[Entomology • 2025] Medeopteryx taprobana • A New Species of Firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) from Coastal Habitats in Southern, Sri Lanka

Medeopteryx taprobana 

De Silva, Gamage, Wijekoon & Wegiriya, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2025.04.010 

Highlights: 

• For the first time, fireflies of the genus Medeopteryx Ballantyne have been recorded in Sri Lanka.

• Medeopteryx taprobana is a new species found in Sri Lanka.

• Males, females, and larvae of Med. taprobana were found in a coastal habitat with mangroves.

• The phylogeny of Med. taprobana was determined using mitochondrial DNA barcoding and morphological investigation.

Abstract

We present the first record of the firefly genus Medeopteryx Ballantyne from Sri Lanka with descriptions of male, female, and larvae of a new species, Medeopteryx taprobana De Silva, Gamage & Wijekoon sp. nov., from a mangrove–associated coastal habitat in Matara, Southern Sri Lanka, with their phylogenetic placement based on mitochondrial DNA barcoding. This new species is distinguished from other Medeopteryx by not having trisinuate posterior projections (with a weak median posterior projection) of ventrite 7 and other specific characteristics of the aedeagal sheath. An updated list of species and a key to Medeopterx described species in the world are presented.

Keywords: Barcoding, fireflies, new records, South Asia

Medeopteryx taprobana sp. nov. 
male andfemale: A, dorsal view; B, ventral view. 

  <scale bar: 1 mm>

Mating pair of Medeopteryx taprobana sp. nov. in tail-to-tail position (initial interaction).

Medeopteryx taprobana sp. nov.

 Etymology. This species is named "taprobana,” which was a Latin name that was used by the ancient Greeks for Sri Lanka. The name “Taprobana” was derived from the name "Tamraparni," which refers to the "copper–colored" shores of Sri Lanka. We use the name taprobana as a noun in apposition to preserve the original language.

 

Dilshan R. De Silva, Lahiru M.P. Gamage, Chandana D. Wijekoon and Hemantha C.E. Wegiriya. 2025. Medeopteryx taprobana sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae): A New Species from Coastal Habitats in Southern, Sri Lanka. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2025.04.010 [24 May 2025]

[Entomology • 2024] Vagitanus venetus • A New Cicada Species of Vagitanus (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from northern and central Vietnam

 

  Vagitanus venetus  Emery & Lee, 2024

[A, B, C, F] male; [D, E] female 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2024.01.003

Abstract

A new species of Vagitanus Distant is described from north and central Vietnam. V. venetus sp. nov. inhabits forested woodland at altitudes of >1000 m. Its distribution currently limited to the coastal areas and hinterland in the eastern provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Binh, Kon Tum and Hue and north in Yen Bai province.

Keywords: Cicadatrini, Cicadinae, Cicadettinae, Vagitanus, taxonomy

 Vagitanus venetus sp. n.
A, holotype male (green form), dorsal habitus; B, paratype male (faded form), dorsal habitus;
C, holotype male, ventral habitus; D, female, dorsal habitus;
E, female, ventral habitus; F, male holotype, abdomen, lateral habitus.

<scale bars: 10 mm (A–E); 5 mm (F)>.

Family Cicadidae Latrielle, 1802

Subfamily Cicadettinae Buckton, 1890

Tribe Cicadatrini Distant, 1905

Genus Vagitanus Distant, 1918

Vagitanus venetus sp.n.

 

Etymology. The species name is derived from Latin for the deep green coloration of fresh specimens of this cicada.

David Lyall Emery and Young June Lee. 2024. A New Cicada Species of Vagitanus (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from northern and central Vietnam. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 17(1); 240-244. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2024.01.003 [1 June 2024] 

[Entomology • 2025] Pitambara acuminata & P. ruiliensis • Two New Species of the Planthopper Genus Pitambara Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Lophopidae) from Yunnan Province of China

  

 [A-B] Pitambara acuminata Lv & Chen, and 
 [C-D] P. ruiliensis Lv & Chen, 

in Lv, Yang, Zhang et Chen, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2025.102380 

Highlights

• Two new species of the Lophopid planthopper genus Pitambara Distant, 1906 are described and illustrated.

