Daisya obriani Anderson, 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 : 427-428

Daisya obriani Anderson , new species

Figs. 24–25 , 30–34

New genus, new species 2; Anderson 2002:7.

Types. Holotype male labelled ‘‘ COSTA RICA, Punt [arenas].,/ Res [erva]. For [estal]. GolfoDulce ,/3 k sw. Rincon, 10 m. 7-/1992, malaise, Hanson’ ’ ( CWOB) . Allotype female labelled ‘‘ PANAMA, Colon Pr./ Fort Sherman /98179N 798599W/ 25 April 2002 / leg. F. Ødegaard,’’ ‘‘ on Oenocarpus /mapora’’ ( CMNC) .

Derivation of Species Name. This species is named after Patrick O’Brian (1914– 2000), an author of a series of historical novels set in the early 19th century British Royal Navy. The dedication was arranged through a donation to Nature Discovery Fund of the Canadian Museum of Nature by ‘‘The Gunroom of HMSSurprise.org,’’ an internet group devoted to the publications of Mr. O’Brian. Many of his books tell of long sea voyages and there are often references to the weevils found in the ship’s biscuit.

Identification. This species is characterized by the presence of a well-developed tooth at the apical one-third of the inner margin of the front femora ( Fig. 34 ) in the one male specimen seen. In addition, the dorsal surface of the rostrum of the male bears numerous low rounded shiny swellings ( Figs. 30–31 ). The micropilose nodules on the pronotum of both sexes are less individually distinct than in D. andersonae and D. huetheri . Whereas both D. andersonae and D. huetheri have rather extensive reddish markings on the elytra, the elytra of D. obriani have only a small indistinct reddish marking. In D. obriani , tarsal article 3 is sub-oval, not widely dilated at the apex, features shared with D. huetheri ( Figs. 33 , 50 ).

Description. Female, length, 10.2 mm; width, 3.5 mm. Male, length, 11.8 mm; width, 4.5 mm. Color black with indistinct C-shaped reddish maculation at basal one-third of elytra near lateral margin; integument with numerous tufts of micropilosity or micropilose nodules, especially on elytra.

Rostrum slightly shorter than length of pronotum, base of rostrum expanded in dorsal view; in lateral view widest at base, narrowed to apex; in male, more or less cylindrical throughout; very slightly arcuate ventrally, dorsal surface with numerous low rounded shiny swellings; in female, slightly longer and slightly laterally compressed in apical two-thirds, markedly arcuate ventrally, especially towards apex. Scrobe with posterior margin separated from anterior margin of eyes by about two times width of base of scape. Antenna with club cylindrical, subquadrate, apex slightly wider than base; apical pilose part about one-third length basal glabrous part. Pronotum with lateral portions of disk and flanks uniformly moderately densely, shallowly punctate throughout, punctures with single robust, short seta at middle, surrounded by micropilosity; disk uniformly flat, lacking subbasal impression. Pronotum with length greater than width; width almost subequal to width of elytra at base. Elytra with length one and one-half times length pronotum; greatest width at humeri; intervals impunctate, flat, with numerous distinct elongate-oval micropilose tufts or nodules; striae with indistinct, shallow, small punctures. Scutellum rhomboidal, length subequal to width, flat. Pygydium flat, punctate throughout; apex subtruncate; apically with dense short, robust setae. Ventrally with hind coxae separated by about width of coxa. Lateral portions of meso- and metasternum, and visible abdominal segments 1 to 5 sparsely, shallowly punctate; last visible abdominal segment flat, deflexed ventrally at apex. Legs short, regularly punctate, especially on outer face of femur; femur clavate, hind femur reaching apex of visible abdominal segment 4; inner margin of front femur of male with well-developed tooth at apical one-third; of female with slight rounded swelling; inner margins of all tibiae of both sexes straight, each with scattered, short, slightly curved fine setae in apical three-quarters, setae of more or less uniform length. Tarsi each with article 3 very slightly dilated, sub-oval, width at apex only slightly greater than width at base; pilose ventrally in apical one-half, glabrous in basal one-half and in v-shaped median area; apical margin of article 3 slightly, broadly emarginate. Aedeagus with median struts transversely fused for short length at basal one-quarter. Tergite 8 with length one and one-third times width at base. Female genitalia not examined.

Distribution. Costa Rica (Puntarenas) and Panama (Colon).

Natural History. The allotype was collected in lowland rainforest among dead leafs of a broken palm, Oenocarpus mapora , that was brought up from the ground and hung in the canopy to attract beetles. The holotype was collected in a malaise trap in lowland rain forest.

Figures

Figs. 24–29. Daisya species. 24) D. obriani, dorsal view, male; 25) same, lateral view; 26) D. andersonae, dorsal view, female; 27) same, lateral view. 28. D. huetheri, dorsal view, male; 29) same, lateral view.

Figs. 30–34. Daisya obriani, male. 30) Head, lateral view; 31) antenna, lateral view; 32) scutellum, dorsal view; 33) tarsus, front, dorsal view; 34) femora and tibia, front, anterior view. Scale line ¼ 1.0 mm, except tarsus and scutellum, 0.63 mm.

Figs. 45–52. Daisya huetheri. 45) Head, male, lateral view; 46) head, male, dorsal view; 47) head, female, lateral view; 48) head, female, dorsal view; 49) antenna, male, lateral view; 50) tarsus, front, male, dorsal view; 51) pronotum, male, dorsal view; 52) femora and tibia, front, male, anterior view. Scale line ¼ 1.0 mm, except tarsus, 0.63 mm, and pronotum, 1.55 mm.