Bambara lyrae, Darby, 2019

Darby, Michael, 2019, Studies of Ptiliidae (Coleoptera) in the Spirit Collection of the Natural History Museum, London, 6: New species and records collected by W. C. Block in Kenya and Uganda, 1964 - 1965, Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 155, pp. 239-257 : 244

Bambara lyrae sp. n.

( Figs 4C, 4D )

Description

Habitus Fig. 4C, L . 0.62mm. Yellow species, closely covered with pale pubescence, longer on the head, the antennae very pale almost translucent. Antennomeres III–XI L. 0.23mm. Eyes very small, distance across eyes 0.19mm. Pronotum L. 0.16mm, W. 0.31mm, hind corners barely projected rearwards in dorsal view. Elytra L. 0.38mm, W. 0.32mm. with very short and narrow epipleura. Mesoventrum reticulate, without pubescence, keel very sharp between mesocoxae stopping short anteriorly of collar. Metaventrum reticulate and pubescent, coxae adjacent. Fully winged. ♀, spermatheca ( Fig. 4D ). ♂, not known.

Etymology: Named in memory of Lyra McKee, the journalist recently shot dead by accident in Ireland.

Diagnosis: The smallest of the Ugandan Bambara species. Determined by the distinctive form of the spermatheca, which is only likely to be confused with B. verecunda Darby from Madagascar and the widespread B. brunnea (Britten) – but is distinguished from both those species by the reversed positions of the terminal arms of the receptacle.

Material examined

Holotype, ♀, UGANDA: Makerere University College Farm , 12 miles N. Kampala, 0°28′N, 32°37′E, xii.1964 –v.65, leg. W.C. Block, B.M. 1978-472 ( BMNH, mounted as a disarticulated slide).

Paratypes, 4♀♀, same data as holotype ( BMNH) .

Figures

Fig. 4. — Bambara spp. Bambara fragilis sp. n., A, habitus; Ba, Bb, spermathecae. Bambara lyrae sp. n., C, habitus; D, spermatheca.?Bambara problematica Darby, E, spermatheca.?Bambara subjoannis Darby, F, spermatheca. Bambara magnifica Darby, G, spermatheca. Bambara gabela Darby, H, spermatheca. Bambara frosti (Dybas), I, spermatheca.