Platytenes varius Pascoe, 1870

Setliff, Gregory P. & Larson, Peter A., 2009, The Indo-Australian weevil genus Platytenes Pascoe, 1870 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cryptorhynchinae), Insecta Mundi 2009 (79), pp. 1-14 : 10-12

Platytenes varius Pascoe

( Fig. 1–4 , 10 , 13 , 15, 17 , 23–24 )

Platytenes varius Pascoe, 1870: 467 [description], plate XVIII figure 1 [figured]. Type localities: Macassar [Sulawesi], Gilolo [= Halamahera], Ternate Island, Aru Island, Kei Island, Waigeo Island.

Diagnosis. This species is separated from the new species described herein by differences in the pronotal shape and the vestiture of the pronotum, elytra, and scutellum. Unlike its congener, P. varius has a much narrower, transverse pronotum with the four fasciculate prominences at the apex of the disk distant from one another. The posterior pair often are reduced and the space between the four prominences usually is rather flat or slightly convex, not distinctly concave as in the new species. The lateral, transverse sulci situated just behind the postocular lobes are poorly developed. A medial, oblong or Yshaped, patch of sparse whitish scales almost always occurs at the base of the pronotum. This patch consistently is absent in the new species. The scutellum in all specimens examined of P. varius is entirely glabrous. The produced portions of the elytra embracing the scutellum may bear lighter scales than the rest of the dorsal vestiture, but never distinct white patches of scales as in the new species. The last two characters can be seen with little or no magnification. Finally, the basal portion of the outer margin of the hind tibia bears a well developed flange, which is reduced in the new species.

Redescription. Length 5.2–6.9 mm (mean = 6.0 mm), maximal width 2.7–3.7 mm (mean = 3.1 mm). Habitus. Body dorsoventrally depressed, nearly twice as long as wide; elytral humeri 1.3–1.5 (mean = 1.4) times as broad as basal width of pronotum, elytra tapering towards apex ( Figures 2–4 ). Integument dark brown, apex of rostrum and antenna lighter reddish-brown, entirely covered in densely distributed appressed scales interspersed with longer suberect to erect scales except on glabrous prosternal canal and distal two-thirds of rostrum; scutellum glabrous ( Fig. 13 ). Scales ranging from bright white and cream colored to ruddy-brown and black. Dorsal vestiture typically comprised of darker scales mottled with lighter scales, pattern of mottling highly variable among sympatric specimens, declivity to apices uniformly clothed in whitish scales ( Fig. 2–4 ). Vestiture on ventral portion of meso- and metasternites and abdominal ventrites possessing uniformly light colored scales (as in Fig. 9 ). Hind femora with light scales on basal one-third to one-half, black scales on distal portion (as in Fig. 8 ).

Head visible in dorsal view. Eyes situated laterally ( Fig. 11 ). Frons slightly narrower than basal width of rostrum, depressed between eyes, vertex more or less flat, densely set with erect scales. Rostrum narrow, weakly curved, slightly shorter than or equal to pronotal length, uniform small, shallow, lateral punctures to just before apex in males; female rostrum shinier, with very fine, nearly imperceptible lateral punctures only. Head and basal portion of rostrum densely squamate with appressed and erect scales, rostrum glabrous beyond antennal insertions in both sexes (see Fig. 11 for male). Scrobe short, margin directed ventrally towards bottom of eye, open behind. Antennae inserted subbasally on rostrum. Scape short, subequal in length to club, slightly longer than first 2 articles of funicle, not reaching eye; broadened apically. Funicular article 1 more robust and longer than article 3, article 2 twice as long as other articles; articles 3–4 each as broad as long, articles 5–7 broader than long. Club narrowly ovate.

Thorax. Pronotum 1.1–1.3 (mean = 1.2) times broader than long, transverse, with four poorly developed fasciculate tubercles at apex; area surrounded by tubercles flat; cervical region not strongly constricted in dorsal view, transverse sulcus on sides very faint. Posterior pronotal margin sinuate, middle produced posterad ( Fig. 11 , 15 ). Prosternal canal and mesosternal receptacle deeply cavernous, glabrous; receptacle enclosed behind, posterior margin of receptacle in line with middle of mesocoxae. Pro- and mesocoxae closely approximate; distance between meso- and metacoxae much greater than diameter of mesocoxa (as in Fig. 9 ). Thoracic pleura covered in dense squamae, obscuring individual sclerites and sutures. Mes- and metepisternal margins distinct, not concealed by elytra. Metepisternite broad, less than 2.5 times long as broad, with anterodorsal margin to middle strongly produced dorsad (as in Fig. 16 ). Sclerolepidia not observed. Scutellum cordate, smooth, glabrous ( Fig. 13 ); strongly embraced by elytra laterally. Elytra 1.3–1.5 (mean = 1.4) times longer than broad. Elytral humeri produced, angulate; lateral margins tapering to elytral declivity in dorsal view ( Fig. 2–4 ), anapleural margin with semicircular recess accommodating enlarged metepisternite (as in Fig. 16 ); disk nearly flat. Pro-, meso-, and metafemora short, broad, dentate, laterally compressed. Metafemora not reaching apex of elytra. Tibiae broad, shorter than femur, strongly compressed, weakly arcuate, with well developed uncus. Hind tibiae with well developed flange on outer margin near base ( Fig. 17 ). Tarsomere 1 slightly longer than tarsomeres 2+3 combined.

