Locris rubra (Fabricius, 1794)

The genus Locris Stål, 1866 was largely studied by Lallemand (1949) on the basis of morphological characters that are not all completely consistent in all species according to our observations. These characters are as follows: postclypeus rounded with a medio-longitudinal carina and transverse ridges, when observed laterally; it can be, either rounded (L. rubra (Fabricius, 1794)), angular (L. vestigans Jacobi, 1904) or protruding (L. schmidti Jacobi, 1910). Rostrum is short and barely extends to base of median trochanters. Antennae are short and their length equals diameter of eyes. Vertex is broader than long and its length equals half width of pronotum. Ocelli are much closer to each other than to compound eyes and are medium to small in size, except in L. atra Lallemand, 1923 where they are very large (Lallemand 1949). Pronotum is large, with a usually straight posterior margin but weakly indented in some species like L. maculata (Fabricius, 1781) according to Lallemand (1949) and may have a more or less distinct carina in middle. Scutellum is as long as wide and has three dimples, two small ones on anterior margin and one large centred. Tegmina are about 3 times as long as wide, cubital and median veins are fused from base to middle of tegmen, apical veins network is relatively dense. A spine is present on posterior tibiae. In genitalia, males have thin subgenital plates that look like a filament (Lallemand 1949) curved up or downward; they are wide and sometimes silky at base.

In describing the genus Locris Lallemand (1949) listed a series of exceptions in order to include more species in the genus. As a result, our view is that now the homogeneity of the genus and its taxonomic unity is questionable. However, the aim of our work here is not to revise the entire genus (which is present in Madagascar and the whole of Africa except for the northern countries Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria and Morocco) but to provide a clear identification for the few species and subspecies of Locris present in Madagascar.

When Lallemand (1950) described Locris bipunctata atra, he described it as a variety, which according to the article 45.6.4 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999) should now be considered as a subspecies. Therefore, Locris bipunctata now contains two subspecies, easily distinguished from each other by the colouration of their tegmina, red for L. b. bipunctata (Fig. 1) and nearly completely black for L. b. atra (Fig. 2), the latter appearing as a strong melanisation. Geographically, the two subspecies are clearly separated (Fig. 3E) but from the material examined, no difference can be observed in the male terminalia between the two subspecies. For this reason, we decided to keep them as subspecies and illustrate here only the male terminalia of the paratype specimen of the subspecies L. bipunctata atra (Fig. 3A–D).

Figure 1. 

Locris bipunctata bipunctata (Signoret), male A frontal view B labels C dorsal view D lateral view.

Figure 2. 

Locris bipunctata atra (Lallemand), male paratype A frontal view B labels C dorsal view D lateral view.

Madagascar (Fig. 3E), L. bipunctata bipunctata in northern Madagascar, L. bipunctata atra in western Madagascar.

(Fig. 3A–D). Pygofer (Fig. 3A), in lateral view almost trapezoidal with posterior margin being the longest side and slightly cut out in its first dorsal third. Aedeagus consists of two parts, first basal part, representing 2/3 of total length, tubular and almost same thickness over its entire length, curving regularly down then dorsally, and bearing on its apical dorsal part a small hump directed dorso-anteriorly; second part, hanging from first, narrowing in its middle then developing posteriorly a pair of pointed processes and finishing in a smooth and flattened apex slightly digit shaped ventro-posteriorly (Fig. 3B). Parameres smoothly widening from pygofer’s attachment and finishing posteriorly by a curved spine (Fig. 3C). Subgenital plates large at base, narrowing quickly in a long and fine structure curving gently dorsally on its apical half (Fig. 3D).

Figure 3. 

Locris bipunctata atra (Lallemand), male terminalia of the paratype, in lateral view (A–D) and Locris bipunctata (Signoret), distribution map (E) A pygofer, anal tube, aedeagus, left paramere and left subgenital plate B aedeagus C left paramere D left subgenital plate E black dots: occurrences for L. bipunctata atra, white dots: occurrences for L. bipunctata bipunctata. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Body length: 7.5–10 mm.

