Pyrrhalta gressitti species group

Included species.

Pyrrhalta gressitti Kimoto, 1969; P. houjayi sp. nov.; P. tahsiangi sp. nov.; P. taiwana Kimoto, 1969; and P. viridipennis Kimoto, 1981.

Diagnosis.

Small to median sized species (3.5-7.8 mm). Antenna extremely slender, antennomeres III-VI long (3.1-4.5 × longer than wide), VII-X shorter. Body convex. Elytra relatively narrow, 1.6-1.8 × longer than wide. Aedeagus asymmetric, ostium covered by a membrane; endophallic sclerites composed of two slender sclerites (Figs 6C, D; 8C, D; 14D) except single sclerite in P. tahsiangi sp. nov. (Fig. 10C, D) and P. houjayi sp. nov. (Fig. 12C, D); primary sclerite with several fine teeth near apex (Figs 8C, D; 10C, 14C) except P. gressitti Kimoto (Fig. 6C, D) and P. houjayi sp. nov. (Fig. 12C, D). Ventrite VIII in female well sclerotized and recurved laterally, apically tapering and with cluster of setae near apex (Figs 6E, 8E, 12E, 14I) except P. tahsiangi sp. nov. (Fig. 10E); spiculum long. Gonocoxae apically sclerotized and longitudinally oriented, apex with four long setae (Figs 6G, 8I, 10K, 12F, 14J). Apical margin of abdominal ventrite V moderately concave medially, with deep depression at middle in males (Figs 6I, 8H, 10J, 12I, 14L); concave in females of P. gressitti (Fig. 6J), P. houjayi sp. nov. (Fig. 8G), and P. taiwana (Fig. 12H), or slightly depressed and with one short median internal ridge in females of P. tahsiangi sp. nov. (Fig. 10I) and P. viridipennis (Fig. 14K). Mesotibia with apical spine in males of P. gressitti (Fig. 6F), P. tahsiangi sp. nov. (Fig. 10F), and P. viridipennis (Fig. 14M) (lacking apical spine in others); mesotarsi with tarsomere I modified only in males of P. tahsiangi sp. nov. (Fig. 10H).

Biology.

Larvae and adults feed on leaves of Rhododendron species or Vaccinium randaiense Hayata ( Ericaceae).