Dysmerus curvicornis Thomas, 2009

Thomas, Michael C., 2009, A review of the genus Dysmerus Casey (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae), Insecta Mundi 2009 (74), pp. 1-30 : 10-12

Dysmerus curvicornis Thomas , new species

Fig. 10 , 34 , Map 3

Diagnosis. Individuals can be distinguished from other members of the genus by a combination of the following character states: male scape strongly curved medially ( Fig. 10 ) and clypeus deeply emarginate but sides not reflexed.

Description. Holotype male, deposited in MLPA, with label data as follows: “Buenos Aires Argentina Isla Martin Garcia 7-1938 M.J. Viana/Museo La Plata”.

Body elongate, parallel-sided, convex; length, 2.14 mm.

Head 2.00X wider than long; punctures circular medially, more longitudinally elliptical laterally and basally, slightly smaller than an eye facet, separated by one or more puncture diameters, sparse medially, denser laterally and basally; each subtending a long, pale seta; surface between punctures smooth and shining; clypeus prolonged, comprising 0.36 of total length of head measured along midline from front of eyes to front of head capsule, deeply emarginate, sides not strongly reflexed but corners sharply pointed; angle above antennal insertion obtuse, strongly elevated; antennal scape large, length equal to 0.71 length of head; from dorsal view strongly curved medially; pedicel small, quadrate; antennomeres III-VIII quadrate, about equal in length; antennomeres IX-X broader and longer; XI longer than X; eye moderately, evenly convex, about 0.43 length of head; mandibles strongly curved.

Pronotum 1.10X wider than long; surface sculpture and pubescence as head; roughly rectangular in shape, broadest at apex, thence narrowing slightly to base; width across anterior angles 1.17X width across posterior angles; sides steeply descending from sublateral line to margin; anterior angles right, not produced; posterior angles obtuse, not produced.

Elytra 2.43X longer than combined width; parallel-sided for basal half, then gradually converging; all three cells visible, lateral margin of third cell slightly more prominent than others but scarcely carinate; sides laterally perpendicular to margin.

Male genitalia as in Fig. 34 .

Type material. Paratypes, 2, as follows:; 1, “ BRAZIL: Santa Catharina, Nova Teutonia Nov F. Plaumann” ( FMNH) ; 1, “ BRASIL: Sta. Catharina Nova Teutonia 23:III:1936 leg. F. Plaumann / A. Bierig Colln. Acc. Z-13812 Field Mus. Nat. Hist.” ( FMNH) ; 2, “ BRAZIL: Santa Catharina, Nova Teutonia Sept F. Plaumann” ( MCZC) .

Two females with the following label data: “Nova Teutonia, Sta. Catharina, BRAZ VI:-:1941 Fritz Plaumann leg” ( FMNH) and “ BRAZIL: Santa Catharina, Nova Teutonia Nov. F. Plaumann” ( MCZC), are assigned to this species but are excluded from the type series.

Variation. The paratypes range in length from 1.60 mm to 1.98 mm. Except for development of the scape, which is minimal in the smallest specimen, they are very similar to the holotype. The females that I have assigned to this species resemble the males in having distinct dorsal pubescence and a laterally toothed clypeus that is not reflexed but possess a globose scape that is somewhat swollen on the apicomedial surface.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the curved scape.

Distribution. Argentina, Brazil (Map 3).

Figures

Figure 10-12. Head and pronotum of males of Dysmerus: 10) D. curvicornis Thomas, n. sp.; 11) D. genaspinsosus Thomas, n. sp.; 12) D. hamaticornis Thomas, n. sp.

Figure 31-34. Male genitalia of species of Dysmerus: 31) D. basalis Casey; 32) D. boliviensis Thomas, n. sp.; 33) D. caseyi Thomas, n. sp., 34) D. curvicornis Thomas, n. sp.