Nespilobaris inflatirostris (Voss) Voss, 2014

Prena, Jens, Yang, Jiani, Ren, Li, Wang, Zhiliang, Liu, Ning & Zhang, Runzhi, 2014, Nomenclatural changes, new country records and range extensions of Baridinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) from China, Zootaxa 3841 (3), pp. 339-363 : 352-353

Nespilobaris inflatirostris (Voss) , new combination

( Figs. 14 , 17 )

Acythopeus inflatirostris Voss 1941: 893 .

Holotype female, Tienmuschan, China ( NHMB); examined.

Acythopeus proximus Voss 1958: 82 .

Holotype Kuatun [Guadun], Fujian, China ( NHRS); not examined, ID based on 2 PT in AKMB. New synonymy.

Diagnosis. The basal hump on the rostrum in combination with a paired dorsal vitta ( Fig. 14 ) make N. inflatirostris relatively conspicuous in the Chinese weevil fauna. Very large males have flat, subcordate elytra with a laterally protruding edge and an anteriorly extremely tubular prothorax; they look exasperatingly different than females and small males. Moreover, the rostrum of very small males can be disproportionally short while the scape is normal. Several species with a similar color pattern occur in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Notes. Voss (1958) described small, almost parallel-sided specimens with a deviating male rostrum as a distinct species, Acythopeus proximus , but intermediate forms to A. inflatirostris indicate that this is a single, polymorphic species. We transfer the species to Nespilobaris Morimoto & Yoshihara because of the basally constricted profemur and the basally deeply sulcate rostrum. The genus is widespread in the Old World (including Africa and Australia) and may have a more senior, overlooked name.

Distribution. The species has been found in China (Anhui, Fujian, Guizhou, Zhejiang) and Laos ( Fig. 17 ).

Biology. Unknown.

Material examined. CHINA. Anhui: Taipingshien, X/1934 ( JPPC 2). Fujian: Daanyuan, Wuyishan, 24.–27.iv.2013 ( IZCAS 1) ; Guadun, 28.iii.1946, 6.x.1946 ( AKMB 2), 2.iv.1946 ( HNHM 1) ; 27.4º N 117.4º E [Shaowu or near], 29.iv.1938 ( AKMB 1). Guizhou: Zhiyuyou, Fanjingshan, Huixiangping, 2.viii.2001 ( IZCAS 1). Zhejiang: Fengyangshan, 2.vii.2008 ( IZCAS 1) ; Longwangshan, Anji, 7.iv.1996 ( IZCAS 1) ; Tienmushan, 21.v.1936 ( IZCAS 1) ; West Qianqintang, Hangzhou, 6.–7.viii.2008 ( IZCAS 3) ; West Tianmushan, Sanmuping, 30.vii.1998 ( IZCAS 1). LAOS. Houa Phan: Ban Saluei to Phou Pane Mt. , 10.v.–16.vi.2009 ( NHMB 1 ).

Figures

FIGURES 13 – 16. Dorsal and lateral habitus images. 13, Pteridobaris maritima, 4.3 mm, Hong Kong. 14, Nespilobaris inflatirostris, 4.5 mm, West Qianqintang (Zhejiang). 15, Ulobaris kuchenbeisseri, 3.7 mm, Beijing. 16, Ulobaris loricata, 5.1 mm, Azuoqi Helanshan (Inner Mongolia).

FIGURES 17 – 18. Map of mainland China and surrounding countries showing distribution of Acythogaster babaulti, Baris artemisiae, Nespilobaris inflatirostris, Athesapeuta albisquama and Pellobaris melancholica.