Palomena formosa

Palomena formosa Vidal, 1940

Copula in Scrophularia scorodonia L.
https://flora-on.pt/?q=Scrophularia+scorodonia

New species for PT
Article here:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336498054_Palomena_formosa_Vidal_1940_Hemiptera_Pentatomidae_new_species_for_Portugal

https://www.heteropterus.org/images/HRE/articulos/Heteropterus_Rev_Entomol_8(2)_155-169.pdf

comments (6)

Christine Young

Lion

Great find and interesting information! Posted 5 years ago
1. RMFelix
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you so much, Christine! Posted 5 years ago

Pudding4brains

Lion

Woaha! How did you figure that these might be something special as opposed to yet another P.prasina? They look very much alike ... it would sure complicate things to have these present :-/ Posted 5 years ago
1. RMFelix
  
  Lion
  
  Identification was made by genitalia, page 166 fig-10b.
  https://www.heteropterus.org/images/HRE/articulos/Heteropterus_Rev_Entomol_8(2)_155-169.pdf
  
  On the key for Euromediterranean species of Palomena sp., is described that the humeral angles are not as rounded but quite protruding in contrast with Palomena prasina, in this case much more rounded and not so protruded.. Also when comparing the two in terms of their overall color and opacity of the wing membrane are also slightly different, deep green and darker wing membrane in Palomena formosa.
  
  Here you can compare both specimens:
  
  http://www.boldsystems.org/index.php/Taxbrowser_Taxonpage?searchMenu=taxonomy&query=palomena+prasina&taxon=palomena+prasina
  
  http://www.boldsystems.org/index.php/Taxbrowser_Taxonpage?searchMenu=taxonomy&query=palomena+formosa&taxon=palomena+formosa
  
  Nevertheless, there are records for Palomena formosa from spain, and it was just a matter of time and more or less it was likely to be found in PT.
  
  There are still new species of living creatures in the whole world that are being described as we speak, in contrast to all those that are also declared extinct, or in danger of extinction, both on a daily basis.
  
  thanks for the feedback, Arp
  cheers* Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Pudding4brains
    
    Lion
    
    Hi Felix, thanks for the explanation and all the links! To be clear: I wasn't doubting your ID, but just wondering what it was (in the external features) that triggered you to do the more in-depth analysis (genitalia in this case) to make sure what it was and hence finding out that it is P. formosa.
    I would probably have assumed P. prasina and not given it a second thought, missing the new species(!) Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. RMFelix
      
      Lion
      
      Yes, of course, no problem, we were making some efforts to find it, but even if they appear to be quite similar believe me that when I first saw it I realize that it was different from P. prasina judging the lateral margins. with the help of my old hand magnifying glass some doubts were almost cleared up in the field. Posted 5 years ago