Nominotypical subspecies–10 males. [Ambabalame, Madagascar], [Coll. Mus. Congo, Coll. V. Lallemand], [♂], [R. Det., 6664 H], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH) 24628]; [Madagascar], [Lavaudon], [Collectic E de Bergev], [Muséum Paris], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH) 24115], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH) 24625]; [Madagascar Nord, distr. d’Ambanja, N. de Beangona-Ambevy, Vallée d’Antremade, 400 m, II-1964, P. Soga], [Museum Paris]; [Museum Paris, Sainte-Marie-de-Madagascar, Coll. Noualhier, 1898]; [Museum Paris, Madagascar, Baie d’Antongil, A. Mocquerys, Coll. Noualhier, 1898], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24720]; [Museum Paris, Madagascar, Baie d’Antongil, A. Mocquerys, Coll. Noualhier, 1898], [Locris bipunctata Sign.], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24722]; [Madagascar Nord, distr. d’Ambanja, N. de Beangona-Ambevy, Vallée d’Antremabe, 400, II – 1964, P. Songa], [Muséum Paris], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24719]; [Coll. Mus. Tervuren, Madagascar: Fampanambo, 1962, J. Vadon], [Locris bipunctata Signoret, H. Synave det., 1965], [Locris bipunctata Sign ♂♂], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24721]; [Madagascar Amber-Geb.], [Locris vicina Sign. ♂ Edm. Schmidt determ. 1911], [Miz Pan Warszawa 12/1945, 2487]; [Madagascar Amber-Geb.], [Locris vicina Sign. ♂ Edm. Schmidt determ. 1911], [970], [Miz Pan Warszawa. 12/1945, 2488]; and [Madagascar Amber-Geb.], [Locris vicina Sign. ♂ Edm. Schmidt determ. 1911], [Miz Pan Warszawa. 12/1945, 2489].

Subspecies atra – Paratype (male). [Entre Ambakaka et Bekopaka sur la Manambolo, Inst. Scient. Madagascar, VII – 49, RP], [Muséum Paris], [Paratype], [Muséum Paris MNHN (EH) 1474], [Locris bipunctata v. atra Lall.], [Muséum Paris MNHN (EH) 24634] – 5 males. [CASENT3004533], [Madagascar: Mahajanga, Prov: Parc National Tsingy de Bemaraha, 3.4 km 93°E, Bekopaka, Tombeau Vazimba, Elev 50 m, 6–10 Nov. 2001], [19°8'31"S, 44°49'41"E, coll: Fischer, Griswold et al., California Acad. Of Sciences malaise trap, in tropical dry forest, coll. Code: BLF4233], [♂], [Locris bipunctata atra Lallemand, 1950, A. Soulier-Perkins det 2018]; [Madagascar Ouest, S-P. Antsalova Antsingy, Rés. Nat. 9, A. Peyrieras, I-1975], [Museum Paris]; [Madagascar Lambomakandro, Tuléar], [Museum Paris, 1935, B. Catala], [H. Synave det., 1979, Locris bipunctata var. atra Lall.]; [Andobo 190 m, forêt Antsingy, det. Antsalova, II – 57, P. Guiv], [Institut Scientifique, Madagascar], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24718]; and [Madagascar, Lambomakandro, Tuléar], [Muséum Paris, 1935, R. Catala], [H. Synave., 1979, Locris bipunctata var. atra Stall.], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24717]; 2 females. [♀], [Madagascar, province de Toliara, massif du Makay, 159 m, 21°40'29.4"S, 44°59'36.2"E], [Muséum Paris, ft Ambalamanga, rv Mangoky, 18-I-2011, A. Soulier-Perkins rec.], [Locris bipunctata atra Lallemand, 1950, A. Soulier-Perkins det. 2020], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24759]; [♀], [Madagascar, province de Toliara, massif du Makay, 159 m, 21°40'29.4"S, 44°59'36.2"E], [Muséum Paris, Près rivière, PL, 20-I-2011, A. Soulier-Perkins rec.], [Locris bipunctata atra Lallemand, 1950, A. Soulier-Perkins det. 2020], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24760].

