Malthodes vikhrevi Kazantsev, 2021

Kazantsev, S. V., 2021, New species of Malthodes Kiesenwetter, 1852 from the Caucasus, with taxonomic notes on Malthininae (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) of Russia, Caucasian Entomological Bulletin (Caucas. entomol. bull.) 17 (2), pp. 285-291 : 288

Malthodes vikhrevi Kazantsev , sp. n.

( Figs 3, 14–17)

Material. Holotype, ♂ ( ICM): “ South Russia, NW Caucasus, Sochi, Khosta, 3-9.V.2011, N. Vikhrev leg.”.

Diagnosis. Malthodes vikhrevi sp. n. is related to M. caucasicus Wittmer, 1958 and M. adjaricus Wittmer, 1992 , distinguishable, from the former, by the shorter paired apical processes of the terminal sternite and conspicuously concave pre-apically, in lateral aspect, median lobe of the aedeagus, and from the latter, by the distinctly widened, in lateral view, laterophyses ( Figs 14–17).

Description. Male. Dark brown to black; pronotum broadly at angles and knees light brown.

Head transverse. Eyes small, interocular dorsal distance ca. 2.3 times greater than eye diameter. Antennae filiform, long, attaining by antennomere 10 to apices of folded wings, with antennomere 3 ca. 1.3 times longer than pedicel (antennomere 2) and ca. 1.2 times shorter than antennomere 4; pubescence sub-erect and relatively short ( Fig. 3).

Pronotum transverse, ca. 1.2 times as wide as long, convex basally and slightly concave anteriorly, almost straight at sides, margined before bulging anterior angles, with small rounded anterior and posterior angles. Scutellum triangular, rounded at apex ( Fig. 3).

Elytra elongate, 2.6 times as long as wide at humeri, shortened, slightly narrowing distally; with coarse punctation in distal third; apices somewhat swollen ( Fig. 3).

Legs long and slender, tibiae straight, noticeably longer than femurs, tarsi narrow, hind tarsus ca. 1.5 times shorter than hind tibia ( Fig. 3).

Terminal tergite transverse, widening distally, with elongate paired apical processes, penultimate tergite elongate, somewhat constricted in the middle, with unmodified sides; terminal sternite elongate, narrowed before apex, with relatively short paired apical processes ( Figs 14, 15).

Aedeagus widening distally, with relatively short and concave before apex, in lateral aspect, median lobe, elongate, rounded and slightly widening distally parameres and distinctly widened, in lateral aspect, laterophyses ( Figs 16, 17).

Length (from anterior head margin to end of folded wings): 4 mm. Width (humerally): 0.8 mm.

Female. Unknown.

Etymology. The new species is named after Dr Nikita Vikhrev (Moscow, Russia), who collected the type specimen.