Melchus, Anderson, Robert S., 2003

Anderson, Robert S., 2003, Neotropical Dryophthoridae: Redescription of the Genus Melchus Lacordaire with Description of Daisya Anderson, New Genus, and Seven New Species (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea), The Coleopterists Bulletin 57 (4), pp. 413-432 : 419-420

Melchus new species 1; Anderson 2002:7.

Types. Holotype male labelled ‘‘ COSTA RICA: Puntarenas /Est. Biol. Las Cruces, 4 km. S./ San Vito , 1,000 m /088479030N, 828579360W/ 5 Feb 1998, L.D. Gómez’ ’ ( CMNC) . Paratype (1 male). Costa Rica, Heredia, Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo, Estacion Carrillo , 25 Mar 1986, A. Chacon ( MNCR) .

Derivation of Species Name. The species is named after Dr. Luis Diego Gómez, Director of the Las Cruces Biological Station, who collected the holotype.

Identification. This species is readily recognized by the broad but very flat, shallow form, with the maximum width slightly more than one-half the total length ( Fig. 3 ). The elytra are somewhat cordiform in shape with the lateral margins distinctly convergent from immediately posterior to the humeri to the elytral apex ( Fig. 3 ). In addition, there are indistinct reddish vittae visible in the basal portion of the elytra near the humeral angles. As in M. jolyi , the elytra lack micropilose nodules but that species has a more elongate form than M. gomezi .

Description. Female not known. Male, length, 8.5–9.1 mm; width 4.5–5.0 mm. Color black, with indistinct reddish markings on elytral intervals 4–7 at basal one-third.

Rostrum very slightly longer than length of pronotum; elongate, more or less cylindrical in basal one-half, gradually becoming laterally compressed in apical one-half; narrow, more or less straight; densely, shallowly irregularly punctate near base, punctures finer and shallower towards apex; base of rostrum slightly expanded in dorsal view; in lateral view subequal in width throughout length. Peduncle narrow, rounded, not projected. Scrobe with posterior margin separated from anterior margin of eyes by about three times width of base of scape. Antenna with scape short, more or less one-quarter length rostrum; club cylindrical, oval, apical pilose part slightly shorter than basal glabrous part. Pronotum with lateral margins subparallel in basal twothirds, convergent subapically to apex; disk and flanks uniformly densely, shallowly punctate throughout; disk uniformly very flat, lacking subbasal impression. Pronotum with length subequal to width. Elytra with length one and one-half times length pronotum; form somewhat cordiform, lateral margins distinctly convergent from immediately posterior to the humeri to the elytral apex; greatest width immediately posterior to humeri; intervals impunctate, flat; striae with indistinct, shallow, small punctures. Scutellum rhomboidal, length subequal to width, slightly concave medially. Pygydium flat, deeply regularly punctate throughout; apex subtruncate; apically with dense short, robust setae. Ventrally with hind coxae separated by twice width of coxa. Lateral portions of meso-, metasternum and visible abdominal segments 1 to 5 densely, shallowly, punctate; last visible abdominal segment flat. Legs each of moderate length, densely regularly punctate, especially on outer face of femur; femur clavate, hind femur reaching midlength of visible abdominal segment 5; inner margins of each of middle and hind tibia straight, with 10–15 long slightly curved fine setae in apical three-quarters, setae of more or less uniform length. Tarsi each with article 3 very widely dilated, completely pilose ventrally except for narrow midline; apical margin of article 3 very slightly emarginate at middle. Male with aedeagus slightly arcuate ventrally, subtruncate at apex. Tergite 8 with apex slightly produced and rounded. Paired sclerites of sternite 8 with length three times maximum width.

Distribution. Costa Rica (Puntarenas).

Natural History. The male holotype was collected in an upper montane evergreen forest at 1,000 m at the Robert and Catherine Wilson Botanical Garden of the Las Cruces Biological Station.

Figures

Figs. 1–10. Melchus species. 1) Melchus leprosus, dorsal view; 2) same, lateral view; 3) M. gomezi, dorsal view; 4) same, lateral view; 5) M. onorei, dorsal view; 6) same, lateral view; 7) M. perplexus, dorsal view; 8) Same, lateral view; 9) M. jolyi, dorsal view; 10) Same, lateral view.