Lasiocolpus maesi n. sp

(Fig. 266)

Diagnosis: Characterized by its small size, the presence of very small punctuations on posterior lobe of pronotum, males without copulatory teeth and by the dorsal coloration.

Description: Measurements, see Table VII. Male: Dorsal view: Body oblong. General coloration brown: head (excepting tylus that is paler) and pronotum shining-reddish brown with hemelytra opaque brown (excepting the basal third of exocorion which are pale brownish), legs and antennae yellowish-brown excepting the extreme base of antennal segments I and II which are darker. Dorsal setae dark, short, sparse, erect. Head: Smooth, shining, prolonged anteriorly more than twice the length of one eye; eyes small, ocelli reduced, interocular space wide (Fig. 271); antennal segment II linear, not thickened towards apex and longer than width of head; antennal segments: (I:II:III:IV) 1: 3.7: 2.9: 2.6. Thorax: Pronotum shining, subquadrangular, with lateral margins slightly sinuate, rounded posterior angles and posterior margin slightly concave; calli smooth, not well delimited; posterior lobe with small punctures (Fig. 279); foretibiae armed with row of sparse short teeth on apical 2/3 (Fig. 272); forefemora slightly wider than the mid- and hindfemora, unarmed; pads underdeveloped (Fig. 273). Hemelytra with characteristic punctures with setae emerging from them, characteristic outer margin of hemelytra with small teeth that probably have a stridulatory function (Fig. 275). Metasternum elongate apically, acute, sulcate medially (Fig. 274). Abdomen: Laterotergites II–IV with dense small punctures (Figs. 276 in males and 280 in females). Setae on dorsal surface of abdomen short, sparse, with row of longer setae on apical margin of each segment. No grouping of copulatory teeth on sixth abdominal segment. Genitalia: Pygophore (Fig. 277) with left paramere short, thick, externally nearly straight, excepting apical area which is curved (Fig. 278). Internally with a well developed basal elbow, centrally concave and apically with a small and curved tip. Female: Antennal segments (I:II:III:IV) 1: 3: 2.5: 2.3. Similar to male in coloration. Parietovaginal gland and central punctures on seventh sternite inapparent (Fig. 281).

Distribution: Nicaragua (Fig. 270).

Material examined: Holotype. ♂, NICARAGUA: Zelaya, Cº Saslaya, IV-1996, Maës-Hernandez. MACN; 2 ♂ (one slide-mounted), 1 ♀, same data as Holotype. MACN, MLEN; 1 ♂ 1 ♀, Rio las Latas, 2-VI-1997, 2200 m, Maës-Hernandez. MACN.

Discussion: This species differs from the other “small species” of the genus ( L. biguttatus, L. minor and L. vivianai) by having paler areas on corion, the inapparent dorsal pilosity and by its short and thick left paramere. This paramere is similar to that of L. sinuatiollis but differs from it by having the inner margin with a greater concavity and short, blunt apex.

Etymology: The specific name is given in honour to Dr. Jean Michel Maës, from the Museo de Ciencias Naturales de León, Nicaragua.