Myrmeconycha pheidole Konstantinov and Tishechkin, 2017

Konstantinov, A. S. & Tishechkin, A. K., 2017, Myrmeconycha new genus: the first myrmecophilous flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), Insecta Mundi 2017 (525), pp. 1-13 : 5

Myrmeconycha pheidole Konstantinov and Tishechkin , new species

( Fig. 32 – 42 )

Description. Body length 3.90 – 4.27 mm, width 1.82 – 2.00 mm. Entire body, including antennae and legs, ochre to light orange.

Head with impressions lateral to antennal calli deep. Anterofrontal ridge much wider than width of frontal ridge, not forming T-shaped structure together. Proportions of male antennomeres 1 – 6 as follows: 16:9:13:13:12:13.

Pronotum with basal central cell without ridge in middle, much smaller than basal lateral and central cells. Anterior wall of basal central cell absent. Anterolateral setiferous pore situated on a rounded appendage. Pronotal punctures small, barely visible through wax. Specimen without wax with long grooves along sides of anterior central cell.

Third (humeral) elytral ridge bent gradually. Proportions of mesotarsomeres in male as follows: 27:17:18 (including setae):27. Proportions of metatarsomeres in male as follows: 29:18:17 (including setae):28.

Aedeagus more or less parallel-sided, abruptly narrowing before apex, with small knob apically. Apex sharply bent ventrally in lateral view. Sclerotized part of spermathecal pump longer than membranous part.

Etymology. This species is named after the name of the ant genus, Pheidole, with which the beetles were collected.

Material examined. Holotype, male. 1) Turrialba , Costa Rica, Sept. 8.1966. 2) assoc. with Pheidole sp. 3) Robin Andrews Collector 67; 4 ) Holotype Myrmeconycha pheidole sp. nov. Konstantinov and Tishechkin 2016 ( USNM) . Paratype, female. Same data as the holotype ( USNM).

Figures

Figures 32–40. Myrmeconycha pheidole. 32, 33, 34) Habitus, dorsal, lateral and ventral views. 35) Head, frontal view. 36) Pronotum. 37) Antenna. 38) Hind leg. 39) Hind wing. 40) Tignum.

Figures 41–42. Myrmeconycha pheidole. 41) Aedeagus, ventral and lateral views. 42) Spermatheca.