Phaelota viridipennis, Prathapan, K. D. & Konstantinov, A. S., 2009

Prathapan, K. D. & Konstantinov, A. S., 2009, Descriptions of eight new species of Phaelota (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with a new generic synonymy and a key to species of Indian subcontinent, Zootaxa 1991, pp. 1-27 : 22-25

Phaelota viridipennis , new species

( Figs 76 – 82)

Distribution. India (Tamil Nadu).

Host plants. The types were collected by sifting moss on tree trunks and rocks.

Description. Total body length 2.3 – 2.9 mm, width 1.3 – 1.7 mm. Elytron metallic black with greenish reflections ( Fig. 76). Pronotum bright brown. Frons, mouth parts, basal six antennomeres, legs brown. Vertex dark brown to piceous. Scutellum dark brown. All sternites dark brown to piceous. Distal five antennomeres black, apex of last antennomere brownish, sixth antennomere darker than fifth.

In lateral view, frons distinctly higher than vertex; vertex and frons separately appear convex as their intersection being notched. Vertex convex, minutely punctate ( Fig. 77). Antennal callus convex, triangular, broader than long, high along middle. Midfrontal longitudinal depression absent, antennal calli connected. Midfrontal sulcus distinct. Suprafrontal sulcus poorly developed. Frontal ridge sparsely minutely punctate. Anterofrontal ridge with vertical carina medially. Maxillary palpus with preapical palpomere slightly shorter than half of apical. Second and third antennomeres subequal, fourth apparently shorter than third; fifth distinctly longer than fourth; sixth subequal to fourth or shorter; seventh distinctly wider, longer than sixth; eighth subequal to seventh in length, wider than seventh; ninth subequal to eighth; tenth slightly wider and longer than ninth, as wide as long; eleventh two times as long as tenth.

Pronotum slightly narrower anteriorly than posteriorly, lateral margin weakly curved ( Fig. 80); anterolateral callosity forming blunt obtuse denticle at pore. Disc shiny, covered with a mixture of small and minute punctures, punctures being stronger posteriorly. Curved longitudinal impressions laterally delimiting antebasal transverse impression distinct, antebasal transverse impression not evident in middle. Scutellum semicircular, extremely minutely punctate. Elytron with humerus flat, without depression posteriorly or mesally, maximum width at anterior 1/3. Surface shiny, punctures bold, deep, turning shallow yet distinct posteriorly. Interstices flat, minutely punctured, width of interstices vary from 3 – 8 times diameter of a puncture in middle of elytron. Epipleuron oblique, slightly short of reaching apex. Metasternum slightly shorter than prosternum. Metatibia nearly straight from lateral and dorsal views; dorsal surface flat in distal 1/3, rest of it convex. Metatibial spine shorter than tarsal claw.

Posterior margin of last abdominal sternite of male neither bisinuate nor with a lobe in middle, weakly convex, with a row of short setae near middle ( Fig. 81).

Median lobe of aedeagus curved in lateral view ( Fig. 79); in ventral view slightly narrowed before middle, ventral side convex with flat apex; dorsal opening covered by three laminae, middle one sclerotized. Arm of tegmen about half as long as stem ( Fig. 82).

Female unknown.

Sexual dimorphism. All first tarsomeres are ventrally flat with short, capitate plumose setae and the metafemora is serrulate. Though no females were examined, it is certain that these are sexually dimorphic characters as in other congeners.

Type material. Holotype ♂. Labels: 1) SOUTH INDIA Western Ghats Tamil Nadu, Nilgiri , env. Ooti Longwood shola 25.XI.2003 1993m, N11ْ 26'16" E76ْ 52' 36", leg.

Konstantinov, Prathapan, Saluk; 2) Holotype Phaelota viridipennis sp. nov. des. D. Prathapan, A. Konstantinov, 2007 (USNM).

Paratypes: 7 ♂ the same labels as holotype; 1 ♂ same data except the date 21. X. 2003 and the collector Prathapan ; 4 ♂ SOUTH INDIA Western Ghats Tamil Nadu, env. Ooti, mt. Doddabetta , 27.XI.2003 2600m, N11°23'59" E76°44'06" moss leg. Konstantinov, Prathapan, Saluk (5 USNM, 2 BMNH, 1 NHMB, 1 NPC, 1 UASB, 2 PKDC)

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the dark metallic green elytron and is an adjective.

Remarks. Phaelota viridipennis can be easily separated from all other species of Phaelota by its unique coloration: bright brown head and pronotum and aeneous elytron. All 13 individuals studied are males though they were collected at two localities. The sex ratio in this species appears to be strangely skewed towards males.