Geochus pyriformis, Broun, 1914

Leschen, Richard A. B., Davis, Steven, Brown, Samuel D. J., Brav-Cubitt, Talia & Buckley, Thomas R., 2022, The Enigmatic Dead-Leaf Miner Geochus Broun (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Phylogenetic Placement, a New Species, and Lectotype Designations, The Coleopterists Bulletin 76 (1), pp. 1-35 : 29-30

GeOchUs pyrifOrmis Broun, 1914 ( Figs. 15 , 17 )

Geochus pyriformis Broun 1914b: 221 . Type locality: Mount Hutt , near Methven.

Type Depository. BMNH: HT .

Distribution. New Zealand (MC).

Remarks. Broun based the description on a single specimen that we confirmed as the holotype. This specimen was collected from dead rata leaves on the ground. There were two additional specimens in the Broun collection (BMNH) labeled as variants, and one with a different date.

This species forms a species group with G. suffusus . These species have a densely punctured pronotum and elytra, with the pronotum being conical and closely appressed to the elytra, such that they have a continuous outline in dorsal view.

Type Material Examined. Holotype ( BMNH): card-mounted, “3613. [in Broun’s hand]// New Zealand. [red underline] Broun Coll. Brit. Mus. 1922-482.// Mt Hutt. 12.4.1912 [in Broun’ hand]// Geochus pyriformis [in Broun’s hand]”.

GeOchUs rUfipictUs Broun, 1923 ( Figs. 5B–E , 13D–F , 15–16 )

Geochus rufipictus Broun 1923: 696 . Type locality: Wadestown.

Type Depository. BMNH: HT .

Distribution. New Zealand (WN).

Remarks. Broun based the description on a single specimen that we confirmed as the holotype. This is Broun species number 4302, but the label erroneously listed it as 154.

This species is similar to G. plagiatus , but the elytral tubercles along the top of the elytral declivity are more evenly sized, and the strial punctures on the disc are smaller and more regularly arranged. The absence of a medial carina on the pronotum distinguishes this species from the G. posticalis group.

Type Material Examined. Holotype ( BMNH): card-mounted, “154 [in Broun’s hand]// New Zealand. [red underline] Broun Coll. Brit. Mus. 1922-482.//Wadestown. 16.10.18. [in Broun’ hand]// Geochus rufipictus [in Broun’s hand]”.

Figures

Fig. 15. Elytral outlines for representatives of each of the Geochus species groups.

Fig. 17. Dorsal habitus photographs of representatives of the type series or holotypes of Geochus arranged into informal groups.

Fig. 5. SEM images. A) Geochus inaequalis, protarsus, the arrow indicating absence of pretarsal claw (ventral aspect). G. rufipictus: B) Head (dorso-anterior aspect), C) Enlargement of frons and dorsal surface of rostrum, D) Mesonotum, E) Left elytron. F) G. rugulosus, mesonotum.

Fig. 13. Male terminalia, confocal microscope images. Geochus plagiatus: A) Aedeagus, dorsal view, B) Aedeagus, lateral view, C) Sternites VIII (with spiculum gastrale) and IX (arrow). G. rufipictus: D) Aedeagus, dorsal view, E) Aedeagus, lateral view, F) Sternites VIII (with spiculum gastrale) and IX (arrow).

Fig. 16. Dorsal habitus photographs of representatives of the type series or holotypes of Geochus arranged into informal groups.