Aphanerostethus morimotoi Kojima & Lewis sp. nov.

Figs 2 E – H, 3, 7 D – F, 10 C, 15 M, N, 20 A, B

Specimens examined.

Holotype: Vietnam: • Lam Dong Province, Mount Lang Biang, 12°02'N, 108°26'E, elevation 1700 m, 27. II. 2011, H. Kojima, male deposited in TUA, JHLHY_DAR_093 . Paratypes: Vietnam: • Lam Dong Province, Mount Lang Biang, elevation 1640–2000 m, 21–27. II. 2013, H. Kojima, (2, TUA; 1, OIST; 1, KUM), JHLHY_DAR_113 – JHLHY_DAR_115 (EGP 0160 D 03, EGP 0160 D 08, EGP 0160 D 12), JHLHY_DAR_187 ; • Lam Dong Province, Mount Lang Biang, 12°02'N, 108°26'E, elevation 1700 m, 17–18. II. 2011, H. Kojima, (3, TUA; 1, OIST), JHLHY_DAR_111 (EGP 0160 D 05), JHLHY_DAR_188 – JHLHY_DAR_190 .

Diagnosis.

Body length 1.8–2.0 mm. Cuticle coated in dark, sandy gray, and white scales in indistinct pattern. Funicle with six articles. Procoxae contiguous. Only odd-numbered elytral intervals with erect scales. Erect elytral scales evenly distributed along intervals. Elytral interval 5 + 6 not distinctly arched at base. Femora with or without extremely minute tubercle or tooth along ventral edge. Scutellum reduced. Prosternal cavity prominent and with steep lateral ridges. Metaventrite with a distinct elevated transverse ridge separating the meta- and mesocoxae. Metatibial uncus in male curved inwards, and with minute black tubercles at base (Fig. 2 E – H). Aedeagus sinuate near midpoint, and tapering prominently in lateral half (Fig. 15 M, N), unevenly curved, but rather bent ventrally at apex (Fig. 15 M, N). Internal sac with roughened basal protruding structure (Fig. 15 M, N).

Distribution.

This species is currently only known from Mount Liang Bang, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam.

Etymology.

This eponym is dedicated to the late Dr. Katsura Morimoto, who pioneered the field of weevil taxonomy and amassed an invaluable specimen collection (at KUM) which we humbly make use of in this study.