Agra pusilla Chaudoir, 1847

Erwin, Terry L., 2010, Agra, arboreal beetles of Neotropical forests: pusilla group and piranha group systematics and notes on their ways of life (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini, Agrina), ZooKeys 66, pp. 1-28 : 13-14

Agra pusilla Chaudoir, 1847 Figs 6 10

Agra pusilla Chaudoir 1847: 110.

Holotype:

Brazil: (MNHNP: ADP 060087, male).

Derivation of specific epithet.

The epithet " pusilla " is a Latin adjective meaning very little, small, pretty.

Proposed English vernacular name.

Small Elegant Canopy Beetle.

Diagnosis.

With the attributes of the genus and species-group as described above and frons laterally unicarinate and rugose; elytra with interneurs composed of a single row of coarse irregularly shaped punctures, apex markedly lobed medially.

Description.

( Fig. 6 ). Size: Very small, ABL = 6.28 - 6.45 mm, SBL = 5.27 - 5.37 mm, TW = 1.32 - 1.46 mm. Color: Piceous, antennae and legs bicolored, scape and basal 5/6th of femur testaceous; antennal flagellum and mouthparts piceous. Luster: Shiny, elytral disc somewhat matte. Head: Labrum moderately elongate and rounded apically, slightly emarginate medially. Frons medially raised and smooth, laterally depressed, unicarinate, and shallowly rugose. Gena slightly tapered-rounded in both sexes to constricted neck. Genae and occiput moderately finely punctate and wrinkled, and with two larger punctures each of which is setiferous. Prothorax: Slightly broader medially, flared basally; surface with densely punctures, some setiferous; lateral elongate callous with single row of setiferous punctures along middle. Pterothorax: Elytron markedly convex, intervals not costate, interneurs of rows of single somewhat irregularly shaped punctures, apex truncate, markedly lobate, apical dentation asymmetric, lateral tooth small, acute, sutural apex slightly produced, rounded. Metasternum sparsely setiferous in both sexes. Legs: Legs normal. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna III to VII of male moderately and bilaterally setiferous; sternum VII of males barely emarginate, corners rounded. Male genitalia: Phallus ( Fig. 6 ) with ostium elongate, about half the length of the phallus, apex a small rounded lobe with basal corners. Parameres small, left twice the size of the right, both moderately rounded. Female ovipositor: Stylomere 2 as in Agra notpusilla ( Fig. 7 ).

Dispersal potential.

These beetles are macropterous and are probably capable of flight; they are swift and agile runners.

Way of life.

Adults of other Agra species are found in the canopy of rainforest trees; known larvae of this genus ( Arndt et al. 2001) are found under the bark of these trees, however they must also roam on the surface, as they have been collected by insecticidal fogging techniques in the very early morning before first light. Members of Agra pusilla occur at lowland altitudes in the Mata Atlântica. Adults are active in October, the rainy season.

Other specimens examined.

Brazil: Espirito Santo, nr. Itapemirim, Rio Itapemirim, 3m, 21.005°S, 40.834°W, 15 October 1906 (J.F. Zikan)(ZIKAN: ADP 070043, male).

Geographic distribution.

( Fig. 10 ). This species is currently known from eastern Brazil.

Notes.

Because of the severe deforestation over the last 100 years in the area where this species was found, it is likely it is now extinct or at least with a much smaller range.

Figures

Figure 7. Agra notpusilla Erwin, sp. n., female stylomeres (dorsal aspect) (ADP 058647).

Figure 10. Distribution map of the species of the pusilla group. Names marked with a "? " do not have precise localities on the specimen label (s).

Figures 3 - 6. 3 Agra cruciaria Erwin, sp. n., male genitalia (dorsal, ventral, left lateral aspects) (ADP 070044) 4 Agra grace Erwin, sp. n., male genitalia (dorsal, ventral, left lateral aspects) (ADP 087638) 5 Agra pseuopusilla Erwin, sp. n., male genitalia (dorsal, ventral, left lateral aspects) (ADP 070045) 6 Agra pusilla Chaudoir, sp. n., male genitalia (dorsal, ventral, left lateral aspects) (ADP 060087).