Cephaloleia stainesi Garcia-Robledo

Staines, Charles L. & Garcia-Robledo, Carlos, 2014, The genus Cephaloleia Chevrolat, 1836 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae), ZooKeys 436, pp. 1-355 : 247-248

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Chrysomelidae

Cephaloleia stainesi Garcia-Robledo sp. n. Fig. 273

Description.

Elongate; parallel-sided; subdepressed; head, pronotum, scutellum, venter, and legs yellowish; antennomeres 1, 2, and apical ½ of 11 yellow, 3 to 10 and basal ½ of 11 black; elytra black with six large, oval, pale yellowish-white maculae. Head: vertex finely punctate, not depressed between eyes, medial sulcus present; interantennal keel absent; clypeus punctate, each puncture with pale seta. Antenna: reaches to humerus; antennomeres 1 to 4 compressed laterally; 5 to 11 filiform; incrassate, 2½ x length of 2; 2 to 4 transverse, with projection apically; 2 ¾ length of 3; 3 and 4 subequal in length; 5 to 10 subequal in length; slightly longer than 10, pointed at apex; 1 and 2 punctate, each puncture with pale seta; 3 to 11 setose. Pronotum: transverse; lateral margin straight for basal ¾, then rounding to anterior angle, canaliculate; anterior angle obtuse, produced; anterior margin emarginate; posterior angle acute; posterior margin strongly bisinuate; surface irregularly punctate, disc nearly impunctate; pronotal length 1.6 mm; pronotal width 1.9 mm. Scutellum: pentagonal; alutaceous. Elytron: lateral margin straight, smooth; exterior apical angle and apical margin rounded, smooth; sutural angle rounded; humerus rounded, not produced; surface finely punctate-striate, puncture rows converge and unite apically; elytral length 4.6 mm; elytral width 2.4 mm. Venter: pro-, meso-, and metasterna impunctate; abdominal sterna finely punctate, each puncture with pale seta; suture between abdominal sterna 1 and 2 complete; apical margin of last sternite truncate in male. Leg: long; robust; punctate, each puncture with pale seta; tibia with fringe of setae on inner apical margin. Total length: 6.7 mm.

Etymology.

Named for Charles L. Staines in recognition of his many contributions to the understanding of the biology and taxonomy of Chrysomelidae in general and of the genus Cephaloleia in particular. Also in recognition of his mentorship to new generations of researchers. The name is a noun in apposition.

Diagnosis.

Cephaloleia stainesi sp. n. is most similar to Cephaloleia fenestrata Weise. It can be distinguished by the lateral margin of the pronotum being canaliculate, by the lack of a deep sulcus along the lateral margin of the pronotum, by the suture between abdominal sterna 1 and 2 being complete, and by the legs being punctate.

Host plant.

Heliconia latispatha Benth. ( Heliconiaceae ).

Distribution.

Costa Rica.

Type material.

Holotype male: Costa Rica: Puntarenas, Coto Brus, Carretera Costanera, 70 m near KM 34, 9°3'15.5"N, 83°38'7.04"W, 31 July 2013, Carlos García-Robledo / 1208_CG_31_Jul_2013_1815, Heliconia latispatha Benth. ( Heliconiaceae )/ Holotype Cephaloleia stainesi García-Robledo, des. C. García-Robledo 2014 (red label), USNM.