Dracophyllius, Kuschel, 2008

Kuschel, Guillermo, 2008, Curculionoidea (weevils) of New Caledonia and Vanuatu: Basal families and some Curculionidae, Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle 197, pp. 99-250 : 201-202

Genus DRACOPHYLLIUS n. gen.

Type species: D. marginicollis n. sp.

DESCRIPTION. — Elytra parallel-sided, distinctly wider at shoulders than prothorax at base, with humeral callus enhanced by a slight compression from the side below and an impression at base of interstria 6 on dorsum. Fore coxae separate, fore femora clavate; hind femora with large tooth; fore and middle tibiae with large, robust premucro, hind tibiae lacking a tooth basad from premucral area. Mesepisternum not prominent.

Genitalia largely agreeing with those of Orthorhinoides below.

DISTRIBUTION. — New Caledonia.

HOSTPLANTS. — Dracophyllum (Epacridaceae) .

ETYMOLOGY. — ‘Dracophyllius’ is derived from Dracophyllum , name of the host genus.

REMARKS. — Dracophyllius is closely related to Orthorhinoides , from which it differs, in the main, in habitus, in having clavate fore femora and lacking a tooth on the lower edge of the hind tibiae before apex. Two species are present which may be separated as follows:

Dull, densely squamose. Pronotum on sides with a white stripe. Granules on pronotum and elytra protruding, distinct. Fore tibiae with a sharp tooth on lower edge opposite femoral tooth. 11.5- 16.0 mm. New Caledonia............................................................................................................... marginicollis Shiny , sparsely squamose. Pronotum on sides lacking a white stripe. Granules on pronotum and elytra low, abraded, rather indistinct. Fore tibiae lacking a tooth on lower edge opposite femoral tooth. 10.0- 11.5 mm. New Caledonia.......................................................................................................... dracophylli