Telephanus bellus Thomas

Thomas, Michael C., 2011, Two new Neotropical species of Telephanus Erichson near T. serratus Nevermann (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) Michael C. Thomas, Insecta Mundi 2011 (197), pp. 1-11 : 3-4

Telephanus bellus Thomas , n.sp.

Figure 2 , 9

Diagnosis: This species is most similar to T. serratus , differing in its darker, more reddish coloration, shape of the elytral macula, broader pronotum, elytral setae of similar color and size, and shape of parameres.

Description. Holotype,male, deposited in SEMC, with following label data: “ COSTA RICA: Puntarenas Corcovado National Park, Sirena Stn., Naranjas Trail, 5 m 82 o 4’48”N, 83 o 35’22”W 30 JUN 2000; Z.H. Falin CR1ABF00 054 ex: treefall”/”[barcode] SM0240135 KUNHM-ENT” [dissected and genitalia mounted on point in dimethyl hydantoin formaldehyde with specimen].

Body. Length, 2.96mm. Color reddish testaceous, antennae, mouthparts, elytra, and legs paler; elytra with a quadrate black macula near middle ( Fig. 2 ).

Head. As wide as long, measured across eyes; temple long ( Fig. 2 ); eyes located anteriorly, about 0.28× length of head ( Fig. 2 ); surface sculpture strongly reticulate basally and laterally with a pale, reclinate seta arising from the posterior edge of each puncture, most setae directed anteriorly, clypeus with large, shallow punctures but not reticulate. Antennae elongate, filiform, attaining about middle of elytra, scape elongate, 0.76× length of head, broader basally than anteriorly; ratios of antennomeres: 2. 7:1.0:1.0:1.3:1.3:1.1:1.0:1.0:1.0:1.0:1.4. Several spine-like setae present at posterior edge of eye, extending anteriorly over base of eye.

Pronotum. Quadrate; broadest near midpoint, slightly narrowed basally, lateral margins with eight socketed denticles and associated long rigid spines, presenting a strongly serrate appearance; denticles extending from margin about 1× their apical diameter; surface sculpture strongly reticulate throughout, pubescence as on head.

Elytra. Elongate, somewhat ovate, 1.86× longer than wide, widest at about midpoint; apices separately rounded; elytra with punctate striae, each puncture with a fine, pale, reclinate seta arising at the anterior margin; intervals with a single row of suberect, pale setae; lateral margins moderately explanate, with pronounced denticles along about the basal third and alternating longer and shorter, socketed spines, angled posteriorly; apical two-thirds of margins armed with shorter, posteriorly directed spines; a row of long, erect, laterally directed spines present along entire length of first interval above marginal stria (as in Fig. 5 ).

Male genitalia. Parameres slender, mesal edge slightly sinuate; apex not produced beyond insertion of large latero-apical seta ( Fig. 9 ).

Variation. The length of the single paratype is 2.88mm.

Paratype. 1, same data as holotype (INBI).

Etymology. The specific epithet is the Latin word for “beautiful.”

Figures

Figure 2. Telephanus bellus Thomas, n. sp., habitus.

Figure 8-10. Parameres. 8) Telephanus serratus. 9) Telephanus bellus. 10) Telephanus monstrosus.

Figure 4-7. Telephanus serratus. 4) Lateral edge of pronotum. 5) Lateral edge of elytron. 6) Pronotal punctation. 7) Elytral pubescence.