Zorion taranakiensis Schnitzler

Schnitzler, Franz-Rudolf & Wang, Qiao, 2005, Revision of Zorion Pascoe (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an endemic genus of New Zealand, Zootaxa 1066, pp. 1-42 : 35-37

Zorion taranakiensis Schnitzler , sp. nov.

(Figs. 22, 24)

Diagnosis

Zorion taranakiensis has a ringed femur distinguishing it from Z. minutum and the whitish ivory elytral spot distinguishes it from Z. guttigerum , which has a golden or yellow­golden spot. In comparison to Z. batesi , which may have two elytral spots or one small spot the Z. taranakiensis has one much larger spot.

Description

Body length: Male 3.8–5 mm, female 3.9–5.8 mm.

Colour: Body light golden brown throughout, with an ivory spot on each elytron (Fig. 22). Elytral spot as long as wide, pear­shaped, not touching elytral suture but almost reaching margin, and central axis through spot at right angle in relation to midline; distance between spot and suture 2.25–2.5 distance between spot and margin; distance between central axis of spot and elytral shoulder 0.40–0.45 elytral length. Scape red golden brown with dark brown apex; pedicel dark brown, antennal segments 3–6 whitish at base but gradually becoming dark brown towards apex; antennal segments 7–11 dark brown. Pro­ and mesocoxal cavity bounded by dark edge; trochanter and apex of coxa dark; base of femur whitish, with dark ring at beginning of golden brown club as in Fig. 2 ; tibia dark brown throughout; tarsi red golden brown. First two abdominal segments dark brown and remainder light golden brown.

Structure: Surface of body glabrous, glossy. Elytral apex rounded. Female with a few hairs on epipleural fold; male without such hair.

Ovipositor and spermatheca: Ratio of dorsal to ventral baculi being 1:1.1. Spermatheca sclerotised, bean­shaped, widest at about 1/3 of spermathecal length from base, gradually tapering towards stronger sclerotised apex. Spermathecal gland arising at 1/3 of spermathecal length from base.

Var ia t io n: The elytral spot is up to 1.35 wider than long, not reaching elytral margin; spot may be almost of circular shape or eight­shaped or central axis may be at a forward angle; the spot may be surrounded with or without dark field. The scape may be golden brown at base, gradually turning red golden brown towards apex; the pedicel may be red golden brown; the antennal segments 3– 8 may be whitish at base and the remaining segments dark brown or the antennal segments 3–10 may be whitish at base and segment 11 dark brown through out. The femur may be dark orange­brown and the dark ring therefore not visible, or the dark ring is fading on light golden brown femur. The trochanter may be golden brown like the coxa. The tibia and the tarsal segments may be whitish at base, darkening towards apex. The first three abdominal segments may be dark brown compared to the last two visible golden brown abdominal segments.

Biology

Adults were collected from Weinmannia racemosa flowers. All specimens collected on 29 Nov.

Distribution

Western slopes of Mt. Taranaki of North Island ( Fig. 24 ).

Etymology

The name refers to the species’ distribution at Mt Taranaki.

Material examined

Holotype: Ψ, Mt Taranaki, western slopes, 400m, Weinmannia racemosa flowers, bush remnant, 29 xi. 1981, K. J. Fox ( NZAC).

Paratypes: 12 ɗ, 6 Ψ, TK: Mt Taranaki, western slopes, 400m, Weinmannia racemosa flowers, bush remnant, 29 xi. 1981, K. J. Fox ( NZAC m– 240500 –7/8, m– 240500 –8/8, f– 230500 –7/8 f– 230500 –8/8, f– 230500 –8/8w).

Figures

FIGURE 24. Known distribution of: Z. angustifasciatum; Z. batesi; Z. dugdalei; Z. kaikouraiensis; Z. minutum; Z. nonmaculatum; Z. taranakiensis; Z. opacum. The Z. batesi record on Kermadec Island is not shown here. (Map with permission from Ian Henderson, Massey University).

FIGURES 1 – 3. Ventral view of hind femora representing features of: 1, dark coloured femur; 2, light coloured femur with dark ring; 3, light coloured femur without ring.