Idastes paniensis, 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 : 218-219

Idastes paniensis n. sp.

Fig. 105

DESCRIPTION. — Integument black or blackish brown, legs, part of rostrum and elytra reddish brown. Scales yellowish brown, sparse on head and prothorax, dense on elytra from shoulders to apex except for a nearly bare large triangular patch at base, and a brown lateral patch behind middle on interstriae 5-9; scales overlapping on interstriae 1-3 and part of 4, elsewhere on elytra subcontiguous, with integument shining in between.

Head densely punctate, without smooth dots. Forehead slightly wider than rostrum in middle, with elongate fovea. Rostrum extending to middle of middle coxae, cylindrical, moderately curved, slightly flattened above antennal insertions, coarsely punctate up to antennal insertions, not carinate, with a distinct furrow above scrobes.

Prothorax strongly rounded on sides, coarsely punctate throughout, with very narrow intervals between them, with lineal and elliptical scales; lacking tufts of setae, smooth lines, foveae. Scutellum a small cone, sticking up a little over surrounding area of elytra.

Elytra perfectly conical, compressed, with straight sides and protruding shoulders, bisinuous at base, separately obliquely truncate at apex. Striae fine, gradually fading apicad, stria 10 distinctly margined with fine carina; interstriae weakly convex or flat, 3 with two low tufted tubercles, 5 with a preapical callus.

Rostral canal cavernous with shallow pocket at end. Metepisternum covered in middle, exposed at ends. Underside with large puncta bearing elongate elliptical scales. Femora with alarge tooth; tibiae weakly striate, lacking appressed scales.

Length: 5.3-5.5 mm.

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype female, 5.3 x 2.5 mm, data as above , QMBA. Paratype female, NZAC .

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — New Caledonia. 2 females, Mt. Panié , 950-1300 m, 14-16.V.1984, G. Monteith & D. Cook. 2 specimens .

HOSTPLANTS. — Unknown.

ETYMOLOGY. — Species named after the locality of discovery.

REMARKS. — The design patterns much as in I.gibbosus and I. grandis , but more contrasting and striking. Readily distinguished by rounded sides and coarse punctation of prothorax as well as truncate elytral apex.