Hyalesthes portonoves Remane & Hoch, 1986

Figs 5E, 8G–H, 12A–M

Hyalesthes portonoves Remane & Hoch 1986: 133–135, 150–151, figs 17–20.

Hyalesthes portonoves – Hoch & Remane 1985: 143, 145, 425, figs 65e–76e.

Diagnosis

This species differs from species of the H. angustulus group of the Canary Islands (Hoch & Remane 1985) in the following characters (1) it has, far basally, on the left lateroventral side of the theca, a short spine, directed caudally, of variable size and thickness, absent in the Canarian species (Fig. 12I–M); (2) on the left ventral side, the long thorns are almost parallel and tips are not divergent.

Material examined

MADEIRA ISLANDS – Câmara de Lobos • 17 ♂♂; Curral das Freiras; 610 m a.s.l.; 20 Aug. 2001; Fábio Reis leg.; on Globularia salicina; UMACI. – Funchal • 13 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Casa Fogo; 200 m a.s.l.; 16 Apr. 2002; Énio B. Freitas leg.; on G. salicina; UMACI. – Machico • 2 ♂♂; Pedras Brancas; 138 m a.s.l.; 14 May 2003; Énio Freitas leg.; on Suaeda vera; UMACI. – Santa Cruz • 76 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀; Cristo Rei; 120 m a.s.l.; 26 Apr. 1998; Dora Pombo leg.; on G. salicina; DAPC • 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 17 Aug. 2001; Énio B. Freitas leg.; UMACI • 5 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 29 Apr. 2003; DAPC • 6 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; Gaula; 60 m a.s.l.; 29 Apr. 2003; Énio B. Freitas leg.; on G. salicina; UMACI • 6 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; D. Aguín-Pombo leg.; UMACI • 2 ♂♂; Porto Novo; 50 m a.s.l.; 16 Apr. 2003; Énio B. Freitas leg.; on G. salicina; UMACI • 7 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding; 29 Apr. 2003; Dora Pombo leg.; UMACI • 2 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; Reis Magos; 50 m a.s.l.; 29 Apr. 2003; Énio Freitas leg.; on G. salicina; UMACI • 4 ♀♀; Urbanização Garajau; 175 m a.s.l.; 17 Aug. 2001; Énio Freitas leg.; on G. salicina; UMACI .

Redescription

BODY MEASUREMENTS (mm). VW: males: 0.20–0.28, 0.24 ± 0.02 (n = 21); females: 0.28–0.34, 0.30 ± 0.02 (n = 13). See also Table 1.

COLOURATION. As in H. madeires (Fig. 3F).

HEAD. Vertex, frons, clypeus and medial ocellus as in H. madeires, but the vertex is usually more elongated and the margins are usually parallel (Fig. 12A–B).

THORAX. Pronotum, mesonotum, tegula, tegmina, and legs as in H. madeires (Figs 3F, 5E, 12B). MALE GENITALIA (see also Remane & Hoch 1986). Pygofer, anal tube, anal styles and parameres as in H. madeires (Fig. 12C–H). Body length, position, and curvature of the ventral spine, and the dorsocaudal thorns of the aedeagus as in H. madeires, but the thorns are almost parallel or divergent distally and sometimes the dorsal thorn medially touches the ventral spine (Fig. 12I–J). The thorns extend along 4/5 of the aedeagus but without overlapping distally. The dorsal thorn is oblique and straight, and is basally directed towards the ventral spine (Fig. 12I–J). The ventral thorn is thicker and longer than the dorsal; it is approximately 3 times as wide and thick in the middle part than it is at the base, and sometimes the ventral margin is slightly arched in the middle part; in dorsal and ventral view they cross (Fig. 12K–M).

FEMALE GENITALIA. As shown in Fig. 8G–H.

Distribution and ecology

Endemic to the island of Madeira. It is present from low to medium altitudes within the xerophytic shrub communities of the south of the island both in the coastal regions and in the gorges. Adults occur from April to August on Globularia salicina and Suaeda vera, but they have also been collected from Echium and Euphorbia species (Hoch & Remane 1985; Remane & Hoch 1986). It seems to prefer more exposed areas than H. madeires .

Remarks

There are intraspecific differences in the male genitalia. The ventral spine can vary in length, thickness, and curvature (Fig. 12I–J).