Caledonispa panieensis, Borowiec & Świętojańska & Sekerka, 2019

Borowiec, Lech, Świętojańska, Jolanta & Sekerka, Lukáš, 2019, Revision of the tribe Cryptonychini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) of New Caledonia, Zootaxa 4690 (1), pp. 1-71 : 19-23

Caledonispa panieensis sp. nov.

( Figs 51–69 , 222)

Etymology. Named after its locus typicus, Mt. Paniè.

Type locality. New Caledonia, Mt. Paniè , 1200–1300 m a.s.l.

Diagnosis. Caledonispa panieensis sp. nov. differs from C. sarasini in less marked sexual dimorphism in shape of interantennal process, which is in both sexes extending at least to half length of antennomere I (in C. sarasini interantennal process in males distinctly longer, while in females as long as or slightly shorter than antennomere I). Body colour in C. panieenis is never uniformly black or with obscure ferrugineous-brown hue on posterior half of elytra as in C. sarasini ; in C. panieensis colouration of elytra varies from ochraceous with yellow costate intervals and lateral margins to mostly ochraceous brown or dark brown with paler costae. From C. freycinetiae it differs in narrower elytral costae, longer interantennal process in both sexes and especially in sexually dimorphic characters on fore and mid legs with mid tibiae in males strongly widened preapically forming sharp and broad plate behind middle (in C. freycinatiae without such plate) and distinctly smaller apical spines of all tbiae (in C. freycinatiae all tibiae armed with large spine). At first glance C. spinosa sp. nov. looks most similar in shape and sculpture of body but C. panieensis differs in shorter interocular plate with distance from anterior margin of eye to anterior corner of interocular plate as long as half length of globular part of antennomere I (in C. spinosa distance from anterior margin of eye to anterior corner of interocular plate as long as length of globular part of antennomere I); in dimorphic characters in structure of legs with mid tibiae in males strongly widened from midlength, forming expanded plate on inner margin (in C. spinosa midtibiae in males only slightly widened preapically, without expanded plate on inner margin); and in largely regularly punctate elytra between 3 rd costa and lateral margin (in C. spinosa this area almost complertely irregularly punctate).

Description. Length 9.80–12.80 mm, width 3.00–4.00 mm.

Body colour variable. In palest specimens entire body ochraceous with yellowish antennae and legs, only prosternal process, meso- and central part of metaventrite, base of ventrite I and posterior margins of last three ventrites darkened, brown. In common pale specimens head brown with ferrugineous vertex, pronotum brown with ferrugin- eous anterior corners and medial stripe, elytra yellowish brown with ochraceous to ferrugineous elytral costae ( Fig. 61 ). Antennae black, legs pale brown, ventral side dark brown to black. In darkest specimens almost entire body black except partly reddish-brown abdominal ventrites ( Fig. 51 ). Between palest and darkest forms various intermediate forms occur but within single locality usually predominate one colour form. Body glabrous except for yellowish hairs on frontoclypeus, short golden brown pubescence on distal antennomeres and golden orange pubescence on tarsal pads and apices of tibiae. Head approximately 1.5 × as broad as long, distance from anterior margin of eye to anterior corner of interocular plate as long as half length of globular part of antennomere I. Interocular plate rectangular, slightly convex, not separated from vertex. Surface of interocular plate coarsely and densely punctate, punctures almost touching each other, with deep medial sulcus extending to 3/4–4/5 length of plate, lateral sides carinate, anterior corners usually well marked, forming triangular, angulate and laterally protruding denticle ( Figs 54, 55 , 63, 64 ); interantennal process sexually dimorphic, longer in males ( Figs 54 , 63 ) than in females ( Figs 55 , 64 ) but never longer than ¾ length of antennomere I, strongly flattened laterally with more or less angulate to acute apex, dorsal part forming sharp keel, without sulcus. Frontoclypeus 1.3 × as long as broad (including interantennal process), acute apically, anterior corners forming elevated tubercles, surface flat with moderately coarse and dense punctures extending from base to anterolateral tubercles, anteriorly impunctate, without median keel or with rudiments of keel, whole surface with sparse, long hairs ( Fig. 53 ). Antennae 0.32–0.34 × as long as body, slightly compressed apically; antennomere I large, approximately 1.2 × as long as broad; antennomere II short, 1.2–1.3 × as long as broad, 0.6 × as long as I; antennomere III elongate, 1.4 × as long as II; antennomeres IV–VI slightly shorter than III; antennomere VII approximately 1.3 × as long as III; antennomere VIII as long as III and antennomeres IX–X slightly longer than III; antennomere XI 1.4–1.5 × as long as X, subangulate apically ( Figs 52 , 62 ). Pronotum slightly wider than long, parallel-sided behind anterolateral projections, anterior margin moderately convex, basal margin bisinuate; anterior angles obtuse with small anterior tubercle, basal angles bearing small, elongate obtuse tooth ( Figs 56 , 65 ); disc slightly convex, slightly impressed near anterior corners, usually with small shallow impression in front of middle, without or with rudiments of medial sulcus along middle, surface shiny, punctation of prothorax coarse and dense, punctures of same size on whole disc, on sides interspaces slightly smaller than puncture diameter with very fine and sparse secondary punctures, along middle runs more or less sparsely punctate area. Elytra 2.4–2.5 × as long as broad, subparallel anteriorly and distinctly broadened posteriorly and widest in ⅔ length. Apex of elytra regularly rounded, with straight sutural angle and completely without lateral angle. Disc with 7–11 punctures in scutellar row, without additional punctures between scutellar row and suture; eight rows in posthumeral part, between rows 7 and 8 behind humeral callus several irregular additional punctures, nine rows behind middle but intervals with numerous additional punctures, apically rows disappear among similarly large secondary punctures; intervals 1–3 flat, intervals 4 and 6 obtusely costate on whole length, interval 8 narrowly costate on whole length. Spaces among costae in apical part of elytra slightly irregular but punctation always well marked. Ventral surface shiny, hypomera coarsely punctate; prosternum with narrow, punctate sulcus along anterior margin, alae of prosternum smooth, prosternal process finely and sparsely punctate, expanded, apicaly not impressed, smooth among punctures; mesoventrite partly with short grooves, metaventrite laterally microreticulate with moderately coarse and dense punctures, central part, anterior process and posterolateral convex with numerous oblique and transverse wrinkles; abdomen mostly shiny, with indistinct short grooves close to posterior margins of ventrites and apical emargination of last ventrite surrounded by granulate area. Legs stout, sexually dimorphic.

