Hemipsocus menoni Ramesh, Babu & Subramanian, 2025, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Ramesh, Gurusamy
name: Babu, Rajappa
name: Subramanian, Kumarapuram A.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Psocodea
Hemipsocidae
Hemipsocus
Hemipsocus menoni

description: Hemipsocus menoni sp. nov.
(Figs 27−39, 42−46)
Diagnosis. This newly described species closely resembles H. africanus and H. massulatus due to its smoky wings and subgenital plate. However, H. menoni sp. nov., can be easily distinguished by the female lacinal tip, which has well-defined inner and outer tines, with the outer tine being tridentate at the apex (Fig. 46). Additionally, the male epiproct features well-developed scales that extend from the anterior section to the median region. In contrast, H. africanus female (see Badonnel, 1946; p. no. 175, fig. 75) has a poorly defined inner lacinal tine and a bidentate outer tine (Fig. 47). The epiproct scales are limited to the anterior section in both males of H. africanus (Fig. 40) and H. massulatus (Fig. 41).
Description. Male. Colour (in 70% ethanol). Similar to taxa H. mockfordi sp. nov. described above.
Morphology. The structure of the head (Fig. 30) is similar to that of H. mockfordi sp. nov. The lacinia (Fig. 31) has well-demarcated inner and outer tines, with the outer tine featuring a tridentate apex. The wings (Figs 32–33) are also similar to those of H. mockfordi sp. nov. The hypandrium (Fig. 36) is covered with setae on both the anterior and pigmented portions, with the posteromedial margin showing moderate outdentation. The phallosome (Fig. 37) is elongated, with an endophallus that is umbrella-shaped and composed of 25 rows of sclerified teeth. The epiproct (Fig. 38) is sub-triangular in shape, with three long terminal setae, a pair of small lateral setae, and three subapical setae. At the anterior corner of the epiproct, two robust, chitinized spines curve gracefully, accompanied by well-developed scales extending from the anterior section towards the median region. The paraproct (Fig. 39) is deformed, featuring a sensory field of ten trichobothria and a highly chitinized, slightly curved paraproctal "horn."
Measurements. FW: 2.811, HW: 2.145, F:0.730, T:1.170, t1:0.569, t2:0.120, ctt1:23, ctt2: 1, Mx4: 0.195, f1: 0.795, f2: 0.776, IO: 0.538, D: 0.222, d: 0.168, IO/D: 2.423, PO: 0.75.
Female. Color (in 70% ethanol). Similar to Hemipsocus mockfordi sp. nov.
Morphology. Head (Fig. 42), lacinia (Fig. 46) and wings (Figs 34–35) are similar to male, except for the terminalia. Subgenital Plate (Fig. 43): The posterior margin of the subgenital plate is broad with a wide indentation in the middle. The anterior margin has two downward, comma-shaped sclerotizations, and the rest of the plate is setose. Gonapophyses (Fig. 44): The ventral and dorsal valves are gradually tapered and pointed; the external valve is triangular, membranous, and has three marginal setae. Epiproct: Trapezoidal and setae illustrated in the figure 45. Paraproct: Contains a field of eight trichobothria and lacks a basal rosette.
Measurements. FW: 3.165, HW: 2.415, F:0.849, T:1.324, t1:0.639, t2:0.138, ctt1:26, ctt2: 2, Mx4: 0.201, f1: 0.948, f2: 0.937, IO: 0.607, D: 0.269, d: 0.196, IO/D: 3.096, PO: 0.72
Materials examined. HOLOTYPE male. INDIA. Tamil Nadu, Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Megamalai Range, Vellimalai, Moola Vaigai river [9.56846°N, 77.40221°E], 773m, 25.II.2019, R. Babu & Party (Reg. No. ZSI/ SRC/I/PSO/238). PARATYPES. 1 male, 2 females, same data as the holotype (Reg. No. ZSI/SRC/I/PSO/238-1).
Other specimens: Tamil Nadu: Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary: 1 male, Pandian Estate, Vellimalai [9.55733°N, 77.39492°E], 849m, 22.II.2019, R. Babu & Party. 2 males, 2 females, Chinnamannur Range, Megamalai, Bottom camp, [9.715023°E, 77.413431°E], 1620m, 24.I.2024, Ranjana & Party. 1 male, 1 female, Pandian Estate, Vellimalai [9.556805°N, 77.394371°E], 870m, 26.I.2024, Ranjana & Party. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve: 3 males, Hasanur [11.67005°N, 77.12825°E], 937m, 26.VIII.2022, R. Aenglas & Party. 1 male, 1 female, Sathyamangalam Range, Pellarikovil pallam [11.60071°N, 77.13972°E], 437.8m, 3.II.2023, R. Babu & Party. Jharkhand: 1 male, 3 females, Latehar [23.73808°N, 084.54245° E], 417m, 22.X.2021, K.G. Emiliyamma and G. Ramesh. 3 males, Betla National Park, Siddha patch 2 nd watch tower [23.85391°N, 084.18287°E], 340m, 24.X.2021, K.G. Emiliyamma and G. Ramesh. 4 males, Palamu Tiger Reserve, Barwahi Camp-III [23.75841° N, 084.21904° E], 365m, 25.X.2021, K.G. Emiliyamma and G. Ramesh. 1 male, 1 female, Palamu Tiger Reserve, Maromar, [23.65380°N, 084.23653°E], 427m, 27.X.2021, K.G. Emiliyamma and G. Ramesh. Kerala: 1 male, 1 female, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Aryankavu [8.97383°N: 077.14933°E], 242m, 22.I.2019, Palot, Md. J. and G. Ramesh.
Etymology The specific epithet is named after †Dr. M.G. Ramdass Menon, a renowned Indian entomologist who pioneered the study of Psocoptera in India and made significant contributions to the field.
description: Published as part of Ramesh, Gurusamy, Babu, Rajappa & Subramanian, Kumarapuram A., 2025, Two new species of genus Hemipsocus (Psocodea: ' Psocoptera': Hemipsocidae) from India, pp. 374-386 in Zootaxa 5575 (3) on pages 379-383, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5575.3.2, http://zenodo.org/record/14747032