Embates scambus Prena, 2005

Prena, Jens, 2005, The Middle American species of Embates Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Baridinae), Zootaxa 1100 (1), pp. 1-151 : 1-151

10. Embates scambus Prena sp. n.

(Fig. 55–59, 261)

Holotype male (dissected), Costa Rica , labeled: “ P.N. Tapanti, Rio Dos Amigos, A.C./ Amistad, Prov. Carta, COSTA RICA, 1480/ m. Mar 1994, G. Mora, A. Solís, E. Ulate, L/ N 187600­560250 #2782”, CRI001 964066 ( INBC).

Paratypes 8 (3 males, 5 females), Costa Rica and Panama , labeled: “C. Chompipe 2100 m / San Rafael HDIA/ 31 jul 1993 / MA Zumbado”, CRI001 116186 ( INBC) ; “ Ref. Nac. Fauna Silv. / Tapanti, 1150 m Prov. / Cart., COSTA RICA, G/ Mora, F. Quesada, Ene/ 1992, L­N­194000, 559800”, CRI000 529669 ( JPPC) ; “ COSTA RICA, Cart. / 5 km. NE. Pacayas ,/ 4300 m [ft.], roadside,/ V­25­1995, J. Rifkind ” ( CWOB, JPPC) ; “ PANAMA: Chiriqui / 8 km NW Boquete / 25–26 June 1981 / B. Gill 1700 m ” ( CWOB, HAHC 2 ) ; “ PANAMA, Chiriqui / Prov. 2 km W. Cerro Punta 1720M 8° 51' N / 82° 36' W 19–23.V.77/ H. & A. Howden ” ( JPPC) .

Description. Habitus: Fig. 55, total length 7.5–10.5 mm (m=9.1, n=9). Color: integument rufous to castaneous; basic vestiture of small khaki scales of variable densities, scales condensed in two ill­defined, oblique elytral fasciae and on pronotal flank, dorsal vestiture occasionally almost uniform or absent (Fig. 55); venter with broad, imbricate creamy white scales except on median portion. Head: frontal fovea distinct, rostrum moderate, subcylindrical (Fig. 56), subcostate dorsomedially, basolateral margin roundly edged, length of rostrum ♂♂ 1.18–1.27 x (m=1.24, n=5), ♀♀ 1.22–1.32 x (m=1.30, n=4) pronotal length, length of ante­antennal portion ♂♂ 0.35–0.39 x (m=0.37, n=5), ♀♀ 0.38– 0.41 x (m=0.40, n=4) total rostral length, dorsal margin of antennal scrobe reaching rostral base before eye; funicular segment 2 much longer than 1, club oblong ovate. Pronotum: length 0.77–0.87 x (m=0.82, n=9) maximum width, sides variously rounded, widest in basal third, anterior portion tubulate; disk finely punctate, intervals smooth. Elytra: length 1.79–1.89 x (m=1.83, n=9) width at humeri, width 1.36–1.47 x (m=1.40, n=9) maximum pronotal width, sides very slightly diverging in basal half, apices rounded conjointly, preapical callus developed moderately, striae fine, punctures indistinct, interstriae flat, none costate. Legs: tibiae curved, ventrodistally with indistinct fringe of yellow hairs, tarsal segment 5 (pretarsus) pointed ventrodistally (Fig. 57), tarsal claws arcuate and separate at base. Male: apex of aedeagus round, middle membranous, anterolateral portion sclerotized (Fig. 58), body of aedeagus relatively short, basal third slightly angular in lateral view, apodemes 2.3 x longer than body of aedeagus, flagellum thin, slightly shorter than apodemes, transition to tumid base gradual, basal appendage thick, not much projecting beyond base (Fig. 59).

Plant association. Not known.

Distribution. Costa Rica and Panama, evergreen montane forests between 1150 and 2100 m (Fig. 261).

Specific epithet. The name is a Latin adjective for “curved”.

Discussion. Embates scambus can be recognized by its large size, rufous integument, often notably curved tibiae and ventrodistally pointed tarsal segment 5. The distal margin of the pygidium is notched in the males. The relationship to the other species of Embates remains uncertain. Based on genital character states and general habitus, I would place this species near the large­sized species of the E. rufipes complex, such as E. cholidiformis (Chevrolat) .