Protoplotina sp.

Protoplotina sp. near vietnamica Miyatake

( Figs 18 View FIGURE 18 , 19 View FIGURE 19 )

Protoplotina nr. vietnamica Miyatake : Poorani 2002: 360; Poorani 2003: 1. Diagnosis. Length: 2.34 mm; width: 1.70 mm. Form ( Figs 18a View FIGURE 18 , 19a View FIGURE 19 ) elongate oval, moderately convex. Head and pronotum noticeably pubescent, elytra with inconspicuous, fine and erect pubescence on lateral and sutural margins. Head and pronotum dark pitchy brown, elytra dark brown to black with a pair of transverse yellow spots around middle ( Figs 18a View FIGURE 18 , 19a View FIGURE 19 ); ventral side dark testaceous brown, except mouthparts, antennae, and tarsi lighter, yellowish brown. Elytral punctation distinctly dual ( Figs 18f View FIGURE 18 , 19a View FIGURE 19 ). Abdominal postcoxal lines ( Figs 18i, j View FIGURE 18 ; 19b View FIGURE 19 ) incomplete with an associate oblique line. Coxites ( Fig. 18g View FIGURE 18 ), spermatheca ( Figs 18h View FIGURE 18 , 19c View FIGURE 19 ) and male genitalia ( Fig. 18k, l View FIGURE 18 ) as illustrated.

Material examined. NE India, Meghalaya state, Jaintia Hills reg. JOWAI , 6– 8.6. 1996 alt. 1350m ( WGS 84 ) GPS N25°27’ E92°12’, 1 female ( NMP) GoogleMaps .

Distribution. India: Northeastern region ( Meghalaya).

Biology. Feeds on Pineus sp. on Pinus insularis .

Notes. The specimen examined from northeastern India is conspecific with the material identified as P. sp. near vietnamica (also from Meghalaya) in Poorani (2003). The elytral punctation and the spermatheca of the Indian material appear to be different from those of P. vietnamica . However, the type specimen of P. vietnamica could not be examined for resolving the status of the Indian specimens.