Hishimonus apricus (Melichar) Melichar, 2014

Viraktamath, C. A. & Anantha Murthy, H. V., 2014, Review of the genera Hishimonus Ishihara and Litura Knight (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from the Indian subcontinent with description of new species, Zootaxa 3785 (2), pp. 101-138 : 107

Hishimonus apricus (Melichar) comb. nov.

Eutettix apricus Melichar 1903: 190 –192; Distant 1908: 363.

Distant (1908) translated Melichar’s original description as follows:

“Vertex about half as long as breadth between eyes; vertex and pronotum virescent, the former more tinted with ochraceous; scutellum pale brownish, a large dark brown spot in each basal angle, an anterior central longitudinal line and the transverse impression brown; head beneath pale yellowish; sternum, abdomen and legs brownishochraceous, the posterior tibiae with a series of small piceous spots; tegmina pale brownish with white spots and suffusions, the white spots more numerous on basal area, claval sutural margin, and anterior and apical area of tegmen; some distinct piceous-brown small spots on apical area of costal margin; wings pale and strongly iridescent; vertex with an obscure transverse impression in front of eyes scutellum strongly centrally transversely impressed.”

Material examined. SRI LANKA: HOLOTYPE ♀, Peradeniya, i. 1902, Dr Uzel ( MMB). Remarks. H. apricus was described from Sri Lanka with data as follows: “Peradeniya, 1 Exemplar ♀ im Jänner 1902 von Dr. Uzel erbeutet”. Our study of the female type indicated that it belongs to the genus Hishimonus . This species is very similar to H. phycitis in coloration and form; however, its correct identity can be established only after the examination of the male genitalia of an associated male.

Knight (1970a) described a new species Hishimonus apricus Knight 1970a , not Distant 1908 from Indonesia, thus creating a primary junior homonym and for this species a new name Hishimonus knightiella nom. nov. is proposed here.