Pippax Emeljanov 2008

Pippax Emeljanov, 2008: 307; Emeljanov 2011b: 1124.

Type species

Pippax opilionoides Emeljanov, 2008; by original designation.

Diagnosis

The genus can be distinguished from Arjuna by the following combination of characters: vertex with lateral carinae abruptly incurved before eyes and narrowed into half as wide, parallel forwards, then distinctly widened at subapex, angularly convex at apex; frons with intermediate carinae strongly ridged, nearly parallel and extending below antennae; median carina almost absent, only poorly marked below antennae.

Diversity and distribution

Pippax was erected by Emeljanov (2008) based on four new species: Pippax alboruber, Pippax bulbinaso, Pippax opilionoides, and Pippax vanstallei from Papua New Guinea.

Remarks

Emeljanov (2008) provided a key to the species of the genus. We here provide a first description of the male and female genitalia of P. opilionoides.

PIPPAX OPILIONOIDES EMELJANOV, 2008

(FIGS 19A–E, 20A–D, 21A–F)

Pippax opilionoides Emeljanov, 2008: 309, figs 30, 31, 33–35.

Redescription

BL, ♂ 5.8–6.5 mm, ♀ 6.6 mm; HL, ♂ 1.5–1.7 mm, ♀ 1.7 mm; HW, ♂ 0.8–0.9 mm, ♀ 0.9 mm; TL, ♂ 3.8– 4.1 mm, ♀ 4.1 mm.

Male genitalia with pygofer distinctly narrow and elongate, more than twice ventral width, distinctly wider ventrally than dorsally (∼3.0: 1.0), posterior margin more or less projecting near upper middle in lateral view (Fig. 20B). Gonostyles (Fig. 20C) symmetrical; base narrow, expanded towards middle, then gradually narrowed towards apex; in lateral view apex bluntly rounded and projecting backwards; upper process elongate, obtuse, and compressed dorsoventrally (Fig. 20D). Aedeagus (Fig. 21A, B) with a pair of slender and mod- erately long endosomal processes extended from phallotheca: pigmented, sclerotized, nearly straight, and obtuse apically; phallobase sclerotized and pigmented at base and laterally, the remainder membranous, without spines; dorsal area with a large and elongate lobe, acute apically, and directed dorsally; ventrolateral area with two narrow and elongate lobes, directed posteriorly. Segment X in dorsal view oval, with ratio of length to width at base ∼1.2: 1.0 (Fig. 20A). Anal style elongate, beyond the apical ventral margin of segment X.

Female genitalia (Fig. 21C–F) similar to Arjuna.

Material examined

Papua New Guinea: 1♂, 1♀, Madang Province, Bundi (5°45′S, 145°15′E), 10–12.III.1987, N.D. Penny; 1♂, So. Side Mt. Missim, 1000 m, 24.II.1978, E.I. Schlinger (all in CAS); 1♂, Wau, Morobe Distr., Mt. Missim, 1800 m, Malaise Trap, 22.IV.1966, Gressitt & Wilkes (BPBM).

Distribution

Papua New Guinea (Morobe and Madang).