Asklepia duofos Zamorano & Erwin, 2014

Erwin, Terry L. & Zamorano, Laura S., 2014, A synopsis of the tribe Lachnophorini, with a new genus of Neotropical distribution and a revision of the Neotropical genus Asklepia Liebke, 1938 (Insecta, Coleoptera, Carabidae), ZooKeys 430, pp. 1-108 : 34-35

Asklepia duofos Zamorano & Erwin sp. n. Two-lights pattern-wing beetle Figs 32 , 77

Holotype.

Brazil, Amazonas, 20 km SW Manaus, 3.166°S, 60.234°W, 47m, 6 November 1969 (J.M. Campbell, B.A. Campbell)(NMNH: ADP132555, male).

Derivation of specific epithet.

The specific epithet, derived from the Greek duofos, δυο (duo) = two, fɸσ (fos) = lights) is a noun used in apposition referring to the two bright spots on the elytra.

Proposed english vernacular name.

Two-lights pattern-wing beetle.

Diagnosis.

With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and small to medium-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.248-2.941 mm). Adults with head and prothorax brunneus, elytral maculae aurantiacus; elytron fuscous with small rounded aurantiacus macula in the lower left corner of proximal basal quadrant, a small rounded aurantiacus macula in the upper left corner of proximal basal quadrant, maculae about the size of ¼ of the quadrant, a semicircular aurantiacus macula in the proximal apical quadrant, macula does not reach the apical margin; proximal quadrants slightly paler compared with lateral quadrants; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron brunneus, abdominal sternum VII paler; legs testaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-6 and basal half of 7 deeply infuscated, apical half of 7, 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum cordiform, narrowly explanate, lateral margin beaded; anterior angles feebly produced, hind angle markedly prominent; median line moderately defined. Elytral interneurs evident as short discontinuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures.

Description.

Habitus ( Fig. 32 ). Size: [See also Table 4 ] Small-sized for the genus; ABL = 2.433 mm, SBL = 2.248 mm, TW (total width) 1.124 mm, LP = 0.495 mm, WP = 0.666 mm, LE = 1.407 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head ( Fig. 32 ): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum ( Fig. 32 ) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP: 0.939), longer than head (LP/LH: 1.423), wider than long (PW/PL: 1.397); markedly cordiform and explanate, lateral margin beaded with seta at anterior third; base markedly constricted; anterior angles feebly produced, hind angle markedly prominent, produced and setose; median line markedly defined, apical transverse impressions punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; at apical third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/MW: 0.489) and pronotum (WP/MW: 0.521), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs evident as short rows of discontinuous widely spaced coarse punctures. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia. The male paratype was dissected for illustrating the male aedeagus; however, it was damaged in the process and we were hesitant to dissect the holotype at this time. We do note the presence of multiple spines on the endophallus. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of Asklepia demiti sp. n.

Dispersal potential.

These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.

Distribution.

( Fig. 77 ). This species has been found at only one location on the shore of a small lake near the middle Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.

Way of life.

See Erwin (1991) for a general description. Adults of this species are active in lowland rainforest during the transition from rainy to dry seasons

Other specimens examined.

None.

Figures

Figures 29 - 32. Digital Photo-illustrations, habitus, dorsal aspect of holotypes. 29 Asklepia geminata (Bates, 1871) ADP 132513, Santarem, Rio Tapajos, Brazil 30 Asklepia campbellorum Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n. ADP 133032, 20 km SW Manaus, Brazil 31 Asklepia demiti Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n. ADP 132539, Rio Demiti, Brazil. Note that the holotype has feebly infuscated antennomeres 3 - 7, others in the series have more normal infuscation, as in other species with this attribute 32 Asklepia duofos Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n. ADP 133147, 20 km SW Manaus, Brazil. Scale line = 1 mm.

Figure 76 - 77. 76 Distribution map for known localities of Asklepia geminata (Bates) 77 Distribution map for known localities of Asklepia species of the hilaris group.