Asytesta dorsalis, Faust, 1898

Setliff, Gregory P., 2012, 3462, Zootaxa 3462, pp. 1-125 : 56-64

Asytesta dorsalis species group

Asytesta dorsalis Faust

( Figures 69–70, 113–114, 189)

Asytesta dorsalis Faust, 1898: 165 [key], 170 [description]. Lectotype, here designated, in SMTD. Labeled “ Mt. Alexander to Mt. Nisbet, Brit N.G., I.96/ dorsalis Faust / Coll. J. Faust, Ankauf 1900/ type.” Type locality: Papua New Guinea: between Mt. Alexander and Mt. Kenevi.

Diagnosis. This species is unique among its congeners in having a broad dorsomedian stripe of pale scales along the entire dorsum. This character will distinguish A. dorsalis from its most closely related species, A. sedlaceki new species, which has a similar arrangement of granulate prominences on the elytra and maculae on the pronotum. Asytesta dorsalis also differs from this species by having a somewhat shorter prominence on the third intervals and having the overall lighter colored vestiture.

Redescription. Measurements (n = 4): body length 6.1–6.6 mm (mean 6.4 mm), body width 3.0– 3.1 mm (mean 3.0 mm), pronotal length 2.5–2.8 mm (mean 2.7 mm), elytral length 3.6–3.8 mm (mean 3.7 mm), rostral length 2.0– 2.1 mm (mean 2.1 mm). Body suboval, 2.0–2.2 X longer than broad; integument dark reddish brown, antennae and tarsi light reddish-brown. Densely covered with suberect, brown scales, dark brown scales in poorly defined, irregular patches on dorsum, pair of larger dark patches at posterior margin of pronotal disk (best viewed without magnification), broad longitudinal stripe of pale yellowish-white scales along dorsal midline from pronotal apex to elytral declivity. Pronotum with 8 small, circular, whitish maculae arranged in two transverse rows of 4 maculae each, one row before middle, one row after; pair of similarly formed but smaller maculae at apical pronotal margin, sometimes absent. Vertex of head, pleura, legs, and venter similarly clothed in brown scales, pair of small whitish maculae on temples (as in Figure 104), vestiture of vertex interspersed with sparse yellowishwhite scales. Anterolateral region of the pronotum without pale scales. Scales small, elliptical, fine (indistinct under low magnification).

Head. Visible in dorsal view, with distinct, semicircular, crown-like carinae on, interrupted at back by glabrous V-shaped area where head articulates on pronotum, thin, medial longitudinal carinae within crown from apex of Vshaped area to center of crown. Eyes small, subcordate, posterior margin truncate; interocular distance wider than subbasal width of rostrum. Rostrum shorter than pronotum, parallel sided to just before apex, slightly broadened at apex, with small medial interocular pit at base often obscured by squamae. Basal 1/3 of male rostrum rugose, coarsely punctate to apex, with suprascrobal carinae on lateral margins straight, not produced or forming lateral tooth-like process. Basal 1/3 of female rostrum less rugose than male, apical 2/3 smooth, finely punctate to apex. Clypeus truncate. Antennal club oval.

Thorax. Pronotum 1.1–1.2 X broader than long, broadest at base; medial area weakly produced, posterior margin subtruncate. Pronotal disk with pair of impunctate depressions at posterior margin marked by transverse row of four granulate prominences apicad of midline, coarsely rugose with rasp-like setose granules visible through vestiture, regularly punctate; punctures shallow, evenly distributed, spaces between punctures subequal to diameter of puncture, each bearing one light brown, hair-like seta. Prosternal canal deep, lateral walls vertical; mesosternal receptacle slightly cavernous, lateral margins produced, posterior margin slightly open. Scutellum visible, smaller than punctures at base of elytra. Elytra 1.2–1.3 X longer than broad, anterior margin weakly sinuate, steeply declivitous past midline; punctures slightly larger than on pronotum, basalmost punctures of each stria at anterior margin like all remaining punctures. Humeri flattened and produced anteriorly at base of intervals 7, subcontiguous with posterolateral margin of pronotum. Intervals convex, rugose, granulate, large conical tubercle near base of third interval, granulate prominence on third intervals abruptly and strongly elevated behind basal tubercle; prominence raised well above adjacent intervals, distorting outline of dorsal contour in lateral view, flat along top, abruptly terminating at declivity; fifth and seventh intervals distinctly granulate, produced, elevated above adjacent intervals, lacking prominences ( Figures 69–70). Hind wing vestigial.

Legs moderately long, hind femora exceeding elytral apices by less than 1/3 their length; mesofemora reaching elytral apices. Profemora unidentate; profemoral teeth slightly larger than teeth on meso- and metafemora; teeth simple, distal margin entire. Protibia laterally compressed, ventral margin with thin flange in basal half, tapering to apex, dorsal margin straight to weakly convex. Male flange terminating before tibial apex, female flange tapering to apex (as in Figures 47, 50). Dorsal and ventral margins of middle and hind tibia straight. Apex of protibia with distinct supra-uncal process; uncus and premucro well developed, broadly separated with small flange situated between supporting terminal setal brush. Tarsomere 2 trapezoidal, strongly flattened (as in Figure 64).

