Tybalmia mydas (Lucas, 1859)

(Figs 19–23, 37)

Oncideres mydas Lucas, 1859: 190 .

Tybalmia mydas; Bates, 1872: 201.

Tybalmia tetrops Bates, 1872: 201 . Syn. nov.

Note: see full references on Monné (2022) and Tavakilian & Chevillotte (2022).

Remarks. Lucas (1859) described Oncideres mydas based on a single male from the interior of Brazil. Bates (1872) described T. tetrops based on a single female from Brazil (Amazonas) and reported: “… near T. mydas, Lucas, Voy. de Castelnau, Ins. pl. 13, f. 2.” Therefore, it was Bates (1872) who transferred O. mydas to Tybalmia, and not Gemminger (1873) as indicated by Monné (2023) and Tavakilian & Chevillotte (2022). Since the original description, no other specimens of T. mydas have been formally reported. Dillon & Dillon (1945) provided a translation of the original description, and separated T. mydas from the other species of the genus in their key: “1. Elytra without a larger dark macula behind middle of each disk…. mydas . / Elytra with one or more larger maculae just behind middle of each disk… 2 [leading to the other species of the genus].” However, although the original description does not mention it, the illustration of the dorsal habitus (Fig. 37) makes it evident that there are two larger dark maculae after middle of the elytra. In fact, these maculae are identical and in the same area as those in T. tetrops . Additionally, both maculae may be distinctly small, especially the outermost one (Fig. 19). Both species have the three dark longitudinal bands on vertex (the median groove plus one on each side of it), and humerus with a single tubercle. According to Nearns & Tavakilian (2015), “The type specimen [ Oncideres mydas] is not found in MNHN [Museum national d’Histoire naturelle] collection and is presumed to be lost.” Comparing photograph of the holotype of T. tetrops, illustrations of the holotype of T. mydas, and the original descriptions, it is possible to conclude that they are, respectively, a female and a male of the same species. Therefore, T. tetrops is synonymized with T. mydas .

Current geographical distribution. Ecuador, Peru, Brazil (Amazonas).

Material examined. BRAZIL, Amazonas: Benjamin Constant, Rio Javari, 1 female, VIII.1962, local collector (MZSP, formerly Diringshofen collection) ; 1 male, XII.1961, local collector (MZSP, formerly Diringshofen collection) ; 1 female, X.1962, local collector (MZSP, formerly Diringshofen collection). Ceará (new state record): Carquejo, 1 female, IV.1966, local collector (MZSP, formerly Diringshofen collection) .