Phaelota Jacoby 1887

Key to the species of Phaelota of the Indian subcontinent

1. Humerus flat, hind wings absent or rudimentary; metathoracic sternite not longer than prothoracic sternite; moss dwelling................................................................................................................................................................. 2

- Humeral callus well developed, hind wings well developed; metathoracic sternite about two times as long as prothoracic sternite; fern feeding........................................................................................................................... 5

2 (1). Elytron reddish brown with dark longitudinal stripes; tenth antennomere as wide as half of its length; length 5.0 mm....................................................................................................................................... P. semifasciata Jacoby

- Elytron either metallic or a mixture of black and yellow; tenth antennomere wider than half of its length; length 1.9–2.8 mm............................................................................................................................................................ 3

3 (2). Elytron all around and suture piceous enclosing light yellowish area in middle with black macula; ventral side of aedeagus with a longitudinal deep groove not reaching apex (Fig 25); spicule Y-shaped....................................... ............................................................................................................................................... P. maculipennis n. sp.

- Elytron metallic black or green; ventral side of aedeagus without deep groove; spicule not Y-shaped................ 4

4 (3). Dorsum entirely metallic black with aeneous reflections; longitudinal ridge along mesal side of metafemur not serrulate in male ................................................................................................................................ P. saluki n. sp.

- Elytron greenish black, head and pronotum bright brown; metafemur with longitudinal ridge along mesal side serrulate in male ....................................................................................................................... P. viridipennis n. sp.

5 (1). Elytra with spots or bands, either dark on light background or light on dark background (P. vaishakha)........... 6

- Elytra without spots or bands................................................................................................................................. 9

6 (5). Pronotum with large dark spot in the middle ........................................................................... P. assamensis n. sp.

- Pronotum entirely light or dark colored, without spot in the middle..................................................................... 7

7(6). Vertex covered with relatively large, distinctly visible punctures.......................................................................................................................................................................... P.jacobyi Prathapan and Viraktamath (Figs 13–15)

- Vertex covered with tiny, barely perceptible punctures.......................................................................................... 8

8 (7). Spermathecal duct nearly as long as receptacle, making large loop..................................................................................................................................................... P. vaishakha Prathapan and Viraktamath (in part) (Figs 64–69)

- Spermathecal duct much shorter than receptacle, making a small loop ................................... P. kottigehara n. sp.

9 (5). Second antennomere slightly longer or nearly as long as third............................................................................ 10

- Second antennomere 0.63–0.76 times as long as third........................................................................................ 13

10(9). Basal impressions on pronotum well defined....................................................................................................... 11

- Basal impressions on pronotum poorly defined................................................................................................... 12

11 (10). Median lobe of aedeagus with apex bent ventrally and lateral impressions ending abruptly (Fig. 74).................................................................................................................................................................. P. variabilis (Jacoby)

- Median lobe of aedeagus with apex bent dorsally and lateral impressions ending gradually towards base (Fig. 12) P. flavipennis (Motschulsky)

12 (10). Pronotum without poorly defined longitudinal impression along its lateral margin. Metafemur in male with sharp denticle. Median lobe of aedeagus with sides straight (Fig. 44) ........................................ P. ogloblini n. sp.

- Pronotum with poorly defined longitudinal impression along its lateral margin. Metafemur in male with obtuse denticle. Median lobe of aedeagus with sides slightly constricted before apex (Fig. 57) ............. P. schereri n. sp.

13 (9). Maximum width of median lobe of aedeagus situated slightly above middle. Spermatheca with a duct as long or longer than receptacle........................................... P. vaishakha Prathapan and Viraktamath (in part) (Figs 64–69)

- Maximum width of median lobe of aedeagus situated near apex. Spermatheca with a duct shorter than receptacle............................................................................................................................................................................ 4

14 (13). Median lobe of aedeagus slightly narrower in middle than basally and apically, uniformly sclerotized in ventral view (Fig. 63). Anterofrontal ridge not vertically carinate medially (Fig. 60); lateral margin of pronotum curved (Fig. 62).............................................................................. P. sindhoori Prathapan and Viraktamath (Figs 59–63)

- Median lobe of aedeagus parallel-sided, with membranous part near apex in ventral view (Fig. 34). Anterofrontal ridge vertically carinate medially; lateral margin of pronotum almost straight (Figs 31–33) ... P. mauliki n. sp.