Xyloctonus maculatus Schedl, 1965

Jordal, Bjarte H., 2024, Integrated taxonomy, biology and biogeography of the Afrotropical genus Xyloctonus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae), Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 71 (1), pp. 67-84 : 67

Xyloctonus maculatus Schedl, 1965

Figs 35 , 38 , 41

Xyloctonus maculatus Schedl, 1965b: 113.

Type material.

Paratype: South Africa, Cape Province, Port Elisabeth [-33.7, 25.6], VIII. 1960, ex Sideroxylon inerme , leg. J.S. Taylor [NHMW].

Diagnosis.

Length 1.7-2.2 mm, 2.1-2.2 × as long as wide, colour light to dark brown, with small, dark spots on elytra; antennal club with two visible procurved sutures; eyes not divided, but deeply emarginated; anterior margin of pronotum with four raised teeth, median pair longest; elytral interstriae 9 curves before apex and continues to elytral suture; scutellar shield rounded, with two tiny pits at anterior corners; elytral suture straight; elytral declivity long, nearly vertical; venter nearly straight.

Distribution.

South Africa.

New records.

South Africa, Western Cape Province, Natures Valley [-33.965, 23.562], 8 Nov. 2007, ex Sideroxylon inerme , B. Jordal, leg. [ZMUB].

Biology.

Exclusively recorded from Sideroxylon inerme ( Sapotaceae ). Fallen trees were crowded with males running on the surface in search of females sitting in newly-excavated tunnel openings. Mating occurred at the entrance with only the posterior part of the female exposed. There was no nuptial chamber. Egg galleries were dense and males were guarding the entrance as long as the female was accessible.

Figures

Figures 34 - 42. Dorsal, lateral and front view of X. bimarginatus (34, 37, 40); X. maculatus (35, 38, 41); X. genieri, holotype (36, 39, 42).