Rhicnogryllus vittatus Tan & Daguplo, sp. nov.

(Figs 1F, 2K, 2L, 3E, 3J, 4E, 12, 13)

Material examined. Holotype: PHILIPPINES • ♂; Mindanao, Lanao del Norte, Iligan, Barangay Rogongon, Sikyop Agricultural Cooperative; N8.24739 E124.42203, 316 m. a.s.l.; 20 November 2024; perching on leaves of Xiphidium caeruleum; coll. J. Daguplo, J. Omandam & J. Maceda (PNM).

Paratypes. PHILIPPINES • 1♂; Mindanao, Lanao del Norte, Iligan, Barangay Rogongon, Sitio Lagkong; N8.22318 E124.46342, 778.5±7.0 m.a.s.l.; 4 October 2025, 19h40; on foliage of shrub; coll. M.K. Tan et al.; MIN.25.12 (ZRC) • 1♀; same locality as holotype; N8.22407 E124.46372, 756.6± 11.4 m.a.s.l.; 4 October 2025, 20h30; on herbaceous plant; coll. M.K. Tan et al.; MIN.25.14 (ZRC) • 1♂; Mindanao, Lanao del Norte, Iligan, Barangay Rogongon, Sikyop; N8.24956 E124.42325, 291 m.a.s.l.; 11 November 2024; perching on leaves of Schismatoglottis plurivenia; coll. J. Daguplo & J. Omandam (PNM).

Diagnosis. The new species is characterised by its fore and middle legs black and the forewing at the basal end having a white transverse band (narrower and less distinct in females), the male subgenital plate fairly broad without a nodule at the posterior margin; and the male genitalia with the posterior end of the pseudepiphallus forming a pair of triangular lobules with their inner margins dentated and apices subacute, between the two lobules narrowly and deeply furrowed, its pseudepiphallic lophi mostly straight with the apex acute and slightly hooked, pseudepiphallic parameres basal half strongly sclerotized, angularly curved outward at mid-point with triangular external process and posterior third weakly sclerotized, expanded into lobules pointing posteriorly, external one more triangular than tongue-shaped, slightly surpassing internal one and slightly more sclerotized.

The new species is similar to R. fascipes by the colour and patterns on the face and head dorsum, as well as the shape of the male subgenital plate The male genitalia are also most similar to that of R. fascipes by the shape of the pseudepiphallic lobules and lophi and the pseudepiphallic bridge sclerotization; but differ by pseudepiphallic lobules less slender and with dentated inner margins, and the lophi more robust and shorter. The new species is also similar to R. bipuncatus by the general colouration pattern; but differs by the forewing having a transverse white band (instead of an oval spot) and by the shape of the male genitalia.

Etymology. The species name refers to the diagnostic white transverse band at the basal end of the forewing; vittatus = banded or stripped, in Latin.

Description. Habitus and general morphology typical of Rhicnogryllus (Figs 1F, 12A, 12B, 13). Forewing dorsal field with seven parallel elevated veins; first and second anal-most veins fused at the apex; without cross-vein, not pubescent. Forewing lateral field with three or four less elevated and faintly sinuous veins.

Male: Anal plate trapezoidal, broader than long. Subgenital plate squarish, almost as broad as long (Fig. 4E). Male genitalia (Figs 2K, 2L, 12E, 12F): Pseudepiphallus separated into two lateral parts, fused at middle; sclerotization at middle distinctly shaped. Posterior edges of pseudepiphallic sclerite forming triangular lobule with inner margin dentated and apex subacute, between the two lobules narrowly and deeply furrowed. Posterior apex of pseudepiphallus forming thin, sclerotized lophi surpassing triangular lobule at posterior edge of pseudepiphallic sclerite; lophus mostly straight, external margin faintly curved, apex acute and slightly hooked; at base between inner margin and pseudepiphallic lobule narrowly and roundly emarginated (indented). Pseudepiphallic parameres elongated, exceeding apex of posterior edge of pseudepiphallic sclerite but not pseudepiphallic lophus; basal half strongly sclerotized, angularly curved outward at mid-point with triangular external process; posterior third weakly sclerotized, expanded into lobules pointing posteriorly, external one more triangular than tongue-shaped, slightly surpassing internal one and slightly more sclerotized. Ectophallic fold weakly sclerotized, elongated, at posterior end forming a pair of weakly sclerotized tongue-shaped lobules. Ectophallic apodeme sclerotized, long and slender, clearly diverging towards anterior ends. Ramus slender, sinuous, surpassing anterior of ectophallic apodeme. Endophallic sclerite thin and long, with lateral lamellae of apodemes perpendicular to median crest and pointing externally.

Female: Habitus similar to males (Figs 12C, 12D, 13). Forewing venation on dorsal field similar to males. Anal plate with basal half trapezoidal, apical end narrower and truncated, epiproct tongue-shaped to rectangular, longer than broad. Subgenital plate wider than long, tapering, apex angularly excised at middle. Ovipositor fairly stout, not surpassing cerci; basal third with margins smooth, nearly straight (Fig. 12G). Dorsal valves before middle keeled, with apical third with dorsal margin denticulated (Fig. 12G). Ventral valves longer than dorsal valves, apical end with ventral margin faintly denticulated (Fig. 12G).

Colouration. Head dorsum black with white transverse band extending to eyes; frontal rostrum and vertex with setae black. Scapes brown to red brown; antennae pale coloured. Lateral and medial ocelli white. Face mostly black, with clypeus having white transverse band, mouthparts black, red brown and cream coloured. Palpi with segments white. Gena with white band around eye margin. Pronotum dark orange to black, setae black; usually darkest at the anterior and posterior ends. Forewing infumated black; basal area with white transverse band. Anterior and middle femora and tibiae; tarsus with basal segment white. Hind femur white with one broad black band at middle; posterior third including knees yellow, sometimes with incomplete oblique black band. Hind tibia dark. Abdominal tergites and sternites black; cercus white. Anal plate white.

Measurements (1♂, 1♀, in mm). BL = ♂ 3.4, ♀ 3.6; HW = ♂ 1.3, ♀ 1.4; PL = ♂ 0.9, ♀ 0.8; PW = ♂ 1.1, ♀ 1.0; FWL = 2.3; HFL = ♂ 3.5, ♀ 3.4; HTL = ♂ 3.5, ♀ 3.1; OL = 1.3.

Type locality. PHILIPPINES: Mindanao: Lanao del Norte: Iligan: Sikyop.

Distribution. PHILIPPINES (Mindanao: Lanao del Norte: Iligan).