Orthaltica syzygium Prathapan & Konstantinov

Prathapan, Kaniyarikkal Divakaran, Konstantinov, Alexander S., Shameem, K. M. & Balan, A. P., 2013, First record of leaf-hole shelters used and modified by leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), with descriptions of two new Orthaltica Crotch species from southern India, ZooKeys 336, pp. 47-59 : 49-50

Orthaltica syzygium Prathapan & Konstantinov sp. n. Figs 4-15

Description.

Body length 1.30-1.60 mm, width 0.67-0.81 mm. Body dark brown (Figs 9, 10). Basal antennomeres and tarsi paler and yellowish-brown. Vertex with 8 long and more than 10 short setae. Supracallinal sulci straight; orbital sulci short, poorly developed; and suprafrontal and suprantennal sulci poorly developed. Antennal calli narrow and elongate (Fig. 11), relatively widely connected, with two large setiferous pores. Frontal ridge parallel-sided, ending before reaching anterofrontal ridge. Anterofrontal ridge of uniform height, but sloping abruptly towards clypeus. Labrum as wide as distance between outer edges of antennal sockets. Setiferous pores on dorsal surface of labrum small, not possible to count. Antennomere 3 slightly shorter than 4 and 5 separately.

Pronotum widening towards apex and narrowing abruptly after reaching anterolateral callosity. Lateral margins slightly uneven with a prominent submedial denticle, and two long setae (Fig. 10). Antebasal transverse impression distinct (Fig. 9). Pronotal surface densely covered with large punctures, their diameter larger than the distance between punctures.

Elytra densely and evenly pubescent (Figs 9, 10), with erect setae on interstices. Elytral punctures arranged in striae located in relatively deep grooves. Humeral calli distinct. Pro- and middle tibiae lacking spurs. Claws appendiculate.

Apex of aedeagus narrowing gradually (Fig. 12), base above basal opening as wide as medial width, and apex slightly down-curved in lateral view.

Spermatheca with short thick pump (Fig. 14), distinctly separated from receptacle. Tignum straight, widening abruptly anteriorly (Fig. 15). Apical abdominal segment attached near middle of vaginal palpi (Fig. 13).

Type material.

Holotype, male. 1) India: Kerala, Arippa, 8°50'11"N, 77°1'46"E, 30.xi.2011, 236m. D. Prathapan & K. Shameem Coll.; 2) H:396 Syzygium travancoricum ; 3) Orthaltica sp. 1 KD Prathapan det 2012; 4) Holotype Orthaltica syzygium n. sp. Prathapan & Konstantinov 2012 (USNM). Paratypes: 13 specimens, the same labels as holotype; 8 specimens, the same labels as holotype except for the date 23.iii.2012. 29 specimens. 1) India Kerala, Kumarakom, 2.vii.2010 Prathapan Coll.; 2) 157 Syzygium caryophyllatum ; 3) Paratype Orthaltica syzygium n. sp. Prathapan & Konstantinov 2012. 16 specimens. 1) India Karnataka, Kottigehara, 13°7'7.7"N, 75°30'37.9"E, 8.v.2011, 938m. D. Prathapan & K. Shameen Coll. 2) Host Syzygium cumini 3) Paratype Orthaltica syzygium n. sp. Prathapan & Konstantinov 2012. 19 specimens. 1) India Karnataka, Kudremukha N. P., 13°14'42"N, 75°6'44"E, 12.v.2011, 110m. D. Prathapan & K. Shameem Coll. Syzygium caryophyllatum ; 2) Paratype Orthaltica syzygium n. sp. Prathapan & Konstantinov 2012 (5 - BMNH, 64 - NPC, 5 - PKDC, 5 - UASB, 9 - USNM).

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a noun in apposition, based on the host plant name.

Host plants.

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Accession no. 6516), Syzygium caryophyllatum Alston (Accession no. 6626) and Syzygium travancoricum Gamble (Accession no. 6693) ( Myrtaceae ).

Remarks.

Orthaltica syzygium can easily be distinguished from all known Indian Orthaltica species using the key provided below. Orthaltica terminalia can be distinguished from the most similar species using the following characters: body dark brown (Fig. 9); vertex with eight long and more than 10 short setae (Fig. 11); elytra densely pubescent (Figs 9-10); apex of aedeagus narrowing gradually (Fig. 12); and spermatheca with short thick pump (Fig. 14).