Japonitata can be separated from Paraplotes by the presence of posteriorly open anterior coxal cavities (closed in Paraplotes); pronotum longer, 1.5–1.7 × wider than long (pronotum short, 2.4–2.9 × wider than long in Paraplotes), basal border immarginate (basal border margined in Paraplotes); disc with lateral depressions (disc with transverse depressions in Paraplotes); disc of elytra with reduced punctures (disc of elytra with fine or coarse punctures in Paraplotes), with one more longitudinal ridge in addition to lateral ridge. Other characters proposed by Zhang et al. (2008) are not diagnostic. Antennae are variable among Paraplotes species. For example, ratios of length to width from antennomeres I–XI of males of P. taiwana Chûjô, 1963: 3.2: 1.6: 2.4: 2.8: 2.8: 2.1: 2.3: 2.2: 2.9: 3.1: 4.6; antennomeres VI–VIII much shorter than those of J. jungchani sp. nov., but much narrower in those of P. cheni Lee, 2015 (sympatric with P. taiwana), ratios of length to width from antennomeres I–XI of males 3.3: 1.6: 3.1: 3.3: 3.5: 3.1: 3.4: 3.7: 3.6: 3.9: 5.0. These characters are not diagnostic for either genus. The rugose or pubescent disc of the elytra occurs in some species of Paraplotes. Thus, it is not diagnostic. Appendiculate tarsal claws occur in both genera, with no difference between them. Some genitalic characters are diagnostic. Aedeagi of adults of Japonitata have a well sclerotized, elongate tectum (variable tectum with one pair of apico-lateral sclerites in Paraplotes), lacking endophallic spicula (with one long median spiculum, and one or two additional pairs of lateral spicula in Paraplotes); spermathecal receptaculum as wide as pump (spermathecal receptaculum swollen, wider than pump in Paraplotes).

Japonitata species are also similar to those of Shairella with the lateral borders of pronotum marginate but apical and basal borders unmargined. However, Japonitata differs from Shairella by the posteriorly open anterior coxal cavities (closed in Shairella); robust antennae, antennomeres IV–X less than 3.5 × longer than wide (antenna slender, antennomeres IV–X more than 3.5 × longer than wide in Shairella), with distinct lateral ridges and an additional longitudinal, distinct ridge on each elytron (with weak lateral ridge and no additional distinct ridge on each elytron in Shairella). Aedeagi of adults of Japonitata have a well sclerotized, elongate tectum (membranous tectum in Shairella); lack endophallic spicula (with one slender median speculum in Shairella); spermathecal receptaculum short, wider than pump (spermathecal receptaculum long, as wide as pump in Shairella). Diagnostic characters of Japonitata, Paraplotes, and Shairella can be summarized as follows (Table 1).

Japonitata quadricostata Kimoto, 1996 and J. caerulea Kimoto, 1996 are transferred to Shairella since both species fit the redefinition of the genus. They are characterized by normal elytra. Shortened elytra and reduced hindwings occur in all other species of Shairella; however, reduced hindwings also occur in some populations of S. quadricostata.

More than 30 species are distributed in Oriental and Palaearctic regions (Nie et al. 2017) but their taxonomic status should be re-evaluated since two species are transferred to Shairella, and others may also require transfer.

Holotype ♂ (TARI). Taipei, Shihtzutoukeng (獅子頭坑), 300 m, 1.V.2010, leg. H.-J. Chen. Paratypes: 1♂, 5♀ (TARI), same data as holotype; 4♂, 1♀ (TARI), same but with “4.V.2010”; 4♂, 3♀ (TARI), same but with “8.V.2010”; 1♂, 1♀ (TARI), same but with “26.V.2010”; 3♂, 4♀ (TARI), same but with “28.V.2010”; 3♂ (TARI), same but with “leg. H. Lee”; 1♂ (TARI), same locality, 25.IV.2012, leg. H.-J. Chen.

