Metallesthes anneliesae Moeseneder & Hutchinson

Moeseneder, Christian H., Hutchinson, Paul M. & Lambkin, Christine L., 2014, Revision of the genus Metallesthes Kraatz and description of Metallesthes anneliesae, a new species of Cetoniinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, Zootaxa 3881 (4), pp. 301-327 : 308-312

Metallesthes anneliesae Moeseneder & Hutchinson , new species

( Figs 1–2 , 5 A, 6A, 6E, 7A–D, 7F, 7H, 7J–K, 7O)

P. [ Pseudoclithria ] sp 5 Golding 2009: 15. Gen 4 sp 1 Golding 2009: 47.

Material examined (47 specimens). Holotype, male ( Fig. 1 ): AUSTRALIA: The Quarry, Dunmore S.F., Qld, 8.i.2011, C. & T. Moeseneder & C. Dale, T159387 [QM]. Condition: specimen complete and undamaged.

Paratypes, 28 males and 18 females: AUSTRALIA. QUEENSLAND: 4 m. / 1 f., same data as holotype, 60968- 0 0 3, 60968-004, 60968-006, 60968-007 [ MIC], T159386 [QM] ( Fig. 2 ); 2 m., Barakula S.F., Chinchilla, 29.xii.2006, B. Howton, CET 1288 [ PMH], CET 1289 [ WAM]; 1 m., Dunmore S.F., 7.i.1999, K. Thomas [ AH]; 3 m. / 2 f., The Quarry, Dunmore S.F., 4.i.2011, C. Dale & B. Howton, 60965-001, 60965-002, 60965-003, 60965-004 [ MIC], CET 0839 [ PMH]; 11 m. / 3 f., Junction Dunmore-Western Creek Road and Dunmore-Tara Road, Dunmore S.F., 15.i.2011, C. Dale & B. Howton, K.403290 [AM], 60974-014 [ ANIC], 60974-006 [ DAFWA], 60974-003, 60974-004, 60974-010, 60974-016 [ MIC], 60974-005 [ NHML], T-21751 [ NMV], CET 1286, CET 1287 [ PMH], CET 1290 [ QDPC], T159388 [QM], 60974-008 [ SAM]; 1 m. / 1 f., Gurrulmundi, 26.xii.2003, D. Kitchin, CET 0678, CET 0679 [ PMH]; 1 m. / 1 f., 16 km NNE of Inglewood, 15.i.2011, C. Dale & B. Howton, 60975-007 [ MIC], 60975- 0 0 6 [ QDPC]; 1 f., Leyburn, 10.i.1964, A. Macqueen, “ Metallesthes niger” paratype label from M.E. Bacchus, T159390 [QM]; 1 m., Leyburn, Qld, 14.xii.1991, T159389 [QM]; 1 m. / 1 f., Leyburn, 26.xii.1994, D. Kitchin, CET 0680, CET 0681 [ PMH]; 2 f. on one card, Millmerran, Qld, xii.1950, J. Macqueen [ ANIC]; 2 f. on one card, Millmerran, Qld, i.1953, J.G. Brooks [ ANIC]; 2 f. on one card, Millmerran, 11.i.1958, J. Macqueen, “ Metallesthes glaber” paratype label from M.E. Bacchus [ ANIC]; 1 m. / 1 f., Moonie, 8.xii.2005, D. Kitchin, CET 1284, CET 1285 [ PMH]; 1 f., St. George, xii.1991 [AIF]. NEW SOUTH WALES: 1 m., Goonoo S.F., 23.i.1979, R.H. Mulder, K358834 [AM]. Other material (not included in type series). AUSTRALIA: 1 m., Weir River Road, Dunmore S.F., Qld, 22.xii.2009, C. Moeseneder & R. Zietek, at entrance of ant nest [head and abdomen missing], 60850-028 [ MIC].

