatibiae and metatarsi brown.
Abdomen: ( Fig. 5 A, C View Fig ) Red dorsally; genital segments and ventral face black-brown.
DISTRIBUTION
Known from Peninsular Malaysia in the Pahang state. See map Fig. 3 View Fig .
Discussion
The new genus Bhaskaraena gen. nov. shows a distribution within Sundaland, a biogeographic region covering Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo and small surrounding islands. Hence, the presence of the genus in Sumatra and Java can reasonably be expected, probably with new species.
Specimens of Bhaskaraena gen. nov. are very scarce in collections. They are probably very difficult to spot in the field because of their cryptic colour when sitting on tree trunks. Nothing is known of the biology of those insects and, despite of their motivation, none of the nature photographers I am in contact with in Malaysia and Borneo has ever observed a specimen.
It is interesting to note that Bhaskaraena gen. nov. is, with Neoalcathous Wang & Huang, 1989 ( China) and Egregia Chew Kea Foo, Porion & Audibert, 2010 (Borneo and Sumatra), the third recently described genus of Fulgoridae from the Oriental region, all three containing 2 species, 78 years after Datua Schmidt, 1911 ( BOURGOIN, 2015). Despite their large size and bright colour, lanternflies are not easy to locate in nature and large portions of the region remain unexplored in terms of Fulgoridae . More interesting discoveries may be expected with the continued exploration of the Asian forests. As fulgorids depend on trees of the forest for their food and habitat, it is clear that deforestation is the major threat to those insects.
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