Length 5.5–6.6 mm, width 2.7–3.4 mm. General color (Fig. 1A–C) reddish brown; antennae black; legs dark brown. Antennomeres II–XI filiform but stout in males (Fig. 2A), ratios of lengths of antennomeres I–XI 1.0: 0.4: 0.7: 0.9: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.7: 0.7: 0.8; ratios of length to width from antennomeres I–XI 2.5: 1.5: 1.9: 2.7: 2.5: 2.5: 2.5: 2.5: 2.4: 2.4: 3.5; stout antennae in males similar in females (Fig. 2B), ratios of lengths of antennomeres I–XI 1.0: 0.4: 0.6: 0.8: 0.8: 0.7: 0.8: 0.7: 0.7: 0.6: 0.8; ratios of length to width from antennomeres I–XI 2.5: 1.5: 2.0: 2.5: 2.4: 2.3: 2.5: 2.4: 2.6: 2.3: 2.9. Pronotum 1.6–1.7 × wider than long; disc with scarce, fine punctures at sides, reduced medially, with transverse groove near base, medially abbreviated, laterally connected with short longitudinal groove on basal margin; lateral margins slightly rounded, widest behind apices; apical margin slightly concave and basal margin slightly convex. Elytra 1.5 × longer than wide; disc with confused, dense, reduced punctures; with one small tubercle behind scutellum; with one distinct longitudinal ridge from humeral calli, parallel with lateral margin, abbreviated subapically; with one additional ridge also from humeral calli, distinct, directed medially; lateral margins moderately rounded, widest at apical third, apices convergent. Aedeagus (Fig. 2C, D) extremely slender, 7.5 × longer than wide; parallel-sided, slightly narrowed at apical 1/4, strongly narrowed subapically, apex narrowly rounded; moderately curved at basal 1/3 in lateral view; tectum slender, longitudinal, apex recurved; no endophallic sclerites. Apical margin of abdominal ventrite V in males with distinct, narrow median lobe (Fig. 2G), apical margin slightly recurved, with short median internal ridge at middle of basal margin, from basal fourth to base; basal margin normal. Gonocoxae (Fig. 2F) longitudinal and connected basally, with narrow furrow between gonocoxae; each gonocoxa narrowed subapically, apex narrowly rounded, with eight long apical setae; base strongly sclerotized and narrow. Ventrite VIII (Fig. 2E) in females with apex weakly sclerotized, small, apical margin irregular; with dense short apical setae; spiculum extremely elongate. Spermathecal receptaculum (Fig. 2H) swollen, not delimited from pump; pump long and curved, with apical process curved; sclerotized spermathecal duct extremely short, not separated from receptaculum.

Figure 1. 

Habitus of Japonitata houjayi sp. nov. and J. jungchani sp. nov. A J. houjayi sp. nov., male, dorsal view B ditto, ventral view C ditto, lateral view D J. jungchani sp. nov., male, dorsal view E ditto, ventral view F ditto, lateral view.

Figure 2. 

Diagnostic characters of Japonitata houjayi sp. nov. A antenna, male B antenna, female C aedeagus, dorsal view D ditto, lateral view E abdominal ventrite VIII F gonocoxae G abdominal ventrite IV–V, male H spermatheca.

Adults of J. houjayi sp. nov. are similar to those of J. ruficollis Jiang, 1989 from China (Xizang) with reddish brown bodies, but differ in possessing black antennae and dark brown legs (yellow antenna with one or two apical antennomeres black, and reddish brown legs in J. ruficollis).

Scutellaria indica L. (Lamiaceae).

Scutellaria indica is a small herbaceous plant (Fig. 3A) growing on slopes along roads (Fig. 3B). Adults appear only during May, usually resting on the undersides of leaves during daytime (Fig. 3C, D). Adults feed on the leaves (Fig. 3E) and were observed mating (Fig. 3F) occasionally.

Figure 3. 

Field photographs of Japonitata houjayi sp. nov. A host plant, Scutellaria indica B population of Scutellaria indica growing on the slope along a road C adult resting on underside of leaf D close-up of adult E adult feeding on leaf F adults mating on a leaf.

The new species name is dedicated to Mr. Hou-Jay Chen (陳厚潔), the first team member to find the habitat and collect type specimens.

