Pliomelaena spathuliniforma

Pliomelaena spathuliniforma (Dirlbek & Dirlbek) (figs 10–11) Metasphenisca spathuliniforme Dirlbek & Dirlbek, 1968: 175 (Afghanistan). Pliomelaena udhampurensis Agarwal & Kapoor, 1988: 119 (Jammu & Kashmir, India) Syn. by Hancock (2007a). Diagnosis: Similar to P. zonogastra but circular hyaline spot in pterostigma weakly present in females and distinct in males, medial stripe in cell c very faint in males, hyaline triangle in cells r 1 and r 2+5 with an additional, small circular spot alongside vein R 2+ 3 in cell r 2+3, and both sexes with a small circular hyaline indentation in cell br (figs 10E & F). Abdomen reddish brown with transverse black bands on each tergite, diffuse on tergites I & II, narrower and almost separated medially on tergite V in males (fig. 11B), the latter with 12 marginal yellow setae. Mostly resembles P. zonogastra but can be differentiated by the extra circular hyaline spot in cell r 2+3, shape of spermathecae and spicules on distal eversible membrane and apical spines on glans wider apart than in P. zonogastra, where they form an almost L-shaped curve on inner side (fig. 9J). P. udhampurensis Agarwal & Kapoor, 1988 was synonymised with P. spathuliniforma by Hancock (2007a) and, apart from slight variation in the shape of the hyaline indentations in cell cu 1, is essentially inseparable, sharing both the extra spot in cell r 2+3 and the very faint medial stripe in cell c in males. Female Genitalia: Oviscape shiny black, triangular, 0.91 mm long. Aculeus 1.41 mm long, apically with 6–7 rows of spicules and tip chisel shaped, sharper at apex (fig. 11E). Eversible membrane 1.5 mm long, spicules on distal eversible membrane irregularly triangular with 1 apical projection (fig. 11G). Spermathecae melon shaped, apically broad, lightly papillate with narrow tubular projections. Male Genitalia: Epandrium mostly horseshoe shaped in posterior view with long setae on dorsoposterior margin (fig. 11H). Epandrium higher than proctiger, the latter setose, anterior lobe of lateral surstylus longer than posterior lobe and latter mostly quadrate at apex with long setae. Anterior lobes of lateral surstylus shoe shaped and medially confluent with each other (figs 11H & I). Aedeagus 2.75 mm long excluding glans (0.34 mm) of phallus, latter with a pair of apical spines broadly opened anteriorly (fig. 11J). Apical spines basally encircled by broad membrane (fig. 11J). Material examined: 10 ♂ & 12 ♀ on Punica sp., INDIA, Himachal Pradesh, Rajgarh, Sirmaur, 24.vi.2023, Maneesh Leg. Voucher specimens at Zoological Survey of India (High Altitude Regional Centre (HARC), Solan, Himachal Pradesh) and some specimen with first author.