Purusha Distant, 1906

Constant, Jérôme, 2020, Revision of the Eurybrachidae (XV). The Oriental genus Purusha Distant, 1906 with two new species and a key to the genera of Eurybrachini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Eurybrachidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 602, pp. 1-40 : 5-9

Genus Purusha Distant, 1906

Purusha Distant, 1906a: 236 (type-species: Eurybrachis (sic!) reversa Hope, 1843 , by monotypy).

Purusha – Distant 1906 b: 203 [described]. — Schmidt 1908: 242 [placed in Eurybrachini]. — Metcalf 1956: 7 [catalogued]. — Constant 2008: 45 [notes].

Diagnosis

Medium to large sized eurybrachid (LT = 22–33 mm). The genus can be identified by the following combination of characters:

– Eyes with a strong spine beneath, surpassing level of eye laterally and visible from above ( Fig. 16B, D ).

– Tegmina broad, brown with very dense reticulum of veins and cross-veins, often densely covered with white wax ( Figs 10A , 16A ).

– Tegmina with costal margin not emarginate at posterior half and with apical margin obliquely rounded ( Figs 10A , 16A ).

– Clavus open posteriorly with claval veins Pcu and A1 running parallel to one another ( Figs 15A , 16A ).

– Posterior tibiae with 5 lateral spines ( Fig. 15 A–B).

Differential diagnosis

Among the Eurybrachini, the genus can be separated from

Eurybrachys by

(1) the much larger size (not surpassing 14 mm in Eurybrachys );

(2) the colour of the females (mainly green, yellow and red in Eurybrachys , Fig. 1A );

(3) the length of the posterior wings (much shorter than tegmina in Eurybrachys , Fig. 1 A–B).

Messena by

(1) the much higher density of veins and cross veins on tegmina (at mid-length of tegmen, number of longitudinal veins> 25 in Purusha , Fig. 1E ; <20 in Messena , Fig. 1C );

(2) the narrower head: head narrower than pronotum in Purusha ( Fig. 1E ); as broad as pronotum in Messena ( Fig. 1C );

(3) the colour of the tegmina: brown in Purusha ( Fig. 1E ); variegated with membrane whitish, semitransluscent with black spots in Messena ( Fig. 1C ).

Nicidus by

(1) the shape of the tegmina, strongly elongate and with costal and sutural margins nearly parallel in Nicidus ( Fig. 1D );

(2) the colour of the tegmina: brown in Purusha ( Fig. 1E ); variegated with membrane whitish, semitransluscent with black spots in Nicidus ( Fig. 1D );

(3) the length of the posterior wings (much shorter than tegmina in Nicidus , Fig. 1D ).

Thessitus by

(1) the colour of the tegmina: in Thessitus : mainly whitish in females, whitish with a red marking on ventral side in males ( Fig. 1F );

(2) the much higher density of veins and cross veins on tegmina (at mid-length of tegmen, number of longitudinal veins> 25 in Purusha , Fig. 1E ; <20 in Thessitus , Fig. 1F );

(3) the costal emargination on apical half of tegmina in Thessitus ( Fig. 1F ).

Etymology

‘Purusha’ is a sanskrit word, meaning, in Indian philosophy, ‘spirit’, ‘person’, ‘self’ or ‘consciousness’.

Historical review

Distant (1906a), in his “ Fauna of British India ”, erected the genus Purusha to accommodate one species, Eurybrachys reversa Hope, 1843 , on the basis of Hope’s (1843) illustration of the species ( Fig. 18E ). He did not formally describe the genus as no specimen was available to him at that moment. Later the same year ( Distant 1906b), he described the genus together with a new species, P. rubromaculata Distant, 1906 and transferred Messena paradoxa Gerstaecker, 1895 to Purusha .

Schmidt (1908) placed Purusha in his new tribe Eurybrachini [main characters: (1) clavus open, (2) claval veins parallel, not fused behind half of clavus length] together with the genera Eurybrachys Guérin-Méneville, 1834 , Messena Stål, 1861 , Nicidus Stål, 1858 and Thessitus Walker, 1862 .

Four species, all described from single females, were placed in Purusha in Metcalf’s (1956) catalogue:

1. P. reversa ( Hope, 1843) : Hope (1843) described Eurybrachis (sic!) reversa from Silhet. The species was transferred from Eurybrachys to Purusha by Distant (1906 a).

2. P. paradoxa ( Gerstaecker, 1895) : Gerstaecker (1895) described “ Messena (?) paradoxa ” from Java and stated that the species is clearly related to Eurybrachys reversa . The species was transferred to Purusha by Distant (1906b).