This new species is known only from the type locality.

Holotype ♂ (TARI), Pingtung, Tahanshan (大漢山), 1450 m, 12.IV.2020, leg. Y.-T. Chung. Paratypes. 1♀ (TARI), same locality, 4.IV.2010, leg. K.-D. Ho; 1♀ (TARI), same locality (= Jinshuiying 浸水營), 6.VI.2011, leg. J.-C. Chen; 1♂ (TARI), same but with “22.V.2012”; 1♀ (TARI), Taitung, Lichia trail (利嘉林道), 1000 m, 10.V.2018, leg. B.-X. Guo.

Length 5.8–6.3 mm, width 3.1–3.3 mm. General color (Fig. 1D–F) reddish brown; head and prothorax black; legs dark brown. Antennomeres II–XI filiform but stout in males (Fig. 4A), ratios of lengths of antennomeres I–XI 1.0: 0.4: 0.6: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.7: 0.8; ratios of length to width from antennomeres I–XI 2.5: 1.7: 2.1: 2.8: 2.6: 2.9: 2.9: 3.2: 3.2: 3.1: 3.9; stout antennae in males similar in females (Fig. 4B), ratios of lengths of antennomeres I–XI 1.0: 0.4: 0.5: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.7: 0.7: 0.7: 0.8; ratios of length to width from antennomeres I–XI 2.7: 1.6: 2.0: 3.0: 3.1: 3.0: 3.1: 3.1: 3.2: 2.9: 4.0. Pronotum 1.5–1.6 × wider than long; disc with scarce, fine punctures at sides, reduced medially, with transverse groove near base, medially abbreviated, laterally connected with short longitudinal groove on basal margin; lateral margins slightly rounded, widest behind apices; apical margin slightly concave and basal margin slightly convex. Elytra 1.4 × longer than wide; disc with confused, dense, fine punctures; with one small tubercle behind scutellum; with one distinct longitudinal ridge from humeral calli, parallel with lateral margin, abbreviated subapically; with one additional ridge also from humeral calli, distinct, directed medially; lateral margins moderately rounded, widest at apical third, apices divergent. Aedeagus (Fig. 4C–E) extremely slender, 6.4 × longer than wide; widest at apical 1/6, gradually narrowed toward base, moderately narrowed at apical 1/6, apex widely rounded, slightly and medially depressed; strongly, apically curved in lateral view; tectum wide, longitudinal, apex recurved; no endophallic sclerites. Apical margin of abdominal ventrite V in males with distinct median lobe (Fig. 4H) narrow, apical margin slightly recurved, with long median internal ridge at middle of basal margin, from base to middle; basal margin normal. Gonocoxae (Fig. 4G) longitudinal and connected basally, with narrow furrow between gonocoxae; each gonocoxa narrowed subapically, apex narrowly rounded, with eight long apical setae; base weakly sclerotized and narrow. Ventrite VIII (Fig. 4F) in females with apex weakly sclerotized, small, apical margin slightly irregular; with dense short apical setae; spiculum extremely elongate. Spermathecal receptaculum (Fig. 4I) swollen, not separated from pump; pump long and curved, with apical process curved; sclerotized spermathecal duct extremely short, separated from receptaculum.

Figure 4. 

Diagnostic characters of Japonitata jungchani sp. nov. A antenna, male B antenna, female C aedeagus, dorsal view D apex of aedeagus, front view E aedeagus, lateral view F abdominal ventrite VIII G gonocoxae H abdominal ventrite IV–V, male I spermatheca.

This new species is similar to J. bipartita Chen & Jiang, 1986 from China (Shaanxi and Fujian) with reddish brown body and black head and prothorax. It differs in having black antenna with the three apical antennomeres reddish brown, and dark brown fore and middle legs.

Unknown, but one adult was collected by sweeping flowers.

The new species name is dedicated to Mr. Jung-Chan Chen (陳榮章), the first person to collect type specimens.

South Taiwan including Pingtung and Taitung counties.

