Phthiarella saphisa Brailovsky and Barrera, 2025

Phthiarella saphisa Brailovsky and Barrera , new species

( Figs. 37‒38, 64, 88‒91)

Diagnosis. Like P. femorata (Breddin) , P. durena and P. procera here described are the only known species on “ femorata group” with coxae, trochanters and femora yellow to yellowish orange, and pronotal disk metallic green with or without bluish purple reflections. In P. femorata and P. durena the corium are entirely metallic green, in P. saphisa sp. nov., metallic green with wide yellowish transverse fascia. In P. saphisa the abdominal sternite IV are yellowish orange, and inner margin of meso-, and meta-acetabulae yellowish orange. In P. procera the abdominal sternite IV are metallic green and just the border of meso-, and meta-acetabulae slightly yellowish orange.

Description. Holotype female. Body length 22.08. Head length 2.86; width across eyes 2.65; interocular distance 1.50; interocellar distance 0.65; preocular distance 1.72; length antennal segments: I, 4.62; II, 5.47; III, 4.00; IV 7.26; pronotum: total length 3.55; width across humeral angles 6.85; scutellum: length 2.77; width 3.03.

Dorsal coloration. Head metallic green with short yellow spot behind each ocelli; antennal segment I shiny black with metallic bluish green reflections, II–III shiny black, IV dull black; pronotum black with collar and calli metallic green and anterolateral margins metallic bluish purple; scutellum black; clavus black, punctures metallic purple and apex of claval commissure yellow; corium black with wide yellowish transverse fascia below claval commissure, reaching costal borders; hemelytral membrane dark brown with metallic bluish green reflections; connexival segments III–V yellowish orange, VI–IX black; dorsal abdominal margins III–V yellowish orange and VI–IX black. Ventral coloration. Head metallic green with short yellow spot at each side of midline near collar; rostral segment I metallic green, II–III dark yellow, IV shiny brown; pro-, meso-, and metasternum, anterior and posterior lobe of metathoracic peritreme, inner margin of pro-, meso-, and meta-acetabulae and posterior border of metapleura yellowish orange; pro-, meso-, and metapleura metallic green with bluish purple reflections; coxae, trochanters and femora yellowish orange; tibiae and tarsi dark brown; abdominal sternite III yellowish orange, IV yellowish orange with posterior border black with metallic green reflections, V–VII and genital plates black with bluish green reflections.

Structure. Head. Rostrum reaching middle third of abdominal sternite IV. Thorax. Humeral angles thicked at base, tapering into short acute spine.

Male. Color and habitus similar to female holoype. Body length 16.12. Head length 2.27; width across eyes 2.24; interocular distance 1.22; interocellar distance 0.52; preocular distance 1.17; length antennal segments: I, 4.40; II, 4.75; III, 3.06; IV absent; pronotum: total length 3.28; width across humeral angles 6.60; scutellum: length 2.45; width 2.70.

Genital capsule. Posteroventral edge gently sinuate to straight; lateral angles rounded, slightly folded inward ( Fig. 64). Parameres. Figs. 90‒91.

Etymology. Greek adjective “ saphis”, meaning distinct, referring to the distinctly delimited colour pattern on pronotum and hemelytra.

Type locality. Peru, Loreto .

Type material. HOLOTYPE female: PERU, Department Loreto, Explornapo Camp, Yanamomo, 80 km E. Iquitos, 1980 (without any other data), C. L. Hogue ( LACM) . PARATYPE: PERU, Rio Santiago , 23‒IX‒1924, F. Gloz, H. Bassler ( AMNH) 2 females ; Upper Rio Marañon , 11‒X‒1924, F. Gloz, H. Bassler ( AMNH) 1 male . ECUADOR: PASTAZA, Cuisimi on Rio Cuisimi , 150 km SE Puyo, 350 m, 15‒31‒ V ‒1971, B- Malkin ( AMNH, UNAM) 1 male, 1 female .