Abdomen. Ventrite 1 distended, as long as or longer than remaining ventrites combined, on significantly lower plane than remaining ventrites. Intercoxal process on ventrite 1 very broad, much broader than length of ventrite 1.

Male terminalia. Tergite VII broader than long, anterior margin convex, posterior margin weakly emarginate at middle, wing binding patch distinct, with two rows of 5 minute plectral tubercles reaching posterior margin; tubercles visible only under high magnification.

Female terminalia. Tergite VII longer than broad, anterior and posterior margins broadly convex, wing binding patch distinct, with two rows of 5–6 minute plectral tubercles; plectral rows not reaching posterior margin; tubercles visible only under high magnification. Bursa more or less indistinct from vagina; vagina with walls weakly sclerotized; no internal sclerites visible.

Material examined. Lectotype (here designated): ♂, “ Mt. Alexander to Mt. Nisbet, Brit N.G., I.96/ dorsalis Faust / Coll. J. Faust, Ankauf 1900/ type" ( SMTD) . Paralectotypes (here designated): 1 ♀, " Mt. Alexander to Mt. Nisbet, Brit N.G., 2.96/ dorsalis Faust / Coll. J. Faust, Ankauf 1906/ type" ( SMTD) ; 1 ♀, " Mt. Alexander to Mt. Nisbet, Brit N.G., 2.96, Anthony." ( MNHN) . Non-type material: 1 ♀, "Br. N. Guinea, Papua Golf, E. Weiske / 14834" ( SMTD) .

Distribution. Papua New Guinea: Oro Province: between Mt. Alexander and Mt. Nisbet (= Mt. Kenevi).

Remarks. A single specimen of this species was collected in the Gulf region by E. Weiske. No further locality information was provided. I designated a lectotype for this species to promote nomenclatural stability. One specimen in MNHN collection was not marked as a syntype; however it bears the same labels as the type series and might be regarded as a paralectotype. The specimen selected as the lectotype is one of the two specimens (a male) in Faust’s collection that have a small square piece of gold foil attached to the pin and Faust’s handwritten determination labels and is illustrated in Figures 113 and 114.

Asytesta frontalis Setliff , new species

( Figures 58–59, 71–72, 105, 115–116, 189)

Diagnosis. This species is unique among its congeners in having the anterior portion of the pronotum produced over the head, entirely obscuring the head in dorsal view. In all other known Asytesta species , the head is at least partially visible in dorsal view.

Description. Measurements (n = 3): body length 5.4–5.8 mm (mean 5.6 mm), body width 3.0– 3.1 mm (mean 3.0 mm), pronotal length 2.2–2.5 mm (mean 2.4 mm), elytral length 3.2–3.3 mm (mean 3.2 mm), rostral length 1.6–1.7 mm (mean 1.7 mm). Body suboval, 1.8–1.9 X longer than broad; integument black, antennae and tarsi dark reddish-brown. Densely covered with suberect, yellowish-brown to green scales. Pronotum with lighter scales on sublateral margins, dark brown scales forming five large well defined, irregular patches on disk, arranged in transverse line slightly apicad of midline. Pleura, legs, and venter similarly clothed in darker brown scales, alternating bands of lighter scales on femora. Anterolateral region of pronotum with faint ring of pale scales enclosing area from lateral margin of prosternal canal to anterior margin of procoxae, with darker background scales in center. Scales short, elliptical, course (individually distinct at low magnification).

Head. Obscured in dorsal view by produced, weakly bifurcate, anterior margin of pronotum ( Figure 116), with distinct, semicircular, crown-like carinae on vertex above eyes, interrupted at back by glabrous V-shaped area where head articulates on pronotum ( Figure 105). Eyes, small, subcordate, posterior margin truncate, slightly bulging; interocular distance wider than subbasal width of rostrum ( Fig 180). Rostrum shorter than pronotum, parallel sided to just before apex, slightly broadened at apex, with small medial interocular pit at base often obscured by squamae. Basal 1/3 of male rostrum rugose, coarsely punctate to apex, with suprascrobal carinae on lateral margins straight, not produced or forming lateral tooth-like process. Basal 1/3 of female rostrum less rugose than male, apical 2/3 smooth, finely punctate to apex. Clypeus truncate. Antennal club oval.

Thorax. Pronotum 1.2–1.4 X broader than long, broadest at base; medial area weakly produced, posterior margin subtruncate. Pronotal disk with pair of weak, impunctate depressions at posterior margin marked by transverse row of four granulate prominences apicad of midline, coarsely rugose with rasp-like, setose granules visible through vestiture, punctures mostly obscured by vestiture, shallow, evenly distributed, spaces between punctures subequal to diameter of puncture, each bearing one light to dark brown, hair-like seta. Prosternal canal deep, lateral walls vertical; mesosternal receptacle slightly cavernous, lateral margins produced, posterior margin slightly open. Scutellum visible, smaller than punctures at base of elytra. Elytra 1.1 X longer than broad, anterior margin weakly sinuate, steeply declivitous past midline; punctures slightly larger than on pronotum, basalmost punctures of each stria at anterior margin like all remaining punctures. Humeri flattened and produced anteriorly at base of intervals 7, subcontiguous with posterolateral margin of pronotum. Intervals convex, rugose, granulate, large conical tubercle near base of third intervals, nearly as large as main prominence on third intervals. Granulate prominence on third intervals abruptly and strongly elevated behind basal tubercle; prominence raised well above adjacent intervals, distorting outline of dorsal contour in lateral view, flat along top, abruptly terminating at declivity; fifth and seventh intervals distinctly granulate, produced, elevated above adjacent intervals, fifth intervals with two distinct granulate prominences separated by conical tubercle, prominence on seventh intervals briefly interrupted behind humeri, then produced to declivity ( Figures 71–72). Hind wing vestigial.

