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| Hiperantha pikachu | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Elateriformia |
| Family: | Buprestidae |
| Genus: | Hiperantha |
| Species: | H. pikachu |
| Binomial name | |
| Hiperantha pikachu | |
Hiperantha pikachu is a species of jewel beetle found in Brazil.
The specific epithet "pikachu" is a reference to the Pokémon character Pikachu, as the beetle's yellow elytra with a black apical band resembles the character's yellow body and black-tipped ears. [1]
The species was described by Cristian Pineda and Rafael Barros in 2021, based on specimens collected in Prado, Bahia, Brazil. [1]
It is placed in the subgenus Hyperanthoides within the genus Hiperantha . The species is morphologically similar to H. decorata but can be distinguished by its yellow (vs. red) base coloration, the presence of a broad black apical band on the elytra, the smaller transverse spot on the pronotum, and differences in the male genitalia. [1]
Adults are relatively large jewel beetles, with the holotype male measuring 26 mm in total length. The dorsal surface is shiny and appears glabrous but is covered with very short, inconspicuous setae. [1]
Females differ slightly in the shape of the fifth abdominal ventrite. [1]
The species is known only from its type locality: the "restinga da Praia da Lagoa Grande" in Prado, Bahia, Brazil. Restinga is a type of coastal sandy plain vegetation found in Brazil. Specimens were collected in October, flying and settling on shrubs approximately 1.5 meters above the ground during the morning (around 09:00–10:30). [1]
