Phaulotypus dioscoridus

Phaulotypus dioscoridus (Popov, 1957) Figs 102, 103 References for Socotra. Popov (in Uvarov and Popov (1957)): 367–369, figs 14, 15 [as Brachytypus dioscoridus]; Descamps 1970: 124–126, 129, figs 7–9; Descamps 1977: 50, 78–79, figs 137–139; Popov 1997: 120–122, figs 5, 6; Wranik 2003: 319, plate 154. Diagnostic notes. Phaulotypus dioscoridus is a small, uniformly green or greenish-brown species. The female pronotum protrudes posteriorly, ending in a sharp angle, covering both the meso- and metanotum (Fig. 102), but less so than in P. granti (Fig. 105). In males, the spines on the median carina on the femur are small and the vertex’s fastigium protrudes slightly above the eye’s upper edge. Distribution and occurrence. Endemic to Socotra. P. dioscoridus occurs in the Hagher and its vast surroundings, from sea level near Hadiboh to high in the mountains at Adho Dimello (Fig. 103). It has also been found at Wadi Zerig on Dixam Plateau. The number of records is lower than Phaulotypus insularis, which occurs in more or less the same habitat. For remarks on Guichard’s collecting site on Mt. Shihali on 20 April 1967, see the species account of Dioscoridus depressus. Habitat and biology. Phaulotypus dioscoridus is, like all other members of the genus, a phytophilous species living in a variety of plant species, occurring in all main vegetation types from 15–1100 m a. s. l. Popov (in Uvarov and Popov (1957)) did not find any apparent association with a specific plant species. Records are from February to April and October. Nymphs were seen in March and April.