Pseudispa sinuata Staines

Staines, C. L., 2002, Nomenclatural notes and new species of Sceloenoplini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae), Zootaxa 89, pp. 1-32 : 8-9

Pseudispa sinuata Staines , new species

Figure 5

Type material. Holotype (d): Costa Rica, Prov. Heredia: 16 km SSE La Virgen, 1050- 1150 m, 1016'N 8405'W, 0 9 abril 2001, INBio-OET-ALAS transect// 0 9 abril 2001, 11/ M/15/0 75 transect// 0 0 0 3204812 ( INBio). Paratypes (4 d, 1 φ): 1- same first label as holotype except 21 febrero 2001 // 21 febrero 2001, 11/M/13/0 13 transect// 0 0 0 3200944 ( INBio); 1- same first label as holotype except 21 abril 2001 // 21 abril 2001, 11/M/0 3/0 83/ / 0 0 0 3202664 ( INBio); 1- same first label as holotype except 21 abril 2001 // 21 abril 2001, transect 11/TN/19/0 29// 0 0 3210869 ( INBio); 1- same first label as holotype except 21 abril 2001 // 21 abril 2001, transect 11/TN/20/0 30// 0 0 3209755 ( INBio); 1- same first label as holotype except 21 abril 2001 // 21 abril 2001, 11/M/0 9/0 89 transect// 0 0 0 3204610 ( INBio); 1- same first label as holotype except 20 feb 2001 // 20 febrero 2001, transect 11/ TN/0 6/0 0 1// 0 0 0 3210026 ( INBio); 1- same first label as holotype except 21 marzo 2001 // 21 marzo 2001, transect 11/M/0 8/0 48// 0 0 0 3200093 ( INBio).

Derivation of name. From sinuatus (Latin= bend or curve) for the sinuate lateral margins of the pronotum.

Diagnosis. This species is most similar to P. fulvolimbata (Baly) and can be distinguished by the sinuate lateral margins of the pronotum, the apical constriction of the pronotum, the non-punctate vertex of the head, and the unarmed sutural angle of the elytra.

Description. Metallic green with elytra and pronotum having yellowish margins; antennae with basal 6 antennomeres brown, VII yellow, VIII-XI black; legs brown except base of femora which is yellow; venter brownish. Head: vertex with strong medial sulcus, alutaceous; triangular projection present between antennal bases; frons with longitudinal ledge, punctate. Antenna: antennomere I subglobose, short; II cylindrical, robust, 2x length of I; III­VII cylindrical, more slender than preceding; IV­V subequal in length, longer than others; VIII­X transverse, subequal in length; XI acutely pointed at apex; I­VII punctate; VIII­XI setose. Pronotum: convex, constricted behind anterior angle; lateral margin sinuate; each anterior angle with acute tooth; posterior angle rectangular; surface densely coarsely punctate; pronotal length 0.7 mm; pronotal width 0.7 mm. Scutellum: rectangular; alutaceous. Elytron: expanding toward apex; lateral margin smooth; exterior apical angle rounded, sparsely serrate; apical margin smooth; humerus produced, rectangulate; 10 rows of punctures; interspaces 2, 4, & 6 costate, 2 & 4 weakly produced, 6 carinate apically; elytral length 2.8 mm; elytral width 1.3 mm. Venter: prosternum punctate; meso­ and metasterna smooth; 5 visible abdominal sterna present; suture between sterna 1 & 2 obsolete in middle. Leg: tibia and femur punctate. Total length: 3.7 mm.

Variation. Specimens vary in pronotal length from 0.6­0.7 mm, in pronotal width from 0.7­0.8 mm, in elytral length from 2.4­3.0 mm, in elytral width from 1.1­1.4 mm, and in total length from 3.1­4.0 mm. The color and sculpture is very similar to that of the holotype.

Figures

FIGURES 4 - 6. Habitus. 4. Pseudispa bellula. 5. Pseudispa sinuata. 6. Pseudispa tuberculata.