Peltidocylapus simplex new species

(Figs 6c, 8h, 14l–q, 19d, e, f)

Diagnosis. Recognized by following set of features: dorsum dark brown-black (Fig. 6c); antennal segment II dark brown, tinged with dark yellow basally and with white annulation on apex that is much narrower than half of interocular distance (Fig. 6c); posterior lobe with strongly developed swelling medially (Fig. 6c); scutellum covered with long, erect setae, with strongly convex, longitudinal swelling medially (Fig. 6c); endosoma membranous, with large sclerotized, serrate lobe beneath sclerotized distal portion of ductus seminis (dss) (Figs 14l–n); dss broad and long, caliciform, with broad, weakly sclerotized, transparent portion dorsally (Fig; 14l); sclerotized plate on base of dss rather small, elliptical (Fig; 14l); left paramere apical process without any outgrowth (Figs. 14o, p); bursa copulatrix sclerotized rings large (Fig. 19d, e); ventral labiate plate with broad, irregularly shaped sclerotization.

Description. Male. COLORATION (Fig. 6c). Dorsum dark brownish black. Head. Fuscous tinged with dark yellow; antennal segment I dark stramineous; segment II dark brown, tinged with dark yellow basally and with white annulation on apex that is much narrower than half of interocular distance; segments III and IV dark brown; labium varying from fuscous dark yellow, tinged with red to entirely black. Thorax. Pronotum. Varying from dark brown to black. Mesoscutum and scutellum. Mesoscutum varying from dark castaneous to black; scutellum varying from dark brown castaneous with two large dark yellow patches each situated baso-laterally to entirely black, apex with small dark yellow spot. Thoracic pleura. Proepimeron and proepisternum dark brown to black; remaining pleura dark brown. Hemelytron. Dark brown; cuneus tinged with red basally; membrane dark grey. Legs. Procoxa dark castaneous to black; meso- and metacoxae varying from yellow to dark yellow tinged with dark brown basally; proleg dark brown with more or dark yellow annulation subapically. Abdomen. Varying from castaneous with yellow areas to entirely black. TEXTURE AND VESTITURE (Fig. 6c). Thorax. Scutellum. Covered with long, erect setae. Hemelytron. Covered with dense, semi-recumbent and erect setae. STRUCTURE (Fig. 6c). Thorax. Pronotum. Posterior lobe with strongly developed swelling medially. Scutellum. With strongly convex, broad longitudinal swelling medially. Abdomen. Genitalia. Endosoma membranous, with large sclerotized, serrate lobe beneath sclerotized distal portion of ductus seminis (dss) (Figs 14l, m, n); dss broad and long, caliciform, with broad, weakly sclerotized, transparent portion dorsally (Figs 14l, n); sclerotized plate on base of dss rather small, elliptical (Fig. 14l); left paramere C-shaped, apical process without lateral outgrowth (Figs 14o, p); right paramere sickle-shaped (Fig. 14q).

Female. Like male in coloration, structure, texture, and vestiture. Genitalia. Bursa copulatrix trapezoidal (Figs 19d, e); sclerotized rings large, kidney-shaped (Figs 19d, e); ventral labiate plate with broad, irregularly shaped sclerotization.

Measurements. (♂ / ♀, * holotype measurements): Body. Length: 6.2*–6.3/7.0, width 2.0–2.2*/2.5. Head. Length: 0.55*/0.55, width: 1.2*/1.25, interocular distance 0.4*/0.5. Antenna. Length of segment I: 0.7*/0.7, II: 2.85–2.9*/3.05, III: 4.0*/4.1, IV: 2.45*/3.95. Labium. Length of segment I: 0.7*–0.62/0.94, II: 0.825*/1.0, III: 0.90*/0.97, IV: 0.35*/0.5. Pronotum. Length 1.0*–1.05/1.2, width of anterior margin: 1.05–1.1*/1.35, length of lateral margin: 0.95*–1.05/1.15, width of posterior margin: 2.15*–2.2/2.55.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin “simplex meaning simple and is used to denote the left paramere apical process without an outgrowth.

Biology. Unknown.

Distribution. Ecuador (Orellana).

Remarks. P. simplex is most like P. ecuadorensis by possessing long setae on the scutellum (Fig. 11l). In can be easily distinguished by the left paramere apical process devoid of an outgrowth (Figs 14o, p).

Type material. Holotype ♂: Ecuador: Orellana Yuturi Lodge, Rio Napo, 270 m, 032’54”S, 762’18’’W, 20 Mar 1999, R. Brooks, ECU 1B99 002, ex: fungus covered log; SM0156643 KUHM–ENT (KU); paratypes: ♀: the same data as in holotype except: 21 Mar 1999, ECU 1B99 014 (KU); ♂: Ecuador: Orellana, Tiputini Biodiversity Station, 216 m, 0 37’55”S, 7608’39’’W, 21 Oct 1998, T.L. Erwin et al. collectors; insecticidal fogging of mostly bare green leaves, some with covering of lichenous or bryophytic plants, Lot 1989, Trans. T–9; ♂: Ecuador: Limoncocha 031’S, 7638’W, 31 Mar ’74, El. 300 m, H. P. Stockwell (AMNH).