Neda areolata ( Gorham, 1892 ) González & Větrovec, 2021

González, Guillermo & Větrovec, Jaroslav, 2021, New species and records of Neotropical ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Revista Chilena de Entomología (Rev. Chil. Entomol.) 47 (2), pp. 331-374 : 349-350

Neda areolata ( Gorham, 1892) , new combination

( Figs. 5 a-5k)

Neocalvia areolata Gorham, 1892: 169 ; Korschefsky 1932: 530; Camargo 1937: 376; Blackwelder 1945: 454; Bicho & Almeida 1988: 187.

Specimens examined. PANAMA: 1 ♂ “ Panamá, ChiriquÍ / La Fortuna. Cerro / Pinola. 6.9.2010 / F. Pavel leg., 1250m ”, “ N 08°45’29.6” / W 082°15’44.4 ”” ( NMP). Diagnosis. The species is immediately recognized by its unique habitus, a light brown color with yellow spots, of which six in the elytra (2:1:2:1) leave a very thin brown net between them, and a seventh point-like spot in the intersection of the posterior three ( Fig. 5a ). This design is very different from any known species of the genus Neda Mulsant, 1850 . Here the male genitalia are described for the first time .

Description. Male terminalia. Apex of ventrite 5 truncate, ventrite 6 with rounded apex, truncate medially ( Figs. 5 e-5f). Tegmen elongated, 4.5 times longer than wide, phallobase elongated, curved, terminating in two independent tips. Tegminal strut one-third the length of the rest of the tegmen. Penis guide symmetrical, three times as long as wide, with convergent sides from the base to 5/6 of the length, where it has half the width of the base, then bifurcates into perpendicular tips; in lateral view gradually tapering to a pointed apex, curved towards the outer side in the apical 1/3. Parameres slightly exceed the length of the penis guide, widening in the distal half in the shape of an elongated paddle, with a rounded apex ( Figs. 5 g-5i). Penis wide, curved in a semicircle in the basal half, then slightly narrowing and almost straight until ending in a very small apex, which is slightly narrower than the rest of the penis tube. Penis capsule with very long outer arm, 1/3 the length of the penis tube and in line with it, ending in a short widening before the apex, trumpet-shaped; inner arm small and very curved in a hook towards the penis tube, inner angle slightly concave ( Figs. 5 j-5k).

Measurements (mm): TL 6.6; PL 1.3; PW 3.2; EL 5.1; EW 5.5; GD 3.1.

Remarks. Neocalvia areolata was described by Gorham (1892), who illustrated its unmistakable habitus. Camargo (1937) and Bicho & Almeida (1998) expressed doubts about the generic location of this species; the latter authors reviewed the genus but did not examine any specimen. Here the male genitalia are documented for the first time, and the species is transferred to the genus Neda , which is characterized by the apex of the penis guide bifurcated (whole and with a nipple-shaped projection in Neocalvia Crotch, 1871 ), and the penis capsule with a long, trumpet-shaped outer arm (short and unexpanded in Neocalvia ). The penis is also similar to those of Neoharmonia Crotch, 1871 , but in this genus the penis guide has an entire apex. The genitalia of the present species resemble that of Neda callispilota (Guérin-Méneville, 1844) but its habitus with elytra white with eight black spots is very different.

Figures

Figures 5a-5u. a-k:Neda areolata (Gorham); a-d:habitus (dorsal, lateral, frontal, posterior); e: abdomen; f:ventrite6;g-i:tegmen anddetail;j-k:penisanddetail.l-u:Calloeneisveraguas n.sp.;l-o:habitus(dorsal, ventral,lateral,posterior);p: antenna; q: abdomen; r: ventrite6; s-t:tegmen; u: penisguide.Scalebars in mm./a-k:Nedaareolata(Gorham);a-d:habitus(dorsal,lateral,frontal,posterior);e:abdomen;f:ventrito 6; g-i: tegmen y detalle; j-k: penis y detalle. l-u: Calloeneis veraguas sp. n.; l-o: habitus (dorsal, ventral, lateral, posterior); p: antena; q: abdomen; r: ventrito 6; s-t: tegmen; u: guÍa del penis. Escalas en mm.