Holotype ♀ (OMNH) (Fig. 5A–C): “FUNCHIIHU (奮起湖) / TAIWAN / 28.VII.1974 / Y. KIYOYAMA [p, y] // HOLOTYPE [p, r] / Japonitata / quadricostata / Kimoto, n. sp. [h] / Det. S. Kimoto, 19 [p, w] // PHOTO [p, r]”.

Figure 5. 

Habitus and field photographs of Shairella quadricostata (Kimoto) A holotype, female, dorsal view B ditto, lateral view C labels on the holotypes D nontype, male, dorsal view E ditto, ventral view F ditto, lateral view G two adults collected at Tengchih (藤枝) and feeding on leaves of Hemiboea bicornuta H adult resting on leaves of Hemiboea bicornuta in Erhwanping (二萬坪).

Chiayi: 28♂, 11♀ (TARI), Erhwanping (二萬坪), 2000 m, near Alishan (阿里山), 9.VII.2014, leg. C.-F. Lee & T.-H. Lee; 1♂ (TARI), Alishan (阿里山), 17.VIII.2014, leg. B.-X. Guo; Ilan: 1♂ (TARI), Chiuchihtse (鳩之澤), 520 m, 2.V.2007, leg. M.-H. Tsou; 1♂ (TARI), Eboshiyama (= Tulishan 獨立山), 1900 m, 17–21.V.1933, leg. M. Chujo; Kaohsiung: 1♂, 1♀ (TARI), Tengchih (藤枝), 1600 m, 24.VIII.2017, leg. B.-X. Guo; 1♂ (TARI), same but with “4.IX.2017”; 1♀ (TARI), same but with “15.IX.2019”; 3♂ (TARI), same locality, 11.V.2022, leg. Y.-T. Chung; Nantou: 2♀ (TARI), Fenghuangshan (鳳凰山), 1700 m, near Hsitou (溪頭), 12.VIII.2010, leg. Y.-T. Wang; 1♂ (TARI), Hsitou (溪頭), 1000 m, 14.VI.2011, leg. C.-F. Lee; 4♀ (TARI), same locality, 2.VII.2011, leg. M.-H. Tsou; 1♂, 1♀ (TARI), same but with “9.VIII.2011”; Pingtung: 1♂ (TARI), Peitawushan (北大武山), New Trailhead (新登山口), 1200 m, 28.IX.2017, leg. Y.-T. Chung; 1♂ (TARI), same but with “10.V.2022”; 1♂ (TARI), Shuangliu (雙流), 500 m, 6.V.2000, leg. H.-T. Shih; Taichung: 1♀ (TARI), Fengyuan (豐原), 280 m, 22.V.2019, leg. C.-T. Hsu; 1♂ (TARI), Henglingshan (橫嶺山), Trailhead (登山口), 1200 m, 10.X.2020, leg. Y.-C. Hsu; Taipei: 1♂ (TARI), Manyuehyuan (滿月圓), 300 m, 7.VI.2010, leg. C.-L. Chiang; 1♀ (TARI), Wulai (烏來), 150 m, 24.V.2007, leg. H.-J. Chen; 1♂, 1♀ (TARI), same locality (= Hsinhsien 信賢), 3.V.2014, leg. M.-H. Tsou.

