Mahellus distanti Nielson 1982

Mahellus distanti Nielson, 1982

Figs 3–7, 11–16, 18–31, 48–49, 51.

Mahellus distanti Nielson 1982: 86; 2015: 35

Nielson (1982) adequately described and illustrated this species. The following additional features are noted. Male pygofer with dorsal marginal sclerotized process distally lobe-like with anterior margin of lobe crenulated (Fig. 51). Female similar to male with ovipositor projecting much beyond pygofer. Sternite VII and first and second pair of valvulae as described in generic description.

Material examined. INDIA: Maharashtra: 1♂, 4♀, Matheran, 915 M, 23.xi.1977, C. A. Viraktamath. Karnataka: 1♂, 22 Km, S. Bangalore, 22.v.1977, C. A. Viraktamath; 2♂, Hunsur, 18.i.1978, C. A. Viraktamath; 2♂, Banerghatta, 22.v.1977,C. A. Viraktamath; 1♂, 1♀, Chickballapur, 01.x.2015, M. Shobharani; 1♀, 24 Km, W. Mudigree, 21.ix.1978, C. A. Viraktamath. Tamil Nadu: 1♀, 64 Km, E Kollegal, 9.viii.1977, C. A. Viraktamath; 1♀, Shevroy Hills, 21.ix.1978, C. A. Viraktamath. Kerala: 1♂, 1♀, Maraiyur, 24.iii.1977, C. A. Viraktamath (USAB).

Measurements. Male 6.3–6.5 mm long, 1.6–1.7 mm wide across eyes and 1.8–2.0 mm wide across posterolateral angles of pronotum. Female 8.2–8.6 mm long, 2.0– 2.1 mm wide across eyes and 2.4–2.5 mm wide across posterolateral angles of pronotum.

Remarks. Identification of this species is based on the diagrams and description of the species given by Nielson (1982). It was earlier known only from Nilgiri Hills (Tamil Nadu) and has now been recorded from Shevroy Hills (Tamil Nadu), Bengaluru, Hunsur, Chikballapur, Mudigere (Karnataka) and Mariyur (Kerala). There is considerable colour variation in the specimens collected. Some paler specimens (teneral?) (Figs 3, 4) have a submarginal reddish stripe along the frontoclypeus (Figs 14, 15) compared to well sclerotized specimens which are often darker with sometimes basal triangles of the mesoscutum dark brown (Figs 5, 6). This species is quite different from the remaining three species of the genus in having a more robust aedeagal shaft and the processes adpressed to the shaft compared to more slender shaft in the remaining species with the processes oriented away from the shaft.