Abdomen. Ventrites I+II connate, longer than ventrites III–V, ventrite V three times broader than long (as in Fig. 9 ).

Male and female terminalia. As in previous species except aedeagal body (= median lobe of authors) narrower, more strongly curved at base, then more or less straight to apex; apex broadly rounded; narrow paired basal sclerites situated posteriad to body, with two short arms at apex; sclerites divergent towards apex ( Fig. 23–24 ).

Material examined. All specimens are deposited in BPBM unless otherwise noted. INDONESIA: Ambon Island : 5 males, 4 females, “ Amboina, F. Muir ” ; 1 female, “ Amboina, F. Muir / ex. Penang Palm, in great numbers (431)” ; 1 female, “ Indonesia 1- 50m., Ambon I., Waai , IX.1963 / A. M. R. Wegner, Collector Bishop Museum ” ; 1 male, “ Indonesia, Ambon I., Waai , XII.1966, A. M. R. Wegner ” ; 1 male, “ Illufi / J. & M. Sedlacek, Collectors, Bishop” ; West Papua: 1 female, “Hollandia, NG X 5 44, Carl Mohr” ; 1 male, 1 female, “ New Guinea : Hollandia. 3 1945, H. Hoogstraal / rain [illegible]” ; 1 female, “ New Guinea: Neth., Eramboe , 80 km ex, Merauke, II 1 ’60/ T. C. Maa, Collector” ; 1 female, “ New Guinea: Neth., Hollandia- Binnen , 100m., XI 1 1958 / Bush Palm/ J. L. Gressitt, Collector” ; 1 female, “ New Guinea: Neth., Waris, S. of, Hollandia , 450–500m, VIII 8–15 1959 / T. C. Maa, Collector, Bishop” ; PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 1 male, 2 female, “ Papua : Fly R., Kiunga, 35m, August, 1969/ J. & M. Sedlacek, Collectors, Bishop” ; 6 males, 6 females, “ New Guinea: Papua, Ruka , 9m., 12.8.1964 / H. Clissold, Collector, Bishop Mus.” ; 3 males, 3 females, “ New Guinea: SE, Western District, Ruka , 9m., 12.VIII.1964 / H. Clissold, Collector, Bishop Mus.” ; 2 males, 1 female, “ Papua New Guinea, Morobe: Takadu , 7 38 S 146 34 E, 1–20.IV.2000, T. Sears& binatang brigade MT” ( CWOB) ; 1 female, “ New Guinea: NE., Torricelli Mts., Siaute , sea lev., XI 9–17 1958 / W. W. Brandt, Collector, Bishop” ; 1 male, “ New Guinea: NE., Torricelli Mts. , Wantipi Vill., XI 30–XII 8 ’58/ W. W. Brandt, Collector, Bishop” ; 1 male, “ New Guinea ( NE), Maprik , 160m., Oct.15, 1957 / Alpinia/ J. L. Gressitt, Collector” ; 1 male, 4 females, “ New Guinea: ( NE), Bainyik, nr. Maprik , 225m, 20– 21.VI.1961 / J. L. & M. Gressitt, Malaise Trap ” ; 1 male, “PAPUA NEW GUINEA: New Guinea: NE:, E. Sepik Prov.: Angoram, Dist. : Mamber , 15m, 3–5.V.1980 / J. L. Gressitt, Collector, Bishop Museum, Acc. #1980.189” ; 1 male, 1 female, “ New Guinea: Papua, Kura , 9m., 12.VIII.1964, H. Clissold / H. Clissold, Collector, Bishop Mus.” ; 1 female, “ Papua New Guinea, Madang Prov. Mis Vill. , ca. 200m. 26 NOV 2002, G. P. Setliff & A. Stewart ” ( GPSC) ; 1 female, “ Papua New Guinea, Madang Prov. Ohu vill., 08.II.2003 ” ( GPSC) ; 1 female, “ Papua New Guinea, Madang Prov. Ohu Vill. , 200m 18 NOV 2002, coll. G. P. Setliff ” ( GPSC) ; 1 male, 1 female, “ Papua New Guinea, Madang Prov. Ohu Vill. , exposed 08 May 2002, 200m. 145 o 41’E, 05 o 14’S / L. Cizek, B. Isua & J., Auga coll. Reared, from wood of NOD, Ficus nodosa ” (GPSC) ; 1 male, “ Papua New Guinea, Madang Prov. Ohu Vill. , exposed 13 June 2002, 200m. 145 o 41’E, 05 o 14’S / L. Cizek, B. Isua & J., Auga coll. Reared, from wood of SAR, Nauclea orientalis ” (GPSC) ; 1 female, “ Papua New Guinea, Madang Province, Ohu vill. 200m asl, September 2000 / Coll. Brus Isua, malaise trap, primary forest” ( GPSC) ; 1 male, “ Papua New Guinea., Madang Prov. Ohu Vill. , 10.V.2003. 