Alloscolytroproctus dominicae Anderson

Anderson, Robert S., 2008, A review of the Neotropical genus Alloscolytroproctus Hustache, 1929 (Coleoptera; Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae), Zootaxa 1816, pp. 35-43 : 41-42

Alloscolytroproctus dominicae Anderson , sp. n.

( Figs. 2 , 5 , 9 )

Diagnosis

Length 2.9–3.4 mm. Integument black except for red anterior and posterior elytral maculations, pronotum with maculation at midlength and across apical margin, prosternum and portions of legs rufous. Rostrum with apex distinctly expanded, width at apex slightly greater than distance between eyes. Pronotal disc ( Fig. 5 ) with punctures shallow, subcontiguous or some contiguous. Elytra ( Fig. 5 ) with sutural and interval 3 with sparse, long, erect, linearly arranged setae; interval 2 slightly widened posteriorly in female, markedly so in male with sutural and interval 3 raised, shining and with low linearly arranged tubercles. Hind tibiae with large tooth at inner apical angle curved throughout length and hook-like.

Material examined

Holotype male labeled “West Indies: Dominica / Middleham Falls Trails, Cochrane / Forest FITs, 650 m / 15º20.841'N 61º22.000'W / 31.v.–11.vi.2004 S & J Peck 04-93” (CMNC). Paratypes (4 males, 8 females): labeled as holotype (3, CMNC); 5 mi. E. Dublanc, 10.viii.1986, C.W. O’Brien, on cut palms under base of fronds (1, CWOB); Fortune, 19.viii.1964, T.J. Spilman, in logs fallen Euterpe dominicana (5, USNM); 1.5 mi. N. Pont Casse, 12.ii.1965, W.W. Wirth (2, USNM); G’Leau Gommier, 15.ii.1965, J.F.G. Clarke (1, USNM).

Distribution

This species is known only from the island of Dominica.

Biology

This species is known from specimens collected in flight intercept traps in wet submontane rainforest at 650 m on the West Indian Island of Dominica. A number of specimens were collected in fallen logs of Euterpe dominicana and one specimen was taken on cut palms, under the base of a frond.

Comments

This species is named after the West Indian island of Dominica. It is the smallest of the three known species, reaching only 2.9–3.4 mm in length. The male has heavily sculptured elytra, whereas the elytra of the female are unmodified. All specimens examined have the same pattern of red posterior and anterior elytral maculations and also a large red maculation on each side of the pronotum near the midlength.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Alloscolytroproctus, distribution; solid circle — A. peruanus, open circle — A. ashei, asterisk — A. dominicae.

FIGURES 1 – 3. Alloscolytroproctus, lateral habitus of males. 1, A. peruanus Hustache. 2, A. dominicae Anderson, n. sp. 3, A. ashei Anderson, n. sp.

FIGURES 4 – 6. Alloscolytroproctus, pronotum and elytra of males. 4, A. peruanus. 5, A. dominicae. 6, A. ashei.