Discomorpha putamayoensis, Borowiec, Lech, 2006

Borowiec, Lech, 2006, Four new species of Discomorpha Chevrolat, 1837 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Omocerini), with key to Discomorpha s. str., Zootaxa 1357, pp. 45-60 : 50-52

Discomorpha (s. str.) putamayoensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis

This species belongs to the group of species with triangular pronotum, tuberculate elytra, moderately broad apex of elytral epipleura, elytral disc with ground colour red and dark spots with more or less intense metallic tint, and pubescent elytra. Postscutellar impressions black with metallic tint. The group comprises also Discomorpha miniata (Bohema) , D. mirifica (Boheman) , maculate form of D. languinosa (Boheman) , and D. giganteensis sp. nov. First three species distinctly differ in partly or mostly reddish postscutellar impressions while in Discomorpha putamayoensis and D. giganteensis postscutellar impressions are black with metallic tint. The two species are very similar and close geographically. Discomorpha putamayoensis is at first glance paler coloured with red background of elytral disc and explanate margin with few metallic spots, while in D. giganteensis spots are numerous and dorsum appears more maculate. In Discomorpha putamayoensis body is slightly broader but more converging posterad than in D. giganteensis , especially in females. At first glance Discomorpha salvini (Baly) is very similar but differs in bare elytra, while in D. putamayoensis elytra are distinctly pubescent.

Description

Length: male 14.0– 14.9 mm, female 16.6 mm; width: male 14.6–15.5 mm, female 16.1; width of pronotum: both sexes 8.9–9.7 mm, length of pronotum: both sexes 3.9–4.2 mm; length/width ratio: male 0.96, female 1.03; width/length ratio of pronotum: both sexes 2.28–2.31. Body in male and female very broad, in male moderately in female strongly converging posterad ( Fig. 6, 7 ).

Head black with two small, round, red spots between eyes. Pronotum black with very dark green-blue metallic tint. Scutellum black. Elytral disc mostly red with dark metallic green-blue variable pattern. Least metallic are: whole postscutellar impressions and humeri, suture, moderately broad band along lateral margin of elytra, and some interspaces behind elytral tubercle. Of three examined specimens, one has no other dark markings, another has additional dark interspaces laterally to elytral tubercle and along suture, and three small spots on margin of disc, and the last specimen has three additional round, large spots on sides of disc, close to margin, and several small, irregular spots on red background of explanate margin of elytra. Antennal segments 1–5 reddish-brown ventrally and black dorsally, segments 6–11 black. Ventrites and legs black.

Pronotum subtriangular, sides strongly converging anterad, lateral margins straight. Anterior margin shallowly emarginate, anterior corners obsolete. Top of disc with two shallow impressions. Disc dull, median smooth line runs from anterior margin of pronotum to 3/4 length of disc. Punctation of disc very fine and sparse. Whole surface covered by moderately long adherent hair.

Elytra very broad, humeri in male regularly rounded, in female anterior margin of humeri on long distance almost straight, runs obliquely posterad. Elytra widest in anterior 1/4 length then in male moderately, in female distinctly converging posterad. Disc with large postscutellar tubercle ( Fig. 8 ). Elytral profile behind the top of tubercle distinctly concave. Postscutellar impressions distinct, bordered laterally by low fold, dull in anterior half and shiny on sides of elytral tubercle. Punctation of disc moderately coarse but dense, on sides of disc punctures almost touching each other, in specimen without dark pattern surface does not appear reticulate, in specimens with interspaces marked with metallic pattern surface appears slightly reticulate. Explanate margin of elytra impunctate, its surface dull. Elytra covered by pubescence. In female hairs erect, long and dense on whole surface of elytra, in male hairs distinctly shorter and sparser than in female, distinct and erect in humeral part of elytra, gradually shorter and semierect posteriorly, on slope hairs hardly visible. Apex of elytral epipleura with long, dense, erect pubescence.

Antennae long, distal part with long and dull segments 1.89–2.04 times as long as basal part with short and glabrous segments. Segments 3 and 5 slightly shorter than segment 4. Segment 7 approximately 1.2 times as long as segments 5 and 6 combined. Ventrites without diagnostic characters. Male genitalia typical for the genus ( Fig. 14, 15 ). Spermatheca a little characteristic ( Fig. 19 ).

Types

Holotype male: “ PERU, Loreto, Putamayo riv., IV 1977 ” // “ HOLOTYPE ” [red label] // “ Discomorpha (s. str.) putamayoensis n. sp., HOLOTYPUS, des. L. Borowiec ‘06”; Two paratypes: “ PERU, Loreto, Putamayo riv., IV 1977 ” // “ PARATYPE ” [red label] // “ Discomorpha (s. str.) putamayoensis n. sp., PARATYPUS, des. L. Borowiec ‘06” (holotype and paratype preserved in DBET).

Figures

FIGURES 6 – 11. 6 – 8. Discomorpha putamayoensis sp. nov.: 6. Holotype male dorsal; 7. Paratype female dorsal; 8. Paratype female lateral; 9 – 11. Discomorpha giganteensis sp. nov.: 9. Holotype male dorsal; 10. Paratype female dorsal; 11. Paratype female lateral.

FIGURES 12 – 19. 12, 13. Discomorpha atahualpai sp. nov.: 12. Apex of penis; 13. Penis lateral; 8. Paratype female lateral; 14, 15, 19. Discomorpha putumayoensis sp. nov.: 14. Apex of penis; 15. Penis lateral; 19. Spermatheca; 16, 17. Discomorpha giganteensis sp. nov.: 16. Apex of penis; 17. Penis lateral; 18. Discomorpha howdenorum sp. nov.: Spermatheca.