Length 6.1–7.7 mm, width 3.1–4.4 mm. General color (Fig. 5D–F) black to dark brown; abdomen yellow to dark brown; five apical antennomeres variably paler. Antennomeres II–XI filiform in males (Fig. 6A), ratios of lengths of antennomeres I–XI 1.0: 0.3: 0.7: 0.9: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.7: 0.9; ratios of length to width from antennomeres I–XI 2.8: 1.6: 2.8: 3.8: 4.0: 4.2: 4.5: 4.9: 4.9: 4.8: 6.3; more slender in females (Fig. 6B), ratios of lengths of antennomeres I–XI 1.0: 0.3: 0.6: 0.9: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8: 0.8; ratios of length to width from antennomeres I–XI 3.4: 1.6: 2.9: 4.1: 4.1: 4.9: 5.2: 5.5: 6.1: 6.0: 6.5. Pronotum 1.8–2.0 times wider than long; disc with scarce fine punctures at sides, reduced medially, with transverse groove near base, medially abbreviated, laterally connected with short longitudinal groove on basal margin; lateral margins slightly rounded, widest behind apices; apical margin slightly concave and basal margin slightly convex. Elytra narrower, 1.3–1.4 times longer than wide; disc with confused, sparse, reduced punctures; with one small tubercle behind scutellum; with one longitudinal ridge behind tubercle, indistinct, close to suture; with one additional longitudinal ridge outside tubercle, indistinct; with one additional distinct ridge from humeral calli, parallel with lateral margin, abbreviated subapically; another additional ridge also from humeral calli, indistinct, directed medially; lateral margins moderately rounded, widest at apical third, apices convergent. Aedeagus (Fig. 6C, D) slender, 5.9 × longer than wide; lateral margins straight, widest at apical 1/10, gradually narrowed toward basal 1/3; strongly narrowed subapically, apex acute; moderately curved in lateral view; tectum membranous; one endophallic sclerite longitudinally oriented and slender, 0.6 × as long as aedeagus, base deeply bifurcate, lateral margins with clustered short setae at apical 1/3. Apical margin of abdominal ventrite V in males with distinct median lobe (Fig. 6K), narrow, apical margin slightly recurved, with median internal ridge from apex to middle; basal margin normal. Gonocoxae (Fig. 6G) longitudinal and connected basally, with wide furrow between gonocoxae; each gonocoxa narrowed subapically, apex truncate, with eight long apical setae; base weakly sclerotized. Ventrite VIII (Fig. 6E) in females with apex weakly sclerotized, dense short apical setae, reduced medially; spiculum extremely elongate. Spermathecal receptaculum (Fig. 6H) slender, as wide as pump, not separated from pump; pump long and curved, with one short, apical process; sclerotized spermathecal duct short, not separated from receptaculum.

Figure 6. 

Diagnostic characters of Shairella quadricostata (Kimoto) A antenna, male B antenna, female C aedeagus, dorsal view D ditto, lateral view E abdominal ventrite VIII, from Erhwanping (二萬坪) F same, from Wulai (烏來) G gonocoxae H spermatheca, from Tengchih (藤枝) I same from Wulai (烏來) J same from Erhwanping (二萬坪) K abdominal ventrite IV–V, male.

Some distinct variation occurs in female genitalic characters among different populations. Pumps of spermathecae are larger in those of Wulai (烏來) (Fig. 6I); much slender and lacking apical process in those of Erhwanping (二萬坪) (Fig. 6J). Apices of ventrite VIII are wider and setae not reduced medially in those of Wulai (烏來). Hindwings are normal in northern and central Taiwan and low-elevations of southern Taiwan (Fig. 7A), but they are reduced in different degrees between different populations of mid-elevations of southern Taiwan. Degree of reduction of hind wings is similar between individuals of both sexes of the same populations. Those in Tengchih (藤枝) are less reduced, ~ 57% with normal hind wings (Fig. 7B). Those in Hsito (溪頭) are reduced moderately, ~ 50% with normal hind wings (Fig. 7D). Those in Peitawushan (北大武山) have the same length of hind wings as those in Hsito but wider (Fig. 7E). Those in Erhwanping (二萬坪) are reduced strongly, ~ 40% with normal hind wings (Fig. 7C).

Figure 7. 

Hindwings of Shairella quadricostata (Kimoto) A female, from Wulai (烏來) B female, from Tengchih (藤枝) C female, from Erhwanping (二萬坪) D female, from Hsito (溪頭) E male, from Peitawushan (北大武山).