Diagnosis. Stocky; with black lacquer sheen; without metallic reflections; dorsally and ventrally bearing black setae, longer and denser anteriorly; elytra broadly exposing abdominal segments laterally and apically ( Fig. 7 K); fifth protarsomeres unmodified, proclaws symmetric ( Fig. 7 J); pronotum and elytra finely punctate; costae distinct; mesometasternal process not laterally expanded, apex arcuate, in same plane as body in lateral view; phallobase without modification ( Fig. 7 H); clypeus quadrate ( Fig. 7 O). Differences compared to M. metallescens and M. unicolor : smaller; stockier; without metallic reflections; punctation finer; costae immediately apparent; fifth protarsomeres unmodified. Differences compared to other black cetoniines ( Aphanesthes trapezifera , A. pullata , Bisallardiana spp.): stocky; posthumeral emargination weakly sinuate (deep in Bisallardiana ); elytra exposing abdominal segments; costae apparent; dorsally and ventrally bearing long, black setae, more so anteriorly.

Description. Holotype. Male ( Figs 1 , 6 A). Length 16.0 mm, width 8.5 mm. Black, without metallic reflections. Head. Clypeus quadrate, raised medially; clypeolateral ridge subparallel then broadly arcuate forming margins of lobes, moderately raised; lateral declivity narrow in dorsal view, widest at midlength; apical lobes broadly arcuate, with a distinct arcuate anteromedian emargination. Antenna with 10 antennomeres; club with 3 antennomeres; club short, ovoid, length less than antennomeres 2–7; scape with posterior fringe and apical margin bearing long, dark setae; antennomeres 2–7 with several short, dark setae. Clypeus and frons densely punctate and bearing long, dark setae. Mentum clothed with very long dark setae. Thorax. Pronotum transverse trapezoidal, base trisinuate; basolateral angle acute, not produced; lateral margin concave-linear in basal half becoming arcuate to apex; lateral margin raised, narrow, obsolete along apical and basal margins. Surface with fine, even, dense punctation, infrequently coalesced; bearing long, dark setae, midline glabrous. Scutellum elongate, bearing punctures across base and narrowly along lateral margins, bearing long dark setae; apex acute, broadly impunctate and glabrous medially. Elytron; posthumeral emargination shallow, sinuate revealing margins of abdomen; bicostate (not counting sutural costa), indistinct. Sutural costa distinct with margins linear, punctate, terminating at apex of scutellum, raised along length, tapering apically, non-spinose, bearing few punctures with long dark setae. First costa indistinct, moderately raised; second costa indistinct, traceable by lateral declivity; first interval irregularly punctate to linear punctate and distinctly raised humeral umbone. Distal declivity and lateral area of first costa rugulose, all bearing long, dark setae; epipleural pilosity sparse and continuous to apex. Legs. Profemur subparallel in basal half, slightly attenuate to apex, dorsoventrally flat; ventral surface rugulose bearing very long dark setae. Protibia tridentate; denticles narrow, acute, medial and basal denticles short and closest. Apical spur reaching midlength of tarsomere 2; dorsal surface with several rows of often coalesced punctures; with median and row adjacent to internal margin bearing short, dark setae. Ventral surface with distinctly raised inferior ridge continuous with anterior margin of apical denticle and bearing short pale setae, region adjacent to internal margin with row of coalesced punctures bearing long, dark setae; external region with irregular macropunctures bearing short, dark setae. Protarsomeres 1–4 equal length, protarsomere 5 longest with ventrodistal process, process apex acute; claws symmetric. Mesofemur subparallel, dorsoventrally flat; ventral surface rugulose bearing very long, dark setae. Mesotibia internal margin weakly concave linear, external margin divergent widest at basal third then sinuate to apex. Apex with 2 spines of equal length; interval deeply incurved; 2 longer apical spurs fine, tapering, acute, closely set, surpassing tibial apex and reaching midlength of tarsomere 2; ventral surface with 2 rows of punctures along external margin becoming rugulose basally and finer apically bearing few stout dark setae in basal half; dorsal surface bearing 3 rows of very long, dark setae; internal margin bearing row of very short dark setae. Mesotarsomeres 1–4 equal length; tarsomere 5 longest with few stout bristles on apex of ventral surface of all tarsomeres, tarsomere 5 with ventrodistal process; claws symmetric. Metafemur posterior margin linear, anterior arcuate, widest at midlength, dorsoventrally flat; ventral surface sparsely punctate becoming rugulose along margins bearing long, dark setae. Metatibia internal margin sinuate concave, external margin sinuate convex, apex sinuate; 2 apical spurs, fine, acute, closely set, distinctly surpassing tibial apex; dorsal spur approximately twice length of ventral spur, attaining midlength of second tarsomere; ventral surface rugulose on external half (appearing serrate in lateral view) with sparse, short, dark setae; dorsal surface with 2 rows of long dark setae, adjacent to internal margin bearing row of very short, dark setae. Metatarsomeres 1–4 equal length; tarsomere 5 longest, several long bristles on apicoventral surface of all tarsomeres, tarsomere 5 with short ventrodistal process; claws symmetric. Mesometasternal base broad, projection parallel, basally arcuate apically; mesometasternal process ( Fig. 6 E) reaching posterior of procoxa, in lateral view parallel to plane of body and weakly convergent apically narrowing to acute apex prior to apical declivity; surface punctate setose and declivity bearing very long, dark setae. Metasternum densely rugopunctate and moderately clothed in very long, dark setae laterally; medially punctate and setose. Abdomen. Abdominal sternites 2–6 laterally with crescentiform punctures and sparsely setose with long, dark setae; sternite 7 rugulose and with few short setae laterally; medially sternites 2–5 with row of micropunctures and few setae and sternite 6 evenly punctate and setose; sternites 2–6 with broad shallow median impression. Propygidium with very short setae. Pygidium transverse, length:width ratio 1:1.9 concentrically rugulose with sparse microsetae laterally. Genitalia ( Fig. 6 A). Parameres approximately 1/3 length of phallobase, parallel at base, sinuate to preapex and arcuate to apex, dorsal cleft ovoid in basal half then attenuate to apex; phallobase with medial longitudinal impression.