145 o 41’E, 05 o 14’S ” ( GPSC) ; 1 female, “ Voitech Novonty & col., & Chris Amari lgt., malaise trap, primary forest, February 2001 / PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Madang Prov., Halopa mission, Hapurpi vill., ca. 700m a.s.l “ ( GPSC) ; 1 female, “ Lea-Zenang Road , 200m. N. Guinea, I. 14–19. 1979, J. Sedlacek ” ( CWOB) ; 1 female, 1 male, “Nadzab NG, IX 28 44, Carl Mohr” ( NMNH) ; 1 female, “ Nadzab, New Guinea , 12.44, Peters/ J. Sedlacek, Collector, Bishop Mus.” ; 1 male, 1 female, “ New Guinea: NE, Zenag-Lae , 200m., 15.1.1965 / J. Sedlacek, Collector, Bishop Mus.” ; 1 female, “ New Guinea: NE., Finisterre range, Saidor : Kiambavi, Vill.VII 22–29 ’58/ W. W. Brandt, Collector” ; 5 males, 1 female, “Finschafen, NG 1944, Carl O. Mohr” ( NMNH) ; 1 female, “Wareo” ( CWOB) ; 1 female, “ New Guinea: Papua , Aroa Estate, W. of Redscar Bay. 1 m., IX 28 1958 / J. L. Gressitt, Collector” ; 7 males, 9 females, “ N. Guinea: SE, Milne Bay, 14–23.2.69/ J. Sedlacek, Collector, Bishop Mus.” ; 1 male, “ New Guinea: SE, Cape Rodney , 4.XI.1960, 09 30–17 30/ L. & M. Gressitt Collectors, Bishop Mus.” ; 1 male, “ New Guinea: Papua , Oriomo R., 3m, 16.VIII.1964 / H. Clissold, Collector, Bishop Mus.” ; 1 male, 2 females, “ New Guinea: Papua, W. District, Oriomo Govt. Sta. , 26–28.X.1960 / palm/ J.L. Gressitt, Collector, Bishop Mus” ; 1 female, “ New Guinea: SE, Oriomo River , 6m, 14.II.1964 / H. C./ Light Trap, Bishop” ; 1 female, “ New Guinea: SE, Western District , 2.8.1964 / H. Clissold, Collector, Bishop Mus.” ; Bismarck Archipelago : 1 male, “ New Britain, Gazelle Pen., Bainings: St., Paul’s 350m., Sept. 1, 1956 / J. L. Gressitt, Collector” ; 1 male, “ New Britain, Gazelle Pen., Bainings: St. , Paul’s 350m., Sept. 5, 1956 / J. L. Gressitt, Collector” ; 1 male, “ New Britain, Gazelle Pen., Bainings: St. , Paul’s 350m., Sept. 5, 1956 / J. L. Gressitt, Collector” ; 1 male, 1 female, “ New Britain, Gazelle Pen., Bainings: St. , Paul’s 350m., Sept. 7, 1955 / J. L. Gressitt, Collector” ; 1 male, “ New Britain, Gazelle Pen., Kerawat 60m., Aug. 28, 1955 / J. L. Gressitt, Collector” ; 1 male, “ New Britain, Gazelle Pen., Kerawat 60m., IX 11 ’56/ J. L. Gressitt, Collector” ; 1 female, “ New Britain, Britain, Gazelle Pen., Kerawat 60m., Sept.3, 1955 / primary growth/ J. L. Gressitt, Collector” ; 1 male, “ New Ireland, Kandan , 25.XII.1958 / W. W. Brandt, Collector, Bishop” ; 2 males, 6 females, “ New Ireland, Kandan , 25.XII.1958 / W. W. Brandt, Collector, Bishop” ; D’Entrecasteaux Islands : 2 females, “New Guinea: Papua, Normanby I., Wakaiuna, Sewa Bay, Dec. 1–10 1956 / W. W. Brandt, Collector” .