Adults of Shairella quadricostata (Kimoto, 1996), comb. nov. and S. caerulea (Kimoto, 1996), comb. nov. are characterized by normal elytra and functional hindwings (shortened elytra and reduced hindwings in other Shairella; Lee and Beenen 2017) although individuals in some populations of S. quadricostata have more or less reduced hindwings. Shairella quadricostata is distinguished from S. caerulea by possessing black elytra with three pairs of weak longitudinal ridges (Fig. 5A–F) (bluish black elytra without longitudinal ridges besides lateral ridge in S. caerulea; Fig. 9); median internal ridge of abdominal ventrite V in males expanded from apex, abbreviated before base (Fig. 6K) (median internal ridge of abdominal ventrite in males expanded from apex to base in S. caerulea; Fig. 10G); apically narrowed apex of aedeagus (Fig. 6C) (bifurcate apex of aedeagus in S. caerulea; Fig. 10C); apex of spermatheca rounded with or without small process (Fig. 6H–J) (apex of spermatheca swollen, bifurcate in frontal view in S. caerulea; Fig. 10H, I).

Hemiboea bicornuta (Hayata) Ohwi (Gesneriaceae).

Adults of Shairella quadricostata were observed active at night and feeding on leaves of Hemiboea bicornuta. However, adults were hard to find with the exception of a single event. Three adults were collected on 11 May 2022 in Tengchih (藤枝) (Fig. 5G). We collected 39 adults on 9 July 2014 in Erhwanping (二萬坪). Many host plants were growing on a steep slope and numerous adults were feeding on leaves (Fig. 5H).

The flighted populations are widespread in low-elevations of Taiwan and mid-elevations of northern and central Taiwan, and flightless populations are restricted to mid-elevations of southern Taiwan (Fig. 8).

Figure 8. 

Distribution map of Shairella quadricostata (Kimoto) and brachelytrous Shairella species, solid line: 1000 m, broken line: 2000 m. Key: green squares – brachelytrous species, blue circles – adults of S. quadricostata with normal hindwings, red circles– adults of S. quadricostata with reduced hindwings.

Holotype ♂ (SEHU) (Fig. 9A–C): “Pilu (碧綠), Hualien / Taiwan / 10.VII.1983 / H. Takizawa [p, w] // HOLOTYPE [p, r] // Japonitata / caerulea / Kimoto, n. sp. [h] / Det. S. Kimoto, 19[p]95[h, w] // Euliroetis [h] / Det. H. Takizawa [p, w] // 0000000172 / Sys. Ent / Hokkaido Univ. / Japan [SEHU] [p, w]”.

Figure 9. 

Habitus of Shairella caerulea (Kimoto) A holotype, male, dorsal view B ditto, lateral view C labels on the holotypes D nontype, male, dorsal view E ditto, ventral view F ditto, lateral view.

Hualien: 1♀ (NMNS), Hualuhsi (華祿溪), 1300 m, 28.VII.–25.IX.2011, leg. W.-T. Yang & K.-W. Huang; 1♀ (NMNS), Biyu Sacred Tree (碧綠神木), 2150 m, 1.VI.–28.VII.2011, leg. W.-T. Yang & K.-W. Huang; 1♂ (NMNS), same but with “28.VII.–5.IX.2011”; 1♂, 1♀ (NMNS), same but with “28.V.–24.VII.2012”; 2♂ (NMNS), same but with “24.VII.–10.IX.2012”; Kaohsiung: 1♀ (TARI), Chungchihkuan (中之關), 1930 m, 10.VI.2015, leg. T.-H. Lee; Nantou: 1♂ (TARI), Tunyuan (屯原), 1900 m, 21.VI.2019, leg. B.-X. Guo. All specimens from Hualien were collected using Malaise traps.

