13. Tychius squamulatus Gyllenhal, 1835

(Fig. 33–34, 157–158, 261–262, 316, 373, 406)

Tychius squamulatus Gyllenhal, 1835: 404 . Franz, 1949: 263. Caldara, 1990: 166.

Material examined. CHINA: Gansu: Zhangye, 11-VII-1962, leg Hongxing Li (1) .

Redescription. Length 1.80–2.60 mm (Fig. 33–34). Integument dark brown except for reddish apical half of rostrum, antennae and legs; on dorsum almost completely hidden by subelliptical light brown scales confusedly arranged on elytral interstriae. Rostrum (Fig. 157–158) in lateral view slightly curved (Rl/Rw 4.12–4.22; Rl/Pl 0.85–0.94 in male; Rl/Rw 4.27–4.32; Rl/Pl 0.88–1.00 in female). Antennal funicle 7-segmented. Eyes globose convex, prominent. Pronotum transverse (Pw/Pl 1.13–1.20), slightly rounded at sides, convex. Elytra suboval (El/ Ew 1.33–1.51; Ew/Pw 1.23–1.30). Profemora (Fig. 261) unarmed, metafemora (Fig. 262) with big tooth. Protibiae (Fig. 316) without sexual characters. Claws with robust medial teeth, as long as 2/3 of claw. Male genitalia: body of penis (Fig. 373) thin, long, parallel at sides on dorsal view, constricted only until near apex, without tip, slightly longer than apodeme, apex (Fig. 406) flat. Female genitalia (Caldara 1990): spermatheca with short ramus slightly curved backward, distinct short collum, robust nodulus, long cornu distinctly narrowed in apical third; spiculum ventrale with parallel-sided moderately wide arms, slightly spaced but joined near apex.

Remarks and comparative notes. This species can be separated from other Chinese species by the rostrum shape, the pattern of the elytral vestiture and the distinct tooth of the metafemora.

Biology. It is well known that the host plant of this species is Lotus corniculatus L., where larvae feed on the seeds (Caldara 1990, Skuhrovec et al. 2014). This plant is also widely distributed in China.

Distribution. This species is widely distributed in central and southern Europe, England, Anterior Asia (Iran, the Caucasus, Anatolia) and Algeria. New record from China (GAN).