Phanocles maximus Hennemann, Conle & Cambra, 2024

Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2024, Studies on Neotropical Phasmatodea XXVI: Taxonomic review of Cladomorformia tax. n., a lineage of Diapheromerinae stick insects, with the descriptions of seven new genera and 41 new species (Phasmatodea: Occidophasmata: Diapheromerinae), Zootaxa 5444 (1), pp. 1-454 : 188-191

Phanocles maximus Hennemann, Conle & Cambra sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E71B06BD-A0C3-4628-BE99-26D24564FA04

( Figs. 50A , 55C , 58G , 60F , 62A–C , 65K–M , 88B–C , 92H , 97E , 99E , 116 , 117A–B )

HT, ♀: Mte. Fresco, C. Azul, Panama, 30. Agosto ‘97, col. A. Santos [ MIUP] .

PT, ♂: Pan. - Barro Col. Is. C.Z. —coll. Rettenmeyer 2–VI–1956 [ ANSP] .

PT, 2 ♂♂, 11 eggs: ex Zucht F. Hennemann 2020, Panama: Prov. Panamá Oeste, Laguna de San Carlos , leg. F. Glaw [ FH, No’s 1360–1 to 2, E1] .

PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 9 eggs: ex Zucht O. Conle 2019, F1, Panama: Prov. Coclé, Valle de Antón , 8º37’49.20”N 80º8’21.50”W, leg. O. Conle & P. Valero 2– 3.07.2019 [ FH, No’s 1360–3 to 4, E2] .

PT, 1 ♀, eggs: Panama: Prov. Coclé, Valle de Antón , 8º37’49.20”N 80º8’21.50”W, leg. O. Conle & P. Valero 2.– 3.07.2019 [ OC, 552–1 to 2] .

PT, 9 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀, eggs: Ex Zucht O. Conle 2019, F1, Panama: Prov. Coclé, Valle de Antón , 8º37’49.20”N 80º8’21.50”W, leg. O. Conle & P. Valero 2– 3.07.2019 [ OC, 552–3 to 21] .

PT, 10 ♂♂, 1 ♀, eggs: Ex Zucht O. Conle 2019, F2, Panama: Prov. Coclé, Valle de Antón , 8º37’49.20”N 80º8’21.50”W, leg. O. Conle & P. Valero 2– 3.07.2019 [ OC, 552–22 to 32] .

PT, 7 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, eggs: Ex Zucht O. Conle 2019, Panama: Prov. Panamá Oeste, Laguna de San Carlos , leg. F. Glaw [ OC, 552–33 to 45] .

Diagnosis. Females of this gigantic new species ( Figs. 50A , 116 , 117B ) are the longest insects of the Americas. They strongly resemble those of the two Central American species Ph. spectabilis sp. n. and Ph. subvolans ( Redtenbacher, 1908) and Ph. remphan ( Westwood, 1859) from Colombia. While the indistinct praeopercular organ ( Fig. 92H ) is in common with Ph. subvolans and the smooth thorax is shared with the latter species, the much more prominent ventro-apical tooth of the two outer ventral carinae of the meso- and metafemora distinguished ♀♀ of Ph. maximus sp. n. from all three species. From the first they can be separated by the larger size and slenderer shape with relatively longer body segments (mesothorax no more than 6x the length of prothorax in spectabilis ), wholly smooth mesothorax, somewhat less convex vertex and less pronounced cephalad pair of spines, shorter median segment that is only 1.2x longer than the metanotum, smaller posterolateral lobes of abdominal tergum VII, indistinct praeopercular organ ( Fig. 92H ) that is merely represented by two shallow, oval impressions and an obtuse, verrucose median swelling (a distinct pair of lobes in spectabilis ), subgenital plate that notably projects beyond the tip of the abdomen ( Figs. 62A–C ) and much more prominent ventro-apical tooth of the two outer ventral carinae of the meso- and metafemora. From the similarly large Ph. subvolans these ♀♀ can be distinguished by the smooth meso- and metathorax ( Fig. 116 ), noticeably more elongate and flattened head ( Fig. 58G ; strongly globose in subvolans ), slightly longer median segment (just scarcely longer than the metanotum in subvolans ), rather rectangular anal segment (widened and bilobate posteriorly in subvolans ), more broadened, shorter and apically obtuse subgenital plate ( Figs. 62A–C ) and much more prominent ventro-apical tooth of the two outer ventral carinae of the meso- and metafemora. The relatively shorter and ovoid, unicoloured head, shorter median segment, more broadened, shorter and apically obtuse subgenital plate as well as the stockier legs that have all carinae more notably lamellate easily distinguish ♀♀ of Ph. maximus sp. n. from those of Ph. remphan . The ♂♂ resemble several of the alate members of the genus but in general appearance are particularly similar to those of Ph. subvolans and Ph. remphan . They however readily differ from the brachypterous ♂♂ of subvolans by the much longer alae (only reaching to anterior of abdominal segment in subvolans ), larger size, ovoid and somewhat flattened head ( Fig. 60F ; strongly globose in subvolans ) and traits of the genital morphology such as an anal segment, that is gradually flattening and declining towards the posterior ( Fig. 65K ; tectate and rectangular in lateral aspect in subvolans ). From the ♂♂ of remphan they may be separated by the less elongate and more ovoid head, stockier and more distinctly carinated legs that have the ventro-apical tooth of the two outer ventral carinae of the meso- and metafemora notably enlarged and have a distinct rounded dorsal apical lobe on the meso- and metatibiae as well as the dorsally lobed basitarsi.

