Agra risseri Erwin, 2010

Erwin, Terry L., 2010, Agra, arboreal beetles of Neotropical forests: pusilla group and piranha group systematics and notes on their ways of life (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini, Agrina), ZooKeys 66, pp. 1-28 : 18-21

Agra risseri Erwin sp. n. Figs 2 11

Holotype:

Bolivia: Santa Cruz, 4-6 km SSE Buena Vista, Hotel Flora & Fauna, 383m, "17.479°S, 63.631°W," 27-29 October 2000 (J.E. Wappes & R. Morris)(FSCA: ADP 115786, female).

Derivation of specific epithet.

The epithet " risseri " is a Latinized genitive eponym, based on the surname of Dr. Paul G. Risser, outgoing Chairman of the National Board of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, in honoring his long and invaluable service to the Smithsonian Institution.

Proposed English vernacular name.

Risser’s Elegant Canopy Beetle.

Diagnosis.

With the attributes of the genus and species-group as described above and legs unicolored, head very broad across occiput, wider than pronotum at its widest,frons laterad unicarinate, smooth, prothorax markedly setiferous both laterally and ventrally, and elytra slightly constricted at apical third, side margin barely arcuate.

Description.

( Fig. 2 ). Size: Small, ABL = 9.42 - 10.45 mm, SBL = 8.14 - 8.77 mm, TW = 2.4 - 3.08 mm. Color: Head, body, and appendages black, pronotum with brassy reflection elytra metallic blue. Luster: Shiny. Head: ( Fig. 2 ) Labrum moderately elongate and slightly rounded at anterior corners. Frons medially raised and smooth, laterally depressed and unicarinate, smooth. Gena almost squared to constricted neck in females. Genae and occiput with moderately dense punctures, most setiferous. Prothorax: Slightly broader medially, flared basally; surface with dense punctures, some setiferous; lateral elongate callous with single row of setiferous punctures along middle. Pterothorax: Elytron ( Fig. 2 ) with discal area flat, intervals moderately costate, interneurs of rows of somewhat laterally ovate punctures, apex truncate, barely lobate, apical dentation asymmetric, lateral tooth small, acute, sutural apex slightly produced, narrowly pointed. Metasternum sparsely setiferous in female. Legs: Normal in female. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna III to VII of female moderately and bilaterally setiferous; sternum VII of female shallowly emarginate, corners rounded. Male genitalia: Unknown. Female ovipositor: Stylomere 2 as in Agra piranha ( Fig. 9 ).

Dispersal potential.

These beetles are macropterous and are probably capable of flight; they are swift and agile runners.

Way of life.

Adults of other Agra species are found in the canopy of rainforest trees; known larvae of this genus ( Arndt et al. 2001) are found under the bark of these trees, however they must also roam on the surface, as they have been collected by insecticidal fogging techniques in the very early morning before first light. Members of Agra risseri occur at lowland to midland altitudes in the Amazon Basin. Adults are active in October, the rainy season.

Other specimens examined.

Brazil: Goiás, Jataí (Jatahy), 736m, 17.880°S, 51.720°W (BMNH: ADP 004375, female paratype).

Geographic distribution.

( Fig. 11 ). This species is currently known from Bolivia and Brazil.

Figures

Figure 2. Agra risseri Erwin, sp. n., dorsal aspect (ADP 115786).

Figure 11. Distribution map of the species of the piranha group.

Figures 8 - 9. 8 Agra piranha Erwin, sp. n., male genitalia (dorsal, ventral, left lateral aspects) (ADP 087440) 9 Agra piranha Erwin, sp. n., female stylomeres (dorsal aspect) (ADP 117227).