• An updated identification key and checklist to all known species of Pitambara Distant, 1906 are given.

• Geographic distributions of all known species of Pitambara Distant, 1906 are provided.

Abstract

Two new species of the lophopid planthopper genus Pitambara Distant, 1906 (Lophopidae, Lophopinae) from Southwest China, Yunnan Province are described and illustrated: P. acuminata Lv & Chen, sp. nov. and P. ruiliensis Lv & Chen, sp. nov.. An updated identification key and checklist to all known species of the genus Pitambara are given, as well as a map of their geographic distributions.

  

Keywords: Lophopinae, Morphology, Oriental region, Taxonomy

Pitambara acuminata Lv & Chen, sp. nov. 

 P. ruiliensis Lv & Chen, sp. nov.

 

Shasha Lv, Lin Yang, Yubo Zhang and Xiangsheng Chen. 2025. Two New Species of the Planthopper Genus Pitambara Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Lophopidae) from Yunnan Province of China. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. 102380. In Press. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2025.102380 

[Entomology • 2025] Lamellipalpodes asmita • A New Species of non-luminous firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Ototretinae) from West Bengal, India with SEM study of mechano- and chemoreceptive sensilla

 

 Lamellipalpodes asmita

Chakrovorty & Bhattacharjee, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2024.102367 

facebook.com/ChakrovortyArnob97

Highlights

• A new species of Lamellipalpodes discovered from India.

• For the first time, the mechanosensitive and chemosensitive sensilla of this subfamily have been described.

• Twenty-four different sensilla has been identified.

• A significant difference in the type of sensilla present in palpomeres and antennomeres has been observed.

• Three sensilla of distinct morphology and a specialized apico-marginal sensory field on maxillary palps has been identified.

Abstract

A new species of non-luminous firefly, Lamellipalpodes asmita Chakrovorty & Bhattacharjee sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Ototretinae) discovered from the campus of the University of Kalyani, West Bengal, India is described, illustrated and compared with other known species of the genus from India. The male genitalia, morphometry and other important characters are illustrated and described. Additionally, a dichotomous identification key to Indian Lamellipalpodes is provided. The mechanoreceptive and chemoreceptive sensilla of Lamellipalpodes asmita Chakrovorty & Bhattacharjee sp. nov. were studied utilizing scanning electron microscopy. Ten different types of sensilla namely, sensilla ampullacea, sensilla basiconica, sensilla chaetica, sensilla coeloconica, sensilla placodea, sensilla styloconica, sensilla trichodia, cone-shaped sensillum, dome-shaped sensilla, peg-like sensilla and their twenty-four different subtypes have been identified with maxillary and labial palps possessing eight subtypes not found on antennomeres. Cone-shaped, dome-shaped and peg-like sensilla were of distinct, previously unknown morphology. This study unravels the significance of the atypical maxillary palp and labial palp morphology of the species and sheds light on structure–function relationship of these unusual morphological features.

 

Keywords: Non-luminous firefly, Functional morphology, Large palpomeres, Oriental region, Asia

Taxonomy

Order: Coleoptera Linnaeus, 1758

Family: Lampyridae Rafinesque, 1815

Subfamily: Ototretinae McDermott, 1964

Genus Lamellipalpodes Maulik, 1921

Lamellipalpodes asmita Chakrovorty & Bhattacharjee sp. nov.

 Lamellipalpodes asmita Chakrovorty & Bhattacharjee sp. nov. (male):
(A) Dorsal habitus; (B) Ventral habitus; (C) Lateral habitus.

Etymology: This species is named after Dr. Asmita Samadder, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, for her contribution in the field of nanomedicine, molecular biology and cytogenetics and her mentorship and patronage to Arnob Chakrovorty and Banani Bhattacharjee.

Arnob Chakrovorty and Banani Bhattacharjee. 2025. Lamellipalpodes asmita sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Ototretinae), A New Species of non-luminous firefly from West Bengal, India with SEM study of mechano- and chemoreceptive sensilla. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. 28(1); 102367. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2024.102367

 facebook.com/ChakrovortyArnob97/posts/8994750277286457

[Entomology • 2024] Talanga horakae • Re-description of the Genus Talanga Moore (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Spilomelinae) and the Description of A New endemic Species from Indonesia

 

A, Talanga quadristigmalis; B, T. nubilosa;
C, Talanga horakae Sutrisno sp. nov. 

in Darmawan, Watung, Suwito, Narakusumo, Encilia, ... et Sutrisno, 2024. 

 DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2024.102323

Highlights: 

• The usefulness of female genitalia as diagnostic character in Talanga since their signa structures are species specific.

• A new endemic species Talanga horake is a new to science.

• An identification key of Indonesian Talanga based on external morphology and female genitalia characters.

Abstract

Six species of the genus Talanga Moore 1855 are re-described based on both morphological and genitalia characters. T. tolumnialis Walker is not included due to the lack of available of material. Morphological characters such as a tapering, oblique outwardly antemedial band on the forewing and two black metallic spots externally bordered by similar minute interciliar spots on the hindwing, are proposed as the most appropriate characters to define the genus Talanga. The study also reveals that certain genitalia characters, such as a spatula-shaped uncus, a simple valva with a medial rod-like plate, a long cylindrical phallus without cornuti, a bundle of pencil hairs at the coremata base in male genitalia, and a pair of ovate or circular signa medially bearing denticles in female genitalia, are also diagnostic of this genus. The description of a new endemic species from Foja Mountain, Talanga horakae sp. nov., is presented, as well as an identification key to Indonesian species, and images of adults and genitalia of the studied species.

 

Keywords: Diagnostic characters, Genitalia, Identification key, Papua, Talanga

A, Talanga quadristigmalis; B, T. nubilosa;
C, T. horakae sp. nov. #f (holotype) 

Talanga horakae Sutrisno, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The female of Talanga horakae, sp. nov., can be easily distinguished from allied species within the genus Talanga by the presence of a simple crown distad to the black medial band on the forewing, and a dark brown, curved, oblique line, running from the distad M1 to CuA2 on the hindwing (Fig. 2C; black arrows). Diagnostic characters of the female genitalia include a pair of ovate signa with scattered blunt denticles medially, dense sharp denticles along the margin, ...

 

Darmawan Darmawan, Jackson F. Watung, Awit Suwito, Raden Pramesa Narakusumo, Encilia Encilia, Agmal Qodri, Dhian Dwibadra, Djunijanti Peggie, Rosichon Ubaidillah and Hari Sutrisno. 2024. Re-description of the Genus Talanga Moore and the Description of A New endemic Species from Indonesia (Lepidoptera: Crambidae; Spilomelinae). Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. In Press. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2024.102323

[Entomology • 2021] Platypleura transitiva • A New Species of Platypleura Amyot & Audinet-Serville (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Platypleurini) from Mindanao, the Philippines

Platypleura transitiva Lee, 2021

DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2021.03.003

Abstract

A new species, Platypleura transitiva sp. nov., is described from Mindanao, Philippines. This new species belongs to the tribe Platypleurini Schmidt, 1918 of the family Cicadidae Latreille, 1802 (Insecta: Hemiptera). This new species has a broader dark gray cloudy pattern on the inner half of the forewing and a broader gray part on the annal cell 2 than those of Platypleura elizabethae Lee, 2009. This species is distinguished from Platypleura dinagatensis Lee, 2016 by the shorter rostrum, narrower and lighter cloudy pattern on the forewing, absence of a central white spot on the forewing, narrower infuscation on the hind wing, and the darker anal cell 2 of the hind wing.

 

Keywords: Hamzini, Platypleura dinagatensis, Platypleura elizabethae, Platypleura transitiva, Platypleurini

Family Cicadidae, Latreille, 1802

Subfamily Cicadinae, Latreille, 1802

Tribe Platypleurini Schmidt, 1918

Genus Platypleura Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843

Platypleura transitiva Lee sp. nov., holotype, male, Mindanao, Philippines:
 A, dorsal habitus; B, ventral habitus; C, pygofer, slightly oblique ventral view.

scale bar: 10 mm (A)

Platypleura transitiva Lee sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name is the Latin feminine adjective transitiva meaning “transitional” in reference to its wing cloudy patterns which are transitional in shape and area among its allied species from the Philippines: dinagatensis – transitiva – elizabethae.

