Indomias hispidus ( Marshall )

Y, R A M A M U Rt H & Ayri, Shaloo, 2010, Revision of the genus Indomias Marshall (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae, Tanymecini) from India, Zootaxa 2357, pp. 1-49 : 33-34

10. Indomias hispidus ( Marshall)

(figs. 3, 30, 58, 95, 96, 152, 169, 201, 202 and 203)

Sympiezomias hispidus Marshall, 1916: 166 ; 1941: 350 [ZSI]

Description: Colour black, intermingled with black and grey vestiture, the latter predominant laterally and often having a coppery reflection. Head longer than rostrum (1.1:1), upper surface fine, even, with scattered, coarse punctations, a short, dumbbell shaped, median furrow is seen on vertex. Rostrum shallowly impressed at middle dorsally, broader than long (1:0.8), anterior margin only 0.62x as broad as posterior margin; median furrow moderately long, very deep, broader towards anterior margin, then getting narrowed, and thereafter slightly broadened before reaching the middle of eyes; lateral carinae distinct; scrobes broader, oriented parallel anteriorly, but narrowed and sharply pointed posteriorly, 0.75x as long as rostrum, space between scrobes 0.83x as broad as that between eyes. Eyes dorsal, convex, 2x as long as broad (figs. 3 and 30). Antennae brown; scape more slender, glabrous; funicle with first segment 1.25x as long as second, broader, third to sixth equal and bead like, seventh broadest; club conical, much broader than funicle segments (fig. 58). Prothorax 1.1x as broad as long, its breadth at middle 1.1x as that of posterior margin; sides rounded in front and constricted posteriorly; anterior margin 0.75x as broad as posterior margin, truncate dorsally and vertical laterally, posterior margin subtruncate; upper surface coarsely punctate, without any stria. Legs with hind tibial apex without any dense, golden yellow hairs. Elytra broadly ovate, with basal margin strongly raised, its external angle acute, with a distinct humeral fold, strongly compressed posteriorly; apex sharply mucronate in both the sexes; stria finely punctatostriate; intervals broad and convex, posterior declivity more or less strongly impressed, slopes much more gradually, its outline straight and not sinuate; apical half with erect, elongate scales; elytral vestiture with predominant scales subcircular to squarish, pink, with patches of granulated areas (fig. 95), less predominant elongate, brown, broad and rectangular at base, gradually narrowing and smoothly rounded at apex, with ridges (fig. 96).

Male genitalia: Aedeagus with median lobe very slender, length: breadth ratio 8:1, uniformly broad, apex rounded; apophyses short, 0.43x as long as the median lobe (figs. 201–202). Tegmen with dorsal piece 4x as broad as the basal piece; parameres long, broadened to a rounded apex; manubrium moderately long, as long as apophyses, slightly bent at rounded apex (fig. 203). Spiculum gastrale with shaft slightly shorter than median lobe, 0.93x as long as median lobe, uniformly thick, apex bent and pointed; basal prongs equal, their apices triangular (fig. 169).

Female genitalia: Spermatheca could not be described. Spiculum ventrale with shaft elongate, uniformly thick, apex blunt; basal plate 0.2x as long as shaft, basal half transverse, apical half conical, apex rounded with tuft of hairs, longer than broad (1:1.8) (fig. 152).

Length: male, 8.00 mm; female, 8.52 mm. Breadth: male, 2.85 mm; female, 2.70 mm.

Specimens examined: 1 male, INDIA: Kerala: Cochin: Mapply Valley, 16–19.IX.1923, Coll. Ramakrishna; 1 female, Tamil Nadu: Coimbatore: 1988, without collector's name, on tea.

Associated habitats: Tea

Distribution: India: Kerala: Kochi; Tamil Nadu: Coimbatore.