3. P. rubromaculata Distant, 1906 : Distant (1906b) described this species from Siam, Chantabun [= Chantaburi].

4. P. pulverosa Distant, 1918 : Distant (1918) described this species from Indo-China, Tonkin.

Description

MEASUREMENTS AND RATIOS. ♂: LT: 22.6–24.2 mm; LTg/BTg = 2.0–2.3; BV/LV = 3.8–4.5; BF/LF = 1.6–1.85; LP+LM/BT = 0.6–0.7. ♀: LT: 26.6–32.6 mm; LTg/BTg = 1.9–2.1; BV/LV = 4.3–4.4; BF/LF = 1.5–1.9; LP+LM/BT = 0.6–0.73.

GENERAL COLOURATION. Brown, usually with white waxy markings; posterior wings often largely white and covered in white secretion in females.

HEAD. Narrower than thorax. Vertex 3.8–4.5 times as broad as long, concave and with anterior margin slightly curved in dorsal view. Frons 1.5–1.9 times as broad as long, slightly convex and with lateral angles well marked. Subocular spine strongly developed, surpassing external margin of eye and visible from above.

THORAX. About 1.35–1.6 times as broad as length of pro- and mesonotum taken together; pronotum shorter than mesonotum and with obsolete median carina; mesonotum with 3 longitudinal obsolete carinae.

TEGMINA. Ground colour: brown. Nearly flat, elongate, about twice longer than broad (LTg/BTg = 1.9– 2.3); slightly broadening from base to apex; apical margin obliquely rounded; dorsal and ventral sides often with white waxy markings, with markings more developed in females.

VENATION. Pc+CP obsolete; ScP+R and MP forking very close to base and densely forking, resulting in a dense reticulum of veins and veinlets; CuA forking near basal third of tegmen; clavus open; CuP and PCu+A1 not merging together and strongly forked before reaching sutural margin beyond apex of clavus.

HIND WINGS. Elongate with apical margin rouned. About as large as tegmina and with anterior and posterior margins nearly straight in males; slightly larger and with anterior and posterior margin broadly rounded in females. Anal area developed, often bearing waxy secretion. Venation very dense.

LEGS. Rather elongate. Pro- and meso- femora and tibiae dorso-ventrally flattened, foliaceous; metatibiae with 5 lateral and 9–10 apical spines. First metatarsomere with strong spine at each apicolateral angle; ventrally, large pad of microsetae and 11–13 spines arranged in two irregular rows. Second metatarsomere with ventral pad of microsetae. Third metatarsomere with narrow pad of microsetae. Metatibiotarsal formula: (5) 9–10/11–13/0.

MALE GENITALIA ( Figs 8 , 11 , 17 , 21 ). Symmetrical. Pygofer rather massive, slightly higher than long in lateral view, with posterior margin projecting posteriorly in a laminate process on dorsal half. Anal tube large, dorsoventrally flattened, more or less oboval. Gonostyli elongate and strongly convex, bearing an apicodorsal process, often laminate and projecting megially, with several spines and a lateral hook at posterodorsal angle; ventral margin strongly emarginate, forming an opening leaving the aedeagus visible in ventral view. Phallobase robust, with lateral carinate process on each side, ventral, elongate, furcate process and pair of hooked, blunt processes slightly dorsally to furcate process. Aedeagus with apical elongate, often complicated upcurved processes and shorter, paired median portion.

FEMALE GENITALIA ( Fig. 2 ). Anal tube elongate, curved postero-ventrad, surpassing gonoplacs, v-shaped in cross section; gonoplacs large and unilobous; gonapophysis IX much smaller than gonoplacs; gonocoxae VIII well developed ventrally and pilose; anterior vagina placed ventrally and strongly smaller than posterior vagina; spermatheca attached ventrally; posterior vagina developed vertically and grooved; bursa copulatrix large, oval, attached dorsolaterally to and much larger than posterior vagina.

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM. Males are about 20% smaller than females, often with reduced waxy markings on the tegmina, and with brown area of posterior wings more extended.

Distribution

Oriental Region ( Fig. 4 ): from Bangladesh to Vietnam through Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, and south to Malaysia, Sumatra and Java. The genus is not recorded from Cambodia or Borneo to date.

Biology

The few observed specimens were sitting on leaves of bushes in the understorey of tropical rainforest. Nothing is known of the host plants and development of any species of the genus.

Species included

P. bellissima sp. nov. ( Myanmar)

P. paradoxa ( Gerstaecker, 1895) ( Indonesia: Java, Sumatra)

P. pulverosa Distant, 1918 ( Vietnam ( Tonkin), Laos, Thailand)

P. reversa ( Hope, 1843) ( Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia)

= P. rubromaculata Distant, 1906

P. vietnamica sp. nov. ( Vietnam ( Tonkin))

Identification key to the species of Purusha

Males (not included: P. bellissima sp. nov.)

