Paranoplischius modestus sp. nov.

(Figs 1–11, 41, 42)

Type material. Holotype. BRASIL. GO [Goiás]: Dianópolis, 11–14.I.1962, J. Bechyné col. (MZSP).

Paratypes. BRASIL. PA [Pará]: Benevides, F. Morelândia, 5.III.1985, N. Bittencourt, 1 ex. (MPEG); 5.III.1985, F.D. Ramos, 1 ex. (MPEG); 6.III.1987, J. Dias, 2exs (MPEG), 1 ex. (MZSP, retained MPEG); 6.IV.1983 A. Henriques, 1 ex. (MPEG); Itaiatuba, II.1961, Dirings, 1 ex. (MZSP); Ourém Patauateua, Faz. Gavião Real, 30.IV a 3.V.1992, B. Mascarenhas e eq., 1 ex. (MPEG); Peixe-Boi, 14.IV.1977, W.L. Overal, 1 ex. (MPEG). Paraíba: Areia, VII.955, Pe Pereira, 1 ex. (MZSP, retained MPEG). GO [Goiás]: Dianópolis, 11–14.I.1962, J. Bechyné col., 1 ex. (MZSP). MT [Mato Grosso]: S. Domingos, X.49, 2 exs (MZSP).

Length: 8.5 mm (holotype); 8–10mm (paratypes)

General integument (Figs 41, 42) dark or clear reddish-brown; legs clearer; antennae sometimes darker. Pubescence long, dense and yellowish, masking integument.

Frons (Figs 2, 41, 42) as long as wide, widened and strongly rounded anteriorly, surpassing frontoclypeal region; punctation moderately coarse and dense. Antenna (Figs 1, 42) narrow, subserrate with 11 antennomeres, surpassing hind angles of pronotum by two antennomeres in male; shorter in female; with longitudinal median carina in both sexes; 3rd antennomere slightly narrower at base and shorter than 4th.

Pronotum (Figs 2, 41, 42) as long as wide (including hind angles), narrowed and strongly convex anteriorly; lateral margins almost parallel on basal half; convexity decreasing basad; declivous between hind angles; punctation moderately coarse and dense, denser laterally; hind angles well developed, directed posteriorly and strongly carinate. Prosternum (Figs 4, 42) slightly convex, punctation coarse and sparse. Prosternal spine (Figs 3, 4) flattened between procoxae and compressed laterally apicad; apex rounded with subapical spine directed ventrally. Pronotosternal sutures wide, prothoracic groove well developed. Mesosternal cavity (Figs 3, 42) Ushaped with borders slender and horizontal on basal half. Mesepimeron and mesepisternum forming part of margin of mesocoxal cavity. Metacoxal plate (Fig. 5) moderately narrowed laterally; free margin with well developed rounded tooth. Tibial spurs very long. Tarsomeres 1–3 (Fig. 42) lamellate beneath; lamella of tarsomere 3 longer than tarsomere 4. Scutellum (Fig. 41) elongate, slightly narrowed apicad; distal margin rounded. Elytra (Figs 41, 42) very convex, narrowed on distal third; striae marked by row of punctures; interstices flat; apex sharpened with tiny distal spine.

Male. Tergite VIII (Fig. 8) as wide as long, round- and slightly narrowed apicad; translucent mediobasally; marginate by setae of varied sizes on distal 2/3. Sternite VIII (Fig. 6) wider than long, band-like; fore angles rounded; translucent with one C-shaped yellowish band each side; long setae near each fore angle. Sternite IX (Fig. 7) elongate, widened near middle, slightly narrowed apicad; setae moderately long on distal third. Tergite IX (Fig. 9) wider than long, narrowed apicad; coarsely punctate laterally; distal margin deep- and narrowly V-shaped emarginated, forming a rounded lobe each side; long setae laterally near each fore angle. Tergite X elongate, gradually narrowed apicad; some setae irregularly distributed on distal third. Aedeagus (Figs 10, 11) 2.5 times longer than wide; basal piece 0.8 times parameres (dorsally) length; apex of parameres cuneiform; cuneiform area almost straight laterally, with basal and distal angles rounded; a few long setae dorsal and several ventral of varied sizes; median lobe (excluding basal struts) shorter than parameres dorsally; slightly constricted at base and gradually narrowed apicad; wider area of median lobe wider than that of parameres (dorsally) at base.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a derivative of the Latin word modestus (=moderate) referring to the size of the specimens.