Eotrechus sp. A

Tran, Anh Duc, Zettel, Herbert & Sites, Robert W., 2023, Revision of the genus Eotrechus Kirkaldy (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Gerridae), with descriptions of six new species, Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 70 (1), pp. 69-111 : 69

Eotrechus sp. A

Figs 23 , 25

Material examined.

India • 1 ♀ (macropterous); Meghalaya State (10), E Khasi Hills, 11 km SW Cherrapunjee, Laitkynsew, seepage, wet rocks with algae/blue algae/moss, ca. 1.5-2 km via road from "Cherapunjee Holiday Resort" in direction Cherapunjee , exposed; 25°13'N, 91°39'E; 810 m a.s.l.; 21-24 Apr. 2008; Fikáček, Podskalská & Šípek leg.; NMPC .

Diagnosis.

Size: macropterous female: length 10.70, width 2.90. Male unknown. Female: Dorsal side of head largely black, ventral side with median black stripe. Dorsal side of pronotum with three yellow stripes (Fig. 23A ). Venter of thorax and abdomen chiefly black. Penultimate segment of rostrum (Fig. 23B ) distinctly curved and basally swollen. Pronotum in posterior half on each side of midline with large, shiny area; pronotal lobe without median carina. Fore femur slender, length ca. 6.6 × width at base, without row of setae on flexor side. Claws long. Mesosternum ca. 3.5 × length of metasternum, posterior margin of metasternum without fringe of black setae. Hind femur slightly shorter than middle femur. Sternum VII medially as long as sterna V and VI combined; hind margin straight; connexival corner with small, acute tip. Tergum VIII with distinct pair of processes bearing tufts of long, bristle-like setae on posterolateral corners (Fig. 23C ). Gonocoxae and proctiger slightly protruded, pointing caudad.

Remarks.

The female specimen at hand has two peculiar characteristics, the swollen and curved third rostral segment and the very peculiar paired processes with long, bristle-like setae on tergum VII, which have not been described for any other species of Eotrechus . It also has very prominent claws. However, we refrain from formally describing it as new based on a single female, without an associated male specimen.

Figures

Figure 23. Eotrechus sp. A, macropterous female. A. Habitus; B. Head in lateral view showing rostrum; C. Terga VI-VIII, dorsal view.

Figure 25. Distribution records of species of Eotrechus. Squares represent E. kalidasa species group; circles represent E. pingae species group; triangles represent species unassigned to a group.