Etymology. Females of this new species are the longest in the genus and the longest of the entire Occidophasmata clade, thus represent the longest known extant insects of the entire Americas. Therefore, the name ( maximus lat. = the largest) refers to the huge size of ♀♀. Masculine.

Description. The colouration is described mostly from photographs of live specimens.

♀♀ ( Fig. 50A ): Very large (body length 218.0–285.0 mm) and slender, with a moderately globose and weakly bi-tubercular head, a smooth body surface, straight lateral margins of abdominal tergum VII and a subgenital plate that projects over the tip of the abdomen by no more than the length of the anal segment. Colouration fairly plain greyish mid to dark brown or olive, sometimes faintly flecked with tones of grey. Probasisternum occasionally with two dark brown markings. The mid and hind legs very faintly annulated and the apical tooth that is formed by the two outer lateral carinae of the meso- and metafemora blackish brown. Basitarsi dark brown with the base pale grey. Eyes ochre. Antennae buff and gradually becoming darker towards the apex with the ventral surface sepia to dark brown.

Head ( Fig. 58G ): Ovoid with the vertex weakly convex, broadest at the eyes with the genae gradually narrowing towards the posterior and about 1.4x longer than wide. Vertex smooth except for a slightly impressed coronal line and only with a pair of obtuse, shallow humps or conical swellings behind the eyes; between these with two small, obtuse tubercles and in front between the eyes with a fairly distinct, transverse impression. Frons with two deep impressions behind bases of antennae that are followed by two small, obtusely conical swellings. Eyes rather small, almost circular in outline, projecting almost hemispherical with their diameter contained about 2.3x in length of genae. Antennae reaching to posterior margin of median segment. Scapus compressed dorsoventrally with the outer lateral margin gently concave and roughly 2.25x longer than wide. Pedicellus round in cross-section and somewhat constricted apically.

Thorax: Pronotum about as long but slightly narrower than head, shape basically rectangular with a slight narrowing pre-medially. Anterior margin somewhat raised and with an angular pit near each outer angle ( Fig. 58G ). Transverse median sulcus moderately distinct, curved and almost expanding over entire width of segment. Mesothorax 6.8x longer than prothorax and uniform in diameter except for a slight widening posteriorly. Metanotum scarcely more than one-third the length of mesonotum, weakly narrowing towards the posterior and about 3.3 longer than width of posterior margin. Meso- and metanotum smooth except for a very faintly indicated medio-longitudinal line and a rugose longitudinal lateral carina close to lateral margins as well as a few minute, scattered granules on mesonotum; the latter also with some minute granules at anterolateral angles and along outer portions of anterior margin. Meso- and metapleurae with an indistinct medio-longitudinal carina. Mesosternum supplied with some irregularly dispersed, minute granules in the median portion of the anterior one-third ( Fig. 88B ).

