Lonchodinae

Hennemann, Frank H., Conle, Oskar V., Zhang, Weiwei & Liu, Ye, 2008, Descriptions of a new genus and three new species of Phasmatodea from Southwest China (Insecta: Phasmatodea), Zootaxa 1701, pp. 40-62 : 49

Subfamily Lonchodinae Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1893

The following two genera are very similar in general appearance to the two new Chinese species of Parastheneboea Redtenbacher, 1908 described herein and may easily be confused. Pericentrus Redtenbacher, 1908 is shown to belong in the subfamily Lonchodinae but has not yet been recorded from China, although quite likely to be present in the southern portions of Xizang (= Tibet). Andropromachus Carl, 1913 is so far only known to be represented in SW-China by one species, P. guangxiense ( Chen & He, 2000) . Brief discussions of both genera are provided below.

Andropromachus Carl, 1913

Type-species: Andropromachus scutatus Carl, 1913: 49 , pl. 1: 1 & 3 (Ψ), by subsequent designation of Zompro, 2002: 68.

Zompro, 2002: 68.

Otte & Brock, 2005: 46.

Hennemann, 2007: 16, figs. 1-3.

Promachus (?), Kirby, 1904: 377.

Promachus, Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907: 292 (in part - not Stål, 1875).

Spiniphasma Chen & He, 2000: 32 , fig. 7–2 (Ψ). Type-species: Spiniphasma guangxiense Chen & He, 2000: 32 , by original designation. [Synonymised by Hennemann, 2007: 16]

Comments. A re-description and review of Andropromachus Carl, 1913 (= Spiniphasma Chen & He, 2000 ) along with a list of species and a key to the genera of the “ Neohirasea -complex”, to which belongs Andropromachus Carl , was provided by Hennemann (2007: 16 ff.).

As pointed out by Hennemann (2007: 16) this genus is related to Spinohirasea Zompro, 2002 (Type-species: Spinohirasea crassithorax Zompro, 2002: 67 , = Menexenus bengalensis Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) but close relation to Neohirasea Rehn, 1904 (Type-species: Phasma (Acanthoderus) japonicum de Haan, 1842: 135, pl. 12: 4) is even more obvious. Detailed subsequent examination of taxa of both genera has left no more features than the convex and spinose vertex, swollen mesothorax and triangular posterolateral tooth of the abdominal tergites to distinguish Andropromachus Carl from Neohirasea Rehn. The latter two features however only match with the genotype A. scutatus Carl and A. guangxiense (Chen & He) , but are not true for A. bicolor (Kirby) . This latter species shows striking similarity to Neohirasea maerens (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) also from N-Vietnam but solely differs by the convex and spinose vertex, thus clearly emphasising the close relation between these two genera. Unfortunately, no eggs of Andropromachus Carl have become known so far. The shape of the ΨΨgenitalia and close relation to Neohirasea Rehn however, suggest the eggs to be dropped to the ground singularly.

The spinose vertex shows relation to the Chinese Qiongphasma Chen, He & Li, 2002 , but this genus differs by the flat head, slender mesothorax and differently structured genitalia of ɗɗ.

Distribution. SW-China (Guangxi) and N-Vietnam (Than-Moi).