Gelastyrella litaoensis Yang, 1994

Figs 2B, D, 19–23

Gelastyrella litaoensis Yang, 1994 in Chan & Yang, 1994: 90, fig. 36 (described from Taiwan, head, wings, male and female terminalia illustrated).

Gelastyrella hainanensis Ran & Liang, 2006: 65 (64 (keyed), 65, figs 1–8 (described from China, Hainan; head, tegmen and terminalia illustrated – synonymized by Gnezdilov et al. 2014a: 88).

Thabena litaoensis – Gnezdilov 2009: 80 (transferred to Thabena Stål, 1866, new records from Taiwan); 2015: 332–333 (distribution, notes). — Zhang & Chen 2012: 229 (keyed), 230, figs 10–18 (redescribed, recorded from China, Hainan; head, wings and terminalia illustrated). — Gnezdilov et al. 2014a: 88 (first record from Vietnam, Hoa Binh, senior synonym of G. hainanensis).

Thabena hainanensis – Gnezdilov 2009: 80 (transferred to Thabena Stål, 1866). — Zhang & Chen 2012: 229 (keyed), 232 (listed).

Gelastyrella hainanensis – Chen et al. 2014: 133, fig. 2–72 (described, habitus, details and terminalia illustrated).

Gelastyrella litaoensis – Constant & Pham 2024: 78 (listed from Vietnam).

Diagnosis

Gelastyrella litaoensis is the only species of the genus Gelastyrella and its identification can be confirmed by the characters of the habitus and terminalia (Figs 19–21).

Material examined

VIETNAM – Thừa Thiên-Huế Province • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Bach Ma National Park; 16°11′44″ N, 107°50′44″ E; 1200–1300 m a.s.l.; 22 May 2023; J. Constant and L. Semeraro leg.; roadside; VNMN • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Bach Ma National Park summit; 16°11′18″ N, 107°50′56″ E; 1300–1400 m a.s.l.; 11–21 May 2023; J. Constant and L. Semeraro leg.; I.G.: 34.640; RBINS • 1 ♂; Bach Ma National Park, Pheasant trail; 16°13′41.18″ N, 107°51′16.82″ E; 15 Sep. 2024; 344 m a.s.l.; [by] net; Hoai leg.; VNMN. – Thanh Hoa Province • 1 ♂; Pu Luong National Park; 20°27′48″ N, 105°07′38″ E; 5–10 Aug. 2022; J. Constant, J. Bresseel and L. Semeraro leg.; I.G.: 34.518; RBINS. – Ninh Binh Province • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Cuc Phuong National Park; 20°19′00″ N, 105°36′30″ E; 19–23 Jul. 2011; J. Constant and J. Bresseel leg.; I.G.: 31.933; RBINS • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 11–18 Aug. 2010; J. Constant and P. Limbourg leg.; I.G.: 31.668; RBINS. – Quang Tri Province • 1 ♀; Huong Hoa, Huong Phung, Deo Sa Mu; [16°48′00″ N, 106°35′10″ E]; 4 Jun. 2006; 900–1000 m a.s.l.; H.T. Pham leg.; VNMN .

Supplementary description

MEASUREMENTS AND RATIOS. LT: ♂ (n = 5): 8.1 mm (7.9–8.5), ♀ (n = 3): 8.9 mm (8.4–9.2); LT/ BB = 1.57; LTg/BTg = 2.1; LW/BW = 1.51; BV/LV = 1.98; LF/BF = 1.03.

Biology

Gelastyrella litaoensis was collected in May to September. The specimens were found on tree trunks densely covered in lichens and mosses (Fig. 22) but were also sometimes swept from lower vegetation and bushes. The habitat of the species consists of montane evergreen tropical forest as well as lowland evergreen forest, at altitudes varying from about 300 m a.s.l. in Cuc Phuong and Bach Ma national parks, to 1400 m a.s.l. in Bach Ma (Fig. 2).

Distribution

China: Hainan, Fujian, Guangxi; Taiwan; Vietnam: Hoa Binh, Ninh Binh, Quang Tri, Thanh Hoa and Thừa Thiên-Huế provinces (Fig. 23). The species is here recorded from the four latter provinces for the first time.