When Lallemand (1910) described the species Locris johannae (from the southwest bank of Lake Tanganyika) he described as well a variety nigrolimbata from Madagascar. According to article 45.6.4 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999), Locris johannae nigrolimbata should be regarded as a subspecies (Fig. 4). This subspecies supposedly differs by the colouration of the tegmina. Locris j. johannae has completely red tegmina while L. j. nigrolimbata bears some black at their apex (Lallemand 1910). Our studies of material from Tanzania and Kenya, showed that the specimens with the black apex tegmina have the same male genitalia as the holotype of L. j. nigrolimbata while the specimens with the entire red tegmina have different male genitalia. This led us to consider L. j. nigrolimbata as a valid species and here change its rank to L. nigrolimbata comb. nov. However, we remain for now with only one specimen of this species from Madagascar, the other specimens were collected on the African continent.

Figure 4. 

Locris nigrolimbata (Lallemand), male holotype A frontal view B labels C dorsal view D lateral view.

Madagascar and eastern Africa

(Fig. 5). Pygofer (Fig. 5A), in lateral view, dorsal margin straight and perpendicular to anterior margin, posterior margin generally convex. Aedeagus consist of two parts, first basal part, representing 3/4 of total length with a base elbow shaped before widening ventrally then curving up dorsally and narrowing into a tubular structure almost of same thickness to its regular rounded dorsal apex; second part, hanging from first, its width is regular for most of its length with apex in shape of a swan, neck oriented posteriorly (Fig. 5B). Parameres prolonged apically by two little structures, inner one curved into a spine and external one rounded (Fig. 5C). Subgenital plates wide at base then abruptly narrowing in a long filament shape curved downward at its apex (Fig. 5D).

Figure 5. 

Locris nigrolimbata (Lallemand), male terminalia, in lateral view A pygofer, anal tube, aedeagus, left paramere and left subgenital plate B aedeagus C left paramere in latero-dorsal view D left subgenital plate. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Body length: 8–10.5 mm.

Holotype (male). [Holotypus], [Madagascar], [Coll. Mus. Congo, Coll. V. Lallemand], [R. DET. 6664 z z], [Locris johannae ssp. nigrolimbata Lall.], [H. Synave det.. 195 L. johannae f. nigrolimbata Lall.], [Holotype ♂ L. johannae ssp. nigrolimbata Lall. Michel Boulard det. 1989] – 4 males. [Afrique orient. Anglaise Voï Alluaud & Jeannel Mars 1911 . 600 m . St. 60], [Coll. Mus. Congo Coll. V. Lallemand], [R. Det. 6665]; [Afr. Or. Angl. (Wa-Kikuyu), Fort-Hall Alluaud & Jeannel Janv. 1912 – 1330 m – St. 80], [Coll. Mus. Congo Coll. V. Lallemand], [R. Det. 6665]; [♂], [Nairobi B. E. A.], [G. Babault, avril 1923], [Locris johannae ssn. nigrolimbata], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24629]; and [Tanzanie: Mts Uluguru, Kimboza ofr. Héliophile, alt. 600M 24-30/VII/71], [Coll. Mus. Tervuren, Mission Mts. Uluguru, L. Berger, N. Leleup, J. Debecker V/VIII/71], [H. Synave det. 1957, Locris johannae Lall.], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24635].