1. Posterior wings entirely whitish, covered with wax, without markings ( Fig. 11 A–B). Tegmina often completely covered with white wax, with concentric rows of small brown lines parallel to apical margin on apical third ( Fig. 11 A–B). Anterior part of pronotum yellowish ( Fig. 11C )................................................................................................... P. pulverosa Distant, 1918

– Posterior wings brown or whitish, with dark brown spots or with brown lines on apical half arranged in concentric rows parallel to apical margin ( Figs 6 A–B, 15A–B, 19A–B). Tegmina with small black spots near apex or with brown lines on arranged in concentric rows parallel to apical margin ( Figs 6 A–B, 15A–B, 19A–B). Pronotum unicolorous, entirely brown or yellowish brown ( Figs 6C , 15C , 19C )........................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Posterior wings pale brownish white with concentric rows of narrow brown stripes parallel to apical margin ( Fig. 19 A–B). Tegmina with concentric rows of narrow brown stripes parallel to apical margin ( Fig. 19 A–B)........................................................................................ P. vietnamica sp. nov. *

– Posterior wings brown with numerous black-brown spots on posterior half ( Figs 6 A–B, 15A–B). Tegmina with small black spots on membrane, more or less arranged in concentric rows parallel to apical margin ( Figs 6 A–B, 15A–B)................................................................................................... 3

3. Posterior wings with apico-costal angle regularly rounded ( Fig. 6 A–B). Ventral margin of gonostyli with internobasal process projecting posteriorly ( Fig. 8B ). Anterolateral spine of phallus much smaller than posterolateral one ( Fig. 8F )......................................... P. paradoxa ( Gerstaecker, 1895)

– Posterior wings with apico-costal angle slightly angularly rounded ( Fig. 15 A–B). Ventral margin of gonostyli without internobasal process projecting posteriorly ( Fig. 17B ). Anterolateral and posterolateral spines of phallus about the same size ( Fig. 17G ).................... P. reversa ( Hope, 1843)

Females

1. Posterior wings entirely whitish, covered in wax, without markings ( Fig. 10 A–B). Tegmina without conspicuous white waxy spot, often completely covered with white wax ( Fig. 10 A–B). Anterior part of pronotum yellowish ( Fig. 10D )........................................... P. pulverosa Distant, 1918

– Posterior wings whitish, covered with wax, with dark brown markings on apical half, often arranged in concentric rows parallel to apical margin ( Figs 3A, C , 7 A–B, 16A, C, 20A–B). Tegmina with or without conspicuous white waxy spot, sometimes completely covered with white wax ( Figs 3 A–C, 7A–B, 16A, C, 20A–B). Pronotum entirely brown.....................2

2. Posterior wings with concentric rows of narrow brown stripes parallel to apical margin ( Figs 3A, C , 20 A–B). Tegmina without conspicuous white waxy spot ( Fig. 20A ) or with large white waxy spot along costal margin and transverse white waxy band near base ( Fig. 3 A–B).............................3

– Posterior wings with numerous brown spots, sometimes merging together, more or less arranged in rows parallel to apical margin ( Figs 5A , 7A , 13A , 14A , 16A ). Tegmina with a conspicuous white waxy spot along costal margin or on disc ( Figs 5A , 7A , 13A , 14A , 16A ).........................................4

3. Tegmina with large, oval, white waxy spot along costal margin and transverse white waxy band near base ( Fig. 3 A–B).......................................................................................... P. bellissima sp. nov.

– Tegmina without with large white waxy spot along costal margin and transverse white waxy band near base ( Fig. 20A )........................................................................................... P. vietnamica sp. nov.

4. Tegmina with numerous minute black spots in 2–3 rows along apical margin and conspicuous white waxy spot at half length, not touching costal margin ( Figs 5A , 7A )............................................ …………………………………………………………………..... P. paradoxa ( Gerstaecker, 1895)

– Tegmina without minute black spots and with conspicuous white waxy spot at basal third, along costal margin ( Figs 13A , 14A , 16A )............................................................... P. reversa ( Hope, 1843)

Figures

Fig. 16. Purusha reversa (Hope, 1843), ♀ from Malaysia, Cameron Highlands (RBINS). A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view normal view of frons. C. Head and thorax, dorsal view. D. Normal view of frons. B and D not to scale.

Fig. 10. Purusha pulverosa Distant, 1918, holotype, ♀ (BMNH). A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. normal view of frons. D. Head and thorax, dorsal view. E. Labels. C–E not to scale.

