(Stenotricondyla) Naviaux 2002

Subgenus Stenotricondyla Naviaux, 2002

Type species. Tricondyla cyanipes Eschscholtz, 1829

Pseudotricondyla Naviaux, 2002, syn. nov.

Differential diagnosis. Aedeagus strongly inflated immediately after basal orifice (Figs 117–129). Endophallus is characterized by presence of a thin appendix, which is located from the left side at the base of ventro-basal (VB) protuberance. In addition, all species of the subgenus have a similar general endophallus shape, i.e., protuberances: VB relatively small; pair of laterally protruding BL; DB relatively large and biforked at apex; elongated median part of endophallus; V small, usually directed towards the apex of endophallus; VA relatively large, often directed towards the base of endophallus, and overlap with V; A often transverse, or with 2–3 apices; DA long; flagellum long and thin. Interocular cavity often narrower and more convex in females. Based on the similarity of the structure of endophallus, we propose a new synonymy Pseudotricondyla Naviaux, 2002, syn. nov. = Stenotricondyla Naviaux, 2002.

Comments. Pseudotricondyla was described by Naviaux (2002) for the species with interocular cavity higher than neck and with transverse constriction behind eyes. Our study of extensive material made it possible to establish that these characters vary narrowly from species to species. In addition, they are variable even within the same species. However, the study of the structure of aedeagus and the endophallus made it possible to identify a large group of species that have a common type of structure. We assign the name Stenotricondyla to this group. Based on the similarity of the structure of endophallus, we propose a new synonymy Pseudotricondyla Naviaux, 2002, syn. nov. = Stenotricondyla Naviaux, 2002.