Abdomen: Median segment 1.2x longer than metanotum, smooth with the lateral margins weakly concave and the posterior margin somewhat wider than anterior margin; about 3.6x longer than width at posterior margin ( Fig. 116 ). Segment II somewhat shorter than median segment, rectangular and about 3x longer than wide. II–V slightly increasing and VI to VII decreasing in length, V about 4.1x longer than wide and VII slightly shorter than II; all roughly uniform in diameter. All terga smooth except for a longitudinal lateral row of small granules parallel to lateral margins; VI with the posterior margin weakly inflated. Sterna II–VII sparsely and minutely granulose and with an obtuse longitudinal carinae close to lateral margins. Praeopercular organ very indistinct and merely shaped by two shallow, oval impression and an obtuse, verrucose median swelling close to posterior margin of sternum VII; the entire area dark reddish brown and roughly heart-shaped ( Figs. 62C , 92H ). Terga VIII–X taken together about as long as VII, all of roughly uniform width, parallel-sided and just scarcely narrower than preceding. VIII about 1.2x longer than wide, IX transverse and about three-fifth the length of VII. Anal segment longer than IX almost quadrate in outline with a fine medio-longitudinal carina, the posterior margin almost straight with the outer angles broadly rounded and weakly deflexed; a very shallow indention present medially ( Fig. 62B ). Epiproct very small and almost wholly concealed under anal segment. Cerci small, conical, somewhat compressed laterally and oval in cross-section; roughly reaching to posterior margin of anal segment. Gonoplacs moderately enlarged, carinated and almost reaching to tip of cerci. Gonapophyses VIII very elongate, canaliculate interiorly and with the apical portion somewhat expanded and upcurved by about 50°; projecting over apex of abdomen by roughly the length of anal segment and usually even slightly projecting over tip of subgenital plate ( Figs. 62A–B ). Subgenital plate obtusely keeled medio-longitudinally in the apical half with the apical one-third weakly undulate and the apex obtusely rounded and the rather flattened basal portion with a prominent, lamellate longitudinal keel laterally; projecting over tip of abdomen by no more than length of anal segment ( Figs. 62A–C ).

Legs: All moderately long, stocky and distinctly carinated; destitute of armature except for the occasional occurrence of a blunt, triangular tooth about one-quarter off the base on the two outer ventral carinae of the mesofemora (sometimes also weakly indicated on metafemora). Profemora slightly shorter than mesothorax, mesofemora scarcely longer than metathorax, metafemora reaching some two-thirds the way along abdominal segment IV and metatibiae roughly reaching to posterior margin of abdominal segment VI. Two outer ventral carinae of meso- and metafemora terminating in a prominent, deflexed and triangular by almost 60° downward-directed tooth. Posterodorsal carina of meso- and metatibiae forming a prominent, rounded lobe apically and apex of posteroventral carina somewhat deflexed and rounded. All basitarsi with the dorsal carina roundly triangular and somewhat shorter that the remaining tarsomeres taken together.

♂♂ ( Fig. 55C ): Medium to large (body length 127.7–154.0 mm) and slender, the body surface wholly smooth with fairly well-developed alae (48.1–58.1 mm), that reach about half the the way along abdominal segment IV. General colour of body and legs plain greyish buff to drab, meso- and metathorax with a slight dark green to olive wash. Head with a weakly indicated, washed pale grey to cream postocular streak along lower portion of genae ( Fig. 60F ). Three terminal abdominal segments with some green portions, tergum IX with most of dorsal surface cream-coloured and anal segment with a cream-coloured anteromedian marking. Tegmina and costal region of alae buff, the alae with a faint, washed green longitudinal streak along radial vein; both with the anterior margin broadly pale yellow. Anal region of alae plain transparent greyish brown with brown veins. Antennae mid brown with the ventral surface blackish brown. Legs with faint pale annulae and mesofemora with a pale cream band about one-third of the base. Eyes yellowish ochre and flecked with brown.

Head ( Fig. 60F ): Generally, as in ♀♀ but the genae more distinctly converging towards the posterior; the vertex more flattened and the cephalad pair of swellings or tubercles not larger but more acutely pointed. All other structures in front of these swelling less pronounced than in ♀♀. Eyes very large, circular in outline and projecting noticeably more than hemispherical from head capsule, their diameter contained only 1.5x in length of genae. Antennae reaching to posterior margin of abdominal segment VI, antennomeres increasing in length towards the middle of antenna and afterwards decreasing in length towards the apex. Scapus and pedicellus basically like in ♀♀.

