Phaneroptila insularis Uvarov, 1957

Phaneroptila insularis Uvarov, 1957 View in CoL

Figs 216 View Figure 216 , 217 View Figure 217 , 218 View Figure 218

References for Socotra.

Uvarov (in Uvarov and Popov (1957)): 363, figs 6, 7; Ragge 1968: 93; Ragge 1980: 122; Popov 1981: 133; Wranik 2003: 315, plate 148; Massa 2017: 38–39, figs 1–3.

Diagnostic notes.

The genus differs from the genus Phaneroptera by the shape of the pronotum, the short hind wings (tegmina longer than the hind wings) and the robust cerci ( Ragge 1980; Massa 2017). The stridulatory file is more similar to that of Eulioptera Ragge, 1956 and Dannfeltia nana Sjöstedt, 1902 than Phaneroptera in that it is missing the double bending in the distal part of the file, characteristic for the latter genus (B. Massa in litt.).

Taxonomic notes.

Uvarov (in Uvarov and Popov (1957)) described the species based on a single male specimen (Fig. 217 View Figure 217 ). The female of Phaneroptila insularis Uvarov, 1957 is unknown.

Distribution and occurrence.

Endemic to Socotra. Only three records from the well-wooded slopes of the Hagher massif are known (Fig. 218 View Figure 218 ). Due to its arboreal habitat, the species is undoubtedly under-recorded. The two specimens collected in 2014 were found after foliage beating (A. Carapezza in litt.). The coordinates of the 2014 record given by Massa (2017) refer to the entrance of Wadi Ayhaft and are less precise. The coordinates mentioned above are of the estimated collecting site in Wadi Ayhaft (A. Carapezza and B. Massa, in litt.).

Habitat and biology.

Based on the collecting sites, the habitat of P. insularis is within dense woodland and thick shrubland at a medium elevation in the Hagher (Fig. 11 View Figure 11 ). Uvarov (in Uvarov and Popov (1957)) mentioned dense undergrowth in mixed thickets on the northern slopes of the Hagher. In 2024, a live specimen was observed feeding on the flowers of Croton sulcifructus at around 980 m a. s. l. after sunset (Fig. 216 View Figure 216 ). Records are from 250 to 1000 m a. s. l., from January to March.

Bioacoustics.

The song of this species is yet unknown.