Scolytodes fraterniatratus Jordal

Jordal, Bjarte H., 2013, New species and records of Scolytodes (Coleoptera, Curculionidae: Scolytinae) from South America, Zootaxa 3721 (6), pp. 529-551 : 545-546

Scolytodes fraterniatratus Jordal , sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:25D9300D-3599-4C09-A573-0F87F0568C4D ( Figs 38, 41, 44 )

Type material. Holotype, female: " Ecuador: Manabí Prov, Tabuga, Bosque Seco Lalo Loor, S00º04.916’ W80º09.029’, 101m, ex Cecropia leafstalk, 21–26.V.2011, S.M. Smith". Allotype and Paratypes: same label as holotype (4 males, 5 females). Holotype, allotype and two paratypes in QCAZ, two paratypes in USNM, two in ZMBN, and two in MSUC.

Diagnosis. Procoxae widely separated, protibiae broad with strong laterally bent mucro; interstriae 10 sharply elevated far beyond level of metacoxae. Very closely related to S. atratus (Blandford) , but distinguished by the more confused strial punctures, by the less impressed striae, and by the longitudinally shaped callus in the female frons.

Description female. Length 2.2–2.7 mm, 1.95–2.0 times longer than wide; mature colour black (holotype dark brown). Head. Eyes separated above by 3.6–3.8 times their width. Frons gently and broadly impressed from just below upper level of eyes to epistoma, surface densely punctured except an impunctate weakly elevated longitudinal callus about one-eight the width of impressed area, reaching from epistoma to centre of impressed area; above impressed area brightly shining with few punctures. Vestiture consisting of densely placed setae in punctured part of impressed area, setae about as long as scapus, directed orad. Antennal club with two irregularly procurved sutures marked by short setae, interspersed by fewer longer setae; first two segments subcorneous, third segment strongly pilose; suture 1 with a partial septum. Funiculus 6-segmented. Submentum and area around strongly and obliquely impressed, with few course setae. Pronotum 1.05 times longer than wide, parallel on basal half, broadly rounded in front; surface weakly reticulate, shining, tiny punctures reaching anterior margin, spaced on average by two times their diameter, obscure asperities indicated on anterior fourth. Glabrous, except erect long bristle-like setae in front, lateral and posterior margins (4–2–2), frequently abraded. Elytra 1.1 times longer than wide, 1.2 times longer than pronotum; sides subparallel on basal two-thirds, broadly rounded behind; striae 1 distinctly, other striae weakly impressed, punctures mainly in rows, slightly to strongly confused in some places, punctures of two types, the larger is moderately deep and irregularly spaced by two times their diameter, each associated with a tiny, near contiguous, puncture of half the size; interstriae 2–4 times wider than striae, punctures few, irregularly placed, of the same size as the smallest strial punctures, with granules present at base of erect uniseriate setae from posterior disc to apex. Interstriae 10 sharply elevated to near apex. Vestiture consisting of spatulate erect interstrial setae, mainly in rows, confused some places on disc, each setae on average spaced by the length of a seta. Legs. Procoxae separated by 1.1 times the width of a coxa. Mesocoxae separated by 1.1–1.2 times the width of one procoxa. Protibiae broad, distal tooth 2 extending beyond tooth 1, 4–5 additional smaller lateral spines towards tibial base, semitransparent cuticle extending lateral edge between tooth 2 and neighbouring smaller spines producing a broad tibial surface; protibial mucro strong, bent posterolaterally. Mesotibiae with 7–9 lateral socketed teeth on distal two-thirds. Metatibiae with 6–8 lateral socketed teeth on distal half. Ventral vestiture. Setae on mesanepisternum few, very fine and trifid, on metanepisternum simple.

Description male. Similar to female except pronotum more distinctly asperate on anterior fourth, frons convex, with central third just above epistoma elevated into a rough callus, slightly impressed on each side and just above callus, entire impressed area and callus strongly rugosely punctured.

Key. Leads to couplet 7, species not S. atratus (see diagnosis).

Etymology. From the Latin genitive form of fraternus, meaning ‘brother’, relating to the close relationship to S. atratus .

Biology and distribution. Only known from the type locality in a dry lowland forest along the Ecuadorian coast. Specimens were taken from the pith of Cecropia leafstalks. All close relatives of this species have the same host preference and breeding habits.

Figures

FIGURES 37 – 45. Dorsal, lateral and front view of Scolytodes solarius (37, 40, 43), S. fraterniatratus (38, 41, 44), S. trigonus (39, 42, 45).