Madagascar (Fig. 7E)

(Fig. 7A–D). Pygofer (Fig. 7A) in lateral view, dorsal and anterior margins perpendicular, posterior margin S-shaped and making an acute angle with the ventral margin. Aedeagus consists of two parts, first basal part, representing a small 2/3 of total length with a very regular tubular shape almost curving as half a circle, its dorsal apical part bearing two little bumps oriented dorso-anteriorly; second part is hanging from first, it is widening smoothly, two processes are pointing posteriorly at mid-length, apex bulbous and covered in a dense padding (Fig. 7B), genital duct passes through aedeagus and open in the centre of padded apex (Fig. 7B). Parameres with a dorsal margin S-shaped giving it a cup shape prolonged apically by a spine curved downward (Fig. 7C). Subgenital plates wide at base and narrowing abruptly in a long filament structure curving abruptly dorsally on last third (Fig. 7D).

Figure 6. 

Locris vicina (Signoret, 1860), male A frontal view B labels C dorsal view D lateral view.

Figure 7. 

Locris vicina (Signoret, 1860), male terminalia, in lateral view and distribution map A pygofer, anal tube, aedeagus, left paramere and left subgenital plate B aedeagus C left paramere D left subgenital E distribution map. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Body length: 10.5–12.5 mm.

MNHN Collection–1 female [♀], [Madagascar. Tam.], [Soanierana-Ivongo, 8 . XI . 57, F. Keiser], [R. I. Sc. N. B., I. G. 23.285], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24723]; –10 males. [20/III/2006, 633 m, parc de Zombitse Leobondro, brd rivière, 22°40.460'S, 44°51.633'E], [Muséum Paris, Madagascar 2006, rég. Atsimo-andrefana, A. Soulier-Perkins réc.], [Locris vicina (Signoret, 1860), A. Soulier-Perkins det. 2007], [♂], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24659]; [♂], [Museum Paris Madagascar, Antanambé, Mocquerys, Coll.Noualhier 1898]; [♂], [Museum Paris, Madagascar, catat 1844-91]; [Madagascar Nord, distr. d’Ambanja, N. de Beangona-Ambevy, Vallée d’Antremabe, 400 m, II – 1964, P. Soga], [Muéum Paris], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24724]; [Fort. Dauphin], [Muséum Paris, 1933, A. Seyrig], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24725]; [Maeyatanana, Madagscar], [Collection le Moult, Naturaliste. Paris], [R. Mus. Hist. Nat., Belg. I. G. 12.595], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24726]; [Madagascar, province de Mahajanga, P N Tsingy de Namoroka, 16°28'08"S, 45°20'52"E], [Muséum Paris, 09-IX-2012, Th. Bourgoin rec.], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24727]; [21/XI/2005, région lac Alaotra, bord riv. Mavolava, 17°40.357'S, 47°54.289'E], [904 m, entre Ambakireny et Morano-Chrome], [Muséum Paris, Madagascar 2005, Bourgoin, Ouvrard, Attié, Soulier-Perkins], [Locris vicina (Signoret, 1860), A. Soulier-Perkins det. 2007], [♂], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24728]; [Madagascar Mahajanga, P.N. Tsingy de Namoroka, wetland near village, 16°23'50"S, 45°17'12"E], [Muséum Paris, 29-X-2016, PL., T. Bourgoin, G. Kunz & A. Soulier-Perkins rec.], [Muséum Paris, MNHN (EH), 24729] – RIScNB [Ampijoro, Tsaramandroso], [Institut scientifique, Madagascar], [H. Synave det., 1957, Locris vicina Signoret], [R. I. Sc. N. B., I. G. 21.002]; MIIZ collection – 5 males [Madagasckar, Ambodimanga, Hammerstem S., I. 1906], [Locris bipunctata Sign. ♂ Edm. Schmidt determ. 1909], [Miz Pan Warszawa. 12/1945, 2490]; [Madagaskar, Ambodimanga, Hammerstem S., I. 1906], [Locris bipunctata Sign. ♂ Edm. Schmidt determ. 1909], [Miz Pan Warszawa. 12/1945, 2491]; [Madagaskar, Ambodimanga, Hammerstem S., I - II. 1906], [Locris bipunctata Sign. ♂ Edm. Schmidt determ. 1909], [Miz Pan Warszawa. 12/1945, 2492]; [Madagaskar, Ambodimanga, Hammerstem S., I - II. 1906], [Locris bipunctata Sign. ♂ Edm. Schmidt determ. 1909], [Miz Pan Warszawa. 12/1945, 2493]; and [Madagaskar, Ambodimanga, Hammerstem S., I - II. 1906], [Locris bipunctata Sign. ♂ Edm. Schmidt determ. 1909], [Miz Pan Warszawa. 12/1945, 2494].

