Entomophthalmus abbreviatus Otto

Otto, Robert L., 2024, Two new species of false click beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) from the Americas, Insecta Mundi 2024 (27), pp. 1-9 : 2-5

Entomophthalmus abbreviatus Otto , new species

Fig. 7–10

Diagnosis. Generic characteristics will distinguish this eucnemid species from all known Caribbean species, except for Entomophthalmus americanus Bonvouloir taken in Guadeloupe. The new species differs from E. americanus ( Fig. 1–3 ) by its shorter setae on each flagellomere along with serriform structures of the segments. Entomophthalmus americanus has filiform antennal structures with elongate, dense setae on each flagellomere. The new species is similar to the Nearctic Entomophthalmus rufiolus LeConte ( Fig. 4–6 ). The new species differs by its lighter coloration of the habitus along with a sinuous, posteriorly directed anterolateral pronotal ridge. Darker reddish colored habitus along with a slightly inclined, ventrally directed anterolateral pronotal ridge is present in E. rufiolus .

Type material. Male holotype: “ CUBA: Las Villas ; Topes de Collantes; Sierra de Trinidad; 11 JUN 1959; M.W. Sanderson ” / “ HOLOTYPE:; Entomophthalmus ; abbreviatus ♂; Otto; Det. R.L. Otto; 2022” (red printed label) ( INHS). Holotype is deposited in INHS. The catalog number associated with the specimen is: “ INHS Insect Collection 1021687”.

Description. Male holotype: Length, 4.0 mm. Width, 1.0 mm. Body subcylindrical, elongate; uniformly reddish; antennae dark reddish; legs including tarsi dark reddish; head, pronotum and elytra clothed with short, recumbent yellowish setae ( Fig. 7 ). Head: Subspherical; integument closely punctate, shiny; frons convex, without fovea above frontoclypeal region; apical margin of frontoclypeal region rounded, more than 2 times wider than base; mandibles stout, bidentate, densely punctate. Antenna ( Fig. 8 ): Weakly serriform from flagellomeres II–VIII, attaining about 1/2 the length of the body; flagellomere I much shorter than II, as long as the pedicel; flagellomeres II–VIII each sub-equal, longer than wide; flagellomere IX longer than wide, slightly longer than VIII. Pronotum: Integument shiny, with shallow, closely spaced punctures; quadrate, with moderate, sharp hind angles; lateral sides parallel-sided; anterolateral pronotal ridge ( Fig. 9 ) short, sinuous and posteriorly directed; posterolateral pronotal ridge elongate, nearly reaching the anterior margin, directed dorsally; disc convex with delicate median groove extending to center of pronotum; base sinuous. Scutellum: Elongate, sub-triangular, setose and distally rounded. Elytra: Indications of very shallow striae present, deeper at elytral humeri; interstices flattened; integument shiny, shallowly punctate. Legs: First tarsomere as long as the combined lengths of the remaining four on mesothoracic and metathoracic tarsi; tibiae rounded in cross section; metathoracic tarsomeres I–III simple; metathoracic tarsomere IV excavate-emarginate; metathoracic tarsomere V short; pretarsal claws simple. Venter ( Fig. 10 ): Very closely punctate, with short, recumbent yellowish setae; hypomeron with notosternal antennal grooves; antennal grooves well-developed on both sides; hypomeron deeply, coarsely punctate; metepisterna apically wider; elytral epipleura smooth; metathoracic coxal plates medially more than 3.0–6.0 times wider than laterally; last abdominal ventrite apically rounded.

Distribution. This newly described species is known from its type locality in Cuba.

Biology. Much of the biological information is unknown for the species, including its developmental stages.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin word abbreviātus , meaning shortened, in reference to the short anterolateral pronotal ridge present in the new species.

Figures

Figures 7–10. Entomophthalmus abbreviatus Otto, sp. nov. 7) Male holotype, dorsal view. 8) Male holotype, ventral view. 9) Male holotype, antenna. 10) Male holotype, pronotum, lateral view. (Scale: 7–10 = 0.5 mm.)

Figures 1–6. Entomophthalmus species. 1) Entomophthalmus americanus, dorsal view. 2) Entomophthalmus americanus, ventral view. 3) Entomophthalmus americanus, pronotum, lateral view. 4) Entomophthalmus rufiolus, dorsal view. 5) Entomophthalmus rufiolus, ventral view. 6) Entomophthalmus rufiolus, pronotum, lateral view. (Scale: 3, 6 = 0.5 mm; 1–2, 4–5 = 1.0 mm.)