Legs moderately long, hind femora exceeding elytral apices by less than 1/3 their length; mesofemora reaching elytral apices. Profemora swollen near apex, unidentate; profemoral teeth slightly larger than teeth on meso- and metafemora; teeth simple, distal margin entire ( Figures 58–59). Protibia laterally compressed, ventral margin with thin flange in basal half, tapering to apex, dorsal margin straight to weakly convex. Male flange obtuse, tooth-like, abruptly terminating near middle of tibia, female flange tapering to apex ( Figures 58–59). Dorsal and ventral margins of middle and hind tibia straight. Apex of protibia with distinct supra-uncal process; uncus and premucro well developed, broadly separated with small flange situated between supporting terminal setal brush. Tarsomere 2 trapezoidal, strongly flattened (as in Figure 64).

Abdomen. Ventrite 1 distended, as long as or longer than remaining ventrites combined, on significantly lower plane than remaining ventrites. Intercoxal process on ventrite 1 very broad, much broader than length of ventrite 1.

Male terminalia. Tergite VII broader than long, anterior margin convex, posterior margin weakly emarginate at middle, wing binding patch distinct, with two rows of 5–6 minute plectral tubercles reaching posterior margin; tubercles visible only under high magnification.

Female terminalia. Tergite VII longer than broad, anterior and posterior margins broadly convex, wing binding patch distinct, with two rows of 6 minute plectral tubercles; plectral rows not reaching posterior margin; tubercles visible only under high magnification. Bursa more or less indistinct from vagina; vagina with walls weakly sclerotized; no internal sclerites visible.

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, " Papua New Guinea., Louisiade Arch., Milne , Bay Prov. , Misima Isl., Boma vill. 13.VII.2003 / 321m. a.s.l., 10° 4' S 152° 47' E, G. P. Setliff " ( USNM) . Paratypes: 1 ♀," Papua New Guinea., Louisiade Arch., Milne , Bay Prov. , Misima Isl., Boma vill. 13.VII.2003 / 321m. a.s.l., 10° 4' S 152° 47' E, G. P. Setliff " ( USNM) 1 ♀, " Papua New Guinea., Louisiade Arch., Milne , Bay Prov. , Misima Isl., Boma vill. 13.VII.2003 / 321m. a.s.l., 10° 4' S 152° 47' E, G. P. Setliff " ( GPSC) .

Distribution. Louisiade Archipelago: Misima Island

Etymology. The epithet comes from the Latin noun fronto, meaning “bulging forehead” and is used here as a noun in apposition to refer to the unique condition found in this species of the anteriorly produced apical portion of the pronotum drawn over the head.

Remarks. This species may be misplaced in the A. dorsalis species group given its unique morphology and disparate distribution. It is conceivable that this species could represent a different lineage, endemic to the islands to the southeast of New Guinea and characterized by the apex of the pronotum being produced over the head. Perhaps, with the discovery of more species from this poorly sampled region, an “ A. frontalis ” species group will be warranted.

Asytesta gressitti Setliff , new species

( Figures 73–74, 117–118, 189)

Diagnosis. The large size (7.0– 9.7 mm) and the short, obtuse, pair of fin-like projection in the basal half of the third elytral intervals will serve to separate this new species from its congeners. It is most closely related to A. tuberculata new species, which has a pair of basal conical tubercles on the third intervals in addition to the prominences that are not found in this species and its fin-like prominences are situated further back on the elytra.

Redescription. Measurements (n = 3): body length 7.0– 9.7 mm (mean 8.2 mm), body width 3.8–5.0 mm (mean 4.3 mm), pronotal length 2.9–3.7 mm (mean 3.1 mm), elytral length 4.1–6.0 mm (mean 5.9 mm), rostral length 2.0– 2.7 mm (mean 2.2 mm). Body suboval, 1.8–1.9 X longer than broad; integument dark reddish-brown, antennae and tarsi light reddish-brown. Densely covered with suberect, evenly distributed light brown to brown scales. Head, pleura, legs, and venter similarly clothed in brown scales; legs with longer, lighter brown scales interspersed with brown scales. Anterolateral region of pronotum with faint ring of pale scales enclosing area from lateral margin of prosternal canal to anterior margin of procoxae, with darker background scales in center. Scales small, elliptical, fine (indistinct under low magnification).