Sexual dimorphism distinct, in males interantennal process long, extending to ⅔–¾ length of antennomere I, often curved and reminiscent of short rhinoceros horn ( Fig. 54 ), fore tibiae more widened apically than in females with slightly deeper apical excavation than in females ( Fig. 57 , 66 ), mid tibiae strongly widened preapically forming sharp and broad plate behind middle, apices of tibiae armed with moderately long, black spine ( Figs 59 , 68 ). In females interantennal process short, extending to half length of antennomere I ( Fig. 55 ), fore tibiae slightly less widened apically than in males, with slightly shallower apical excavation ( Figs 58 , 67 ), mid tibiae only slightly widened behind middle and not forming plate, apically armed with very small black spine ( Figs 60 , 69 ). Apex of abdominal ventrite shallowly emarginate in males while truncate in females.

Host plants. According to label data specimens were collected on Freycinetia sp., Pandanus sp. ( Pandanaceae ). Several specimens were collected on Astelia sp. ( Asteliaceae ), unfortunately Gressitt did not mentioned finding also larvae on this plant, and thus it remains to be discovered whether Astelia is a host plant or merely provides similar kind of shelter as pandans.

Type material examined. Holotype: 1 ♂ ‘ NEW CALEDONIA (N) | 20°33’S / 164°46’E | Mt. Paniè 1200-1300 m | humid montane forest | 3.02.2004 leg. M. Wanat [w, p, cb]’ ( WMNH) . Paratypes: 1 ♀, same data as holotype ( WMNH) ; 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA (N) | -20.5702 / 164.7739 | Mt. Paniè E trail | 900-1300 m rainforest | 23.11.210 | leg. R. Ruta, M. Wanat [w, p, cb]’ ( WMNH) ; 1 ♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA (N) | 20°33’S / 164°46’E 1300 m | Mt. Paniè humid forest | night beating near refuge hut | 2.02.2004 leg. M. Wanat [w, p, cb] || COLLECTION | LUKÁŠ SEKERKA | ex. coll. L. BOROWIEC [w, p, cb]’ ( LS) ; 1 ♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA (N) | -20.5886 / 164.7702 | Mt. Paniè E trail | 1350-1629 m | 24.11.2010 rainforest | leg. R. Ruta, M. Wanat [w, p, cb]’ ( WMNH) ; 3 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt. Panier , 500- | 1000m, 11.X.1967 | J. Sedlacek [w, p, cb] || J. & M. Sedlacek | Collectors | BISHOP [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM, LS) ; 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt. Panier , 1360 m | 10.X.1967 [w, p, cb] || J. & M. Sedlacek | Collectors | BISHOP [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM, LS) ; 1 ♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt. Panier , 1200 m | 9.X.1967 [w, p, cb] || J. & M. Sedlacek | Collectors | BISHOP [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM) ; 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, ‘ NEW CALEDO- NIA | Mt. Panie , 1000- | 1200 m, 3. IV.1981 [w, p, cb] || Astelia [w, p, cb] || J. L. Gressitt, Coll. | BISHOP Museum | Acc. #1981.166 [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM, LS) ; 1 ♂, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt. Panie , 200- | 830 m, 5. IV.1981 [w, p, cb] || Astelia [w, p, cb] || J. L. Gressitt, Coll. | BISHOP Museum | Acc. #1981.166 [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM) ; 1 ♂, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt. Panie , 530 | m, 1. IV.1981 [w, p, cb] || Freycinetia [w, p, cb] || J. L. Gressitt, Coll. | BISHOP Museum | Acc. #1981.166 [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt. Panie , 530 m | 31. III.1981 [w, p, cb] || Freycinetia [w, p, cb] || J. L. Gressitt, Coll. | BISHOP