Afronaso gryphus, Gnezdilov, Vladimir M. & Bourgoin, Thierry, 2009

Gnezdilov, Vladimir M. & Bourgoin, Thierry, 2009, First record of the family Caliscelidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) from Madagascar, with description of new taxa from the Afrotropical Region and biogeographical notes, Zootaxa 2020, pp. 1-36 : 24-30

Afronaso gryphus sp. n.

(figs 53–57, 99–103)

Type material. Holotype 3: Madagascar: Andringitra Centre, zone sommitale, fal., Invangomena, 2100–2500 m, 9. XI.–10.XII.1970, “ HFAM 2”, “Museum Paris / Madagascar Centre / mission C.N.R.S. / R.C.P. nº 225” ( MNHN). Paratypes: 2 3, as holotype ( MNHN, ZIN); 1 Ƥ, Andringitra Sud, Andrianony, cirque, Manjarivolo, 1650 m, 26.X.–3.XI.1970, “ FDHM 1”, “Museum Paris / Madagascar Centre / mission C.N.R.S. / R.C.P. nº 225” ( MNHN); 1 3, Fianarantsoa Province, Parc National d’Andringitra, Plateau d’Andohariana, 35.9 km 205˚ Ambalavao, 22˚09ˏ 0 8ˏˏ S 046˚53ˏ57ˏˏ E, 2000 m, 15. IV.2006, maxi winkler litter extraction in ericoid thicket, B.L. Fisher ( CASC).

Description (figs 53–57). Metope cross-striated, with long proboscis which is weakly flattened laterally. Proboscis in males with short median keel apically. Postclypeus large. Pedicel with short apical process. Coryphe transverse, pentagonate, with weak median keel, anterior margin straight in males and weakly concave in female, posterior margin straight. Pronotum short, with very narrow paradiscal fields, without keels. Scutellum longer than pronotum, without keels. Brachypterous, fore wings reaching hind margin of third abdominal tergite, venation obscure. Hind tibia with single lateral spine. First and second metatarsomeres are equal in length, with only two lateral spines apically, without intermediate spines.

Coloration. Male (figs 53–55). Metope, including proboscis, dark reddish brown, with white narrow median stripe reaching apex of proboscis. Postclypeus dark reddish brown. Anteclypeus and rostrum, excluding black apex, light yellowish brown. Scapus and pedicel dark brown. Coryphe, dorsal part of pronotum, and scutellum light reddish brown, with white broad median stripe. Paradiscal fields of pronotum dark brown or black. Fore wings reddish brown or black, with narrow white stripe along claval margin. Sternites of thorax light yellowish brown. Pleirites of pro- and mesothorax dark brown. Hind episternae black. Legs light yellowish brown. Femora with reddish brown transverse and longitudinal stripes. Tibiae brown or dark brown basally. Coxae, trochanters, apices of tibiae, first and second metatarsomeres light yellow. Third metatarsomeres and claws dark brown. Apices of spines of legs black. Abdominal tergites dark reddish brown or black with white narrow median stripe reaching sternite VII. Abdominal sternites dark reddish brown or black, with light yellowish brown middle part. Pygofer and styles light yellowish brown. Anal tube dark brown.

Coloration. Female (figs 56, 57). Metope, coryphe, dorsal parts of pronotum and scutellum light yellowish brown. Postclypeus and lower part of proboscis reddish brown. Anteclypeus and rostrum yellowish brown. Coryphe and scutellum each with pair of dark brown spots. Paranotal lobes of pronotum light yellowish brown, with reddish dots. Fore wings reddish brown, with yellowish veins and costal margin. Sternites of thorax yellowish brown. Pleirites of thorax dark brown or black. Coxae and trochanters yellowish brown, with dark brown basal parts and apices. Fore legs are missing in the type specimen. Middle and hind femora reddish brown, excluding yellowish brown apices. Middle and hind tibiae yellowish brown. Tarsomeres dark brown or black. Apices of spines of legs black. Abdominal tergites, pygofer, and anal tube brownish yellow, with dark reddish brown dots. Abdominal sternites brown.

Male genitalia (figs 99–103). Pygofer with straight hind margin. Anal tube elongate, widely rounded apically (in dorsal view). Anal column short and wide. Phallobase short and wide, narrowing apically—with nose-shaped apex (in lateral view) and with apical concavity (in ventral view), with large process basally and pair of large lateral lobes covering ventral aedeagal hooks. Aedeagal hooks long, acuminate, spirally curved. Style with stright hind margin and straight margin under the capitulum, caudo-dorsal angle right. Capitulum of style long and narrow, without lateral tooth.

Body length. Males—3.0–3.4 mm, female—4.5 mm.

Etymology. The species name is derived from Latin “ gryphus ”—hook or beak-like nose, referring to the long metopial proboscis.