Hemicrepidius mescalero Etzler, 2020

Etzler, Frank E., 2020, A Revision of the Genus Hemicrepidius Germar, 1839 (Coleoptera: Elateridae) of the New World, with Comments on Global Classification, The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 18) 74, pp. 1-126 : 62-63

Hemicrepidius mescalero Etzler , new species

zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:0F0F5554-07D8-4AE0-8B33-96D8E8C1C813 ( Figs. 25a–d , 26b )

Diagnosis. Hemicrepidius mescalero can be distinguished from all other Hemicrepidius species by the following combination of features: A curved prosternal process when viewed laterally; posterior margin of hypomeron with small narrow projection (about 2× longer than wide) of the pronotal hind angle visible in ventral view; and a thin hind angle carina.

It is most similar in appearance to H. tumescens and H. soccifer . From H. soccifer , H. mescalero can be distinguished by the following: The narrow projection of the hind angle; aedeagus with median lobe subparallel on basal three-fourths before narrowing towards apex, and parameres with pre-apical expansions not extending further laterally than base of parameres. From H. tumescens , H. mescalero can be distinguished by the curved prosternal process, the distribution in southern New Mexico, and, most notably, the narrower apical end on the median lobe of the aedeagus.

Description. Length 8.0–11.5 mm, width 2.0–3.0 mm; body color uniformly red-brown to dark brown, elytra in most not contrasting with pronotum, in some slightly paler than pronotum, in many legs, antennae, posterior edge of pronotum, ventral edges of elytra, and edges of abdominal ventrites paler; integument shining. Setae short, depressed, gray. Head: Punctures subumbilicate, nearly contiguous; frons weakly concave anteromedially, some with slight triangular impression medially when viewed dorsally; frontal carina broadly U-shaped, often interrupted medially by punctures when viewed from front, frontoclypeal region absent medially, frontal carina at most weakly projecting in lateral view; eyes moderate, rounded, bulging, ocular index 60–67 (n = 2); antenna serrate, antennomere 2 spherical, antennomere 3 subtriangular and 1.5× length of 2, setation on 3 intermediate between antennomeres 2 and 4, antennomere 3 three-fourths length of 4, antennomeres 4 and 5 about 1.5× longer than wide, 6–8 about 2× longer than wide, and 9–11 about 3× longer than wide, antennomeres 4–11 with subtle medial line bearing less setae than edges, less distinct in specimens with dark antennae, antennomere 11 oval, antenna extending beyond pronotal posterior edge by 3 antennomeres. Prothorax: Pronotum as wide as long to 1.2× wider than long, widest at hind angles or just anterior of midlength; sides weakly arcuate, often almost subparallel laterally, narrowing at anterior one-fourth or less; hind angles usually subparallel, at most subtlely divergent due to sinuate lateral edge anterior of hind angle, dorsal carina thin, subparallel to lateral edge, in some interrupted by punctures; punctures on disc same size as punctures on head, simple to subumbilicate at high magnification only (50×), separated by half to one puncture diameter, punctures larger and closer laterally, subumbilicate and nearly contiguous; posterior edge with sublateral notches, small and weakly impressed. Hypomeron with subumbilicate punctures, similar in size to lateral pronotal punctures, nearly contiguous throughout except for small, semicircular impunctate area on posterior one-sixth; posterior edge emarginate with hind angle visible in ventral and lateral view, narrow, over 2× longer than wide, truncate at tip ( Fig. 25b ). Prosternum with punctation similar in size to punctation on hypomeron or slightly smaller, appearing simple, punctures nearly touching laterally, medially separated by one to two puncture diameters; anterior lobe weakly deflexed, short, broadly rounded to almost truncate, not covering ventral mouthparts; prosternal process curved dorsad between procoxae, narrow and sinuate past procoxae. Pterothorax: Mesoventral cavity with lateral edges sinuate, not visible anteriad mesocoxae; posterior edge of cavity pointed to narrowly truncate. Metaventrite with punctures smaller than punctures on hypomeron, simple, nearly touching throughout. Scutellar shield elongate, about twice as long as wide, narrowly rounded posteriorly, sides weakly sinuate, dorsal surface almost flat, anterior margin nearly straight, setae radiating from midline, similar in length and color to setae on pronotum and elytra. Elytral striae weakly impressed basally; interstriae flat to slightly convex, punctures small, dense, giving wrinkled appearance; basal carina simple. Legs with lobe on tarsomere 3 largest, lobe on tarsomere 2 second largest, lobe on tarsomere 4 small, lobe on tarsomere 1 smallest, barely visible ventrally, all narrow, not visible dorsally. Abdominal ventrites: Punctures simple, slightly smaller than punctures on metaventrite, nearly touching throughout; fifth ventrite narrowly rounded; lateral microserrations on ventrites small, visible on high magnification only (>50×), most visible on ventrites 2–4. Male genitalia ( Figs. 25c, d ): Parameres broadly and weakly sinuate laterally, pre-apical expansion as narrow hook, not extending laterally past paramere base; apex of paramere bluntly pointed, membranous, setose ventral patch at apical expansion, 5–8 apical dorsal setae. Median lobe narrow, subparallel on basal three-fourths, apical fourth strongly narrowed to apex; basal struts broadly curved and directed basally. Basal piece with membranous area limited to apical third and broadly rounded medially.

Distribution. Specimens are only known from Cloudcroft, New Mexico ( Fig. 26b ).

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition for the Mescalero Apache Tribe, whose reservation is located near the type locality of Cloudcroft, New Mexico.

Notes. This species has only been collected in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, mostly from a single collecting date. All specimens known are males. Larvae have not been associated.

Holotype. New Mexico: [Otero Co.], Cloudcroft, VI-27-[19]40, L. J. Lipovsky; male; in SEMC [ Fig. 25a ].

Paratypes (16). UNITED STATES: New Mexico: [Otero Co.], Cloudcroft , 9000ft, July-7-[19]17, Wheeler, leg (1, CASC) ; Cloudcroft , VI-27-[19]40, L. C. Kuitert (2, SEMC [ Fig. 25b ]); as previous except, L. J. Lipovsky (11, SEMC [ Figs. 25c, d ]); as previous except, D. E. Hardy (1, SEMC) ; as previous except, E. E. Kenaga (1, SEMC) .

Figures

Fig. 25. Hemicrepidius mescalero, new species. a) Dorsal habitus, male, b) Pronotum, lateral view. Male genitalia: c) Dorsal view, d) Ventral view. Scale bars: 5 mm (a), 1 mm (b–d).

Fig. 26. Distribution maps of examined Hemicrepidius specimens (blue/gray dots). a) H. memnonius, b) H. mescalero, new species.