Alloscolytroproctus ashei Anderson

Anderson, Robert S., 2008, A review of the Neotropical genus Alloscolytroproctus Hustache, 1929 (Coleoptera; Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae), Zootaxa 1816, pp. 35-43 : 42

Alloscolytroproctus ashei Anderson , sp. n.

( Figs. 3 , 6 , 9 )

Diagnosis

Length 3.3–5.0 mm. Integument black except for red anterior and posterior elytral maculations, prosternum and portions of legs rufous. Rostrum with apex slightly expanded, width at apex more or less equal to distance between eyes. Pronotal disc ( Fig. 6 ) with punctures shallow, separated by at least their own diameter. Elytra ( Fig. 6 ) with intervals 2, 3 and 5 with sparse, long, erect, linearly arranged setae in posterior third to quarter (setae present but short on sutural interval); interval 2 at most slightly widened posteriorly but sutural and interval 3 not modified. Hind tibiae with large tooth at inner apical angle straight, not curved or hook-like.

Material examined

Holotype male labeled “ Venezuela: Aragua / Parq. Nac. Henri Pittier / Est. Biol. Rancho Grande / 10º21'N 67º41'W, cloud forest / vi.21 –24.1999, 1100 m / Ratcliffe, Jameson, Smith, Villatoro” (CMNC). Paratypes (9 males, 14 females): labeled as holotype (1 female, CMNC); Venezuela, Aragua, Rancho Grande Biological Station, 1300 m, 10 º21'0"N 67º41'0"W, 12–14.v.1998, J. Ashe, R. Brooks & R. Hanley, FIT (1, CMNC); Venezuela, Aragua, Rancho Grande Biological Station, 1450 m, 10 º21'38"N 67º40'38"W, 14.v.–2.vi.1998, J. Ashe, R. Brooks & R. Hanley, FIT (2, CMNC); Venezuela, Aragua, Parq. Nac. Henri Pittier, Portochuelo Pass, 1200 m, 7–13.vi.1999, Ratcliffe, Jameson, Smith, Villatoro, FIT (2, CMNC); Venezuela, Aragua, Rancho Grande Biological Station, 1140 m, 1–8.iii.1995, R. Brooks FIT (2, CMNC); Venezuela, Aragua, Parque Nacional Rancho Grande, Pico Guacamaya, 1800 m, 18.vi.1988, C. Bordon, lindgren trap (13, CWOB); Venezuela, Aragua, Rancho Grande Biological Station, 1100 m, 10.v.1973, G. Ekis (1, USNM); Venezuela, Caracas, collection Chevrolat (1, NRMS).

Biology

Specimens were collected in flight intercept traps in montane cloud forest between 1100 and 1450 m and in lindgren traps at 1800 m, from March through June.

Comments

This species is named after my friend and colleague James Steven Ashe, deceased on 27 December 2005. Steve was a wonderful field companion and friend and I’ll always miss his youthful exuberance and enthusiasm upon making exciting new discoveries in the field; field trips are not the same without him. His widespread use of flight intercept traps led to the collection of many specimens of Alloscolytroproctus , including numerous specimens of this species that now bears his surname. Of the three species known this one is the least distinctive. The elytra are not distinctly modified as in A. peruanus or A. dominicae . All specimens examined have the same elytral color pattern, with both posterior and anterior red maculations but an entirely black pronotum.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Alloscolytroproctus, distribution; solid circle — A. peruanus, open circle — A. ashei, asterisk — A. dominicae.

FIGURES 1 – 3. Alloscolytroproctus, lateral habitus of males. 1, A. peruanus Hustache. 2, A. dominicae Anderson, n. sp. 3, A. ashei Anderson, n. sp.

FIGURES 4 – 6. Alloscolytroproctus, pronotum and elytra of males. 4, A. peruanus. 5, A. dominicae. 6, A. ashei.