Head. Visible in dorsal view, with crown-like carinae on vertex above eyes, interrupted at back by glabrous Vshaped area where head articulates on pronotum, medial longitudinal carinae within crown from apex of V-shaped area to center of crown. Eyes, small, subcordate, posterior margin truncate; interocular distance wider than subbasal width of rostrum (as in Figure 105). Rostrum shorter than pronotum, parallel sided to just before apex, slightly broadened at apex, with small medial interocular pit at base often obscured by squamae. Basal 1/3 of male rostrum rugose, coarsely punctate to apex, with suprascrobal carinae on lateral margins straight, not produced or forming lateral tooth-like process. Basal 1/3 of female rostrum less rugose than male, apical 2/3 smooth, finely punctate to apex. Clypeus truncate. Antennal club oval.

Thorax. Pronotum 1.3–1.5 X broader than long, broadest at base, subtruncate, medial area weakly produced. Pronotal disk with pair of weak impunctate depressions at posterior margin, with small, evenly distributed, rasplike, granules visible through vestiture, punctures mostly obscured by vestiture, shallow, evenly distributed, spaces between punctures subequal to diameter of puncture, each bearing one light brown, hair-like seta. Prosternal canal deep, lateral walls vertical; mesosternal receptacle slightly cavernous, lateral margins produced, posterior margin slightly open. Scutellum visible, smaller than punctures at base of elytra. Elytra 1.1–1.2 X longer than broad, anterior margin sinuate, declivity gradually declining to apex; punctures as on pronotum, basalmost punctures of each stria at anterior margin like all remaining punctures. Humeri strongly flattened and produced anteriorly at base of intervals 7 and 8, subcontiguous with posterolateral margin of pronotum. Intervals flat, weakly rugose, finely granulate, lacking conical tubercle near base of third interval. Granulate prominence on third intervals abruptly and dramatically elevated near middle of elytra; obtuse, fin-like prominence raised well above adjacent intervals, distorting outline of dorsal contour in lateral view, abruptly terminating before declivity; fifth and sixth intervals not produced or bearing granulate prominences, seventh intervals distinctly granulate, elevated above well adjacent intervals, laterally produced, sinuate, terminating at declivity ( Figure 73–74). Hind wing vestigial.

Legs moderately long, hind femora exceeding elytral apices by 1/4 their length; mesofemora reaching elytral apices (however elytral apex produced). Profemora broadened at apex, unidentate; profemoral teeth slightly larger than teeth on meso- and metafemora; teeth simple, distal margin entire. Protibia laterally compressed, ventral margin with thin flange in basal half, tapering to apex, dorsal margin more or less straight. Male and female protibial flanges similar. Dorsal and ventral margins of middle and hind tibia straight. Apex of protibia with distinct supra-uncal process; uncus and premucro well developed, broadly separated with small flange situated between supporting terminal setal brush. Tarsomere 2 elongate, clavate, strongly flattened (as in Figure 65).

Abdomen. Ventrite 1 distended, as long as or longer than remaining ventrites combined, on significantly lower plane than remaining ventrites, ventrite 2 folded into declivity of ventrite 1. Intercoxal process on ventrite 1 very broad, much broader than length of ventrite 1.

Male terminalia. Tergite VII broader than long, anterior margin convex, posterior margin weakly emarginate at middle, wing binding patch distinct, with two rows of 5–6 minute plectral tubercles reaching posterior margin; tubercles greatly reduced, barely visible even under high magnification.

Female terminalia. Tergite VII longer than broad, anterior and posterior margins broadly convex, wing binding patch distinct, with two rows of 4 minute plectral tubercles; plectral rows not reaching posterior margin; tubercles greatly reduced, barely visible even under high magnification. Bursa more or less indistinct from vagina; vaginal walls moderately sclerotized at junction with oviduct; no internal sclerites discernable.

Material examined. Holotype: ♀, " New Guinea NE, E, Highlands, Purosa, 1700m, 17–25.V.1966 / Gressitt & Tawl, Collectors Bishop " ( BPBM) ; Paratypes: 1 ♂, " New Guinea NE, E, Highlands, Purosa, 1700m, 17–25.V.1966 / Gressitt & Tawl, Collectors Bishop " ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, E. Highlands, 10km, NE of Lufa, 1800–2100m, 21.I.1966 / J&M. Sedlacek Collectors, Bishop" ( BPBM) .

Distribution. Papua New Guinea: Eastern Highlands Province: Purosa, Lufa.

Etymology. This patronym is dedicated to the late J. Linsley Gressitt in recognition of the tremendous contribution he made to the study of entomology in New Guinea. Gressitt made countless collections throughout the region, which provided much of the material described for this study.

Asytesta julieae Setliff , new species

( Figures 60–61, 75–76, 119–120, 189)

Diagnosis. The sixth intervals on the elytra of this new species bear granulate prominences at the declivity. This character along with the small body size (3.6–5.6 mm) will separate this species from all other Asytesta with strongly elevated prominences on intervals 3 (i.e., the dorsalis species group).

