Muisca nigrosignata

Opitz, Pitz Pinola Weston, 2018, Classification, Natural History, and Evolution of the Subfamily Peloniinae O (Coleoptera: Cleroidea: Cleridae). Part IX. Taxonomic revision of the New World genus Muisca S, Linzer biologische Beiträge 50 (1), pp. 587-653 : 628

Muisca nigrosignata ( SPINOLA, 1844a) ( Figs 37, 74, 97, 120, 152)

Pelonium nigrosignatum SPINOLA, 1844a: 371. Lectotype. ♂. Subsequent designation by EKIS (now OPITZ), 1975: 55. Colombia (MRSN). CORPORAAL 1950: 282.

D i a g n o s i s: Within the M. testacea group, each elytron shows an irregular fascia in specimens of M. nigrosignata and in those of M. agma . However, in M. nigrosignata specimens, this fascia is not fragmented, which is the case in M. agma specimens.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Size: Length 5.0 mm; width 2.0 mm. Form: As in Fig. 152. Color: Light castaneous, except each elytron with black maculae on humeral angle, and one slightly oblong steak extending backwards from elytral anterior margin, elytral disc with black angular fascia that does not meet the epipleural or sutural margins. Head: Funicular antennomeres subfiliform, progressively shorter and more triangular towards capitulum, capitulum about as long as combined length of funicular antennomeres, capitular antennomeres 9 and 10 triangular ( Fig. 37), antennomere 11 globose; frons wider than width of eye (EW/FW 18/30). Thorax: Pronotum (Fig. 74) quadrate (PW/PL 75/75), side margin with well-developed tubercle, disc subglabrous at middle; elytral asetiferous punctation small, punctures striate at sides to distal 2/3 rd, few punctures near sutural margin (EL/EW 220/60). Abdomen: Pygidium subquadrate, posterior margin slightly concave; 6 th visible sternite slightly concave in distal margin; aedeagus, phallic apex as in Fig. 120.

N a t u r a l h i s t o r y: Specimens were collected during May, at 1200 m.

D i s t r i b u t i o n ( Fig.97): This species is known from Colombia and Venezuela. In addition to the lectotype, I examined 1 specimen from: Venezuela: Estado de Táchira, Cordero, 20-V-1974, H. A. Howden. Specimens are deposited in MRSN and WOPC.