1. Peridinetus melastomae Champion

(Fig. 11, 12)

Peridinetus melastomae Champion, 1907: 174 . Seidlitz (1909: 326).

Conophoria melastomae . Casey (1922: 9).

Peridinetus (Conophoria) melanostoma . Hustache (1938: 9) [lapsus or uncommented emendation]. Peridinetus (Conophoria) melanostomae . Blackwelder (1947: 887) [lapsus]. Peridinetus (Conophoria) melastomae . O’Brien & Wibmer (1982: 178).

Diagnosis. Peridinetus melastomae is very similar to P. lateralis (see diagnosis there). It differs from that species by the subconical shape of the pronotum (Fig. 11, 54), absence of white spots on the pronotal disk and less depressed elytral disk. The studied specimens were 6.7–10.1 mm long (standard length 6.4–9.8 mm).

Distribution. The species has been found in Costa Rica and Panama at 1000–2900 m elevation.

Plant association. Piper pittieri (Prena 15 ×, larvae and adults), P. tenuimucronatum (Prena 8 ×), P. lanceaefolium (Prena 2 ×), P. obliquum (Prena 2 ×), P. e p i g y n i u m (Prena 1 ×).

Type material. Holotype, Costa Rica, [Valle de los] Arcángeles (BMNH).

Material examined. Costa Rica. Cartago: R.F. Río Macho, Hwy. km 96, 2900 m (INBC 1, JPPC 12); R.F. Río Macho, La Esperanza del Guarco, Hwy. km 61, 2400 m (INBC 1); Cañon, Hwy. km 58, Genesis II, 2300 m (JPPC 7). Heredia: P.N. Braulio Carrillo, 6 km ENE Vara Blanca, 2000 m (INBC 1, JPPC 8), Est. Barva, 2500 m (INBC 4). Limón: Cerros Tararia, 2650 m (INBC 2); P.N. La Amistad, Valle del Silencio, 2500 m (JPPC 8). Puntarenas: R.F. Los Santos, Hwy. km 70, Mirador de Quetzales, 2650 m (JPPC 2); San Gerardo de Dota, 2400 m (INBC 1, JPPC 3); Monteverde, 1500–1600 m (CHAH 1, INBC 1, JPPC 3). San José: Valle de los Arcángeles, 1500 m (BMNH 1); 3 km NE Esperanza (HPSC 1). Panamá. Chiriquí: Volcán, 2600 m (BMNH 1). Total 65 specimens.