Phaelota, Jacoby, 1887

Prathapan, K. D. & Konstantinov, A. S., 2009, Descriptions of eight new species of Phaelota (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with a new generic synonymy and a key to species of Indian subcontinent, Zootaxa 1991, pp. 1-27 : 25-26

Key to the species of Phaelota of the Indian subcontinent

1. Humerus flat, hind wings absent or rudimentary; metathoracic sternite not longer than prothoracic sternite; moss dwelling ................................................................................................................................................................. 2

- Humeral callus well developed, hind wings well developed; metathoracic sternite about two times as long as prothoracic sternite; fern feeding ........................................................................................................................... 5

2 (1). Elytron reddish brown with dark longitudinal stripes; tenth antennomere as wide as half of its length; length 5.0 mm ....................................................................................................................................... P. semifasciata Jacoby

- Elytron either metallic or a mixture of black and yellow; tenth antennomere wider than half of its length; length 1.9–2.8 mm ............................................................................................................................................................ 3

3 (2). Elytron all around and suture piceous enclosing light yellowish area in middle with black macula; ventral side of aedeagus with a longitudinal deep groove not reaching apex ( Fig 25); spicule Y-shaped ....................................... ............................................................................................................................................... P. maculipennis n. sp.

- Elytron metallic black or green; ventral side of aedeagus without deep groove; spicule not Y-shaped ................ 4

4 (3). Dorsum entirely metallic black with aeneous reflections; longitudinal ridge along mesal side of metafemur not serrulate in male ................................................................................................................................ P. saluki n. sp.

- Elytron greenish black, head and pronotum bright brown; metafemur with longitudinal ridge along mesal side serrulate in male ....................................................................................................................... P. viridipennis n. sp.

5 (1). Elytra with spots or bands, either dark on light background or light on dark background ( P. vaishakha ) ........... 6

- Elytra without spots or bands ................................................................................................................................. 9

6 (5). Pronotum with large dark spot in the middle ........................................................................... P. assamensis n. sp.

- Pronotum entirely light or dark colored, without spot in the middle ..................................................................... 7

7(6). Vertex covered with relatively large, distinctly visible punctures............................................................................ .............................................................................................. P.jacobyi Prathapan and Viraktamath ( Figs 13–15)

- Vertex covered with tiny, barely perceptible punctures.......................................................................................... 8

8 (7). Spermathecal duct nearly as long as receptacle, making large loop. ...................................................................... .............................................................................. P. vaishakha Prathapan and Viraktamath (in part) ( Figs 64–69)

- Spermathecal duct much shorter than receptacle, making a small loop ................................... P. kottigehara n. sp.

9 (5). Second antennomere slightly longer or nearly as long as third............................................................................ 10

- Second antennomere 0.63–0.76 times as long as third ........................................................................................ 13

10(9). Basal impressions on pronotum well defined....................................................................................................... 11

- Basal impressions on pronotum poorly defined.. ................................................................................................. 12

11 (10). Median lobe of aedeagus with apex bent ventrally and lateral impressions ending abruptly ( Fig. 74) ................... ............................................................................................................................................... P. variabilis (Jacoby)

- Median lobe of aedeagus with apex bent dorsally and lateral impressions ending gradually towards base ( Fig. 12) P. flavipennis (Motschulsky)

12 (10). Pronotum without poorly defined longitudinal impression along its lateral margin. Metafemur in male with sharp denticle. Median lobe of aedeagus with sides straight ( Fig. 44) ........................................ P. ogloblini n. sp.

- Pronotum with poorly defined longitudinal impression along its lateral margin. Metafemur in male with obtuse denticle. Median lobe of aedeagus with sides slightly constricted before apex ( Fig. 57) ............. P. schereri n. sp.

13 (9). Maximum width of median lobe of aedeagus situated slightly above middle. Spermatheca with a duct as long or longer than receptacle ........................................... P. vaishakha Prathapan and Viraktamath (in part) ( Figs 64–69)

- Maximum width of median lobe of aedeagus situated near apex. Spermatheca with a duct shorter than receptacle............................................................................................................................................................................ 4

14 (13). Median lobe of aedeagus slightly narrower in middle than basally and apically, uniformly sclerotized in ventral view ( Fig. 63). Anterofrontal ridge not vertically carinate medially ( Fig. 60); lateral margin of pronotum curved ( Fig. 62) .............................................................................. P. sindhoori Prathapan and Viraktamath ( Figs 59–63)

- Median lobe of aedeagus parallel-sided, with membranous part near apex in ventral view ( Fig. 34). Anterofrontal ridge vertically carinate medially; lateral margin of pronotum almost straight ( Figs 31–33) ... P. mauliki n. sp.