Female ( Fig. 2 ). Length 16 mm, width 8.5 mm. Differs from holotype in the following characters. Slightly stockier. Head: clypeus and frons bearing sparse, dark microsetae. Thorax: pronotum bearing short, dark setae along lateral margins and anterolateral angles, derm bearing microsetae. Scutellum bearing microsetae. Elytron: surfaces bearing sparse, dark microsetae. Legs: protibial denticles broader and longer. Mesotibia with distinct median denticle and smaller premedian denticle. Metafemur setae short on derm of ventral surface. Metatibia external margin subparallel, divergent apically bearing distinct median denticle and small premedial denticle; apex bispinose; external spine truncate with distinct, arcuate incurvature; spurs subparallel, rounded apex with dorsal spur curved. Abdomen: mesometasternal process impunctate and glabrous beyond suture; metasternal and abdominal setae sparser and shorter, stout; abdomen convex medially.

Variation in paratypes. Males. Length 16.0–18.0 mm, width 8.5–10.0 mm. Specimens from Leyburn, Qld clothed in light red-brown setae. Females. Length 15.0– 18.5 mm, width 8.5–11.0 mm. Specimens from Leyburn, Qld clothed in pale setae and from St. George in light red-brown setae.

Comments. During our revision we encountered a number of specimens of this new species of Metallesthes in Australian collections amongst series of black Bisallardiana Antoine, 2003 , Aphanesthes Kraatz, 1880 and other Metallesthes . This entirely black cetoniine has few distinct characters but its elytral costae and stocky build are immediately apparent when scanning series of similar species. Upon closer inspection the extensive, long, black pilosity and the shallow posthumeral emargination are also useful in separating the species from others. Specimens were first collected in 1950 in southern Queensland. Recently, Golding (2009) figured specimens on page 15 as “ P. [ Pseudoclithria ] sp 5” and page 47 as “ Gen 4 sp 1”.

Two female specimens of Metallesthes anneliesae (mounted on a single card) in the collection of the ANIC carry a paratype label with the text “ Metallesthes / glaber sp. n. / M.E. Bacchus det. 1970 / PARATYPES ” by British entomologist M.E. Bacchus, indicating his intention to describe the species. Similarly, one female specimen in the University of Queensland Insect Collection (now in QM) bears a paratype label also from Bacchus that reads “ Metallesthes / niger n. sp. / M.E. Bacchus det. 1971 / PARATYPE. A literature search failed to find any publication that made either name available. The two ANIC specimens of M. anneliesae seen by Bacchus are heavily worn and consequently, he may not have known that males and females are usually extensively setose dorsally and ventrally.

