Agonischius insolitus Platia, 2008

Arimoto, Kôichi, 2016, Taxonomic notes on three species of the genus Agonischius (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Elaterinae, Elaterini) with a new species from Taiwan, Zootaxa 4114 (2), pp. 149-161 : 158-159

Agonischius insolitus Platia, 2008

( Figures 1 , 30, 31 , 38–44 )

Agonischius insolitus Platia, 2008: 11 (original description; type locality: Cameron Highland, Malaysia), 12 (key to the known species of Agonischius ), 22 (photo of male aedeagus), 23 (photo of male antenna), 25 (photo of habitus).

Type material. Not examined.

Non type materials. 1 male ( Fig. 30 ), Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia, 4,800 feet (ca. 1460 m), 13/III/ 1924, H. M. Pendlebury leg., at light ( MNHN); 1 female ( Fig. 31 ), Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia, 4,800 feet (ca. 1460 m), 11/III/1925, H. M. Pendlebury leg., at light ( MNHN).

Distribution ( Fig. 1 ). Malaysia (the Malay Peninsula: Cameron Highlands).

Additional description. Adults. Measurements. Male. BL: 8.99, BW: 2.40, PL: 2.05, PML: 1.72, PW: 2.40, PL/PW: 0.854, EL: 6.76, EW: 2.38, EL/EW: 2.84. Female. BL: 11.4, BW: 3.10, PL: 2.45, PML: 2.08, PW: 2.93, PL/PW: 0.836, EL: 8.59, EW: 3.10, EL/EW: 2.77.

Female. Tergite VIII ( Fig. 38 ) long shield-shaped (length/width = ca. 1.5), widest at basal 2/5; apical margin strongly and narrowly prominent, with dense and fine setae (not represented in fig. 38); apical 1/6 to 3/5 area with dense numerous microtrichia except longitudinal median area with setae of various lengths; apical 3/5 margin fringed with setae of various lengths. Sternite VIII ( Fig. 39 ) coalesced tergite VIII at a part of lateral margin; basal area membranous, with definite limit between sclerotized area; sclerotized area longer than wide (length/width = ca. 1.4), with setae longer and denser apicad; speculum ( Fig. 40 ) elongate, attached to basal membranous area of sternite VIII ( Fig. 39 ).

Genitalia. Ovipositor ( Fig. 41 ) long; coxites ( Figs. 43, 44 ) with indefinite limit of two segments in ventral view, each coxite with two moderate setae in dorsal view, with three moderate setae in ventral view, with a short seta at apex; stylus with some setae near apex; vagina long, with dome-shaped bulges; bursa copulatrix ( Fig. 41 ), shape obscure because it was busted, rather short, with many small sclerotized pieces ( Fig. 42 ); two spermathecae ( Fig. 42 , arrow) attached to apical part of bursa copulatrix.

Remarks. These specimens represent the second record of this species. This species were collected only from around Cameron Highland, Malaysia until now.

Bionomics. Paratype and specimens examined in this study of this species were collected while attracted to lights ( Platia, 2008). This behavior may be very rare for this genus. Some Agonischius species and other species of related genera are usually collected by sweeping the flowers of trees.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Collecting localities of Agonischius spp. in this study. A. Agonischius yokoyamai sp. nov. (black circles), A. lateritius (black triangles), A. insolitus (white triangle). B. Detailed collecting localities of A. yokoyamai sp. nov. (plots: a; Meifeng, type locality, b; Huitouwan to Tianxiang, c; Ruisui Township).

FIGURES 28 – 31. Agonischius spp., doral view. 28: A. lateritius, holotype, male; 29: ditto, female; 30: A. insolitus, male; 31: ditto, female.

FIGURES 38 – 44. Agonischius insolitus, female. 38: tergite VIII; 39, 40: sternite VIII; 41: genitalia, dorsal view; 42: bursa copulatrix and spermathecae; 43: apex of ovipositor, dorsal view; 44: ditto, ventral view.