Asklepia hilaris (Bates, 1871) Erwin & Zamorano, 2014

Erwin, Terry L. & Zamorano, Laura S., 2014, A synopsis of the tribe Lachnophorini, with a new genus of Neotropical distribution and a revision of the Neotropical genus Asklepia Liebke, 1938 (Insecta, Coleoptera, Carabidae), ZooKeys 430, pp. 1-108 : 39-40

Asklepia hilaris (Bates, 1871) comb. n. Cheerful pattern-wing beetle Figs 34 , 77

Eucaerus hilaris Bates, 1871:79.

Holotype.

Brazil, Amazonas, São Paulo de Olivença, 3.4622°S, 68.9499°W, 77m, (H.W. Bates)(BMNH: ADP132543, male). This specimen labeled “Holotype” by George E. Ball in 1972.

Derivation of specific epithet.

The specific epithet, hilaris, is a Latin adjective that adequately describes this species with gaily colorful elytra.

Proposed english vernacular name.

Cheerful pattern-wing beetle.

Diagnosis.

With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and small-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.336 mm). Adults with head and prothorax brunneus, elytral maculae fulvous or aurantiacus in some individuals; elytron brunneus with a rectangular flavous macula crossing basal lateral and proximal quadrants, macula not extended to lateral margin or sutural area, and a rounded flavous macula in the apical proximal quadrant, sutural area fulvous; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron testaceous, abdominal sternum VII paler; legs testaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-6 deeply infuscated, 7-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum cordiform, narrowly explanate; anterior angles feebly produced; lateral margin beaded; hind angle angulate, moderately prominent; median line moderately defined. Elytral interneurs evident as rows of discontinuous, coarse punctures widely spaced.

Description.

Habitus ( Fig. 34 ). Size: [See also Table 6 ] Small in size for the genus; ABL = 2.464 mm, SBL = 2.336 mm, TW (total width) 1.233 mm, LP = 0.483 mm, WP = 0.617 mm, LE = 1.495 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head ( Fig. 34 ): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum ( Fig. 34 ) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP: 1.085), longer than head (LP/LH: 1.346), wider than long (W/L: 1.294); markedly cordiform and explanate, lateral margin beaded with seta at anterior third; apical margin straight; base markedly constricted; hind angle moderately produced and setose; median line moderately well defined, apical transverse impression punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; at apical third about same width as head across eyes (WH/TW: 1.099) and pronotum (WP/TW: 1.013). Elytral interneurs evident as rows of discontinuous, widely spaced, coarse punctures. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia. Dissected by G.E. Ball in 1972 at the BMNH, but the genitalia are missing from the microvial pinned under the holotype. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of Asklepia demiti sp. n.

Dispersal potential.

These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.

Distribution.

( Fig. 77 ). This species has been found at only one location on the white-water system of the Río Amazonas drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.

Way of life.

See Erwin (1991) for a general description of the genus. No way of life information is available for this species other than that they occur in lowland Amazonia along the "Rio Amazon."

Other specimens examined.

None.

Note.

The holotype and only specimen seen by us is glued to a card and is somewhat damaged.

Figures

Figure 33 - 36. Digital Photo-illustrations, habitus, dorsal aspect of holotypes. 33 Asklepia grammechrysea Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n. ADP 133151, Pithecia, Peru 34 Asklepia hilaris (Bates, 1871), comb. n., Brazil ADP 132543, Sao Paulo de Olivenca, Brazil 35 Asklepia laetitia Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n. ADP 109190, Leticia, Colombia 36 Asklepia lebioides (Bates, 1871), comb. n., ADP 109194, Santarem, Rio Tapajos, Brazil. Scale line = 1 mm.

Figure 76 - 77. 76 Distribution map for known localities of Asklepia geminata (Bates) 77 Distribution map for known localities of Asklepia species of the hilaris group.