Diplotrichus pulchellus Jordal, 2021

Jordal, Bjarte H., 2021, An integrated taxonomic revision of Diplotrichus (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) supports a Malagasy origin and single colonisation of South Africa, Zootaxa 5047 (2), pp. 101-122 : 114

Diplotrichus pulchellus Jordal , sp. nov.

( Figs 35, 38, 42 )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:2574A25B-E0F3-49BE-BA18-3B35819731EC

Type material. Holotype, female: Madagascar, Montagne des Francais, 7.2 km SE Antsiranana, BLF3130, Malaise trap, B. Fischer, leg, 2001. The holotype is deposited in CAS.

Diagnosis. Female frons with broad golden tuft of setae arising between inner eye margin to vertex, tips reaching level of antennal insertion; anterior margin of pronotum with a low irregular row of raised teeth; elytral apex very lightly inflated.

Description, female. Length 1.8 mm, 2.8 × as long as wide; colour brown. Frons lightly concave, surface finely setose, largely covered by a broad tuft of golden setae with a median split, setae arising from inner margin of eyes to vertex, with tips reaching level of antennal insertion. Eyes separated above by 2.1 × their width. Antennal scapus triangular, with dense tuft of soft setae as long as scapus; club with two distinctly marked and strongly procurved sutures. Pronotum strongly asperate on anterior half, near anterior margin with a low irregular row of subcontiguous teeth or granules, smooth to lightly rugose behind summit; vestiture consisting of scattered small bristle- and hair-like setae. Elytral interstriae with densely placed spatulate setae in rows, striae not impressed, punctures obscure; elytral apex slightly inflated, posterolateral margin lightly granulated. Protibiae with three low apical tubercles (denticles not apparent).

Etymology. A Latin nominative adjective meaning pretty, referring to the adorned female frons.

Distribution and Biology. Madagascar. Only known from the type locality, collected in a Malaise trap.

Remarks. This species has all of same essential characteristics as in D. acutior , but the elytral apex is less pointed, the raised crest near the anterior margin of the pronotum is lower and less regular, and the female frons has a shorter and much less voluminous tuft of setae.

Figures

FIGURES 33–42. Dorsal, lateral, and front view of Diplotrichus ignotus male holotype (33, 36, 39), Diplotrichus acutior sp. nov. female holotype (34, 37, 40) and male allotype (41), Diplotrichus pulchellus sp. nov. female holotype (35, 38, 42).