Pujoliclerus megalus Opitz, 2014

Opitz, Weston, 2014, Classification, Natural History, and Evolution of the Checkered Beetle GenusPujoliclerusPic (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Peloniinae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 68 (4), pp. 727-756 : 727-756

Pujoliclerus megalus Opitz , new species ( Figs. 40 , 70 , 112 , 125 )

Holotype. ♀. COLOMBIA: Santander del Norte, Prima , 1-700 m, 29-V-1965, J. & B. Bechyne ( FSCA).

Diagnosis. This species is distinguishable from superficially similar specimens of P. flavoapicalus by the less robustly lobate funicular antennomeres.

Description. Size: Length 7.0 mm; width 2.1 mm. Form: As in Fig. 112 . Integument: Head yellow, epicranium with black streak; antenna mostly brown, last antennomere yellow; pronotal disc black, remainder yellow; elytra predominantly brown, epipleural margin broadly yellow, sutural margin narrowly yellow; legs mostly yellow, anterior margin infuscated; ptero- t h o r a x a n d a b d o m e n b r o w n. Head: E y e s wider than frons (18:14); funicular antennomeres considerably expanded, 6 th antennomere very large ( Fig. 40 ). Thorax: Pronotum transverse (46:42), lateral tubercle very prominent ( Fig. 70 ); elytron with lateral ridge mesad to epipleural fold, epipleural fold gradually diminishing to elytral apex; asetiferous punctures prominent in anterior elytral 2/3. Abdomen: Aedeagus not available.

Natural History. The type was collected during May, at an altitude between 1 and 700 m.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in Colombia ( Fig. 125 ).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a Greek adjective that stems from megas (= large)

and refers to the extraordinary large size of antennomere 6.

Figures

Figs. 39–47. Pujoliclerus species, antennae. 39) P. macilentus; 40) P. megalus; 41) P. argus; 42) P. aspigalbus;

Figs. 62–75. Pujoliclerus species, pronota. 62) P. oxinus; 63) P. alajuela; 64) P. megacavus; 65) P. alboordinus; 66) P. pallidus; 67) P. apolegmus; 68) P. catarina; 69) P. macilentus; 70) P. megalus; 71) P. argus; 72) P. aspigalbus; 73) P. flora; 74) P. posticalis; 75) P. ostrinus.

Figs. 110–115. Pujoliclerus species, habitus. 110) P. catarina; 111) P. macilentus; 112) P. megalus; 113) P. argus;

Fig. 125. Geographic distribution of six Pujoliclerus species.