Rhinoscapha cristovalensis (Montrouzier)

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 : 129

Rhinoscapha cristovalensis (Montrouzier)

Fig. 15

Geonemus cristovalensis Montrouzier, 1855: 47 (as c ristovallensis (lapsus)).

Rhinoscapha cristovalensis – Heller 1916: 260 (list). — Heller 1935: 170. — Günther 1943: 20 (footnote).

Rhinoscapha uniformis C. O. Waterhouse, 1885: 382 n. syn.

DESCRIPTION. — Scaling dull green but head and parts of underside often greyish or coppery, on elytra uniformly colored.

Rostrum shallowly sulcate on midline; epistome rather abruptly set off by a broad furrow on either side from sides of rostral apex, abundantly squamose on basal third, densely, distinctly punctate on apical two thirds. Pronotum transversely rugose, rugae partially denuded but not anastomosing to a reticulate-vermiculate pattern. Scutellum usually somewhat transverse. Elytra lacking a transverse depression across base, with strial junctions the same as for R. meridiana , i.e. 3 with 8, 4 with 5, and 6 with 7. Bare metasternal lines divaricate, diverging at a 165 to 170 degree angle, lines long, narrow, ending in sharp point.

Length: 15.0- 23.5 mm.

TYPE MATERIAL. — 1) R. cristovalensis : two syntypes present. Lectotype male, 18.0 x 8.9 mm, Geonemus cristovalensis Montr. , San Cristoval, MNHN. Paralectotype: same data, MNHN. 2) R. uniformis : holotype male, 16.8 x 7.2 mm, Aneiteum, Rhinoscapha uniformis Waterhouse , Type, NHML. Other identified specimens with NHML, NZAC.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Solomon Is.: Guadalcanal, San Cristóbal. 9 specimens .

HOSTPLANTS. — No information.

ETYMOLOGY. — The patronymic name ‘cristovalénsis’ is derived from San Cristoval, an alternative spelling of the Spanish Cristóbal (for Christopher), and the suffix -ensis commonly attached to geographic places.