Epimetopus ballatoris, Perkins, 2012

Perkins, Philip D., 2012, 3531, Zootaxa 3531, pp. 1-95 : 22

Epimetopus ballatoris , new species

Figs. 26 (habitus), 30 (aedeagus), 129 (map)

Type Material. Holotype (male): Venezuela: Tachira State, El Tama National Park , HG-vapor light, elev. 472 m, 7° 35.038' N, 72° 10.34' W, 16 vii 2009, Short, Sites, Garcia, Inciarte, Gustafson & Camaco (VZ09-0716-07A) ( MIZA) . Paratypes (30): Trinidad: Lovell Estate , 10° 22' N, 61° 14' W, 29 x 1937, H. E. Hinton (1 BMNH) ; Venezuela: Aragua, Ocumare , 10° 7' N, 66° 46' W, 19–20 ii 1969, P. & P. Spangler (1 USNM) ; Tachira State, El Tama National Park , HG-vapor light, elev. 472 m, 7° 35.038' N, 72° 10.34' W, 16 vii 2009, Short, Sites, Garcia, Inciarte, Gustafson & Camaco (VZ09-0716-07A) (6 SEMC) ; Trujillo, Mcp. Rafael Rangel, La Gira, Qda. La Amarilla , Trampa interceptacion, elev. 520 m, 9° 20' N, 70° 44' W, 20–22 v 1995, J. Camacho, M. Garcia (3 MALUZ) ; Same locality, 23 x 1997, J. Camacho, M. Garcia, E. Gomez (19 MALUZ) .

Differential Diagnosis. The habitus of this species ( Fig. 26) is very similar to that of several other members of the Costatus group; reliable determinations will be based on examination of the aedeagus. The aedeagus has arcuate parameres that arch over the median lobe; the extent of the arching is much more than in E. apocinus ( Figs. 30, 48). The median lobe, which tapers distinctively in the distal one-half also clearly differs from that of E. apocinus .

Description. Size: holotype (length/width, mm): body (length from anterior margin of pronotum to elytral apices) 1.48/0.80; head (width) 0.43; pronotum 0.56/0.60; elytra 0.95/0.80. Habitus and sculpture as illustrated ( Fig. 26). Head black, dorsum red, venter and coxae dark brown, maxillary palpi testaceous. Eye with ca. 3–4 facets between canthus and posterior margin. Elytra with elongate granules linking punctures, non-carinate intervals smooth, without granules. Metaventral depression small.

Etymology. Named in reference to the shape of the aedeagus, which has the parameres arching over the median lobe, reminiscent of a ballet dancer.

Distribution. Currently known from Venezuela and Trinidad ( Fig. 129).