Sphingonotus (Parasphingonotus) turkanae Uvarov, 1938

Figs 79, 80, 81

References for Socotra.

Popov (in Uvarov and Popov (1957)): 376; Wranik 1998: 171; Wranik 2003: 323, plates 152, 157; Husemann et al. 2011: 57–59.

Diagnostic notes.

The subgenus Parasphingonotus Benediktov & Husemann, 2009 is characterised by a serrated radial vein that is raised above the subcostal vein. Thickened cross veinlets between the radial and medial veins are absent (Husemann et al. 2011). Sphingonotus (P.) turkanae is a relatively small member of the genus (Figs 79, 81), lacking a dark fascia in the hind wings, with a short, strongly trilobate supra-anal plate with raised tubercles (Husemann et al. 2011).

Distribution and occurrence.

The type locality of Sphingonotus (P.) turkanae is Lake Turkana in Kenya. The species is restricted to eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania) and Yemen, including Socotra (Fig. 80) (Husemann et al. 2011). Husemann (2020) mentioned only Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya.

Habitat and biology.

On Socotra, the species can be found in various habitats between 5 and 500 m a. s. l., mostly in sparse dwarf shrubland, low Croton - Jatropha shrubland and submontane grassland. At Taaqs, it was found on a fine, gravelly plain with grassy vegetation (Fig. 4), at Dehamd on a coastal plain and at Ayhaft on gravelly soils in a Frankincense forest. Records are from all seasons.

Bioacoustics.

Members of the Oedipodinae subfamily are known to emit quiet, buzzing sounds during rivalry, courtship and flight (Roesti and Keist 2009). The sound of this species is unknown.