Melanesicus partitus (Browne) Beaver & Petrov & Sittichaya, 2021

Beaver, R. A., Petrov, A. V. & Sittichaya, W., 2021, A new genus of ambrosia beetle from Melanesia (Coleoptera: Curculionidae Scolytinae: Xyleborini), Zootaxa 4949 (1), pp. 163-172 : 171

Melanesicus partitus (Browne) comb. n.

( Figs 11‒12 )

Xyleborus partitus Browne 1974: 69 .

Taxonomy. The senior author has examined the holotype and a paratype (NHML), and specimens in RAB. Schedl (1980) considered that Xyleborus granulosus was a synonym of this species, but the two species were distinguished by Beaver (1991).

Distribution. The species is endemic to Fiji, where it occurs in both high and low altitude rain forest ( Roberts 1977).

Biology. Roberts (1977) described in detail the gallery system, brood size and development, and noted associated species of ambrosia beetles. He recorded the species from nine different families of host trees ( Roberts 1977). It is evidently polyphagous. In contrast to M. deformatus (see above), emergence is probably confined to the day, and the species was never taken at light ( Roberts 1977).

Figures

FIGURES 11‒12. Melanesicus partitus (Browne) female. 11. Dorsal view; 12. Lateral view.