Young June Lee. 2021. A New Species of Platypleura Amyot & Audinet-Serville (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Platypleurini) from Mindanao, the Philippines. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 14(2); 261-263. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2021.03.003

[Entomology • 2021] Vietanna hanoiensis • A New Genus and Species of the Subtribe Leptopsaltriina (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Leptopsaltriini) from Vietnam, with A Key to the Genera of Leptopsaltriina

Vietanna Lee & Pham, gen. nov. 
Vietanna hanoiensis Pham & Lee, 

 

in Pham et Lee, 2021.

 DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2021.07.011

Highlights: 

• Vietanna Lee & Pham gen. nov. is described.

• Vietanna hanoiensis Pham & Lee sp. nov. is described from Vietnam.

• The new genus is placed in Leptopsaltriina of Leptopsaltriini in Cicadinae.

• This new genus is morphologically similar to Tanna.

• A key to the genera of Leptopsaltriina is provided.

Abstract

Vietanna Lee & Pham, gen. nov. and Vietanna hanoiensis Pham & Lee, sp. nov. are described based on a cicada specimen from Hanoi, Vietnam and placed in the subtribe Leptopsaltriina Moulton, 1923 of the tribe Leptopsaltriini Moulton, 1923 in the subfamily Cicadinae Latreille, 1802 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae). This new genus is morphologically similar to Tanna Distant, 1905 but distinguished from Tanna by the timbal cover exposing the inner part of timbal, the male abdominal epipleurite 3 with a distinct oblique linear fold, the male abdominal sternites without tubercle-like projections, and the aedeagus bifurcate at the apex. A key to the genera of Leptopsaltriina is provided.

  

Keywords: Cicada, Taxonomy, Vietanna, Vietanna hanoiensis, Tanna

 

Thai Hong Pham and Young June Lee. 2021. A New Genus and Species of the Subtribe Leptopsaltriina (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Leptopsaltriini) from Vietnam, with A Key to the Genera of Leptopsaltriina. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. 24(4); 1202-1205. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2021.07.011

 Researchgate.net/publication/353597097_A_new_genus_of_the_subtribe_Leptopsaltriina_Hemiptera_Cicadidae_from_Vietnam 

[Arachnida • 2023] Telema coreana • The First Record of Telemidae (Araneae) from Korea, with A Description of New Species of the Genus Telema Simon, 1882

Telema coreana

Oh, Choi & Lee, 2023

DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102088 

 twitter.com/JongHwaOh

 

Highlights: 

• The family Telemidae Fage, 1913 (Arachnida: Araneae) is reported for the first time from Korea.

• New species, Telema coreana sp. nov. are described with microscopic images, diagnostic characters, and a key to Telema species.

• The new species brings a total number of 45 families of the Korean spider fauna, and the first report of an eyeless spider among the Korean species.

Abstract

In this study, we report the first record of the family Telemidae Fage, 1913 from Korea, with the description of a new species of the genus Telema Simon, 1882: Telema coreana sp. nov. The individuals of the new species were found in a Baeti-shale cave (Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea). Also, we provide microscopic photographs of the new species and a key to differentiating the Telema species.

 

Keywords: New record, Korean peninsula, Caves, Subterranean, Eyeless, Morphology, Taxonomy

  Telema coreana sp. nov.  living specimen
 male holotype;  female paratype.

 

Telema coreana Oh, Choi & Lee sp. nov.

(Korean name: Han-guk-gu-seul-geo-mi 한국구슬거미).

Etymology. The specific name coreana comes from the country of the type locality, Corea (Korea).

Jong-Hwa Oh, Yong-Gun Choi and Seunghwan Lee. 2023. The First Record of Telemidae (Arachnida, Araneae) from Korea, with A Description of New Species of the Genus Telema Simon, 1882. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology.  26(2); 102088. DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102088

  twitter.com/JongHwaOh/status/1659085876805382144

[Entomology • 2023] Medeopteryx alacauda, M. incisura, M. isaanensis & M. maehongsonensis • Description of Four New Medeopteryx Ballantyne (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) Species from Thailand and their phylogenetic placements based on mitochondrial DNA

  Medeopteryx alacauda, M. incisura, 
 Medeopteryx isaanensis, M. maehongsonensis 

Sriboonlert, Swatdipong & Sartsanga, 

in Sriboonlert, Swatdipong, Sartsanga, Prommarit, Chittavichai,  Jusoh et Wonnapinij, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102084 

 twitter.com/WanFAJusoh

Highlights: 

• Four new species of Medeopteryx fireflies from Thailand are reported.

