Ladakhomorpha Hennemann and Conle, 1999

Type species: Ladakhomorpha longipes Hennemann and Conle, 1999

Geographic distribution: India.

Derivation of the name: The name is in reference to Ladakh, Kashmir, in northern India, where the type species was found.

Description: Small, robust, males more slender and smaller. Male body surface totally finely and densely granulate, that of the female smooth up to the pro- and mesonotum. Head spherical, bearing two short, blunt mounds between the eyes. Antennae short and thick, when placed forward, reaching only slightly beyond the distal end of the anterior femora. Median segment short, only about one-third the length of the metanotum. Operculum of the female narrow, short, extending beyond the distal margin of abdominal tergite VIII. Anal segment distally acuminate. Femora quadrate in cross-section, ventrally with a sharp median keel. Anterior tarsus very long. The eggs are oblong with a rounded flattened operculum and elongate micropylar plate which is broadened around the micropyle and reaches to the pole-area. Pole-area with small spines.

Relationships: This genus is, on the basis of its characteristic habitus and egg, to be placed in the subfamily Bacillinae; it appears quite isolated, however, reminding one of Macynia Stål, 1875, but that genus is found only in South Africa and Madagascar. Ladakhomorpha is easily distinguished by its thicker, shorter antennae and different genitalia. From Bacillus Latreille, 1825, as for Macynia, it can be distinguished by the thicker antennae, as well as the more compact habitus, even though the genitalia, particularly of the female, exhibit some similarities. These two genera are probably the nearest relatives, but Ladakhomorpha appears quite isolated, both by its geographical distribution and the morphology of its eggs. The next relationship appears to be Leptynia Pantel, 1890, which is indicated by the form of the eggs, the genitalia, and the antennae.

Included species:

  Ladakhomorpha longipes Hennemann and Conle, 1999