Melchus onorei Anderson, 2003

Anderson, Robert S., 2003, Neotropical Dryophthoridae: Redescription of the Genus Melchus Lacordaire with Description of Daisya Anderson, New Genus, and Seven New Species (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea), The Coleopterists Bulletin 57 (4), pp. 413-432 : 420-421

Melchus onorei Anderson , new species

Figs. 5–6 , 13, 16

Types. Holotype male labelled ‘‘ Ecuador. Pich [incha]/ Santo Domingo / Dec. 1982 / G. Onore’ ’ ( CMNC) . Paratypes (3 males). Ecuador, Pichincha Santo Domingo de los Colorados , I-1982, Lg. G. Onore ( QCAZ) . Ecuador, Santo Domingo De Los Colorados , II. 1983, Onore ( CWOB) . Ecuador, Napo, Archidona , 20.IV.86, Leg. M Argüello ( CWOB) .

Derivation of Species Name. The species is named after Giovanni Onore of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, who collected most of the type series .

Identification. With the exception of M. perplexus , this species is easily separated from the other known species of Melchus by the prominent rounded tooth on the peduncle of the postmentum, and with the rostrum distinctly sinuate in lateral view near the base ( Fig. 13 ). Melchus onorei can be separated from the very similar M. perplexus by the more distinctly sinuate rostrum ( Fig. 13 ) which is dorsally more deeply and coarsely punctate near the base with only a narrow median impunctate area ( Fig. 16 ). As with M. leprosus , this species has distinct micropilose nodules on the elytra, and a more elongate body form with the maximum width about one-half the total length ( Fig. 5 ).

Description. Female not known. Male, length, 9.2–9.5 mm; width 4.6–4.7 mm. Color black or black with indistinct red maculations in basal one-third of elytra, integument with noticeable tufts of micropilosity or micropilose nodules, especially on elytra.

Rostrum subequal in length to pronotum; elongate, more or less cylindrical in basal one-third, gradually becoming laterally compressed in apical one-half; narrow, more or less straight, but in lateral view with pronounced sinuation at basal one-third; laterally with dense, moderately deep irregular punctures near base, punctures finer and shallower towards apex; base of rostrum slightly expanded in dorsal view, dorsally with rather deep, coarse punctures near base and narrow median impunctate area; in lateral view subequal in width throughout length. Peduncle narrow, rounded, distinctly prominent ventrally. Scrobe with posterior margin separated from anterior margin of eyes by about three times width of base of scape. Antenna with scape short, more or less one-third length rostrum; club cylindrical, oval; apical pilose part two-fifths length entire club. Pronotum with lateral margins subparallel in basal two-thirds, convergent subapically to apex; disk and flanks uniformly densely, shallowly punctate throughout, punctures surrounded by distinct micropilosity; uniformly very flat, no subbasal impression. Pronotum with length subequal to width. Elytra with length one and one-half times length pronotum; form elongate-oval, lateral margins slightly gradually convergent from basal one-third to apex; greatest width at humeri; intervals impunctate, flat, with distinct tufts of micropilosity or micropilose nodules; striae with indistinct, shallow, small punctures. Scutellum rhomboidal, length subequal to width, flat. Pygydium flat, deeply regularly punctate throughout; apex subtruncate; apically with dense short, robust setae. Ventrally with hind coxae separated by one and one-third times width of coxa. Lateral portions of meso-, metasternum and visible abdominal segments 1 to 5 densely, shallowly punctate; visible segment 2 broadly impressed near lateral margin at suture between visible segments 1 and 2; last visible abdominal segment flat medially. Legs each of moderate length, densely regularly punctate, especially on outer face of femur; femur clavate, hind femur reaching apex of visible abdominal segment 5; inner margins of each of middle and hind tibia slightly swollen at basal one-third, with long slightly curved fine setae in apical three-quarters, setae of more or less uniform length. Tarsi each with article 3 very widely dilated, pilose ventrally except for base and V-shaped median area; apical margin of article 3 very slightly emarginate. Male with aedeagus moderately ventrally arcuate, evenly rounded at apex. Tergite 8 with apex slightly produced and rounded. Paired sclerites of sternite 8 with length three times maximum width.

Distribution. Ecuador (Pichincha).

Natural History. There is no information available on the natural history of this species. Adults have been collected in mid-elevation moist tropical forest.

Figures

Figs. 1–10. Melchus species. 1) Melchus leprosus, dorsal view; 2) same, lateral view; 3) M. gomezi, dorsal view; 4) same, lateral view; 5) M. onorei, dorsal view; 6) same, lateral view; 7) M. perplexus, dorsal view; 8) Same, lateral view; 9) M. jolyi, dorsal view; 10) Same, lateral view.

Figs. 11–23. Melchus species. 11) M. leprosus, head, lateral view; 12) M. gomezi, head, lateral view; 13) M. onorei, head, lateral view; 14) M. perplexus, head, lateral view; 15) M. jolyi, head, lateral view; 16) M. onorei, rostrum, dorsal view; 17) M. perplexus, rostrum, dorsal view; 18) M. leprosus, antenna, lateral view; 19) M. gomezi, scutellum, dorsal view; 20) M. gomezi, hind tarsus, dorsal view; 21) M. leprosus, tergite 8 and sternite 8, ventral view; 22) M. leprosus, aedeagus, dorsal view; 23) M. leprosus, aedeagus, lateral view. Scale line ¼ 1.0 mm, except tarsus and scutellum, 0.63 mm.