Rhopalopsole absentia Pelingen, 2025

Rhopalopsole absentia Pelingen , sp. nov.

( Fig. 2b View FIGURE 2 , 3b View FIGURE 3 , 5 View FIGURE 5 , 7b View FIGURE 7 , 8b View FIGURE 8 )

Holotype: ♂, Philippines, Luzon \ Zambales Mts, Coto \ 9-10.XI.1998, 150 m \ leg. Mey & Speidel ( PNM) .

Paratype: 1 ♂, same data as holotype ( AdMU)

Diagnosis. Male adult of this species is characterized by the bifurcated lateral projections of the tergum and the epiproct, which is curved rather shallowly. So far, this is the only Philippine species without a vesicle.

Description. Male adult habitus. Forewing length is 4.5–5.0 mm. Head brown to dark brown, wider than pronotum; compound eyes black; antennae brown to light brown; mouthparts brown. Pronotum light brown with slightly dark rugosities; wings subhyaline with darker veins; legs brown. Abdomen brown.

Male terminalia. Tergum 9 well sclerotized at anterior margin, less so posteriorly which terminates in a wide, produced sclerite with tiny granules. Sternum 9 longer than wide, distal portion with narrow trapezoidal subgenital plate, the plate wider than longer; vesicle. Tergum 10 with well sclerotized, bifurcating equilateral projections. Central plate sclerotized and trilobed, lateral lobes subtriangular, together with a circular; medial lobe darkly pigmented, with a small knob-like projection. Cercus twice as long as wide, curved dorsally, with setations, without terminal spine. Epiproct sclerotized, and rather shallowly curved in lateral view. Subanal lobe with sclerotized lateral margins and apex membranous, ventral furrows vague.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the absence of a vesicle on the 9th sternum and a terminal spine on the cerci which distinguishes it from all other Philippine Rhopalopsole .

Distribution. This species is known so far only from Zambales Province, Central Luzon, Philippines.

Remarks. The novel species is a typical of R. malayana group, sensu Sivec et al. (2008). The male appears to be closely related to R. malayana and R. meyi having the same bifurcating tergum 10 lateral projections. However, R. absentia sp. nov. can be differentiated from both R. malayana and R. meyi with its epiproct that is only slightly curved as compared to regularly rounded hooks.