Monobazus biligiriensis, VIRAKTAMATH & WEBB & YESHWANTH, 2025

Monobazus biligiriensis sp. nov.

Figs 3I–L View FIGURES 3 , 9 View FIGURES 9 BC, 30A–G

Diagnosis. Crown with complex marking including a prominent dark brown spot on either side of the median line ( Figs 3 View FIGURES 3 IK). Male pygofer more or less quadrangular, ventral process directed posteriorly in basal half then directed dorsally, its surface with a sinuate ridge in the apical region, far exceeding the dorsal margin. Subgenital plates without macrosetae. Aedeagus with shaft curved anteriorly, with basal process, each fork of the process broad at the base tapered apically and not attaining the apex of the shaft. The coloration of the crown resembles that in some species of Mavromoustaca but differs in the male genitalia. It has similar male genitalia as in M. dissimilis , M. longulus and M. sikkimensis , however, it differs from M. dissimilis in having the shaft processes arising from the ventral surface; from M. longulus and M. sikkimensis in having much shorter aedeagal shaft processes that do not reach the apex of the shaft.

Description. Ochraceous. Three small connected spots in outwardly curved line near crown fore margin on either side of median line dark brown, one larger somewhat quadrangular spot on either side of median line anteriorly connected by thin line medially and extending laterally reddish orange, median sulcus dark brown. Eyes grayish brown. Frontoclypeus with series of brown stripes laterally, leaving median ochraceous area, some areas on gena, lora and clypeus brown. Pronotum with anterior submargin with three irregular brown spots on either side of median line. Exposed mesonotum with basal triangles brown, one elongate stripe on either side of dark brown scutoscutellar suture brown. Forewing venation brown, apices of clavus, claval sutures, R 1, R 2+3, R 4+5 with large brown spot, some cells marked with brown spot. Thoracic tergites, sternites and legs ochraceous.

Head either as wide as pronotum (male) or wider (female). Crown conically rounded, 0.8× as long as interocular distance. Pronotum twice as wide as long medially.

Male genitalia. Pygofer slightly longer than wide in lateral view, more or less quadrangular, ventral process directed posteriorly in basal half then directed dorsally, its surface with sinuate ridge in apical region, far exceeding dorsal margin. Subgenital plate without macrosetae, with hair-like setae, more than 5× as long as wide at base. Style apophysis short, stout curved laterally. Connective with stem as long as arms. Aedeagus with well-developed dorsal apodeme and preatrium, shaft curved anteriorly, with basal process, each fork of process broad at base tapered apically and not attaining shaft apex.

Measurements. Male 3.9 mm long, 0.9 mm wide both across eyes and posterolateral angles of pronotum. Female 4.3 mm long, 1.1 mm wide across eyes and 1.0 mm wide across posterolateral angles of pronotum.

Material examined. HOLOTYPE ♂, INDIA: Karnataka: Biligiris [Biligiri Rangana Hills], 925m, 13.viii.1977, C.A. Viraktamath ( UASB) . PARATYPES, 2♀, INDIA: Tamil Nadu: Burliar , 860m, 5.vi.1977, S. Viraktamath ( UASB) .

Etymology. The specific epithet (biligiriensis, -ense) refers to the type locality, Biligiri Rangana Hills, commonly called Biligiris by the local people.