Conognatha (Pithiscus) mielkei, 2018

Pineda, Cristian, Barros, Rafael C. & Koike, Ricardo M., 2018, A new species of Conognatha Eschscholtz, 1829 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), with new state records of the genus for Brazil, Zootaxa 4526 (2), pp. 239-244 : 240

Conognatha (Pithiscus) mielkei sp. n.

( Figs 1–8 )

Type material: Holotype ♂ in MZUEL, labeled: a) “ Brasil, MG, Espera Feliz / P.N. Caparaó, Pico da Bandeira / Casa Queimada / 20°27'7.03''S, 41° 48'4.79’’W / 18.xi.2017, 2200m a.s.l., 11:00 AM / R.M. Koike & E.A. Perreira leg. ”, b) “ HOLOTYPE / Conognatha (P.) mielkei / Pineda, Barros & Koike” [red label printed].

Description Holotype male: Measurements (in mm). Total length, 17.96; prothorax length, 3.6; prothorax width at its widest point, 5.77; elytral length, 14.18; humeral width, 6.24. Color. Integument of head, pronotum, scutellum and venter dark copper, with metallic green sheen. Elytra testaceous, with black ornamentation. Setae light grey. Head ( Fig. 6 ). Coarsely and densely punctate, except at middle of clypeus, were a narrow, longitudinal space is free from punctures. Vertex with short median longitudinal groove. Antenna with antennomeres 1–3 subcylindrical, antennomeres 4–10 subtriangular and antennomere 11 weakly pointed at apex. Frons with moderately dense pilosity of long setae. Clypeus sparsely setose, with anterior margin weakly concave. Labrum subrectangular with anterior angles rounded; moderately dense setosity, with decumbent, rigid setae. Pronotum ( Fig.7 ). 1.66 wider than long. Moderately dense setosity with long setae. Irregularly and coarsely punctate, the punctures are moderately dense, becoming dense along lateral margins. Lateral margins slightly crenulate due to punctures. Anterior and posterior margin slightly sinuate at middle. Disc flattened, with median longitudinal depression that is deepest and broadest at base. Lateral depressions elongate and deep. Scutellum. 1.53 wider than long. U-shaped, with anterior margin straight. Elytra ( Fig.8 ). 2.27 times longer than wide. Interstriae wide, interstriae 1,3,5,7,9,11 flat at the anterior third, becoming convex at the posterior two-thirds (costae), interstriae 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 flat (intervals). Striae moderately punctate, with a row of rounded punctures. Ornamentation composed of a basal stripe, a latero-anterior longitudinal macula, two posterior transverse bands and an apical macula common to both elytra, the transverse bands are interconnected by a sutural longitudinal band, extending from base to apex. Apices with two strongly developed spines separated by a distinct notch. Venter ( Fig.2 ). Prosternum, metasternum and hind coxa moderately dense punctate, densely setose, with long setae. Ventrites sparsely punctate and setose. Aedeagus ( Fig.4 ). Parameres finger-like in apical third, apex rounded with sparse long setae. Median lobe acuminate at apex, ventrally with longitudinal groove wider at the middle.

Differential diagnosis: The new taxon is similar to C. (P.) principalis in having the pronotum with lateral depressions elongate and deep; elytra testaceous with black ornamentation; interstriae 1,3,5,7,9,11 flat at the anterior third, becoming convex at the posterior two-thirds, remaining interstriae not elevated. The two species are distinguished as follows ( C. (P.) principalis characters in brackets): Pronotum pilosity moderately dense, with long setae (sparse). Elytral apical spines strongly developed (not developed). Interstriae wide (narrow).

Etymology: We name this species in honor of the Brazilian entomologist Carlos G.C. Mielke, for his great contribution to the taxonomic knowledge of the Brazilian insects.

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Conognatha (P.) mielkei sp. n. holotype male (MZUEL). 1. Dorsal view. 2. Ventral view. 3. Lateral view. 4. Aedeagus, ventral view. 5. Labels. 6. Head. 7. Pronotum. 8. Right elytron. (Scale bars: Figs. 1–3, 8: 10 mm, Figs. 4, 6–7: 1 mm).