24. Tychius morawitzi Becker, 1864

(Figures 73–76, 195–198, 283–284, 327, 340, 352, 383, 418, 474)

Tychius morawitzi Becker, 1864: 487 . Caldara, 1986: 170.

Tychius convolvuli Faust, 1881: 324 . Caldara, 1986: 171.

Tychius imbricatipennis Desbrochers des Loges, 1908: 52 . Caldara, 1986: 171.

Material examined. CHINA: Xinjiang: Tulufan (20–140 m), 24-VI-1958, leg Guang Wang (16) .

Redescription. Length 2.20–2.80 mm (Fig. 73–76). Vestiture on dorsum unicolorous, grayish to pale brown, or bicoloured, pale brown and reddish brown. Rostrum (Fig. 195–198) in lateral view robust (Rl/Rw 5.00 in male, 5.57 in female; Rl/Pl 0.87–1.03 in male, 0.90–0.98 in female), feebly curved, slightly tapered in distal third, nearly of same shape in both sexes. Pronotum slightly wider than long (Pw/Pl 1.10–1.20), feebly curved at sides, distinctly narrower than elytra (Ew/Pw 1.30–1.45). Elytra suboval (El/Ew 1.40–1.55). Femora (Fig. 283–284) unarmed, tibiae (Fig. 327) without sexual characters. Third tarsomere distinctly wider than second tarsomere (Fig. 340). Claws (Fig. 352) with small medial teeth a little less long than half of claw, fastened to claw in basal half. Male genitalia: body of penis (Fig. 383) short, in dorsal view large, gradually distinctly narrowing from base to apex, with long thin blunted tip (Fig. 418), shorter than apodeme. Female genitalia: spermatheca see Caldara (1986); spiculum ventrale (Fig. 474) with arm joined in basal 1/3 then slightly spaced to apex.

Remarks and comparative notes. This species is distinguishable from the other species of the group known from China by a short rostrum which is poorly sexually dimorphic and the short, broad body of the penis.

Biology. This species lives on Alhagi, such as A. maurorum Medik. (= A. camelorum DC) and A. pseudalhagi (M. Bieb.) Desv. ex B. Keller & Shap. in Central Asia (Caldara, 1986; Karasjov, 1994).

Distribution. This species was previously known from European Russia and western to central Asia. New record from China (XIN).