Thorax: Pronotum slightly longer and somewhat narrower than head, rectangular in outline with a slight narrowing pre-medially; basically, as in ♀♀ butthe pits at anterolateral corners more distinct, the transverse median sulcus slightly shorter and the medio-longitudinal line more impressed in the median portion of segment. Mesothorax long, slender, uniform in diameter and 7.7x longer than prothorax. Mesonotum with a fine medio-longitudinal line that is carinate anteriorly but becomes increasingly less pronounced towards the posterior of segment; laterally with a fine and rather indistinct longitudinal row of minute granules parallel to lateral margins. Mesopleurae with an indistinct, weakly granulose longitudinal carina, mesosternum with a distinct and acute medio-longitudinal keel ( Fig. 88C ), that becomes decreasingly pronounced towards the posterior of segment. Metapleurae and metasternum smooth. Tegmina slender, basically ovoid in shape, narrowed towards the base and with a shallow central protuberance; notably projecting over posterior margin of metanotum. Alae slender and reaching about half the way along abdominal tergum IV.

Abdomen: Median segment very elongate, slightly gradually narrowing towards the posterior and about 4x longer than metanotum. Segments II–VI slightly decreasing in length but roughly uniform in diameter with II about 5x and VII only 4x longer than wide. VII with posterior portion slightly widened. All terga smooth except for two very fine and slightly uneven, parallel longitudinal lateral carinae. Sterna with a weakly indicated and shallow medio-longitudinal keel and some minute granules in close proximity to the keel. Tergum VIII trapezoidal in dorsal aspect and as long as width at posterior margin, widest of all segments and scarcely more than half the length of VII. IX about 1.5x longer than VIII, strongly convex longitudinally, weakly constricted medially with the anterior portion somewhat widened and wider than posterior portion; lateral margins straight, just slightly deflexed and obtusely triangular posteriorly ( Fig. 65K ). Anal segment much shorter than IX and slightly shorter than VIII, about 1.2x longer than wide, parallel-sided basally with the apical half narrowing and the posterior margin rounded; only a shallow median indention present ( Fig. 65L ). Ventral surface of posterior margin wholly but unevenly set with small black teeth. Epiproct very small, shield-shaped, in dorsal aspect slightly visible in posteromedian indention of anal segment and with the ventral surface minutely denticulate. Cerci elongate, fairly slender, round in cross-section, very weakly club-shaped and notably projecting beyond posterior margin of anal segment. Vomer broad, parallel-sided in basal portion, the apical half roundly triangular and terminating in a narrow and moderately pointed, almost straight tip; ventral surface flattened with the lateral margins somewhat inflated ( Fig. 97E ). Poculum bulgy, cup-like, angular in lateral aspect and with a distinct, obtuse and laterally compressed, backward directed protuberance at the angle ( Fig. 65K ); posterior portion keeled medio-longitudinally and the apex broadly rounded and just not reaching to posterior margin of tergum IX ( Fig. 65M ).

Legs: All very long, moderately slender and distinctly carinated; otherwise as in ♀♀ but with all structures comparatively less developed. Profemora about as long as head, pro- and mesothorax taken together, mesofemora somewhat longer than mesothorax and metatibiae reaching about half the way along abdominal segment V and metatibiae projecting notably beyond apex of abdomen. All basitarsi with the dorsal carina lamellate and very weakly rounded medially; on average 1.25x longer than combined length of remaining tarsomeres.

Nymphs. Throughout most of their development both sexes have the furniture of the legs comparatively more developed and the colouration is more distinctly flecked with white or pale grey. The meso- and metafemora have a distinct pale transverse band about one-third off the base. Newly hatched nymphs have an average body length of 24.0 mm.

Eggs ( Fig. 99E ). Fairly large and typical for the genus. Shape roundly angular with the polar-area weakly indented and the dorsal egg surface strongly convex and increasingly more convex towards the anterior end, which is bulgy; oval in cross-section. Whole capsule surface deeply and densely but unevenly punctured, the pits fairly large and sharply defined but variable in size and shape. Micropylar plate elongate, obtusely spear-shaped, gradually widened towards the posterior with a rather pointed posterior end, roughly two-thirds the length of capsule and about 2.6x longer than width at widest part; sculptured like capsule with the central portion convex longitudinally. Micropylar cup very small, knob-like and positioned at polar end of plate. Median line short and indistinct. Operculum oval and with a roundly convex, hollow excrescence that is formed by the outer margin; this with the lower two-thirds almost vertical and the upper portion with shallow radial ridges and some irregular impressions; height of excrescence corresponding to about one-third of capsule length. Colour of capsule and micropylar plate plain light greyish ochre with the opercular collar pale olive. Outer margin of micropylar plate sepia, micropylar cup dark brown. Opercular structure yellowish to orangey ochre.

