Orthorhinus cruciatus Montrouzier

Kuschel, Guillermo, 2008, Curculionoidea (weevils) of New Caledonia and Vanuatu: Basal families and some Curculionidae, Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle 197, pp. 99-250 : 198

Orthorhinus cruciatus Montrouzier

Figs 89, 141, 143, 145-148, 150, 151

Orthorhinus cruciatus Montrouzier, 1861a: 883 .

DESCRIPTION. — Besides the characters mentioned in the key, O. cruciatus is somewhat darker as a whole and has a more abrupt declivity at the end of the dorsal part of interstria 5 and the aedeagal apex converging with an indistinct lateral sinus or concave curve (Fig. 148), the intensity of the pigmented parts around the ostium varying according to the age of the specimen.

TYPE MATERIAL. — 14 syntypes seen, all from Art I., the type locality. Lectotype male (here designated), 17.5 x 6.5 mm, small red disk, Orthorhinus cruciatus Montrouzier , Nova Caledonia [name and locality in Perroud’s writing], Coll. Perroud, MNHN. Paralectotypes: 1 male, 4 females, Coll. Perroud, and 1 female Coll. Pic, MNHN.; 5 males, 2 females, Coll. Fauvel and Coll Roelofs, IRSN. Identified non-type specimens in ANIC, BPBM, IRSN, MNHN, NHML, NZAC, QMBA, SRFP .

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Belep Is.: Art I. New Caledonia:Aoupinié, Bourail, Canala, Col d’Amieu, Farino, Houailou, Koumac, La Crouen, La Foa, Mt Dore , Mt Mou, Pocquereux nr La Foa, Pic du Pin, Port Boisé, Pouébo, Tonghué, Yaté. Loyalty Is.: Lifou, Maré. 139 specimens .

HOSTPLANTS. — Larvae in branches and trunks of various dying or freshly dead trees and shrubs, inclusive of orchard trees; adults feeding on leaves and younger growth of same plant species causing concern when affecting orchard trees ( Mille 2004).

ETYMOLOGY. — The whitish patterns on the weevil reminded the missionary Montrouzier of a cross (crux).

REMARKS. — Early specimens can be found in museums that were wrongly identified or had their geographical origin confused, particularly affecting New Caledonia and Vanuatu. There is no fresh material for over one hundred years to confirm the presence of O. leseleuci in New Caledonia, and no fresh material of O. cruciatus from Vanuatu.