Sinophlaeoba bannaensis Niu et Zheng, 2005

Mao, Ben-Yong, Ou, Xiao-Hong & Ren, Guo-Dong, 2008, Description of two new species of Sinophlaeoba and the female of S. bannaensis (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from Yunnan, China, Zootaxa 1899, pp. 34-42 : 39-41

Sinophlaeoba bannaensis Niu et Zheng, 2005

( Figs. 24–25 )

Sinophlaeoba bannaensis Niu et Zheng, 2005: 762 –764, Figs. 1–9 .

Material examined. 1 male (paratype, is deposited in the Faculty of Conservation Biology, Southwest Forestry College), CHINA: Yunnan: Mengla: Mt. Nangongshan, 21°36'N, 101°25'E, 1000m, 25 Jul. 2004, collected by Yao Niu. Topotypes: 2 males, 1 female, CHINA: Yunnan: Mengla: Mt. Nangongshan, 21°36'N, 101°24'E, 1200m, 20 Nov. 2007, collected by Ben-yong Mao ( CLDU).

Description. Female ( Fig. 25 ). Size medium. Head slightly shorter than pronotum (5.5: 6.0mm). Fastigium forwards prominent, apical margin roundly angular, lateral margin somewhat raised, length in front of eyes as long as width or 1.35 times larger than interocular distance.

Vertex with a median longitudinal carina. Face strongly oblique in profile. Frontal ridge narrow with longitudinal sulcus throughout; with lateral margins somewhat parallel above median ocellus, gradually expanding below it; lateral facial carinae straight. Gena nearly smooth. Antennae ensiform, backward touching hind margin of pronotum; 3rd–12th segments prismatoidal, others laterally compressed. All ocelli small. Eyes long oval, longitudinal diameter 1.54 times as long as horizontal one, and 1.11 times longer than subocular furrow. Pronotum with anterior margin nearly straight, posterior margin broadly rounded; median carina distinct, only intersected by posterior sulcus; lateral carinae parallel; disc with irregular short carinae and rough points between lateral carinae; prozona 1.86 times as long as metazona. Prosternum flat. Mesosternal lobes 1.25 times as wide as long; mesosternal interspace as long as minimum width; lateral lobes of metasterum clear separate. Brachypterous, tegmina dorsad contiguous, nearly reaching middle of 3rd abdominal tergite, faintly longer than wings. Hind femur laterally compressed; upper carina weakly smooth; lower knee lobes roundly angular. Hind tibia with 10 external and 12 internal spines on dorsal side, external apical spine absent. Hind tarsi with arolium surpassing middle of claw. Tympana opening oval. Supra-anal plate triangular with median area raised and lateral areas downward reclinate. Cerci short conical, not surpassing beyond apex of supraanal plate. Ovipositor valves without teeth along outer margins. Posterior margin of subgenital plate straight, but projecting in middle.

Coloration. Body yellowish brown. Thorax with sternum yellowish green; abdominal sternum greenish yellow, hind femur with lower sides greenish yellow. Hind tibia dark blue.

Measurements (mm). Length of body: female 31.0; length of pronotum: female 6.0; length of tegmen: female 8.2; length of hind femur: female 16.3.

Distribution. China: Yunnan (Mengla).

Remarks. The female of the species is described for the first time. The three specimens of two males and one female captured from the type locality in 2007 could be regarded as topotypes.

Biology. The food plants of this species have not been definite, but all specimens were captured from gramineous plants, which generally survive under south subtropical monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest and are common in the wet and half-shady zone at medium elevation (1000–1200m) in Mengla County, such as Arthraxon hispidus (Thunb.) Makino. The nymphs can be found from July to November at least in field.

Figures

FIGURES 24 – 28. dorsal and lateral views of body. 24 – 25. Sinophlaeoba bannaensis Niu et Zheng, 2005; 26. Sinophlaeba laoyinshan sp. nov.; 27 – 28. Sinophlaeba brachyptera sp. nov.; 24, 26 – 27. male; 25, 28. female.

FIGURES 1 – 10. Sinophlaeba laoyinshan sp. nov. 1. male body, lateral view; 2. male head and pronotum, dorsal view; 3. male mesosternum and metasternum; 4. male left tegmen; 5. male terminalia, dorsal view; 6 – 8. epiphallus, dorsal, posterior and lateral views; 9 – 10. phallic complex, lateral and dorsal views. Scale bars = 1 mm.