Measurements [mm]: length including operculum 4.9, length 3.8, width 2.4, height 3.0, length of micropylar plate 2.6.

Comments. Females of this gigantic new species are the longest insects of the entire New World. Eggs have been imported by a Swiss traveller that were laid by a female found at Laguna San Carlos in 2017 and gave rise to a culture that could be maintained for a few generations in captivity. This species has proven not particularly easy to breed and culturing deserved large, well-ventilated cages but high humidity at the same time. In general association with other species in over-crowded cages and the final ecdysis of ♀♀ in particular have proven fairly problematic. At average temperatures of 21–25°C eggs hatched after 6–8 months and nymphs usually took 7–8 months to reach maturity. The huge newly hatched nymphs already have a body length of 32 mm, are bluish grey in colour and have all tibiae furnished with two distinctive white bands. Females produce an average of 3– 4 eggs per day which are simply flicked away by an abrupt movement of the abdomen.Alternative food plants accepted in captivity in Europe included bramble ( Rubus spp. , Rosaceae ), roses ( Rosa spp. , Rosaceae ), hazel ( Corylus avellana , Betulaceae ) and oak ( Quercus robur , Fagaceae ).

Table 40: Measurements of Phanocles maximus sp. n.

Figures

FIGURE 50. Phanocles Stål, 1875 habitus (in scale): A. P. maximus sp. n. ♀ HT (Panamá, Prov Panamá, Chagres N.P., Cerro Azul), dorsolateral view [MIUP]; B. P. subvolans (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♀ (Costa Rica) dorsolateral view [ANSP]; C. P. saussurei (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♀ (Mexico, Veracruz, Puerto Escondido), dorsolateral view [coll. FH No. 0650–1]; D. P. rehni sp. n. ♀ HT (Honduras, Dept.Atlantida, Lancetilla), dorsolateral view [ANSP]; E. P. cuzcoense sp. n. ♀ HT (Peru, Dept. Cuzco, Quince Mil), dorsolateral view [ANSP].

FIGURE 55. Phanocles Stål, 1875: A. P. ecuadoricus sp. n. ♂ PT (Ecuador, Prov. Esmeraldas, Rio Verde), dorsolateral view [MNCN]; B. P. falcatus sp. n. ♂ PT (Ecuador, Prov. Napo, Misahualli), dorsolateral view [coll. FH, No. 0919–3]; C. P. maximus sp. n. ♀ PT (captive reared from Panamá, Prov. Coclé, Valle deAntón), dorsolateral view [coll. FH, No. 1360–3]; D. P. spectabilis sp. n. ♂ PT (captive reared from Costa Rica, Prov. Puntarenas, La Gamba), dorsolateral view [coll. FH, No. 0563–18]; E. P. ploiaria (Westwood, 1859) ♀ (Panamá, Prov. Coclé, Valle de Antón 650–850 m), dorsolateral view [coll. FH, No. 0705–12]; F. P. obtusus (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♂ (Venezuela, Aragua N.P., Rancho Grande), dorsolateral view [ANSP].

FIGURE 58. Phanocles Stål, 1875 head and prothorax: A. P. aequatorialis (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♀, lateral view [coll. FH]; B. P. costaricensis Hennemann, 2002 ♀, lateral view [coll. FH]; C. P. ploiaria (Westwood, 1859) ♀, lateral view [coll. FH]; D. P. maroniensis (Chopard, 1911) ♀ HT, lateral view [MNHN]; E. P. satyr (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♀ dorsolateral view [ANSP]; F. P. ecuadoricus sp. n. ♀ PT, lateral view [coll. FH]; G. P. maximus sp. n. ♀ PT, dorsolateral view [coll. FH]; H. P. spectabilis sp. n. ♀ PT, dorsolateral view [coll. FH]; J. P. spectabilis sp. n. ♀ PT, dorsolateral view [coll. FH]; K. P. subvolans (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♀, dorsolateral view [ANSP]; L. P. horni (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♀, dorsolateral view [coll. FH].

