Mythapion simplex (Béguin-Billecocq) Kissinger, David G., 2005

Kissinger, David G., 2005, Review Of Apioninae Of Chile (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Apionidae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 59 (1), pp. 71-90 : 88-89

Mythapion simplex (Béguin-Billecocq) , new combination

Apion simplex Béguin-Billecocq (1909: 459) . Type locality: Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Syntype probably?, labeled ‘‘ République Argentine; Province de Buenos-Ayres,’’ examined (MNHN).

Mythapion simplex is close to M. adesmiae but has the pronotum less distinctly constricted apically and its vestiture is more distinct than M. adesmiae ; for M. simplex the scales around the eye are similar in length and coarseness to those on the sides of the prothorax and on the femora whereas M. adesmiae has distinctly coarser scales on the femora. Most of the material for M. adesmiae is in poor condition, but the difference in vestiture appears to be real.

This study was begun at the urging of Dr. Guillermo Kuschel who provided much material for study from his personal collection now in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. I am deeply grateful to him for his encouragement and help, including copies of his papers, comments on my keys, and information about the Philippi types which he examined recently. He generously allowed me to present valuable biological information about apionids that he personally collected during his 15 years of field studies in Chile. Dr. A. Descarpentries, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, in 1965–67 was most helpful in finding types of Béguin-Billecocq with which to prepare notes and photographs. Luis E. Peña in 1960–1970 and T. Cekalovic recently sold me many specimens of Chilean Apionidae ; I donated most of the Peña material to the USNM and CDAE. I am indebted to Dr. S. W. Lingafelter for a loan of Chilean Apionidae from the National Museum of Natural History. Dr. Robert S. Anderson loaned Chilean apionids from the Canadian Museum of Nature and from the collection of Henry and Anne Howden. Dr. Marek Wanat provided phylogenetic conclusions about his studies of Australasian apionids and much other valuable information and help. Dr. M. A. Alonso-Zarazaga was most helpful in explaining to me the finer points of etymology and in other ways. Sr. Mario Elgueta, Sección Entomología, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Santiago, Chile, provided valuable information about locality names in Chile which was most welcome. Mr. Wolfgang Suppantschitsch provided important specimens and friendship, which are deeply appreciated.

This paper is contributed in memory of Dr. Ross Arnett, a valued mentor and friend.