Maiestas schmidtgeni (Wagner)

Webb, Michael D. & Viraktamath, Chandra A., 2009, 2163, Zootaxa 2163, pp. 1-64 : 16-17

Maiestas schmidtgeni (Wagner) . Comb. nov. ( Fig. 17).

Thamnotettix coronifer Marsh, Fieber, 1872 , misidentification.

Deltocephalus schmidtgeni Wagner, 1939: 164 , figs 240–242, Germany. New name.

Deltocephalus (Recilia) schmidtgeni Wagner, Ribaut, 1952: 250 , figs 613–615.

Remarks. The identity of this species is taken from Wagner (1939: 163, figs 240–241). Wagner (1939) renamed Thamnotettix coronifer Marsh , sensu Fieber (1872) , as schmidtgeni and figured what he presumed to be the same species from Germany (see Fig. 17o). These figures match those specimens examined here (BMNH) from S. Europe and the Mediterranean ( France, Austria, Russia, Greece, Hungary and Turkey), a feature of which is the elongate aedeagal shaft, slightly angled at midlength ( Fig. 17k). Other specimens found under this name in BMNH and NMW, from the Middle East, and N. and W. Africa, were found to have a shorter, broader and more evenly curved aedeagal shaft (see Figs 19k, 20k, and 21k) and some a straighter and longer style apical process (see Fig. 21f). See also remarks under beieri .

With reference to French records of this species it has been reported from Toulouse by Ribaut (1952), and Corsica and Dordogne by della Giustina (1989: 127) who considered it to be rather rare. However, Benoit Nusillard writes (pers. comm.) that it is found in numbers on the garrigue north of Montpellier (Hérault), around Valence and Montélimar (Drôme) (mixed with Recilia coronifer ), and in the Camargue around Arles (Bouches du Rhône) and there strongly attracted to UV light. Specimens were collected between 26 of June and 11 October, with possibly two generations.