Agra pseudopusilla Erwin, 2010

Erwin, Terry L., 2010, Agra, arboreal beetles of Neotropical forests: pusilla group and piranha group systematics and notes on their ways of life (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini, Agrina), ZooKeys 66, pp. 1-28 : 12-13

Agra pseudopusilla Erwin sp. n. Figs 5 10

Holotype:

Brazil: (Comte G. de Mniszech)(MNHNP: ADP 060088, female).

Derivation of specific epithet.

The epithet " pseudopusilla " refers to the similarity between adults of this species and those of Agra pusilla , treated below.

Proposed English vernacular name.

Mniszech’s Elegant Canopy Beetle.

Diagnosis.

With the attributes of the genus and species-group as described above and frons laterally multicarinate; occiput coarsely bi-punctate, with several smaller punctures; elytral interneurs with mostly uni-serial rows of cribriform punctures, doubled apico-laterally.

Description.

( Fig. 5 ). Size: Small, ABL = 6.57 - 8.63 mm, SBL = 5.67 - 7.15 mm, TW = 1.34 - 2.08 mm. Color: Head and pronotum black, elytra smoky black, legs bicolored, antennae and mouthparts piceous, scape with testaceous venter, piceous dorsum. Luster: Shiny forebody, matte elytra. Head: Labrum moderately elongate and truncate apically, anterior corners rounded. Frons medially raised and smooth, laterally depressed, multicarinate. Gena slightly tapered with broadly rounded corners to constricted neck in both male. Occiput coarsely bi-punctate, with several smaller punctures. Prothorax: Slightly broader medially, flared basally; surface with dense and coarse punctures, some setiferous; lateral elongate callous with single row of setigerous punctures along middle. Pterothorax: Elytron markedly convex, intervals slightly costate, interneurs of rows of somewhat laterally ovate punctures, doubled in some places, apex oblique, slightly lobed at middle, apical dentation asymmetric, lateral tooth short, acute, sutural apex not produced. Metasternum sparsely setiferous in males. Legs: Normal. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna III to VII of male moderately and bilaterally setiferous; sternum VII of males barely emarginate, corners rounded. Male genitalia: Phallus ( Fig. 5 ) elongate and narrow with ostium not elongate, extended to about 1/2 the length of phallus, apex a small rounded lobe. Parameres small, left twice the size of the right, both moderately rounded. Female ovipositor: Female unknown

Dispersal potential.

These beetles are macropterous and are probably capable of flight; they are swift and agile runners.

Way of life.

Adults of other Agra species are found in the canopy of rainforest trees; known larvae of this genus ( Arndt et al. 2001) are found under the bark of these trees, however they must also roam on the surface, as they have been collected by insecticidal fogging techniques in the very early morning before first light. Members of Agra pseudopusilla are labeled Brazil without further information.

Other specimens examined.

Brazil: (Ehrenreiche)(BNCRio: ADP 070045, male paratype).

Geographic distribution.

( Fig. 10 ). This species is currently known only from Brazil, without specific location.

Figures

Figure 10. Distribution map of the species of the pusilla group. Names marked with a "? " do not have precise localities on the specimen label (s).

Figures 3 - 6. 3 Agra cruciaria Erwin, sp. n., male genitalia (dorsal, ventral, left lateral aspects) (ADP 070044) 4 Agra grace Erwin, sp. n., male genitalia (dorsal, ventral, left lateral aspects) (ADP 087638) 5 Agra pseuopusilla Erwin, sp. n., male genitalia (dorsal, ventral, left lateral aspects) (ADP 070045) 6 Agra pusilla Chaudoir, sp. n., male genitalia (dorsal, ventral, left lateral aspects) (ADP 060087).