Museum | Acc. #1981.166 [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt. Panie , 1100 | m, 3. IV.1981 [w, p, cb] || Short broad | Freycinetia (leaf) [w, hw, cb] || J. L. Gressitt, Coll. | BISHOP Museum | Acc. #1981.166 [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM) ; 1 ♂, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt. Panie , 700 m | 27.29. VII.1971 [w, p, cb] || Freycinetia [w, p, cb] || J. L. Gressitt, Coll. | BISHOP [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM) ; 2 ♀♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt. Panie , 800 m | 27.29. VII.1971 [w, p, cb] || Freycinetia [w, p, cb] || J. L. Gressitt, Coll. | BISHOP [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM) ; 1 ♂ ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt. Panie Trail | 8-9.II.1963 | C. Yoshimoto [w, p, cb] || Pandanus [w, p, cb] || C.M. Yoshimoto | Collector [w, p, cb] || ♂ [w, p, cb] || SK-141 [w, hw, cb]’ ( BPBM) ; 5 ♂♂, 1♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt Paniè , 1300-1600 m | 14-16 May, 1984, G. Monteith & D. Cook [w, p, cb]’ ( LS, QMBA) ; 2 ♂♂, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt Paniè , 1300-1600 m | 15 May, 1984, G. Monteith & D. Cook [w, p, cb]’ ( MNHN, QMBA) ; 1 ♂, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | 20°35’S × 164°46’E | MtPanie summit, 1600m | 18 Nov 2000. Bouchard | Burwell, Monteith. 9939 [w, p, cb]’ ( QMBA) ; 2 ♂♂, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | 20°34’S × 164°46’E | MtPanie refuge 1300m | 16-18Nov2000. Bouchard | Burwell & Monteith 9938 [w, p, cb]’ ( QMBA) ; 6 ♂♂, 1 ♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | 7 km S, Tchambouenne | 750 m, 28.I.1964 [w, p, cb] || Pandanus or Freycinetia [w, hw, cb] || J. L. Gressitt | Collector | BISHOP [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM, LS) ; 5 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Mt. Ignambi , 650- | 1000 m, 4.II.1964 [w, p, cb] || Pandanus [w, p, cb] || Freycinetia [w, p, cb] || R. Straatman | Collector | BISHOP [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM, LS) ; 6 ♂, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA | Yiambi NE, 940 m | 1 4.X.1967 [w, p, cb] || J. & M. Sedlacek | Collectors | BISHOP [w, p, cb]’ ( BPBM, LS) ; 1 ♀, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA 8751 | 20°24'S × 164°32'E | Mandjelia summit, 750m | 6-7 Nov 2001. GMonteith & | CBurwell Freycinetia axil [w, p, cb]’ ( QMBA) ; 1 ♂, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA 8750 | 20°24'S × 164°32'E | Mandjelia summit, 750m | 6-7 Nov 2001. C. Burwell & | G. Monteith. Hand collect. [w, p, cb]’ ( QMBA) ; 1 ♂, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA 11955 | 20°24'S × 164°32'E. 730 m . | Mandjelia , 1 km SW. | 5Jan2005, rainforest. | G.B. Mon- teith. beating. || ex. Freycinetia [w, p, cb]’ ( QMBA) ; 1 ♂, ‘ NEW CALEDONIA 11955 | 20°24'S × 164°32'E. 730 m . | Mandjelia , 1 km SW. | 5Jan2005, rainforest. | G.B. Monteith. beating. || ex. Astelia [w, p, cb]’ ( QMBA) .

Figures

FIGURES 51–60. Caledonispa panieensis sp. nov., dark form. 51. Body dorsal, 52. Antenna, 53. Frontoclypeus and prosternum, 54. Head of male dorsal, 55. Head of female dorsal, 56. Pronotum, 57. Fore leg of male, 58. Fore leg of female, 59. Mid leg of male, 60. Mid leg of female.

FIGURES 61–69. Caledonispa panieensis sp. nov., pale form. 61. Body dorsal, 62.Antenna, 63. Head of male dorsal, 64. Head of female dorsal, 65. Pronotum, 66. Fore leg of male, 67. Fore leg of female, 68. Mid leg of male, 69. Mid leg of female.