Rhodobaenus howdenorum Anderson, 2022

Anderson, Robert S., 2022, New species of Rhodobaenus LeConte, 1876 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae) from Central and South America, Zootaxa 5115 (2), pp. 267-273 : 270

Rhodobaenus howdenorum Anderson , new species

Figs 5–6

Specimens examined: Holotype male, labeled ECUADOR: Rio Palenque , 47 km S. Santo Domingo, 700’, 27 Feb 1976, H. & A. Howden ( CMNC) . Paratype, ECUADOR: Esmeraldas, San Javier de Cachabi , low c., Dec 1896, Rosenberg, Museum Paris ex Coll. Oberthur (1 male, MNHN) .

Diagnosis: Length 9.5 mm. Dorsally dark red (excepting black midline and lateral lines of the pronotum) and a short black line along elytral interval 3 at about the midlength of the elytra. Rostrum moderately long, curved, humped at base, red, lacking any dorsal hairs; ventrally with peduncle only very slightly produced, rounded. Pygidium with sparse short yellowish setae not forming distinct apical tuft. Ventral surfaces of femora lacking rows of long fine hairs, tarsus with claw bearing article flat between claws.

Identification: Despite very close similarity to R. longicollis Hustache, in Vaurie (1980) this species will key to Rhodobaenus nawradii (Kirsch) in couplet 13. The two species share the tarsus with claw bearing article flat, not excavate, between claws, basally transversely impressed pronotum and the completely pilose venter of tarsal article 3. Rhodobaenus howdenorum is a smaller primarily reddish species with some longitudinal black markings whereas R. nawradii is larger and predominantly grey with two large black velvety-looking elytral marks.

Rhodobaenus howdenorum can be separated from R. longicollis by the lack of an excavation between the tarsal claws, a slightly less deep transverse impression across the base of the pronotum, dorsal surface of rostrum lacking hairs, a very slightly ventrally projected gular peduncle in the male, sparsely tomentose pygidium, and lack of a row of long hairs along the ventral surface of each femur.

Description: Length 9.5 mm in male. Cuticle dark red with black longitudinal lines on pronotum, one along midline, the other two lateral, at top of flanks, short black line along elytral interval 3 at about the midlength of the elytra, no whitish spots around punctures. Rostrum humped over scrobe, more strongly arcuate basally, less so apically, moderately long, length slightly shorter than length pronotum, basal area slightly transversely impressed. Gular peduncle slightly produced, rounded, not angulate behind. Antennal scape subcylindrical, about two-thirds length of rostrum, almost twice length funicle, slightly clavate apically. Antennal scape with articles 1 and 2 longer than wide, articles 3–6 moniliform, width of club subequal to width of apex of rostrum; spongy apex about threefifths length of club. Antennal groove with posterior border separated from anterior margin of eye by about width of apex of scape. Pronotum very slightly longer than width across base, basal area slightly transversely impressed. Elytra slightly wider than pronotum, about twice as long as pronotum, striae with vaguely defined punctures. Prosternum flat in front of coxa. Femora lacking rows of long fine hairs along ventral surfaces, posterior femur with width at apex about twice width at base, tarsus with claw bearing article flat, not excavate, between claws. Pygidium with punctate part short, about as wide as long, somewhat convex, with setae sparse, not forming apical tuft. Abdomen lacking ventral tubercle. Male not dissected although aedeagus is extruded on holotype, female not known.

Variation: The paratype male has the short black line along elytral interval 3 at about the midlength of the elytra much less well-defined than on the holotype.

Etymology: This species is named after Dr. Henry and Anne Howden who collected the holotype specimen.

Notes: The holotype has a small note handwritten by Patricia Vaurie under the specimen “Resembles Rhodo. longicollis but has no claw excavation, and no white spots. Is specimen like this in Paris Mus. P. V. 1981 ”. This latter specimen, with the following labels, “claw very tiny, one in Howden Coll., Rhodobaenus n. sp. Vaurie 80” is included as a paratype.

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Species of Rhodobaenus. 1–2, Rhodobaenus chamorroae. 1, Dorsal habitus, male. 2, Lateral habitus, male. 3–4, Rhodobenus flecha. 3, Dorsal habitus, female. 4, Lateral habitus, female. 5–6, Rhodobenus howdenorum. 5, Dorsal habitus, male. 6, Lateral habitus, male. 7–8, Rhodobenus schusteri. 7, Dorsal habitus, male. 8, Lateral habitus, male.