Distribution. ( Fig. 1 ). The previously published distribution localities for P. varius are presented here in chronological order by date of publication. Aru Island, Macassar [Sulawesi], Halamahera, Ternate, Waigeou Island ( Pascoe 1870); Fly River [ Papua New Guinea], Andai ( Pascoe 1885); Dilo, Hughibagu, Kelesi, Paumomu River [all Papua New Guinea] ( Faust 1899); Kobroor and Terangan Islands [Aru Islands], Kei Island ( Heyden 1911); North Queensland [ Australia] ( Lea 1913); Sangi Island [ Indonesia], Bacan Island ( Heller 1929); Manado [North Sulawesi] ( Marshall 1935); Berlinhafen [= Aitape], Astrolabe Bay, Erima, Friederich-Wilhelmshafen [= Madang] [all Papua New Guinea] ( Voss 1958). The record of P. varius from Kolombangara and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in Bigger and Schofeld (1983) is most likely in error and probably refers to P. occultus new species.

Previously unrecorded localities are: INDONESIA: Ambon Island ; West Papua: Hollandia [=Jayapura], Eramboe (near Merauke), Waris. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Western Province: Kiunga, Oriomo River , Ruka ; Morobe: Torricelli Mountains : Siaute, Wantipi ; East Sepik Province: Maprik , Bainyik, Mamber, Kura ; Madang Province: Mis, Ohu , Halopa mission, Hapurpi, Saidor ; Morobe Province: Takadu , Lea- Zenang Road, Nadzab, Finschhafen, Wareo ; Central Province: Aroa Estate, Cape Rodney ; Milne Bay Province: Milne Bay. Bismarck Archipelago : New Britain: Gazelle Peninsula: Bainings, Kerawat ; New Ireland: Kandan. D’Entrecasteaux Islands: Normanby Island : Sewa Bay, Wakaiuna .

Hosts. Label data indicate an association with the betel palm ( Areca catechu L., Arecaceae ). However, three reared specimens suggest that other host plants may be used for larval development. A single specimen was reared from wood of Ficus nodosa Teijsm. and Binn. (Moraceae) and two specimens were reared from wood of Nauclea orientalis (L.) L. ( Rubiaceae ).

Figures

Figure 1. Distribution of Platytenes species. Squares = Platytenes varius; circles = Platytenes occultus. Localities are from the literature and material examined in the present study. The specific location for P. varius in northern Queensland, Australia could not be verified.

Figure 2–7. Platytenes species, dorsal habitus. 2) Platytenes varius, male (Jayapura, West Papua, Indonesia). 3) Same, female (Ambon Island, Indonesia). 4) Same, male (Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea). 5) Platytenes occultus, holotype, male (Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands). 6) Same, paratype, female (Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands). 7) Same, paratype, female (Ugi, Solomon Islands).

Figure 8–11. Platytenes species. 8–9) Platytenes occultus, holotype, male habitus. 8) Lateral view. 9) Ventral view. 10–11) Detail of male pronotum, lateral view. 10) Platytenes occultus, paratype. 11) Platytenes varius.

Figure 12–13. Platytenes species, scutellum, dorsal view. 12) Platytenes occultus. 13) Platytenes varius.

Figure 14–18. Platytenes species. 14–15) Dorsal outline of pronotum, broken lines indicate position of fasciculate prominences and raised medial area. 14) Platytenes occultus. 15) Platytenes varius. 16) Platytenes occultus, meso- and metapleura, lateral view, broken line indicates bent portion of mesepimeron; key: c2–c3. meso- and metacoxae, ely. left elytron, epm2. mesepimeron, eps2. mesepisternum, eps3. metepisternum, r. lateral wall of mesosternal receptacle, s2–s3. lateral portion of meso- and metasternites. 17–18) Left hind femur and tibia, anterior (outer) view. 17) Platytenes varius, arrow indicates flange. 18) Platytenes occultus. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Figure 19–34. Platytenes species. 19–22, 25–27) Platytenes occultus, male terminalia. 19) Spiculum gastrale, ventral view. 20) Tergite VIII and sternite VIII, ventral view. 21) Aedeagus (tegmen removed), lateral view. 22) Aedeagus, dorsal view. 25) Tegmen, ventral view. 26) Tegmen, lateral view. 27) Tergite VII, dorsal view. 23–24) Platytenes varius, aedeagus (tegmen removed). 23) Lateral view. 24) Dorsal view. 28–34) Female terminalia. 28) Tergite VIII, dorsal view. 29) Tergite VIII, lateral view. 30) Sternite VIII, ventral view. 31) Sternite VIII, lateral view. 32) Tergite VII, dorsal view. 33) Hemisternites, dorsal view. 34) Spermatheca. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.