Heilus christinae Lira, De Sousa & Marques, 2023

Lira, Aline De Oliveira, Sousa, Wesley Oliveira De & Marques, Marinêz Isaac, 2023, Four new species of Heilus Kuschel 1955 (Curculionidae, Molytinae, Molytini, Hylobiina) from Brazil, Zootaxa 5336 (2), pp. 206-216 : 209-211

Heilus christinae Lira, De Sousa & Marques sp. nov.

( Figures 2A–F )

http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3231E2BE-0813-4894-934D-A2493A7D80F3

Diagnosis. This new species is distinguished from other Heilus species by the following combination of female characters (as no males are known): pronotum with oblique, umbilicate, and elevated granules, arranged side by side forming semicircles; elytra with oval to irregular macula on disc, between striae 3 and 6, interstriae otherwise covered with whitish scales and transverse granules; spermathecal duct inserted below common oviduct, close to junction with bursa copulatrix; spermathecal capsule curved; ramus non-prominent, spermathecal gland elongate. Heilus christinae is most similar to H. myops but can be distinguished from that species by the granules on pronotum, rounded and sparse in H. myops , and by the format of the macula, rounded in H. myops and irregular in H. christinae .

Description. ( Figs. 2A–B ) Length (pronotum and elytra) of females 10.7 to 12.1 mm. Integument. Bright, varying from reddish-brown to black. Rostrum 1.4 times longer than pronotum. Eyes. Interorbital distance of 0.3 mm, with row of setae between and above eyes. Thorax. Pronotum 1.4 times wider than long, rounded sides, narrow at apex; with elevated granules, oblique, umbilicate, arranged side by side forming semicircles; with bright yellowish decumbent scales. Elytra 1.5 times longer than width across humeri; moderately convex, rounded at apex; scales yellowish, bright, decumbent; macula on elytral disc between striae 3 and 6, oval to irregular in shape, with velvety black scales, outlined in yellowish scales; transverse granules on interstriae throughout elytra; striae 8 and 9 with deep punctation, interstriae flat; apical callus elevated. Female genitalia ( Figs. 2C–F ). Coxites with short setae at apex; styli with dense elongate setae at apex; spermathecal duct slender, of median length inserted anteriorly to common oviduct; spermathecal capsule curved; collum slender, ramus non-prominent; spermathecal gland 4.1 times longer than spermathecal capsule, slightly dilated at base, slender. Abdominal tergite VIII bisinuate at base, apex rounded with setae, short setae centrally. Abdominal sternite VIII with straight apex; apical lobes 1.8 times wider than long, with elongate setae on apical margin and sides.

Measurements (mm): Females. TBL: 10.7–12.1; TRL: 2.2–2.9; MHx: 3.7–4.6; LAR: 0.6; RBW: 0.6; IO: 0.3; PnL: 2.7–3.0; PnMW: 3.6–4.3; PnBW: 2.9–3.3; EL: 7.0–7.4; EW: 4.3–4.9.

Type material: Holotype female [printed label with red border] ( INPA); BRAZIL: Amazonas, Reserva Ducke, 26 Km NE Manaus, Barbosa, M.G. V., Plot A Malaise 3, Fev.1995, Curculionidae , Molytinae , 213, Heilus sp. 4 Lira, A.O. det. 2020. Paratypes (6 females) [printed label with black border]: 1 female, Roraima, Rio Uraricoera, Ilha de Maracá, 2–13.v.1987, J.A. Rafael, J.E.B. Brasil, L.S. Aquino, 221, Heilus sp. 4 Lira, A.O. det. 2020 ( INPA); 1 female, Amazonas, 60 Km. N. Manaus, Fazenda Esteio, ZF-3Km-23, 10-iv-1985, B.C. Klein, Arm. Malaise, Reserva 1301, 211, Heilus sp. 4 Lira, A.O. det. 2020 ( INPA); 1 female, Amazonas, Reserva Ducke, 26 Km NE Manaus, Barbosa, M.G. V., Plot A Malaise 5, Abr.1995, 18, 0030734, Heilus sp. 2, S.A. Vanin det. 1999, 214, Heilus sp. 4 Lira, A.O. det. 2020 ( INPA); 1 female, Amazonas, 60 Km. N. Manaus, Fazenda Esteio, ZF-3Km-23, 16-5-1985 B. C. Klein, Arm. Malaise, Reserva 1113, 212, Heilus sp. 4 Lira, A.O. det. 2020 ( INPA); 1 female dissected, Pará, Belem, Mocambo, 01-iv-1977, Brasil Pará A. Y. Harada, MPEG COL, 15004501, Heilus sp. 4 Lira, A.O. det. 2020 ( MPEG); 1 female dissected, Amapá, Calçoene, 27.x.1978, Brasil, AP W França, MPEG COL, 15004513, Heilus sp. 4 Lira, A.O. det. 2020 ( MPEG).

Remarks. Males are unknown. One adult (MZSP) was collected on cupuaçu ( Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) K. Schum. ) ( Malvaceae ) from Nova Califórnia, Rondônia, Brazil.

Geographical distribution. This species is recorded from Brazil in Amazonas, Roraima, Pará, Amapá and Rondônia states.

Etymology. This species is a special tribute to Dr. Maria Christina de Almeida (in memoriam), who contributed to the training of many researchers in general entomology and especially for her deep knowledge about bees. The specific epithet is a noun in the genitive case.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Heilus christinae, paratype female: A. Dorsal view. B. Lateral view. C. Female genitalia. D. Spermathecal capsule. E. Abdominal tergite VIII. F. Abdominal sternite VIII.