Description. Measurements (n = 8): body length 3.6–5.6 mm (mean 4.7 mm), body width 2.0–3.0 mm (mean 2.5 mm), pronotal length 1.5–2.4 mm (mean 1.9 mm), elytral length 2.1–3.2 mm (mean 2.7 mm), rostral length 1.3–2.0 mm (mean 1.7 mm). Body oval, 1.2–1.4 X longer than broad; integument dark reddish-brown, antennae and tarsi reddish-brown. Densely covered with suberect, yellowish-green to pale white scales, with oval gaps in squamae on edges of pronotal disk where granules protrude; gaps much larger than granule. Head, pleura, legs, and venter similarly clothed in light brown scales, interspersed with longer pale white scales and alternating bands of darker and lighter scales on legs. Pronotum with pair of poorly defined, dark patches at posterior margin (best viewed without magnification), anterolateral region of the pronotum with faint, poorly defined ring of pale scales enclosing area from lateral margin of prosternal canal to anterior margin of procoxae, with darker background scales in center. Center of ventrites 2–4 glabrous, ventrites 1 and 5 and lateral portions of 2–4 with scales as elsewhere. Scales fine (indistinct under low magnification), appressed, flocculent.

Head. Just visible in dorsal view, with crown-like carinae on vertex above eyes, interrupted at back by glabrous V-shaped area where head articulates on pronotum, medial longitudinal carinae within crown from apex of V-shaped area to center of crown. Eyes, small, subcordate, posterior margin truncate; interocular distance as wide as or slightly narrower than subbasal width of rostrum. Rostrum shorter than pronotum, parallel sided to just before apex, slightly broadened at apex, with small medial interocular pit at base often obscured by squamae. Basal 1/3 of male rostrum rugose, coarsely punctate to apex, with suprascrobal carinae on lateral margins straight, not produced or forming lateral tooth-like process. Basal 1/3 of female rostrum less rugose than male, apical 2/3 smooth, finely punctate to apex. Clypeus truncate. Antennal club oval.

Thorax. Pronotum 1.2–1.4 X broader than long, broadest at base; medial area weakly produced, posterior margin subtruncate. Pronotal disk with pair of weak impunctate depressions at posterior margin marked by transverse row of four granulate prominences apicad of midline, coarsely rugose with rasp-like, setose granules visible through vestiture; granules crowded in some areas, absent from others; punctures mostly obscured by vestiture, shallow, evenly distributed, spaces between punctures subequal to diameter of puncture, each bearing one light to dark brown, hair-like seta. Prosternal canal deep, lateral walls vertical; mesosternal receptacle slightly cavernous, lateral margins produced, posterior margin slightly open. Scutellum visible, minute, much smaller than punctures at base of elytra. Elytra 1.1–1.2 X longer than broad, anterior margin weakly sinuate, steeply declivitous past midline; punctures slightly larger than on pronotum, basalmost punctures of each stria at anterior margin like all remaining punctures. Humeri flattened and produced anteriorly at base of intervals 7, subcontiguous with posterolateral margin of pronotum. Intervals convex, rugose, granulate, small conical tubercle near base of third interval. Granulate prominence on third intervals abruptly and strongly elevated behind basal tubercle; prominence raised well above adjacent intervals, distorting outline of dorsal contour in lateral view, flat along top, abruptly terminating at declivity; fifth, sixth and seventh intervals distinctly granulate, produced, elevated above adjacent intervals, intervals 5 with two distinct granulate prominences separated by gap, intervals 6 with elongate granulate prominence at declivity, intervals 7 produced to middle of elytron ( Figures 75–76). Hind wing vestigial.

Legs moderately long, hind femora exceeding elytral apices by less than 1/3 their length; mesofemora reaching elytral apices. Profemora bidentate; apical profemoral teeth slightly larger than teeth on meso- and metafemora; teeth simple, distal margin entire. Protibia laterally compressed, ventral margin with thin flange in basal half, tapering to apex, dorsal margin weakly sinuate. Male and female protibial flanges similar ( Figures 60–61). Dorsal and ventral margins of middle and hind tibia weakly sinuate. Apex of protibia with weak supra-uncal process; uncus and premucro well developed, broadly separated with small flange situated between supporting terminal setal brush. Tarsomere 2 trapezoidal, strongly flattened.

Abdomen. Ventrite 1 distended, as long as or longer than remaining ventrites combined, on significantly lower plane than remaining ventrites. Intercoxal process on ventrite 1 very broad, much broader than length of ventrite 1. Ventrites 2–4 in central glabrous area impunctate, smooth.

Male terminalia. Tergite VII broader than long, anterior margin convex, posterior margin weakly emarginate at middle, wing binding patch distinct, with two rows of 7–8 minute plectral tubercles reaching posterior margin; tubercles visible only under high magnification.

Female terminalia. Tergite VII longer than broad, anterior and posterior margins broadly convex, wing binding patch distinct, with two rows of 6–7 minute plectral tubercles; plectral rows not reaching posterior margin; tubercles visible only under high magnification. Bursa more or less indistinct from vagina; vaginal walls weakly sclerotized; no internal sclerites visible.

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, " New Guinea: ( NW), Wisselmeren, Moanemani, Kamo V., 1500m, 13.VIII.'62/ J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop" ( BPBM) . Paratypes: 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, " New Guinea: ( NW), Wisselmeren, Moanemani, Kamo V., 1500m, 13.VIII.'62/ J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop" ( BPBM) . Non-type material: 1 ♂, " New Guinea: NE., Swart Val.: Karabuka [Karubaga], 1300 m., XI-7-1958 / J.L. Gressitt, Collector" ( GPSC) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE., Swart Val.: Karabuka [Karubaga], 1300 m., XI-7-1958 / J.L. Gressitt, Collector" ( USNM) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, Feramin, 10 km E. of Telefomin, 1450m., 30-31.VIII.1963 / R. Straatman, Collector, Bishop" ( BPBM) .

