Phratora jinchuanensis Ge and Wang

Ge, Si-Qin, Yang, Xing-Ke, Wang, Shu-Yong, Li, Wen-Zhu & Cui, Jun-Zhi, 2004, Two New Species of Phratora Chevrolat from China (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 58 (1), pp. 133-137 : 135-136

Phratora jinchuanensis Ge and Wang , new species

(Figs. 6–9)

Description. Body elongate. Length: 4.9–5.1 mm (measured from the apex of the clypeus to the apex of the elytra); width: 2.24–2.31 mm (measured at base of the elytra). Color: Metallic dark-brown or bluish-purple; underside of thorax dark-blue; two basal segments of antennae at apex, four apical sternites of abdomen, apex of clypeus, claws reddish-brown; eyes golden yellow. Head: Clypeus with coarse and dense punctures and sparse pubescence; frons with coarse and dense punctures; central vertex with a longitudinal concave, with dense and fine punctures, more sparse than those of frons and clypeus; eyes elliptical; average dorso-ventral eye length ¼ 0.52 mm; average interocular distance (at dorso-mesal margins) ¼ 0.48 mm; apical segment of maxillary palpi longer than third segment, truncate apically. Antennae: Slender, antennae extending beyond base of elytra, each segment with dense bristles, segment (1–11) length (average of type series) in millimeters 0.28, 0.16, 0.20, 0.13, 0.13, 0.13, 0.16, 0.13, 0.13, 0.13, 0.24. Pronotum: Average length at middle ¼ 1.82 mm, average width at middle ¼ 2.10 mm. without a marginal bead along base of pronotum, anterior margin with marginal bead along apex of pronotum, with protruding anterior angles; lateral margins straight, slightly rounded upward; central disc with dense punctures, basal and lateral area with much dense punctures. Scutellum: Shape triangular, rounded at apex, impunctate. Elytron: Length ¼ 4.21 mm, width (at middle) ¼ 3.0 mm. elongated, apex weakly acute; Slightly broader than base of pronotum; humeral callus prominent, with fine punctures; surface with six striae near sutural margin regular, almost geminated, interstice with fine punctures, other striae irregular, with much dense punctures, interstice with fine punctures. Epipleuron broadened basely, slighted narrowed posteriorly, impunctate. Hind wing: Reduced, obsolete. Venter: Shiny, with very fine pubescence. Prosternal process smooth and impunctate, shagreened, apically truncate, slightly broadened; procoxal cavities elongate, open; mesosternal process narrow, with fine and sparse punctures; metasternum impunctate, anterior margin emarginate; abdominal sternites with small shallow punctures. Legs: With sparse and large punctures and prominent pubescence, especially on lateral margin of tibiae and ventral surface of tarsi; femur elongate, tibiae slender, with dense pubescence especially at apex, third segment of tarsi bilobed, claws appendiculate. Median lobe (Figs. 6–8): In lateral view strongly bent, extreme apex reflexed (Fig. 6), in dorsal view with two triangular tooth-shaped projection near apex (Fig. 7), in ventral view broadened basally, tapered to apex, slightly pointed apically, with two subsperical raised areas near apex (Fig. 8). Spermatheca (Fig. 9): With receptacle longer than pump. Receptacle with internal side slightly concave and external side convex, tapened and slightly curved apically.

Variation. All males of the type series are similar in size, shape and luster. The female is slightly longer and broader, but not significantly different from the male.

Types. Holotype, male: China, Sichuan, Jinchuan, 1993-V-VI, 2,300 m, collector Unknown, (Deposited in the Zoological Museum , Institute of Zoology , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing, P. R. China, ( IZAS)). 59 paratypes (18 males and 41 females), same data and deposition as holotype.

Etymology. The new species is named for the locality where the holotype was colleted.

Distribution. China: Sichuan Province.

Host Plant. Salicacea.

Diagnosis. The new species is allied to P. vulgitissima (Linnaeus) , differing primarily in marginal bead along the base of pronotum, median lobe morphology and vestiture of antennae, as follows: possessing marginal bead along the base of pronotum; antennae with dense pubescence only in fourth to sixth segments; median lobe in lateral view only slightly bent, extreme apex slightly reflexed; in dorsal view truncate apically.