Fig. 15. Purusha reversa (Hope, 1843), ♂ from Thailand, Betong (RBINS). A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view normal view of frons. C. Head and thorax, dorsal view. D. normal view of frons. C–D not to scale.

Fig. 1. Genera of Eurybrachini. A. Eurybrachys sp., ♀, dorsal view (USNM). B. Eurybrachys sp., ♂, dorsal view (USNM). C. Messena sp., ♀, dorsal view (RBINS). D. Nicidus fusconebulosus Stål, 1858, ♂, dorsal view (USNM). E. Purusha reversa (Hope, 1843), ♀, dorsal view (RBINS). F. Thessitus sp., ♂, dorsal view (RBINS). Scale bars = 10 mm.

Fig. 18. Purusha reversa (Hope, 1843). A–B. ♂ in nature, Thailand, Betong, 27 Jun. 2015 (photographs by L. Day). C–D. ♀ in nature, Thailand, Betong, 7 Dec. 2014 (photographs by S. Atdhabhan). D. Defensive posture with wings raised. E. Illustration in the original description.

Fig. 8. Purusha paradoxa (Gerstaecker, 1895), male genitalia. A. Pygofer, anal tube and gonostylus, left lateral view. B. Pygofer and gonostyli, ventral view. C. Posterodorsal process of left gonostylus, dorsal view. D. Anal tube, dorsal view. E. Aedeagus, dorsal view. F. Aedeagus, left lateral view. Abbreviations: An = anal tube; G = gonostyli; Py = pygofer. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Fig. 11. Purusha pulverosa Distant, 1918, ♂ from Wiang Pa Pao, Thailand (MHNL). A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. Head and thorax, dorsal view. D. Normal view of frons. C–D not to scale.

Fig. 17. Purusha reversa (Hope, 1843), male genitalia (RBINS). A. Pygofer, anal tube and gonostylus, left lateral view. B. Pygofer and gonostyli, ventral view. C. Posterodorsal process of left gonostylus, dorsal view. D. Anal tube, dorsal view. E. Aedeagus, dorsal view. F. Aedeagus, ventral view. G. Aedeagus, left lateral view. Abbreviations: An = anal tube; G = gonostyli; Py = pygofer. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Fig. 21. Purusha vietnamica sp. nov., holotype, male genitalia (RBINS). A. Pygofer, anal tube and gonostylus, left lateral view. B. Posterodorsal process of left gonostylus, dorsal view. C. Anal tube, dorsal view. D. Pygofer and gonostyli, ventral view. E. Aedeagus, dorsal view. F. Aedeagus, left lateral view. Abbreviations: An = anal tube; G = gonostyli; Py = pygofer. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Fig. 2. Purusha paradoxa (Gerstaecker, 1895), female genitalia (RMNH). A. Lateral view. B. Anterolateral view. C. Ventral view. D. Dorsal view. Abbreviations: An = anal tube; AS VII = seventh abdominal sternite; AV = anterior vagina; BC = bursa copulatrix; dr = portion of ductus receptaculi (remaining portion of dr and spermatheca missing); Gp = gonoplac; Gx VIII = gonocoxa VIII; Gy IX = gonapophysis IX; PV = posterior vagina.

Fig. 4. Purusha spp., distribution map.

Fig. 6. Purusha paradoxa (Gerstaecker, 1895), ♂ from Sumatra (RMNH). A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. Head and thorax, dorsal view. D. Normal view of frons. C–D not to scale.

Fig. 19. Purusha vietnamica sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (RBINS). A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. Head and thorax, dorsal view. D. Labels. E. Normal view of frons. C–E not to scale.

Fig. 3. Purusha bellissima sp. nov., holotype, ♀ (NHRS). A. Dorsal view. B. Lateral view. C. Ventral view. D. Labels.

Fig. 7. Purusha paradoxa (Gerstaecker, 1895), ♀ from Java, Sukabumi (RMNH). A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. Head and thorax, dorsal view. D. Normal view of frons. C–D not to scale.

Fig. 20. Purusha vietnamica sp. nov., paratype, ♀ (BMNH). A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. Head and thorax, dorsal view. D. Normal view of frons. E. Labels. C–E not to scale.

Fig. 5. Purusha paradoxa (Gerstaecker, 1895), holotype, ♀ (ZIMG). A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. Head and thorax, dorsal view. D. Normal view of frons. E. Labels. C–E not to scale.

Fig. 13. Purusha reversa (Hope, 1843), holotype, ♀ (OUMNH). A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. Head and thorax, dorsal view. D. Normal view of frons. E. Labels. C–E not to scale.

Fig. 14. Purusha rubromaculata Distant, 1906, holotype, ♀ (BMNH). A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. Labels. D. Normal view of frons. E. Head and thorax, dorsal view. C–E not to scale.