Casent collection – 7 males [CASENT8107240], [Madagascar: Majunga, Ampijoroa National Park, 160 km N of Maevatanana, on RN 04, elev 43 m, 25 Jan–7 Feb 2005], [16°19.16'S, 46°48.80'E, California Acad of Sciences, coll: M. Irwin, R. Harin’Hala, malaise trap – in deciduous forest, MA-25-42]; [CASENT8107233], [Madagascar: Majunga, Ampijoroa National Park, 160 km N of Maevatanan, on RN 04, elev 43 m, 2–9 November 2003], [16°19.16'S, 46°48.80'E, California Acad of Sciences, coll: M. Irwin, R. Harin’Hala, malaise trap – in deciduous forest, MA-25-22]; [CASENT8107236], [Madagascar: Majunga, Ampijoroa National Park, 160 km N of Maevatanan, on RN 04, elev 43 m, 10–21 January 2004], [16°19.16'S, 46°48.80'E, California Acad of Sciences, coll: M. Irwin, R. Harin’Hala, malaise trap – in deciduous forest, MA-25-29]; [CASENT8077112], [Perinet, Madagascar, 14 Jul. 1966, Liusnan], [Locris vicina, det. Penny, 99]; [CASENT8077114], [Madagascar, Hellville, Nossi-Be Isl., XI – 18 –1959], [E. S. Ross, Collector], [Locris vicina]; [CASENT3002067], [Madagscar: Province, d’Antsiranana, Montagne des Français. 7.2 km 142°SE, Antsiranana (=Diego Suarez), Elev 180 m, 22–28 Feb 2001], [12°19'22°S, 49°20'17°E, colls: Fisher. Griswold et al. Calif. Academy of Sciences, malaise trap, in tropical dry forest. Code: BLF3130]; and [CASENT3008146], [Madagascar: Fianarantsoa, Province, Parc National d’Isalo, 9.1 km 354°N Ranohira, elev 725 m, 27–31 Jan 2003, 22°28'54"S, 045°27'42"E], [coll. Fisher, Griswold et al. California Acad. Of Sciences, collected at light-gallery forest, collection code: BLF7304].

Amberana perinetana Synave, 1957.

Uniformly coloured brownish with smokey yellowish tegmina compared to the similar B. sandrangatensis which has a red head, thorax and base of tegmina. It also differs from this species by the length of its subgenital plates, 1.18 times longer than its pygofer height compared to 1.48 for B. sandrangatensis.

Mount Beondroka in the natural reserve of Marojejy, Madagascar (Fig. 9E).

Total length of male holotype 7.9 mm (tegmina included), paratypes 8.4 and 8.6 mm. Flattened ventro-dorsally. Head in dorsal view, 1.6 times wider between eyes than long in midline, anterior and posterior margins gently and regularly curved. Ocelli very close to each other with distance between eye and ocellus 9 times greater than between ocelli, located close to head posterior margin. Pronotum slightly convex, 1.8 times wider than long in midline, posterior margin wave-shaped, concave in middle. Tegmina 3.8 times longer than wide, M and CuA with a common stem at base and forking around 1/3 of tegmen length, ScP+R(+MA) forking after mid-length of tegmen, M and CuA both forking in apical third of tegmen. Metatibia bearing 1 lateral spine at 2/3 of its length.

