Afromicracis robusta (Schedl, 1957)

Jordal, Bjarte, 2021, Small, uniform, and rarely collected-an integrated taxonomic revision of Afromicracis bark beetles (Coleoptera, Scolytinae), Zootaxa 4981 (1), pp. 70-88 : 73

Afromicracis robusta (Schedl, 1957)

( Figs 2, 5, 8 , 54 )

Dendrochilus robustus Schedl, 1957 (original spelling)

= Dendrochilus arundinarius Schedl, 1957 (synonym by Jordal 2021b)

= Dendrochilus filum Schedl, 1977 (synonym by Jordal 2021b)

= Hypothenemus bambusae Browne, 1980 (synonym by Jordal 2021b)

Type material. Holotype, sex? Congo, Hembe-Bitale , 14.VIII.1952, Dr Schedl ( RMCA); allotype and paratypes (2) same data as HT ( NHMW) . Holotype of D. arundinarius : Congo, Mt. Kahuzi , 22.VIII.1952, Dr Schedl ( RMCA); paratypes (6), same data as holotype ( NHMW) . Holotype of D. filum : Congo, Kivu, Uvira , 20.VIII.1952, KE Schedl ( NHMW) . Holotype and one paratype of H. bambusae : Congo, Kilindera (Ruwenzori), 2750 m ( NHMUK) .

Diagnosis. Length 1.6–2.0 mm, 2.5–2.7 × as long as wide. Frons smooth, setae scant. Pronotum and elytra with hair-like setae, interstrial setae erect, in regular rows; strial setae barely visible. Protibiae narrow, with one lateral and two apical denticles.

Distribution. Congo (eastern highlands), Tanzania.

New records. Congo, Kalonge, Ruwenzori Massif , 2080 m [GIS: -2.33, 28.74], 01.06.1953, J.M. Vrydagh (1, NHMUK) ; Congo, Ruwenzori Massif, Kyondo [GIS: 0.01, 29.41], ‘2141’, 24.07.1963, M.J. Celis (1, NHMUK) . Tanzania, Morogoro province, Udzungwa Mountains [GIS: -7.868, 36.844], 12. Nov. 2009, B. Jordal leg. (1, ZMUB) .

Remarks. Male and female are presumably identical in all external aspects. One dissected female had only few setae on the scapus and the frons was nearly glabrous. All records of this species are from the eastern highlands of Congo, in forests between 1000 and 2750 m altitude, and in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania at 1000 m. The species has been dissected from bamboo on two occasions and may therefore use these unusual host plants regularly, although other host plants may be preferred. The new record from Tanzania is based on a single specimen dissected from bark of a fallen tree branch. This is the first record east of the rift valley.

Figures

FIGURE 54. Distribution of selected Afromicracis species.

FIGURES 2–11. Dorsal lateral and front view of Afromicracis robusta paratype, from the holotype locality (2, 5, 8), Afromicracis crinita holotype (3, 6, 9), and Afromicracis crassa male allotype (4, 7, 10) and female holotype (11).