Beaverium perplexus ( Schedl 1969 )

Hulcr, Jiri & Cognato, Anthony I., 2009, Three new genera of oriental Xyleborina (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), Zootaxa 2204, pp. 19-36 : 26-27

Beaverium perplexus ( Schedl 1969) comb. n.

Previous genus: Xyleborus

Diagnosis: Pronotum without prominent elevated carina on the anterior margin, typical for most Beaverium spp., pronotal disc with faint asperities. Broadly rounded apex of elytra, unlike B. insulindicus , where elytral apex is usually straight or even slightly emarginate. Declivital punctures mostly in rows, confused at elytral apex, but not completely confused as in other Beaverium . The costa at the posterolateral edges of declivity is unusually elevated, almost broader than the rest of elytra, creating conspicuously large declivital plane.

Length: 4.8–5.1 mm.

Discussion. Schedl (1969) mentioned its similarity to B. insulindicus (as Xyleborus ). Browne (1984) also mentioned the similarity of this species to Beaverium (as Xyleborus ) insulindicus , and distinguished it by more dense punctures on declivity. The punctures were said to be more confused, not strictly following the striae. However this contradicts the morphology of the holotype. The species differs from B. insulindicus very little, and intermediate forms may eventually be found. The pronotum often appears taller, but not always. Wood & Bright (1992) indicate that the holotype of X. perplexus Schedl was collected in Kerevat, New Britain. The holotype is from Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands District, Papua New Guinea.

Biology: Probably a strictly montane species. All known records come from Chimbu or Western Highland Provinces.

Examined material: New Guinea, Western Highlands, Mt. Hagen, (lectotype, desig. Hulcr & Cognato 2009, ANIC); PNG: Chimbu Prov. (64), J. Hulcr 2002–2006.