(Fig. 9A–D). Pygofer height 1.6 mm (Fig. 9A) in lateral view, dorsal margin almost straight, posterior margin almost straight 2/3 of its dorsal length then curving strongly anteriorly before having a final straight section, ventral margin straight and shorter than dorsal margin, anterior margin S-shaped. Subgenital plates 1.18 longer than pygofer height, gently and regularly curving dorsally with a rounded apex pointing dorso-posteriorly, thickness gradually diminishing from base to apex with a slight constriction before apex. Parameres in lateral view with a small hump in the middle of dorsal margin ending in a narrow elongate finger-shape apex slightly curved inward (Fig. 9C, D), ventral margin ending in a finger-shape apex shorter and less narrow than dorsal one; in dorsal view, internal margin cut out in two small extension facing each other (Fig. 9C). Lateral plates present with dorsal margin straight, making a rounded acute angle with the postero-ventral margin. Aedeagus long, shaped as a circumvented tube with a thumb-shaped extension on its dorsal margin, oriented dorso-anteriorly, small constriction before thumb extension; apical part bifid, prolonging ventral margin a lateral toothed extension folding posteriorly with apex pointing antero-ventrally and prolonging dorsal margin a thin ending in a lanceolate shape pointing anteriorly (Fig. 9B).

Generally yellowish brown, head darker between eyes along posterior margin, pedicel of antennae dark brown. Tegmina smokey yellow and translucent. Abdomen red and legs yellowish with darker tarsal segments, lateral metatibial spine black (Fig. 8).

Figure 8. 

Bourgoinrana beondrokaensis Le Cesne and Soulier-Perkins, sp. nov., male A frontal view B labels C dorsal view D lateral view.

The species is named after the type locality, Beondroka.

Figure 9. 

Bourgoinrana beondrokaensis Le Cesne and Soulier-Perkins sp. nov., male terminalia and distribution map A pygofer, anal tube, left lateral plate and left subgenital plate B aedeagus C left paramere in lateral view D left paramere, in dorsal view E distribution map. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

Madagascar Est, Marojejy, Rés. Nat. Int. XII, Beondroka 1200 m, XII.1960, P. Soga

Holotype (male), pinned: [Madagascar Est, Marojejy, Rés. Nat. Int. XII, Beondroka 1200 m, XII.1960, P. Soga], [♂], [Holotype], [Museum Paris, MNHN(EH) 24730]. Paratypes: 1 male: [Madagascar Est, Marojejy, Rés. Nat. Int. XII, Beondroka 1200 m, XII.1960, P. Soga], [Museum Paris], [Paratype], [Museum Paris, MNHN(EH) 24731] 5 females: [Madagascar Est, Marojejy, Rés. Nat. Int. XII, Beondroka 1200 m, XII.1960, P. Soga], [♀], [Paratype], [Museum Paris, MNHN(EH) 24732]; [Madagascar Est, Marojejy, Rés. Nat. Int. XII, Beondroka 1200 m, XII.1960, P. Soga], [♀], [Paratype], [Museum Paris, MNHN(EH) 24734]; [Madagascar Est, Marojejy, Rés. Nat. Int. XII, Beondroka 1200 m, XII.1960, P. Soga], [♀], [Paratype], [Museum Paris, MNHN(EH) 24735]; [Madagascar Est, Marojejy, Rés. Nat. Int. XII, Beondroka 1200 m, XII.1960, P. Soga], [♀], [Paratype], [Museum Paris, MNHN(EH) 24736]; and [Madagascar Est, Marojejy, Rés. Nat. Int. XII, Beondroka 1200 m, XII.1960, P. Soga], [Museum Paris], [Paratype], [Museum Paris, MNHN(EH) 24733]