Distribution. West Papua: Paniai Province: Moanemani; Jayawijaya Province: Swart Valley; Papua New Guinea: Sandaun Province: Feramin.

Remarks. This enigmatic species has an unusual distribution. It occurs on three different mountain ranges, which leads me to suspect that it may be a species complex. I am presently unable to further separate the specimens from the three localities from one another; however I exclude Feramin and Swart Valley specimens from the type series. Additional material and further study is required to sort out this putative species complex.

Etymology. I name this species after my wife, Julie in recognition of her assistance, support, and patience during the preparation of this manuscript.

Asytesta sedlaceki Setliff , new species

( Figures 121–122, 189)

Diagnosis. This species is most like A. dorsalis , especially in the arrangement of elytral prominences (see Figures 71–72), specifically, the pair of prominences on the third intervals are elongate with the apex quite flat. It differs from A. dorsalis in that it lacks the broad longitudinal pale stripe on the dorsum and the prominence on third intervals are longer than in A. dorsalis . This species also has a somewhat darker vestiture than A. dorsalis .

Description. Measurements (n = 3): body length 5.9–6.2 mm (mean 6.0 mm), body width 3.1–3.9 mm (mean 3.4 mm), pronotal length 2.4–2.6 mm (mean 2.4 mm), elytral length 3.4–3.6 mm (mean 3.6 mm), rostral length 1.8–2.0 mm (mean 1.9 mm). Body oval, 1.6–1.9 X longer than broad; integument dark reddish brown, antennae and tarsi light reddish-brown. Densely covered with suberect, brown scales, dark brown scales in poorly defined, irregular patches on dorsum, pair of larger, poorly defined, dark patches at posterior margin (best viewed without magnification). Pronotum with 8 small, circular, whitish maculae arranged in two transverse rows of 4 maculae each, one row before middle, one row after; 2 pairs of similarly formed but smaller maculae at apical pronotal margin; maculae sometimes absent. Vertex of head, pleura, legs, and venter similarly clothed in brown scales, pair of small whitish maculae on temples (as in Figure 104); vestiture of legs interspersed with longer, semi-erect, sparse, whitish scales. Anterolateral region of pronotum with faint ring of pale scales enclosing area from lateral margin of prosternal canal to anterior margin of procoxae, with darker background scales in center. Scales small, elliptical, fine (indistinct under low magnification).

Head. Visible in dorsal view, with distinct, semicircular, crown-like carinae on vertex above eyes, interrupted at back by glabrous V-shaped area where head articulates on pronotum, thin, medial longitudinal carinae within crown from apex of V-shaped area to center of crown. Eyes small, subcordate, posterior margin truncate; interocular distance wider than subbasal width of rostrum (as in Figure 105). Rostrum shorter than pronotum, parallel sided to just before apex, slightly broadened at apex, with small medial interocular pit at base often obscured by squamae. Basal 1/3 of male rostrum rugose, coarsely punctate to apex, with suprascrobal carinae on lateral margins straight, not produced or forming lateral tooth-like process. Basal 1/3 of female rostrum less rugose than male, apical 2/3 smooth, finely punctate to apex. Clypeus truncate. Antennal club oval.

Thorax. Pronotum 1.2–1.5 X broader than long, broadest at base; medial area weakly produced, posterior margin subtruncate. Pronotal disk with pair of distinct, deep impunctate depressions at posterior margin, with small, evenly distributed, rasp-like, granules visible through vestiture, punctures mostly obscured by vestiture, shallow, evenly distributed, spaces between punctures subequal to diameter of puncture, each bearing one light brown, hair-like seta. Prosternal canal deep, lateral walls vertical; mesosternal receptacle slightly cavernous, lateral margins produced, posterior margin slightly open. Scutellum visible, smaller than punctures at base of elytra. Elytra slightly broader than long to 1.1 X longer than broad, anterior margin weakly sinuate, steeply declivitous past midline; punctures as on pronotum, basalmost punctures of each stria at anterior margin like all remaining punctures. Humeri strongly flattened and anteriorly produced at base of intervals 7 and 8, subcontiguous with posterolateral margin of pronotum. Intervals flat, granulate, large conical tubercle near base of third interval, granulate prominence on third intervals abruptly and strongly elevated behind basal tubercle; prominence raised well above adjacent intervals, distorting outline of dorsal contour in lateral view, flat along top, abruptly terminating at declivity; fifth and seventh intervals distinctly granulate, produced, elevated above adjacent intervals, lacking prominences (as in Figures 69–70). Hind wing vestigial.