FIGURE 60. Phanocles Stål, 1875 head and prothorax: A. P. aequatorialis (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♂, lateral view [coll. FH]; B. P. costaricensis Hennemann, 2002 ♂, lateral view [coll. FH]; C. P. muticus (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) ♂, lateral view [coll. FH]; D. P. mexicanus sp. n. ♂ PT, lateral view [UMMZ, © Erika Tucker]; E. P. horni (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♂, lateral view [coll. FH]; F. P. maximus sp. n. ♂ PT, dorsolateral view [coll. FH]; G. P. spectabilis sp. n. ♂ PT, lateral view [coll. FH]; H. P. saussurei (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♂, lateral view [coll. FH]; J. P. vosseleri (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♂, lateral view [coll. FH].

FIGURE 62. Phanocles Stål, 1875 terminalia of ♀♀: A. P. maximus sp. n. ♀ PT, lateral view [coll. FH]; B. P. maximus sp. n. ♀ PT, dorsal view [coll. FH]; C. P. maximus sp. n. ♀ PT, ventral view [coll. FH]; D. P. rehni sp. n. ♀ HT, lateral view [ANSP]; E. P. rehni sp. n. ♀ HT, dorsal view [ANSP]; F. P. rehni sp. n. ♀ HT, ventral view [ANSP]; G. P. subvolans (Redtenbacher, 1908), lateral view [ANSP]; H. P. subvolans (Redtenbacher, 1908), dorsal view [ANSP]; J. P. subvolans (Redtenbacher, 1908), ventral view [ANSP]; K. P. ploiaria (Westwood, 1859), lateral view [coll. FH]; L. P. ploiaria (Westwood, 1859), dorsal view [coll. FH]; M. P. ploiaria (Westwood, 1859), ventral view [coll. FH]; N. P. spectabilis sp. n. ♀ PT, lateral view [coll. FH]; O. P. spectabilis sp. n. ♀ PT, dorsal view [coll. FH]; P. P. spectabilis sp. n. ♀ PT, ventral view [coll. FH]; Q. P. virgulatus (Redtenbacher, 1908), lateral view [coll. FH]; R. P. virgulatus (Redtenbacher, 1908), dorsal view [coll. FH]; S. P. virgulatus (Redtenbacher, 1908), ventral view [coll. FH].

FIGURE 65. Phanocles Stål, 1875 terminalia of ♂♂: A. P. costaricensis Hennemann, 2002, lateral view [coll. FH]; B. P. costaricensis Hennemann, 2002, dorsal view [coll. FH]; C. P. costaricensis Hennemann, 2002, ventral view [coll. FH]; D. P. falcatus sp. n. ♂ PT, lateral view [coll. FH]; E. P. falcatus sp. n. ♂ PT, dorsal view [coll. FH]; F. P. falcatus sp. n. ♂ PT, ventral view [coll. FH]; G. P. virgulatus (Redtenbacher, 1908), lateral view [coll. FH]; H. P. virgulatus (Redtenbacher, 1908), dorsal view [coll. FH]; J. P. virgulatus (Redtenbacher, 1908), ventral view [coll. FH]; K. P. maximus sp. n. ♂ PT, lateral view [ANSP]; L. P. maximus sp. n. ♂ PT, dorsal view [coll. FH]; M. P. maximus sp. n. ♂ PT, ventral view [coll. FH]; N. P. spectabilis sp. n. ♂ PT, lateral view [coll. FH]; O. P. spectabilis sp. n. ♂ PT, dorsal view [ANSP]; P. P. spectabilis sp. n. ♂ PT, ventral view [ANSP]; Q. P. vosseleri (Redtenbacher, 1908), lateral view [coll. FH]; R. P. vosseleri (Redtenbacher, 1908), dorsal view [coll. FH]; S. P. vosseleri (Redtenbacher, 1908), ventral view [coll. FH].