Length 6.8–6.9 mm, width 3.7–3.9 mm. General color (Fig. 9D–F) black to blackish brown; abdomen yellow; elytra bluish black. Antennomeres II–XI filiform in males (Fig. 10A), ratios of lengths of antennomeres I–XI 1.0: 0.3: 0.9: 1.0: 1.1: 1.1: 1.1: 0.9: 0.9: 0.8: 1.0; ratios of length to width from antennomeres I–XI 3.0: 1.4: 2.9: 3.6: 3.9: 4.2: 4.3: 4.2: 4.6: 4.3: 6.1; more slender in females (Fig. 10B), ratios of lengths of antennomeres I–XI 1.0: 0.4: 0.9: 1.0: 1.0: 1.0: 1.0: 0.9: 0.9: 0.8: 0.9; ratios of length to width from antennomeres I–XI 3.0: 1.6: 3.4: 3.9: 4.3: 4.6: 4.8: 5.5: 6.1: 5.3: 6.1. Pronotum 2.2 times wider than long; disc with scarce fine punctures at sides, reduced medially, with transverse groove near base, medially abbreviated, laterally connected with short longitudinal groove on basal margin; lateral margins slightly rounded, widest behind apices; apical margin slightly concave and basal margin slightly convex. Elytra 1.4 × longer than wide; disc with confused, dense, fine punctures; with one small tubercle behind scutellum, with one deep depression behind tubercle; with one indistinct longitudinal ridge from humeral calli, parallel with lateral margin, abbreviated subapically; with one additional, deep depression at middle, above longitudinal ridge; lateral margins moderately rounded, widest at apical third, apices divergent. Aedeagus (Fig. 10C, D) wide, 4.4 × longer than wide; lateral margins straight, widest at apex, gradually narrowed towards base; apex with deep notch; moderately curved in lateral view; tectum membranous; one endophallic sclerite longitudinal and slender, 0.7 × as long as aedeagus, base shallowly bifurcate, lateral margins with clustered short setae at apical third; with short membranous area near apex. Apical margin of abdominal ventrite V in males with distinct median lobe (Fig. 10G), narrow, apical margin slightly recurved, with median internal ridge from apex to base, with narrow furrow between gonocoxae; basal margin expanding posteriorly. Gonocoxae (Fig. 10F) longitudinal and connected basally; each gonocoxa narrowed subapically, apex truncate, with eight long apical setae; base weakly sclerotized but strongly sclerotized medially. Ventrite VIII (Fig. 10E) in females with apex weakly sclerotized, small, depressed medially; with dense short apical setae; spiculum extremely elongate. Spermathecal receptaculum (Fig. 10H, I) slender, as wide as pump, not separated from pump; pump long and curved, apex slightly swollen, dorso-ventrally bifurcate; sclerotized spermathecal duct short, not separated from receptaculum.

Figure 10. 

Diagnostic characters of Shairella caerulea (Kimoto) A antenna, male B antenna, female C aedeagus, dorsal view D ditto, lateral view E abdominal ventrite VIII F gonocoxae G abdominal ventrite IV–V, male H spermatheca I apex of spermatheca, front view.

Shairella caerulea (Kimoto, 1996), comb. nov. and S. quadricostata (Kimoto, 1996), comb. nov. are characterized by having normal elytra and functional hindwings (shortened elytra and reduced hindwings in other species; Lee and Beenen 2017) although some populations of S. quadricostata have variably reduced hindwings. Shairella caerulea is distinguished easily from S. quadricostata by its bluish black elytra without longitudinal ridges other than the lateral ridge (Fig. 9) (black elytra with three pairs of weak longitudinal ridges in S. quadricostata; Fig. 5); median internal ridge of abdominal ventrite in males expending from apex into base (Fig. 10G) (median internal ridge of abdominal ventrite V in males expanding from apex, abbreviated before base in S. quadricostata; Fig. 6K); bifurcate apex of aedeagus (Fig. 10C) (apically narrowed apex of aedeagus in S. quadricostata; Fig. 6C); apex of spermatheca swollen, bifurcate in frontal view (Fig. 10H, I) (apex of spermatheca rounded with small process in S. quadricostata; Fig. 6H–J).

Unknown.

All specimens deposited at the National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung were collected using Malaise traps. Many flightless, nocturnal galerucines have been collected in Malaise traps, including Taiwanoshaira chujoi (Kimoto, 1982) (Lee and Beenen 2020), Paraplotes taiwana Chûjô, 1963 (Lee 2015), and Lochmaea lesagei Kimoto, 1996 (Lee 2019). Moreover, two specimens were collected during the night by Ta-Hsiang Lee (李大翔) and Bo-Xin Guo (郭泊鑫), respectively; they are members of TCRT. These events suggest that adults of Shairella caerulea are nocturnal.

This species is probably widespread in Taiwan although few specimens are available for study.