The M. anneliesae specimens that we examined were captured in or near eucalypt woodlands and forests of central New South Wales and southeast Queensland west of the Great Dividing Range ( Fig. 12 ). All locations lie within the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) Brigalow Belt South biogeographic region. We assume that the collection locality “Millmerran” on labels of older M. anneliesae specimens (in the ANIC collection) may refer to the town that is closest to the collection locality and the specimens were possibly captured in the area of Dunmore and Western Creek State Forests. Similarly, the locations St. George and Leyburn may refer to towns near the actual collecting locations such as Leyburn State Forest.

Etymology. We take pleasure in naming the species anneliesae after CHM’s mother Anna Elisabeth (Annelie) Moseneder of Murrieta, California, United States of America. Annelie’s love of nature, her deep respect of all its life forms and consequent support of her son’s exploration in entomology from an early age have indirectly made this study possible.

Ecology. In recent years, remains of one male and two female adults of this species were found (by CHM) at the entrance of ant nets from which living adults were later collected and which were less than 100 metres from the trees at Dunmore-Western Creek Road and Dunmore-Tara Road junction. All living specimens were netted from flowers of Angophora costata (Gaertner) Hochreutiner ex Britten (Myrtaceae) during periods of sunshine ( Fig. 8 E). Dale observed that even though several trees of the same species were flowering in a particular area, specimens seemed to occur only on one specific tree (C. Dale, Bethania, Queensland, Australia). On such trees the species seemed common and several specimens could be netted easily. The reason for this clustering was not determined.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Metallesthes subpilosa female lectotype as “ Metallesthes hirsuta ” (MNHUB), new synonym of Pseudoclithira ruficornis. Images by Joachim Willers (MNHUB).

FIGURE 6. Metallesthes parameres and mesometasternal process in several taxa. Metallesthes parameres. A – M. anneliesae, B – M. metallescens, C – M. unicolor. Lateral (left) and dorsal (right) views. Arrow indicates sclerotised area on phallobase of M. metallescens. Mesometasternal process. D – M. metallescens, Aphanesthes trapezifera and A. pullata, E – M. anneliesae and A. pullata, F – Tapinoschema digglesii, G – Diaphonia xanthopyga and A. succinea, H – Bisallardiana decorticata, I – Pseudoclithria maura and P. rugosa, J – P. ruficornis, K – Micropoecila cincta. Abbreviations: mc / f – mesocoxa and mesofemur, pc / f – procoxa and profemur.

FIGURE 7. Metallesthes diagnostic and sexual characters. A, B—sternital impression (A—males of all species; B—females of all species); C, D—metatibia apex (C—males of all species; D—females of all species); E, F—metatibia row of cilia (E—males of M. metallescens; F—males of M. anneliesae and M. unicolor); G, H—sclerotised patch on phallobase (G—males of M. metallescens; H—males of M. anneliesae and M. unicolor); I, J—proclaw symmetry (I—males of M. metallescens; J—both sexes of M. anneliesae and M. unicolor); K, L—dorsal visibility of sternites (K—both sexes of M. anneliesae; L—both sexes of M. metallescens and M. unicolor); M, N—apical pilosity (M—females of M. metallescens; N—females of M. unicolor); O, P—head shape (O—both sexes of M. anneliesae; P—both sexes of M. metallescens and M. unicolor). Grey shading and arrows emphasise diagnostic characters.

FIGURE 8. Metallesthes habitat. A, B, C— M. metallescens feeding on flowers of host plant (A, B: Comet Vale, W. A., 5 January 2014. C: Woolgangie, W. A., 3 January 2014). D— M. metallescens larval habitat. Arrow indicates location of excavation and position of adult M. metallescens remnants. (Comet Vale, W. A., 11 February 2011). E—Collecting Metallesthes anneliesae on Angophora costata (Dunmore SF, Qld, January 2011).

FIGURE 12. Metallesthes anneliesae collection locations.

FIGURES 1 – 2. Metallesthes anneliesae new species. 1 — Holotype, male, T 159387 [QM]. 2 — Female, T 159386 [QM]. Images by Justin Bartlett (DAFF).