Strotocera elegantula Gerstmeier & Weiss

Gerstmeier, Roland & Weiss, Ingmar, 2009, Revision of the Genera Diplocladus Fairmaire and Strotocera Schenkling (Coleoptera: Cleridae, Tillinae), Zootaxa 2242, pp. 1-54 : 33

Strotocera elegantula Gerstmeier & Weiss , n. sp.

(Figs. 21, 68–69)

Specimens examined:

Holotype: 3. Coll. Mus. Tervuren, Katanga: Kolwezi, 09; X– XI-1961, Dr. V. Allard ( MRAC). Paratype: South Africa, Transvaal, Langjan Nature Res., 22.52S 29.14E, 10–20.i.1980, G.L. Prinsloo (1 3, SANC).

Length: 8.5mm – 10.7mm (2 specimens).

Head: Black; coarsely wrinkled with some scattered punctures.

Antennae: Reddish brown to black-brown; not reaching base of pronotum when laid alongside; A4–A10 serrate and cut off bluntly.

Pronotum: Black; anterior half subparallel, conspicuously constricted towards base; surface anterior to transverse depression wrinkled; coarsley wrinkled behind transverse depression, with four more or less conspicuous elevations and two small gibbosities at base (in middle); length:width ratio 1.43:1. Scutellum: Brown.

Elytra: Dark brown to black, each elytron with a white lateral spot in the basal third and a white transverse fascia beyond middle spanning from lateral to sutural margins, apical fifth light brown; most punctures elongate, diameter of punctures smaller, behind fasciae with elongated punctures, apex very finely punctate; length:width ratio 2.53:1.

Legs: Black.

Lower surface: Head and thorax black-brown, abdomen light brown, tip of abdominal metacoxal process white.

Vestiture: With whitish to yellowish hairs.

Distribution: Congo, South Africa.

Etymology: Name is referring to the elegant appearance of this beetle; besides S. convexa one of the most colourful species of Strotocera .