Asklepia stalametlitos Zamorano & Erwin, 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 : 67-68

Asklepia stalametlitos Zamorano & Erwin sp. n. Honey-drop pattern-wing beetle Fig. 52 , 78

Holotype.

Bolivia, Beni, Guayamer, Rio Mamoré, 10.8033°S, 65.3476°W, 118m, 24 August 1964 (J.K. Bouseman, L. Lussenhop)(AMNH: ADP132535, female).

Derivation of specific epithet.

The specific epithet, stalametlitos, is derived from the Greek, σταλα (stalas) = drop, μηλλιτοσ (melitos) = of honey, drop of honey, and used as a noun in apposition in reference to the golden color of the elytra of these beetles.

Proposed english vernacular name.

Honey-drop pattern-wing beetles.

Diagnosis.

With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.815 mm). Adults with head and prothorax flavous, elytral maculae flavous; elytron (cf. Fig. 30 ) fuscous with triangular flavous macula on proximal basal quadrant, maculae reach the sutural area, medial quadrants largely fulvous, medial sutural area fuscous, proximal apical quadrant with triangular macula flavous macula on proximal basal quadrant reaching the sutural area, medial quadrants largely fulvous without reaching the sutural area, proximal apical quadrant with triangular flavous macula, testaceous, antennomere 3 aurantiacus, antennomeres 4-6 and basal half of 7 deeply infuscated, apical half of 7, 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle moderately prominent. Elytral interneurs effaced from the greater part of the elytron surface, only evident as pale spots on apical proximal quadrant and scattered punctures on medial quadrants; elytron substantially transparent.

Description.

(Habitus, Fig. 52 ). Size: [See also Table 24 ] Medium-size for the genus; ABL = 3.043 mm, SBL = 2.815 mm, TW (total width) 1.467 mm, LP = 0.597 mm, WP = 0.751 mm, LE = 1.788 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head ( Fig. 52 ): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum ( Fig. 52 ) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP: 1.089), longer than head (LP/LH: 1.388), wider than longer (W/L: 1.024); markedly cordiform and convex, lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior third on slightly raised area; apex markedly constricted; anterior angle feebly produced, hind angle slightly produced and setose; devoid of median line and transverse impression; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra moderately convex; twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW: 0.557) and pronotum (WP/TW: 0.512), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs effaced from the greater part of the elytron surface, only evident as pale spots on apical proximal quadrant and scattered punctures on medial quadrants. 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. Male unknown. 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. 78 ). This species has been found at only one location on a white-water system of the upper Amazon River 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. Adults of this species are active in the rainy season along a large river.

Other specimens examined.

None.

Figures

Figure 78. Distribution map for known localities of Asklepia species of the pulchripennis group.

Figure 49 - 52. Digital Photo-illustrations, habitus, dorsal aspect of holotypes. 49 Asklepia paraguayensis Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n. ADP 130038, San Lorenzo, Rio Paraguay, Paraguay 50 Asklepia pulchripennis (Bates, 1871), comb. n., ADP 132531, Santarem, Rio Tapajos, Brazil 51 Asklepia samiriaensis Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n. ADP 051663, Boca del Rio Samiria, Peru 52 Asklepia stalametlitos Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n. ADP 132535, Guayamerin, Rio Mamore, Bolivia. Scale line = 1 mm.

Figures 29 - 32. Digital Photo-illustrations, habitus, dorsal aspect of holotypes. 29 Asklepia geminata (Bates, 1871) ADP 132513, Santarem, Rio Tapajos, Brazil 30 Asklepia campbellorum Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n. ADP 133032, 20 km SW Manaus, Brazil 31 Asklepia demiti Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n. ADP 132539, Rio Demiti, Brazil. Note that the holotype has feebly infuscated antennomeres 3 - 7, others in the series have more normal infuscation, as in other species with this attribute 32 Asklepia duofos Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n. ADP 133147, 20 km SW Manaus, Brazil. Scale line = 1 mm.