Exochomoscirtes hashimi KLAUSNITZER, 2020

Kovac, Damir & Klausnitzer, Bernhard, 2020, A new species of Exochomoscirtes PIC, 1916 from Malaysia (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scirtidae) with biological notes on the bamboo-inhabiting members of the genus, Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 70 (1), pp. 167-180 : 170-171

Exochomoscirtes hashimi KLAUSNITZER spec. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:4D2AA5A6-DB2D-4B5F-AE91-E8C985FFA4DD

Holotype:  (ex larva), Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Ulu Gombak Field Studies Centre , 1989-04- 30, water-filled internode in dead bamboo stem, leg. D. KOVAC.

Paratype: 1  (ex larva), Malaysia, 1989-04-30, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Ulu Gombak Field Studies Centre , waterfilled internode in dead bamboo stem, leg. D. KOVAC .

Habitat: Water-filled dead bamboo stems with small

holes or cracks in the wall.

Host plant: Gigantochloa scortechinii .

Distribution: Peninsular Malaysia (Selangor Darul

Ehsan).

Body uniformly reddish brown ( Fig. 1 ), oval (total length/ greatest body width = Holotype: 1.50; Paratype: 1.71). Total length = Holotype: 4.72 mm; Paratype: 4.69 mm.

Head densely and finely punctate; pilosity dense, somewhat protruding and light-colored. Distance between eyes 0.67; 0.63 mm. Antenna reddish brown.

Pronotum densely and finely punctate, surface between punctures smooth (x 100 magnification); pilosity dense and light-colored, especially on front and side margins. Length in the center of pronotum 0.77; 0.79 mm; maximum width of pronotum 2.00; 1.98 mm. Scutellum punctate and pilose as pronotum.

Elytra punctate as pronotum, surface between punctures smooth (x 100 magnification), pilosity light-colored, with faint marks of two longitudinal ridges. Maximum width of elytra 3.14; 2.75 mm; maximum length of elytra 3.95; 3.90 mm.

Larger metatibial spur straight, only apex slightly curved, length 0.47; 0.42 mm; shorter spur slightly curved, length 0.27; 0.24. Length of metatibia 1.30 mm, length of first segment of metatarsus 0.50 mm.

Sternites yellowish brown; front edges of sternites 3-6 narrow dark brown. Posterior margin of sternite 7 slightly truncate in middle ( Fig. 2 ). Total length 1.71; 1.47 mm; greatest width 0.57; 0.51 mm.

Sternite 9 composed of two oblong sclerites, tapering caudally, densely covered with bristles at apex. Sternite 9 truncate between sclerites ( Fig. 3 ). Each hemisternite weakly reinforced by a rod-shaped structure located in centre front. Shape of sternite 9 resembles Elodes : a narrow shaft, broad plate parallel on sides, caudally covered with setae. Total length of sternite 9: 0.47; 0.52 mm; greatest width 0.18; 0.21 mm.

Tergite 7 composed of a broad plate and strongly sclerotized Bacilla lateralia curved inward ( Fig. 4 ). Central part of posterior edge sclerotized and truncate (rear width of tergite 7: 0.10 mm), tapering into inclined, pointed apices (front distance between apices 0.18 mm) ( Fig. 5 ).

Tergite 8 composed of a rounded plate with indented posterior margin and strongly sclerotized, very faintly curved Bacilla lateralia, which are arched and interconnected in the center of the plate ( Fig. 6 ). Edge of indentation 0.04 mm deep, bearing small teeth. Total length of tergite 8: 1.05; 0.97 mm; greatest width of plate 0.53; 0.60 mm. Length of Bacilla lateralia 0.88; 0.90 mm. Plate of tergite 9 weakly sclerotized, rear part densely covered with pointed microtrichia. Bacilla lateralia almost straight ( Fig. 7 ). Total length of tergite 9: 0.60; 0.62 mm; greatest width of plate 0.31; 0.32 mm.

Tegmen with transverse capulus, indented on sides (width 0.26; 0.20 mm). Parameres outwardly directed, approximately half-way angled inwards ( Fig. 8 ), lobe-shaped in posterior part. Middle projection almost 3/4 as long as parameres, apically rounded. Total length of tegmen 0.43; 0.47 mm; greatest width 0.36; 0.24 mm; Length of middle projection from base 0.22; 0.23 mm.

Penis with triangular pala and narrow edge, almost straight in front, tapering backward ( Fig. 9 ). Parameroides distinctly separated. Total length of penis 0.36; 0.35 mm; greatest width of pala 0.13; 0.12 mm.

Etymology: The species is named after Dr. Rosli Hashim from the University of Malaya, who supported DK in the field in his capacity as head of the Ulu Gombak Field Studies Centre.

Figures

Figs 1–5: Exochomoscirtes hashimi spec. nov.: (1) Habitus, dorsal, including exuviae and detached abdomen; (2) Sternite 7;

Figs 6–9: Exochomoscirtes hashimi spec. nov.: (6) Tergite 8; (7) Tergite 9; (8) Tegmen; (9) Penis.