Methia dolichoptera Lingafelter, 2010

Lingafelter, Steven W., 2010, Methiini and Oemini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) of Hispaniola, The Coleopterists Bulletin 64 (3), pp. 265-269 : 266-268

Methia dolichoptera Lingafelter , new species ( Figs. 2 , 4 )

Diagnosis. This is among the largest known species of Methiini . This species is unusual among Methia in having very elongate elytra and elongate terminal palpomeres, both of which are atypical for the genus (Martins and Carvalho 1984; Philips and Ivie 1998). Like Tessaropa , females of Methia , including M. dolichoptera , have a modified abdominal apex with a large opening (Philips and Ivie 1998).

Methia dolichoptera is very similar in size and form to the western U.S. and Mexican Methia mormona Linell , but differs most obviously in having the elytra extending beyond the abdominal apex (the elytra extend to or do not reach the abdominal apex in M. mormona ). Methia dolichoptera has

d) Ventral habitus, e) Anterior perspective of head.

on the elytra, of most specimens, three diffuse, dark maculae (one at base, one at middle, and one at apex) which are connected at the lateral margin, but do not reach the suture. In M. mormona , most specimens have the elytra dark at the base, apex, and along the suture (but most specimens are also dark maculate on the lateral margins). The only other Methia known from Hispaniola, M. necydalea , is much smaller (usually less than 10 mm) and has abbreviated elytra usually not attaining the abdominal apex.

Description. Moderate size, 9–14 mm long, 1.7– 2.0 mm wide; integument medium to dark testaceous, with elytra mostly paler with indistinct darker maculae. Head with fine, translucent to golden pubescence; moderately punctate. Eyes very large, coarsely faceted; lobes broadly connected by 5–6 rows of ommatidia; lower lobe strongly bulging laterally, occupying nearly all of head below antennal insertion in lateral view; upper lobe smaller, but still large, occupying most of head behind antennal tubercles, contiguous at middle. Interantennal impression broadly V-shaped with deep groove; antennal tubercles moderately elevated. Antennae very long, over 1.3× longer than body in females to 1.5× longer than body in males; very fine, slender, minutely asperate, with moderately dense, translucent pubescence covering most antennomeres. Scape extending to anterior pronotal margin. Antennomere 2 very short and inconspicuous; remaining antennomeres very long, subequal. Pronotum slightly longer than broad, moderately tuberculate at middle of sides with vaguely elevated middle and peripheral calli; distinctly narrower than elytral base with anterior of pronotum distinctly narrower than base. Moderately pubescent throughout, with very long pubescence on prosternum, but not concealing finely punctate surface. Elytron very elongate; extending beyond abdominal apex; regularly, finely pubescent; shallowly punctate; paler than other integument, with poorly defined testaceous maculae at base, middle, and apex along lateral margin (some specimens without evident maculae). Weakly acuminate at apices. Scutellum small, dark testaceous, minutely punctate; narrowly rounded posteriorly. Legs elongate; hind femora reaching to base of terminal ventrite; 18°49.750′N; 70°38.057′W, 2139 m, October 27, 2002, R. Bastardo (USNM). Paratypes (all Dominican Republic): La Vega Prov., Cordillera Central, Coma Casabito, 15.8 km NW Bonao, 19°02′12′′N; 70°31′ 08′′W, 1455 m, 28 May 2003, J. Rawlins, C. Young, R. Davidson, C. Nunez, P. Acevedo, evergreen cloud forest, east slope, UV light, Sample 21212 (2 females, CMNH); Independencia Prov., Sierra de Neiba, just south of crest, 5 km NNW Angel Feliz, 1780 m, 18°41′ N; 71°46′W, 13-15 October 1991, J. Rawlins, C. Young, R. Davidson, S. Thompson (3 females, 3 males, CMNH).

uniformly testaceous. Metatibiae very elongate, 1.2× metafemoral length. Femora and tibiae slender; not clavate. Venter moderately punctate and pubescent. Abdomen of female modified with large, broad opening formed from terminal ventrite and tergite; the opening with a V-shaped notch ventrally, lined with evenly-spaced, short, thick, curved setae. Apical abdominal opening smaller in males, not V-shaped ventrally, without thick, curved setal lining along ventrite margin.

Etymology. The specific epithet is formed from the Greek “dolicho,” meaning long, and the Greek “ptera,” meaning wings, and describes the unusual state of the long elytra.

Type material. Holotype (male): Dominican Republic, Nacimiento Rio Yuna , Loma Hundida, Parque Juan B. Perez Rancier, La Vega Prov.,

Figures

Fig. 2. Methia dolichoptera, holotype. a) Dorsal habitus, b) Ventral view of head and prothorax, c) Dorsal habitus,

Fig. 4. Map of Hispaniola showing distribution of Tessaropa hispaniolae, Methia dolichoptera, and Malacopterus tenellus. The widespread circum-Caribbean and West Indian species Methia necydalea is not shown since it would obscure the distribution points of the other species.