Indomias premlali Ramamurthy

Y, R A M A M U Rt H & Ayri, Shaloo, 2010, Revision of the genus Indomias Marshall (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae, Tanymecini) from India, Zootaxa 2357, pp. 1-49 : 42-43

21. Indomias premlali Ramamurthy sp. nov.

(figs. 22, 47, 71, 122, 123, 180, 237, 238 and 239)

Diagnosis: This species resembles I. decipiens ( Marshall) and is distinguished by the following characters: Rostrum deeply impressed at middle dorsally, median furrow broadest anteriorly and narrowed posteriorly. Elytra less convex longitudinally and slopes gradually posteriorly. Male genitalia with aedeagus having its apophyses only 0.42x as long as median lobe, tegmen with manubrium 0.5x as long as median lobe, spiculum gastrale with shaft 1.05x as long as median lobe and its apex clefted.

Description: Colour black with pale green vestiture. Head as long as rostrum, upper surface moderately convex, with shallow, scattered punctations, hidden behind vestiture. Rostrum deeply impressed at middle, as long as broad in male and 1.25x as long as broad in female; anterior margin 0.85x as broad as posterior margin, median furrow broadest anteriorly, but narrowed posteriorly, lateral carinae distinct, reaching up to middle of eyes; sides narrowed from posterior to anterior margin; scrobes narrowed and pointed anteriorly, broadened and divergent posteriorly. Eyes dorsal, circular and moderately convex (figs. 22 and 47). Antennae piceous; scape gradually thickened; funicle with first segment 1.14x as long as second, third and fourth equal, fifth to seventh equal and bead like; club broader than funicle segments, with hairs in rows, throughout its outer margin (fig. 71). Prothorax 1.06x as broad as long, at middle 1.1x as broad as the posterior margin; sides rounded; anterior margin only 0.8x as broad as the posterior margin, truncate dorsally and vertical laterally, while posterior margin subtruncate; sides rounded; upper surface rugosely punctate, their interspaces granulate. Legs with hind tibial apex without any dense, golden yellow hairs. Elytra ovate, with basal margin strongly raised, its external angle acute, humeral fold prominent, not at all impressed on declivity; apices rounded in male, pointed but not mucronate in female; stria shallowly punctate; intervals convex, much raised; elytral vestiture with predominant scales squarish, reddish brown, with 9–11 ridges (fig. 122), less predominant more elongate, brown with a rounded base and gradually broadened apex, their inner core opaque and granulated, with 4 ridges (fig. 123).

Male genitalia: Aedeagus with median lobe in profile arcuate at base, its apex rounded, length: breadth ratio 6:1, apophyses 0.42x as long as median lobe (figs. 237–238). Tegmen with dorsal piece 3x as broad as the basal piece; parameres moderately long and their apices pointed; manubrium 0.52x as long as median lobe, very slender, its apex broadened and rounded (fig. 239). Spiculum gastrale with shaft 2x as long as manubrium, uniformly slender, its apex clefted, basal prongs subequal, their apices broadly rounded (fig. 180).

Length: male, 7.78–8.5 mm; female, 9.14 mm. Breadth: male, 2.50–3.20 mm; female, 2.70 mm.

Holotype: 1 male, INDIA: Kerala: Malabar: Dhony forests, 26.V.1922, Coll. Ramakrishna; Allotype: 1 female, with same data as above; Paratype: 1 male, with same data as above ( NPC).

Distribution: India: Kerala.

Etymology: The name I. premlali sp. nov. is derived from and in the honour of Dr. Prem Lal Gautam, Ex- Deputy Director General, Crop Sciences, ICAR, New Delhi, in particular for his sustained support and interest in the taxonomic work of the author.