• Detailed descriptions and a key to these four new species are provided.

• Phylogenetic analyses revealed close relationship among four Luciolinae genera.

Abstract

Four new species of fireflies from Thailand have been discovered and identified. These new species belong to the genus Medeopteryx Ballantyne, a firefly genus originally assigned based on species found only in Australia and New Guinea. This discovery adds four more species to the existing 21 species members of this genus. This report presents the first fully described species of Medeopteryx from Thailand. Detailed descriptions of Medeopteryx alacauda sp. nov., Medeopteryx maehongsonensis sp. nov., Medeopteryx incisura, sp. nov. and Medeopteryx isaanensis, sp. nov. are provided along with a key to the species of this genus. Phylogenetic trees of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and concatenated 13 mitochondrial protein coding genes were constructed to analyse the relationship among these new Medeopteryx species and other related firefly taxa. The phylogenetic trees revealed a close relationship of four Luciolinae genera (i.e. Pteroptyx, Inflata, Medeopteryx and Trisinuata) grouped into one monophyletic clade which was sister to the remaining genera of this subfamily. The results from these analyses suggest a further taxonomic revision for this group of Luciolinae.

Keywords: Fireflies, Medeopteryx, Inflata, Phylogeny, Taxonomy, cytochrome oxidase I

Medeopteryx alacauda Sriboonlert, Swatdipong, and Sartsanga sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name refers to an outline of T8 posterior margin of the male which resemble bat wing outline (Latin ala = wing, cauda = extreme part/tail).

Remarks. Med. alacauda sp. nov. was found in two different habitats. One was an open forest on the mountain with small running stream in Chiang Mai province. Another habitat was a reservoir with much less vegetations than the first locality.

Medeopteryx incisura Sriboonlert, Swatdipong, and Sartsanga, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name derives from the slit light organ characteristic on V7 of this species (Latin incisura = slit).

Remarks. Medeopteryx incisura sp. nov. was collected using a sweep net in a rubber tree plantation on the Thung Phen canel, Chantaburi province.

...

Medeopteryx isaanensis Sriboonlert, Swatdipong, and Sartsanga, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name refers to the region [i-saan = northeastern Thailand] the specimens were collected from.

Remarks. Med. isaanensis (pronounced: ee-săhn-en-sis) sp. nov. was collected using a sweep net at the reservoir in the northeastern Thailand. It is important to note that this Med. isaanensis can be found in the same region as I. indica, a species that is widespread across Thailand (Ballantyne et al. 2015; personal observation).

...

Medeopteryx maehongsonensis Sriboonlert, Swatdipong, and Sartsanga, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name derives from Mae Hong Son province, the sampling locality of the holotype specimen.

Remarks. Med. maehongsonensis sp. nov. was collected using a sweep net. This species was found in two localities, 180 km apart in Mae Hong Son province, northern Thailand. Flash pattern has not been observed for this species.

...

Ajaraporn Sriboonlert, Akarapong Swatdipong, Channarong Sartsanga, Kamonchat Prommarit, Thanyaporn Chittavichai, Wan F.A. Jusoh and Passorn Wonnapinij. 2023. Description of Four New Medeopteryx Ballantyne (Coleoptera, Lampyridae, Luciolinae) Species from Thailand and their phylogenetic placements based on mitochondrial DNA.  Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. 26(2); 102084. DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102084 

 twitter.com/WanFAJusoh/status/1652151185133154304

[PaleoEntomology • 2023] Perissoclothoda myrrhokaris • A New plesiomorphic Species of Webspinner (Embiodea: Clothodidae) from mid-Cretaceous Kachin Amber of northern Myanmar

Perissoclothoda myrrhokaris Chen & Zhang, 2023

  DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102060

Highlights: 

• New Mesozoic species is the second species which lacks a ventral bridge.

• Family Clothodidae is more primitive than all other Embiodea.

