18. Tychius crassirostris Kirsch, 1871

(Figures 51–54, 175–178, 271–272, 321, 378, 411, 443, 469)

Tychius crassirostris Kirsch, 1871: 48 . Franz, 1942: 127. Caldara, 1990: 177.

Tychius auliensis Pic, 1902: 145 . Caldara, 1990: 177.

Material examined. CHINA: Beijing: Haidian Shangzhuan Cuihu Park, 16-VII-2008, leg Zhiliang Wang (1) . Heilongjiang: Yalujiang, 20-VI-1943 (4) . Liaoning: Anshan Qianshan, 9-V-1963, leg Hongxing Li (1); Shenyang Dongling, Medicago sp., 27-V-1963, leg Hongxing Li (9) . Shanxi: Wutaishan Nanshansi (1800 m), 10-VI-1964 (1); Wutaishan Zhenhaisi (1800 m), 14-VI-1964, leg Tiesheng Li (1) . Xinjiang: Qinghe Takeshiken Buergen (46°10’N; 90°48’E, 1111 m), 28-VII-2013, leg Chunyan Jiang (1); Qinghe Talaticun, 26-VI-2014, leg Chunyan Jiang (1) .

Redescription. Length 2.15–2.50 mm (Fig. 51–54). Integument brown; on dorsum completely covered with moderately narrow, subelliptical to subrectangular grayish scales irregularly arranged on elytral interstriae; scales on elytral striae only slightly longer. Rostrum (Fig. 175–178) markedly stout (Rl/Rw 3.63–3.76 in male, 4.00– 4.06 in female; Rl/Pl 0.73–0.83 in male, 0.77–0.87 in female), in lateral view abruptly tapered at apical third. Antennal funicle 7-segmented. Eyes large, weakly prominent. Pronotum slightly transverse (Pw/Pl 1.11–1.24), with slightly curved sides in basal half. Elytra oblong (Ew/Pw 1.21–1.36; El/Ew 1.40–1.55), slightly rounded from base, wider in basal half. Metafemora (Fig. 272) with small sharp tooth. In male profemora (Fig. 271) with fringe of seta-like scales. Protibiae (Fig. 321) with long setae, without sexual characters. Claws with robust medial teeth, as long as half of claw. Male genitalia: body of penis (Fig. 378) with slightly sinuous sides, narrowing only until near apex ending in a subacute tip (Fig. 411), distinctly curved in lateral view, nearly as long as apodeme. Female genitalia: spermatheca (Fig. 443) with small short ramus, short stout collum, robust nodulus and robust cornu only slightly narrowed at apex; spiculum ventrale (Fig. 469) with poorly sclerotized large arms joined at base, then thin distinctly sclerotized and moderately spaced, finally newly almost joined at apex.

Remarks and comparative notes. The main feature which allows separation of this species from the others of its group, and especially from those having the rostrum distinctly attenuate in the apical half, T. junceus, T. aureolus and T. flavus, is the stout rostrum in both sexes as well as the shape of the male genitalia.

Biology. This species feeds on Melilotus ( M. officinalis G. G., M. macrorhiza Pers., M. alba Lam.) and possibly also on Medicago ( M. sativa L., M. falcata L.) (Caldara, 1990), all species which are distributed in China.

Distribution. This species is widely distributed in Europe (except for the northern countries) and western and central Asia. New record from China (BEI HEI LIA SHX XIN).