Legs moderately long, hind femora exceeding elytral apices by 1/4 their length; mesofemora just exceeding elytral apices. Profemora unidentate; profemoral teeth slightly larger than teeth on meso- and metafemora; teeth simple, distal margin entire. Protibia laterally compressed, ventral margin with thin flange in basal half, tapering to apex, dorsal margin straight to weakly convex. Male and female protibial flanges similar. Dorsal and ventral margins of middle and hind tibia straight. Apex of protibia with distinct supra-uncal process; uncus and premucro well developed, broadly separated with small flange situated between supporting terminal setal brush. Tarsomere 2 elongate, clavate, strongly flattened.

Abdomen. Ventrite 1 distended, as long as or longer than remaining ventrites combined, on significantly lower plane than remaining ventrites, ventrite 2 folded into declivity of ventrite 1. Intercoxal process on ventrite 1 very broad, much broader than length of ventrite 1.

Male terminalia. Tergite VII broader than long, anterior margin convex, posterior margin weakly emarginate at middle, wing binding patch distinct, with two rows of 4–5 minute plectral tubercles reaching posterior margin; tubercles visible only under high magnification.

Female terminalia. Not examined.

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, " New Guinea: SE, Woitape, 1550–1750m, 2–3.IX.65/ J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) . Paratypes: 1 ♀, " New Guinea: SE, Woitape, 1550–1750m, 2–3.IX.65/ J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: Paupa , Owen Stanley Range , Goilala: Bome, 1950m IV-16-30-1958 / W. W. Brandt, Collector, Bishop" ( BPBM) .

Distribution. Papua New Guinea: Central Province: Woitape, Goilala.

Etymology. This species is named for Josef Sedlacek who collected the holotype of this species and specimens of many other species that I examined for this study.

Asytesta tuberculata Setliff , new species

( Figures 62–63, 65, 77–78, 123–124, 189)

Diagnosis. This species is similar to A. gressitti new species in that the prominences on elytral intervals 3 are short, obtuse and fin-like, intervals 5 and 6 are not produced. Intervals 7 are strongly produced beyond the declivity. Unlike A. gressitti , this species has a pair of conical tubercles near the base of the third intervals and its fin-like prominences are situated further back on the elytra.

Description. Measurements (n = 16): body length 5.1–8.3 mm (mean 6.6 mm), body width 2.6–4.4 mm (mean 3.3 mm), pronotal length 2.0– 3.2 mm (mean 2.7 mm), elytral length 3.1–5.2 mm (mean 3.9 mm), rostral length 1.8–2.8 mm (mean 2.2 mm). Body oval, 1.7–2.2 X longer than broad; integument dark reddish brown, antennae and tarsi light reddish-brown. Vestiture somewhat variable, densely to sparsely covered with suberect to decumbent, evenly distributed light brown to brown scales. Head, pleura, legs, and venter similarly clothed in brown scales. Pronotum with 0–12 small, circular, whitish maculae arranged in two transverse rows of 5–6 maculae each, one row before middle, one row after; 2 pairs of similarly formed but smaller maculae at apical pronotal margin; maculae sometimes absent. Vertex of head with pair of small whitish maculae on temples (as in Figure 104); vestiture of legs interspersed with longer, semi-erect, sparse, light brown scales. Anterolateral region of pronotum with faint ring of pale scales enclosing area from lateral margin of prosternal canal to anterior margin of procoxae, with darker background scales in center. Scales small, elliptical, fine (indistinct under low magnification).

Head. Visible in dorsal view, with distinct, semicircular, crown-like carinae on vertex above eyes, interrupted at back by glabrous V-shaped area where head articulates on pronotum, thin, medial longitudinal carinae within crown from apex of V-shaped area to center of crown. Eyes small, subcordate, posterior margin truncate; interocular distance wider than subbasal width of rostrum (as in Figure 105). Rostrum shorter than pronotum, parallel sided to just before apex, slightly broadened at apex, with small medial interocular pit at base often obscured by squamae. Basal 1/3 of male rostrum rugose, coarsely punctate to apex, with suprascrobal carinae on lateral margins straight, not produced or forming lateral tooth-like process. Basal 1/3 of female rostrum less rugose than male, apical 2/3 smooth, finely punctate to apex. Clypeus truncate. Antennal club oval.

Thorax. Pronotum 1.1–1.5 X broader than long, broadest at base, subtruncate, medial area weakly produced. Pronotal disk with pair of distinct, deep impunctate depressions at posterior margin with small, evenly distributed, rasp-like, granules visible through vestiture, punctures mostly obscured by vestiture, shallow, evenly distributed, spaces between punctures subequal to diameter of puncture, each bearing one light brown, hair-like seta. Prosternal canal deep, lateral walls vertical; mesosternal receptacle slightly cavernous, lateral margins produced, posterior margin slightly open. Scutellum depressed, visible, minute, much smaller than punctures at base of elytra. Elytra slightly broader than long to 1.3 X longer than broad, anterior margin weakly sinuate, declivity gradually declining to apex; punctures as on pronotum, basalmost punctures of each stria at anterior margin like all remaining punctures. Humeri strongly flattened and anteriorly produced at base of intervals 7 and 8, subcontiguous with posterolateral margin of pronotum. Intervals flat, granulate, large conical tubercle near base of third interval, granulate prominence on third intervals abruptly and dramatically elevated near middle of elytra; obtuse, fin-like prominence raised well above adjacent intervals, distorting outline of dorsal contour in lateral view, abruptly terminating before declivity; fifth and sixth intervals not produced or bearing granulate prominences, fifth intervals sometimes weakly granulate, seventh intervals distinctly granulate, elevated above well adjacent intervals, laterally produced, not sinuate, terminating at declivity ( Figures 77–78). Hind wing vestigial.

