Indomias marshalli Ramamurthy

Y, R A M A M U Rt H & Ayri, Shaloo, 2010, Revision of the genus Indomias Marshall (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae, Tanymecini) from India, Zootaxa 2357, pp. 1-49 : 37-38

15. Indomias marshalli Ramamurthy sp. nov.

(figs. 17, 38, 65, 110, 111, 145 and 149)

Diagnosis: This species resembles I. decipiens ( Marshall) and is distinguished by the following characters: Rostrum shallowly impressed. Elytra with longitudinal curvature gradually sloping posteriorly. Head with nine distinct rows of elongate curved scales. Antennae with first funicle segment 1.5x as long as second. Prothorax 1.1x as broad as long. Elytra with humeral fold not prominent, with rounded apices.

Description: Colour black with pale green vestiture. Head slightly shorter than rostrum (1:1.1), upper surface convex, with deep scattered punctations. Rostrum shallowly impressed at middle dorsally, as long as broad, breadth at anterior margin 0.75x as that of posterior margin; median furrow moderately long, uniformly thick; lateral carinae distinct; with nine distinct rows of elongate, curved scales; sides rounded, slightly narrowed towards anterior margin and dilated; scrobes 0.6x as long as rostrum, bent anteriorly but broadly rounded and convergent posteriorly, space between scrobes as much as breadth of rostrum at anterior margin. Eyes dorsolateral and convex (figs. 17 and 38). Antennae brown; scape gradually thickened; funicle with its first segment 1.5x as long as second, third to sixth bead shaped, seventh slightly longer than other segments; club with first segment transverse (fig. 65). Prothorax 1.1x as broad as long, its breadth at middle almost equal to that of posterior margin; sides straight at middle and towards posterior margin, but rounded at anterior margin; anterior margin truncate, 0.66x as broad as truncate posterior margin, and vertical laterally, basal lobe emarginate; upper surface with scattered, deep punctations, without any stria. Legs with hind tibial apex without any dense, golden yellow hairs. Elytra ovate, with basal margin strongly raised, its external angle perpendicular or acute, humeral fold present but not prominent, not at all impressed at declivity; apices rounded; stria deeply punctate, intervals of equal breadth, convex and raised; upper surface less convex, deeper near base and middle, gradually sloping behind; elytral vestiture with predominant scales elongate, reddish brown with a truncate base, rounded apex and with 4–5 ridges (fig. 111), less predominant conspicuous, subcircular, with a broad squarish base, with 9–10 ridges (fig. 110).

Female genitalia: Spermatheca with proximal arm 2.5x as broad as the distal arm, angle between the arms obtuse; nodulus round, apex pointed; ramus cuboidal, 2.5x as broad as nodulus; cornu tubular with apex narrowed, deflected and pointed (fig. 145). Spiculum ventrale with its shaft 4.5x as long as basal plate, at apex broadly rounded; basal plate laminate, slightly longer than broad (1.2:1), apex flat and bare, apical half subconical, basal half trapezoidal (fig. 149).

Length: female, 9.46 mm; Breadth: female, 2.93 mm.

Holotype: 1 female, INDIA: Kerala: Malabar: Dhony forests, 26.V.1922. Coll. Ramakrishna ( NPC).

Distribution: India: Kerala.

Etymology: This species is named in honour of late Sir Guy.A.K. Marshall, who had been a pioneer in taxonomic studies on weevils of the Indian subcontinent.