FIGURE 88. Mesosternum: A. Phanocles burkartii (Saussure, 1868) ♀ [coll. FH]; B. Phanocles maximus sp. n. ♀ PT [coll. FH]; C. Phanocles maximus sp. n. ♂ PT [coll. FH]; D. Phanocles mexicanus sp. n. ♀ HT [MNHN]; E. Phanocles ploiaria (Westwood, 1859) ♀ [coll. FH]; F. Phanocles ploiaria (Westwood, 1859) ♂ [coll. FH]; G. Phanocles subvolans (Westwood, 1859) ♀ [ANSP]; H. Phanocles ecuadoricus sp. n. ♀ HT [ZMUH]; J. Phanocles maroniensis (Chopard, 1911) ♂ [MNHN]; K. Phanocles satyr (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♀ [ANSP]; L. Phanocles saussurei (Redtenbacher, 1908) ♀ [coll. FH]; M. Phanocles superbus sp. n. ♀ HT [MNHN]; N. Phanocles spectabilis sp. n. ♂ HT [coll. FH]; O. Phanocles falcatus sp. n. ♂ HT [ANSP]. Not in scale.

FIGURE 92. Praeopercular organ of ♀♀: A. Phanocles berezini sp. n. PT [coll. FH]; B. Phanocles horni (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; C. Phanocles chaperi (Redtenbacher, 1908) HT [MNHN]; D. Phanocles keratosqueleton (Olivier, 1792) St. Vincent [coll. ASPER, © Philippe Lelong]; E. Phanocles keratosqueleton (Olivier, 1792) Dominica [coll. ASPER, © Philippe Lelong]; F. Phanocles mutica (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) Trinidad [coll. ASPER, © Philippe Lelong]; G. Phanocles ecuadoricus sp. n. PT [ZMUH]; H. Phanocles maximus sp. n. [coll. FH]; J. Phanocles spectabilis sp. n. PT [coll. FH]. Not in scale.

FIGURE 97. Vomer of ♂♂: A. Phanocles falcatus sp. n. HT lateral view [NHMUK]; B. Phanocles falcatus sp. n. PT [MNHN]; C. Phanocles maroniensis (Chopard, 1911) [MNHN]; D. Phanocles costaricensis Hennemann, 2002 [coll. FH]; E. Phanocles maximus sp. n. PT Laguna San Carlos, Panamá [coll. FH]; F. Phanocles significans (Redtenbacher, 1908) [ANSP]; G. Phanocles virgulatus (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; H. Phanocles ploiaria (Westwood, 1859) [coll. FH]; J. Phanocles vosseleri (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; K. Phanocles spectabilis sp. n. PT [ANSP]; L. Phanocles horni (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; M. Phanocles acutecornutus sp. n. PT [ZSMC]; N. Phanocles mutica (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) [coll. ASPER, © Philippe Lelong]; O. Phanocles keratosqueleton (Olivier, 1792) St. Vincent [coll. ASPER, © Philippe Lelong]. Not in scale.

FIGURE 99. Eggs (in scale): A. Phanocles aequatorialis (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; B. Phanocles costaricensis Hennemann, 2002; C. Phanocles cuzcoense sp. n. ex ovipositor HT [ANSP]; D. Phanocles ecuadoricus sp. n. PT [coll. FH]; E. Phanocles maximus sp. n. [coll. FH]; F. Phanocles mutica (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) [coll. FH]; G. Phanocles ploiaria (Westwood, 1859) Panamá, Prov. Coclé, Valle de Antón [coll. FH]; H. Phanocles rehni sp. n. ex ovipositor HT [ANSP]; J. Phanocles spectabilis sp. n. PT [coll. FH]; K. Phanocles vosseleri (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; L. Phanocles virgulatus (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; M. Phanocles keratosqueleton (Olivier, 1792) Martinique [coll. FH]; N. Phanocles keratosqueleton (Olivier, 1792) St. Vincent [coll. FH]; O. Phanocles chaperi (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; P. Phanocles falcatus sp. n. PT [coll. FH]. [Scale = 1 mm]

FIGURE 116. Live insects of Phanocles maximus sp. n. captive reared ♀ from Valle de Antón, Panamá with insets showing details of head (upper right corner) and metathorax (lower left corner).

FIGURE 117. Live insects: A. Phanocles maximus sp. n. captive reared ♀ from Valle deAntón, Panamá (inset showing detail of head, pro- and mesothorax); B. Detail of head, pro- and mesothorax of captive reared ♀ Phanocles maximus sp. n. from Laguna San Carlos, Panamá; C. Phanocles ploiaria (Westwood, 1859) feeding ♀ at Valle de Antón, Panamá.