Legs moderately long, hind femora exceeding elytral apices by less than 1/3 their length; mesofemora reaching elytral apices. Profemora unidentate; profemoral teeth slightly larger than teeth on meso- and metafemora; teeth simple, distal margin entire. Protibia laterally compressed, ventral margin with thin flange in basal half, tapering to apex, dorsal margin straight to weakly convex. Male and female protibial flanges similar. Dorsal and ventral margins of middle and hind tibia straight. Apex of protibia with distinct supra-uncal process; uncus and premucro well developed, broadly separated with small flange situated between supporting terminal setal brush. Tarsomere 2 elongate, clavate, strongly flattened ( Figure 65).

Abdomen. Ventrite 1 distended, as long as or longer than remaining ventrites combined, on significantly lower plane than remaining ventrites, ventrite 2 folded into declivity of ventrite 1. Intercoxal process on ventrite 1 very broad, much broader than length of ventrite 1.

Male terminalia. Tergite VII broader than long, anterior margin convex, posterior margin weakly emarginate at middle, wing binding patch distinct, with two rows of 7–8 minute plectral tubercles reaching posterior margin, tubercles greatly reduced, barely visible even under high magnification.

Female terminalia. Tergite VII longer than broad, anterior and posterior margins broadly convex, wing binding patch distinct, with two rows of 7 minute plectral tubercles; plectral rows not reaching posterior margin; tubercles greatly reduced, barely visible even under high magnification. Bursa more or less indistinct from vagina; vaginal walls moderately to strongly sclerotized at junction with oviduct; no internal sclerites discernable.

Material examined. Holotype: 1 ♂, "NE New Guinea:, Wau , Kaisenik, 1000m, 19.iv.65/ J & M. Sedlacek Collectors, Bishop Museum" ( BPBM) . Paratypes: 1 ♀, " New Guinea: (NE), Wau, Morobe Dist., 1700m, 7.II.1963 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop" ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " Wau 10.II., 1. 750m / J & M. Sedlacek Collectors, Bishop" ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, Nami Ck., 1700m, 22.V.1965 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea (NE), Wau, Morobe Distr., 1700–1800m., 7.X.1962 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop" ( BPBM) ; 4 ♀♀, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, Nami Ck., 1700–1800m, 17.IX.1965 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea, Wau 1800m, 14.II.1966 / J & M. Sedlacek Collectors, Bishop" ( MNHN) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, Nami Ck., 1700–1800m, 17.IX.1965 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, Nami Ck., 1700–1850m, II.1966 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: (NE), Wau, Mt. Missim, 1700m, 7.III.1963 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop" ( MSNG) ; 1 ♂, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, 1700m, 8.8.1968 / J & M. Sedlacek Collectors, Bishop" ( BPBM) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, Nami Ck., 1700–1850m, II.1966 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, 1200–1300m, IX.1965 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( USNM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea, Wau 1800m, 14.II.1966 / J&M. Sedlacek Collectors, Bishop" ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, 1150–1250m, 17.II.1966 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 2 ♀♀, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, 1200 m, 23.II.1966 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♂, " New Guinea: (NE), 6 km W of Wau, Nami, Creek, 1700 m., 12.IV.1962 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop" ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: (NE), Wau, Morobe Distr. 1250–1700m., 15–16.IV.1962 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop" ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: (NE), 6 km W of Wau, Nami, Creek, 1700m., 15.IV.1962 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop" ( BPBM) ; 1 ♂, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, Nami Ck., 1700–1800m, 17.IX.1965 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( GPSC) ; 1 ♂, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, 1200–1300m, 4.IX.1965 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, 1750m, 5.II.1966 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, Upper Biarn 1600-2200m 10.3.1971 / Gressitt & Tawl, Collectors " ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, Nami Ck., 1700–1800m, 17.IX.1965 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, 1200–1300m, 4.IX.1965 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: (NE), Wau, Morobe Distr. 1250–1700m., 15–16.IV.1962 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop" ( BPBM) ; 1 ♂, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, 1760m, 5.II.1966 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: Wau , Subdistr. 30–35 km ESE, Kaisenik 1600–2200 m, 5.X.1974 / J.L. Gressitt, Collector, Bishop Museum" ( GPSC) ; 1 ♂, "NE New Guinea, Morobe Distr. , Lake Trist 1600, m. 21–26.XI.1966 / G.A. Samuelson, Collector" ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, "N. Guinea: NE, Kaindi-Nami , 1700m 22.8.68/ J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BPBM) ; 1 ♀, " New Guinea: NE, Wau, Nami Ck., 1700– 1700m, 3.IX.1965 / J. Sedlacek Collector, Bishop Mus." ( BMNH) .

Distribution. Papua New Guinea: Morobe Province: Wau area.

Etymology. The specific epithet is in reference to the pair of large conical tubercles occurring near the base of the third elytral intervals anterior to the larger prominence in this species.