Laemophloeus concinnus Thomas, 2013

Thomas, Michael C., 2013, A review of New World Laemophloeus Dejean (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae): 1. Species with antennal club of more than three antennomeres, Insecta Mundi 2013 (294), pp. 1-23 : 6-7

Laemophloeus concinnus Thomas , n.sp.

Fig. 9, 31-33

Types. Holotype male and allotype female, deposited in FSCA, with the following label data: “ PANAMA: Barro Colorado I., Snyder-Molina Tr., 3-9-VII-1985 H. Wolda canopy light trap ”.

Diagnosis. The following combination of character states distinguish this species: antennal club composed of six antennomeres; dorsal color testaceous, with head and pronotum darker and elytral disc infuscate ( Fig. 9); head microreticulate ( Fig. 31 ); male genitalia as in Fig. 32-33 .

Description. 1.6 mm long; elongate, parallel sided; dark testaceous, front of head slightly paler; antennae, legs, and elytra testaceous, disc of elytra infuscate ( Fig. 9); ventral surface entirely testaceous.

Head: Twice as wide across eyes as long; epistome with emargination over clypeus moderate, mandibular emarginations rather deep ( Fig. 31 ), antennal emarginations barely indicated; frontoclypeal suture obsolete; longitudinal line impressed, anteriorly a little wider and deeper but not nearly so well-marked as in L. buenavista ; moderately punctate, punctures much smaller than an eye facet, separated by 2-3 diameters, each subtending an inconspicuous, pale seta about twice a long as a puncture diameter; surface heavily microreticulate anteriorly and medially, smooth and shiny posterolaterally. Mandibles short, robust. Eyes large, about 0.5 × length of head ( Fig. 31 ). Antennae elongate, attaining basal third of elytra; scape oval, 1,4 × longer than wide, pedicel subquadrate, 0.7 × length of scape; III narrower, elongate, equal in length to scape; IV-V subquadrate, equal in length to pedicel; club comprised of VI-XI, VI-X about length of V, wider than long; XI elongate, twice as long as X.

Thorax: pronotum transverse, 1.6 × wider than long as across widest point just behind apical angles; 1.2 × wider there than across basal angles; anterior angles obtuse, not produced; posterior angles obtuse, not produced; antebasal denticle distinct ( Fig 31 ); sublateral line slightly broader medially but not foveate; punctation and pubescence similar to head; surface between punctures smooth and shiny, not microreticulate; legs short, femora robust.

Elytra: 1.5 × longer than combined width; inner margin of cell 1 grooved at posterior half and shallowly grooved for anterior fourth; inner margin of cell 2 grooved at apical three-fourths; cell 3 complete; humeral carina well marked; elytra declivous laterally, narrowly explanate; surface minutely punctate and inconspicuously pubescent.

Male genitalia: parameres attenuate apically ( Fig. 32 ), but less so than in L. buenavista , not separated; basal plates elongate-oval in shape, not truncate basally ( Fig. 32 ); flagellum longer than basal strut, apically bifurcate, with microspinose processes ( Fig. 33 ); claspers similar to L. buenavista but narrower and more elongate ( Fig. 32 ).

Female allotype: 1.7 mm long; eyes proportionally larger, 0.7 × length of head; pronotum less narrowed posteriorly.

Variation: The two male paratypes are both 1.4 mm in length.

Distribution. Known only from Panama and Colombia.

Paratypes. 2, from the following localities: 1, “ COLOMBIA: Dept. of Antioquia, 24km. S & 21km. W Zaragosa above Rio Anoria , 15-IX-1970, 150 meters”/” D.G. Young, blacklight trap, primary forest” ; 1, “ PANAMA: Colón, Sierra Llorona Lodge 17-21-II-2012 Coll. J.B. Heppner ”. Deposited in FSCA .

Etymology. The specific epithet is Latin for “neat” or “elegant.”

Discussion. This appears to be the least common and geographically most restricted member of this group of Laemophloeus , being represented by only four specimens from two countries.

Figures

Figures 31-33. Laemophloeus concinnus Thomas, n.sp. 31) Head and pronotum. 32) Male genitalia. 33) Flagellum.