Two new stick insect genera from Vietnam, Nuichua gen. nov. and Pterohirasea gen. nov. with two new species (Phasmida: Diapheromeridae: Necrosciinae).
Belgian Journal of Entomology 70:1-29.
Abstract:
Two new genera of stick insects are described from Vietnam. The new genus Nuichua gen. nov. is described to accommodate one new species, N. rabaeyae sp. nov. from Nui Chua National Park in southern Central Vietnam and the new genus Pterohirasea gen. nov. is described to accommodate P. nigrolineata sp. nov. from coastal mountains of Central Vietnam. The new taxa are described from males, females, nymphs and eggs. Comprehensive illustrations, data on biology and captive rearing and a distribution map are provided. Male genitalia inflation was conducted in N. rabaeyae sp. nov., based on the technique used for caterpillars. Unusual mating behaviour of adult males with subadult females is reported in N. rabaeyae sp. nov. The relevance of a resurrection of the tribe Neohiraseini Hennemann & Conle, 2008 is discussed, as well as the importance of the presence of specialised sensory areas on the prosternum and profurcasternum for classification. A hypothesis based on sexual selection to explain the strong sexual dimorphism in size in N. rabaeyae sp. nov. is proposed.
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