Eucalandra alas Anderson

Anderson, Robert S., 2008, A review of the Neotropical genus Eucalandra Faust, 1899 (Coleoptera; Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae), Zootaxa 1791, pp. 57-67 : 65-66

Eucalandra alas Anderson , sp. n.

( Figs. 9–10 , 16 , 19–20 , 23 )

Description. Length 7.8–8.9 mm; width 2.3–2.6 mm. Integument ( Figs. 9–10 ) reddish brown, dorsally with black chevron in middle of pronotum, venter black, legs variously infuscate; distinct yellow-white scales present, various in size, widespread over body, forming condensed patch of elytral intervals 5–8 just anterior to declivity ( Costa Rica); or integument fully black, lacking distinct scales ( Panama). Antennal scape ( Fig. 16 ) as long as funicle, club with basal shiny, glabrous portion comprising basal 2/3 to 4/5 length of club. Front femora with inner margin simple, occluding area on front tibiae simple, not modified; middle and hind femora and tibiae with inner margins simple. Front tibia with inner margin very finely serrate towards apex. Hind tibia slightly curved inwardly along outer margin. Tarsi with ventral pilose pads large, covering almost entire ventral surface of tarsite 3. Aedeagus as in figs. 19–20.

Material examined. Holotype (male): “ 09 Marzo 2001 / INBio-OET-ALAS Transect / Costa Rica: Prov. Heredia / 16 km SSE La Virgen 1050- / 1150m, 10º16'N 84º05'W ”, “ 09 Marzo 2001 / 11 M 0 8 0 28 / Transect” ( INBC 0003201036). Paratypes (5 males, 2 females): same data as holotype (1 female, CMNC); same data except 9.iv.2001 (1 male, CMNC); same data except 10–14.iv.2001, J. Prena (1 male, CMNC); 9 km. N.E. Vara Blanca, 1450–1550 m, ALAS , malaise trap (1 male, INBC); Cartago, Turrialba, 610 m, 3.vi.1973, G. Ekis (1 male, USNM); Panama. Chiriqui, Continental Divide Trail, 3–4.vii.1997, R. Morris & J. Wappes (1 female, CMNC); Costa Rica: Prov. Heredia / 16 km SSE La Virgen 1050- / 1150m, 10º16'N 84º05'W ”, 18 Marzo 2001 / Transect / 11 RG DBM 007” (1 female, INBC 0003224879).

Derivation of specific name. This species is named after the NSF funded Arthropods of La Selva inventory project (acronym, ALAS ; Jack Longino and Robert Colwell, Co-Principal Investigators). Participants and employees in the project collected most of the specimens of this species and numerous other exciting insects during its almost 20 years of existence. The specific epithet “ alas ” is to be treated as a noun in apposition.

Distribution. Costa Rica and Panama ( Fig. 23 ).

Biology. Specimens were collected from mid-elevation wet cloud forest between 1050 and 1550 m. Most specimens from Costa Rica were collected from malaise traps.

Comments. Apart from the differences in integument color and vestiture, the Panama and Costa Rica forms cannot be distinguished. Only one female from Panama has been examined and at present the two forms are considered conspecific.

Figures

FIGURE 23. Eucalandra, distribution; solid circle — E. luteosignata, open circle — E. boxi, asterisk — E. mexicana, plus — E. alas.

FIGURES 1 – 10. Eucalandra, dorsal and lateral habitus. 1 – 2, E. setulosa (Gyllenhal); 3 – 4, E. boxi Marshall; 5 – 6, E. luteosignata (Blanchard); 7 – 8, E. mexicana (Champion); 9 – 10, E. alas Anderson, sp. n.

FIGURES 11 – 16. Eucalandra, lateral view of head, rostrum and antenna. 11, E. setulosa, male; 12; E. setulosa, female; 13; E. boxi, male; 14, E. luteosignata, male; 15, E. mexicana, male; 16, E. alas, male.

FIGURES 17 – 21. Eucalandra, aedeagus (17 – 20) and front leg (21). 17, E. mexicana, dorsal view; 18, E. mexicana, lateral view; 19; E. alas, dorsal view; 20, E. alas, lateral view; 21, E. boxi, male.