• Discovery of new species further supports that by the mid-Cretaceous a broad swath of embiodean diversity may have been in place.

Abstract

A new Mesozoic webspinner (Embiodea) is described and figured based on a moderately well-preserved male in mid-Cretaceous (earliest Cenomanian) amber from northern Myanmar. Perissoclothoda myrrhokaris gen. et sp. nov. is the second fossil representative of the putatively primitive family Clothodidae. It differs from the Cretaceous and more recent Embiodea in several plesiomorphic characters, namely a quadrate mentum, approximately oval submentum, subgenae not meet medially (thus a ventral bridge or gula is lacking), completely symmetrical terminalia, and dimerous cerci. This new find sheds further light on the diversity and morphological disparity of fossil webspinners during the Late Mesozoic.

 

Keywords: Burmese amber, Cenomanian, Clothodidae, Embioptera, New species, Taxonomy

 

Habitus of Perissoclothoda myrrhokaris Chen and Zhang, sp. nov.

Systematic palaeontology

Order: Embiodea Kusnezov, 1903.

Suborder: Clothododea Engel & Grimaldi, 2006.

Infraorder: Clothodomorpha Engel et al. 2016.

Family: Clothodidae Enderlein, 1909.

Genus: †Perissoclothoda gen. nov.

Etymology. The new generic name is derived from a combination of the Greek perisso, meaning, ‘unusual-’, and the generic name Clothoda Enderlein (itself from Greek, klotho, meaning, ‘twist’ or ‘spin’), type genus of the family. The gender of the name is feminine.

†Perissoclothoda myrrhokaris Chen and Zhang, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a combination of the Greek word of ‘myrrha’ meaning ‘an aromatic gum-resin’ and ‘kara’ meaning ‘head’.

 Xinyu Chen and Huachuan Zhang. 2023. A New plesiomorphic Species of Webspinner (Embiodea, Clothodidae) from mid-Cretaceous Kachin Amber of northern Myanmar. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. 26(2), 102060. DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102060

[Entomology • 2023] Toxorhynchites domrey • A New Species of Elephant Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) from Nepenthes pitchers in Cambodia

Toxorhynchites (Toxorhynchites) domrey Maquart & Rahola, 

in Maquart, Rahola, Chhuoy, Heng, Chhum, Suor & Boyer, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102064

 

Highlights: 

• A new species of Toxorhynchytes mosquito is described.

• Collected in Veun Sai Siem Pang and Kirirom National parks.

• This new species inhabits Nepenthes smilesii pitchers.

Abstract

Toxorhynchites are often nicknamed “elephant mosquitoes” due to their large size and bent proboscis. These colorful mosquitoes are generally covered with iridescent and metallic-colored scales and do not require blood feeding to perform their oogenesis since females acquire all the required proteins during their larval stages. Consequently, they are not involved in the transmission of pathogens, and are not considered to be of medical importance. This genus is comprised of 89 species worldwide, including three in Cambodia. During a survey conducted in Veun Sai Siem Pang National Park and in Kirirom National Park in 2021, several larvae of Toxorhynchites were collected inside pitchers of the carnivorous plant Nepenthes smilesii. Upon investigation, they were proven to belong to a new species, Toxorhynchites domrey sp. nov., described in the present article.

Keywords: Elephant mosquito, Biodiversity, Conservation, Pitcher plants, New species

 

Toxorhynchites (Toxorhynchites) domrey Maquart & Rahola, sp. nov.

Etymology. Noun in apposition. The species name refers to the vernacular name of the genus “elephant mosquito” and is a tribute to the Khmer designation of elephants, referred as “Dom rey” (ដំរី in Khmer).

Distribution. Cambodia, known from Veun Sai - Siem Pang National Park (Rattanakiri Province) and from Kirirom forest (Kampong Speu Province).

 Pierre-Olivier Maquart, Nil Rahola, Kalyan Chhuoy, Kimly Heng, Moeun Chhum, Kimhuor Suor and Sébastien Boyer. 2023. Description of A New Species of Toxorhynchites (Diptera: Culicidae) from Nepenthes pitchers in Cambodia. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. 26(2), 102064. DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102064

LSID: https://zoobank.org/6D09A56F-A509-4FE6-BE4B-B