Chilocorus keralensis, POORANI, 2023

POORANI, J., 2023, An illustrated guide to the lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Indian Subcontinent. Part II. Tribe Chilocorini, Zootaxa 5378 (1), pp. 1-108 : 65

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5378.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:68976F75-EC46-480B-AB8A-061B1441A958
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10248861
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C44153-FFEC-FFED-FF77-FD19FA06F90F
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Chilocorus keralensis
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Chilocorus keralensis sp. n.

( Figs 49 View FIGURE 49 , 50 View FIGURE 50 )

Diagnosis. It outwardly resembles C. nigrita , the most common Indian species, but appears to be somewhat larger and slightly broader in outline ( Figs 49a View FIGURE 49 , 50a, b View FIGURE 50 ). The pronotum with anterolateral flanks very narrowly yellowish-testaceous ( Fig. 50c View FIGURE 50 ) and the male genitalia ( Fig. 49c–g View FIGURE 49 ) with a spindle-shaped penis guide in ventral view ( Fig. 49d View FIGURE 49 ) and paddle-shaped parameres ( Fig. 49c View FIGURE 49 ) are, however, diagnostic. It is also similar to C. flaviceps (Miyatake) in having a broadly rounded form but differs from the latter in having the terminal maxillary palpomere shortly cylindrical and the anterolateral flanks of the pronotum not markedly reddish-testaceous.

Description. Length: 4.60–5.00 mm; breadth: 4.20–5.00 mm. Male. Form ( Figs 49a View FIGURE 49 , 50a, b View FIGURE 50 ) broadly rounded and robust, nearly as broad as long, dorsum strongly convex and glabrous except anterolateral projections of pronotum with short, whitish hairs. Dorsal side with head yellowish to reddish brown, pronotum black except anterolateral margins of pronotal flanks narrowly reddish or yellowish brown, scutellar shield and elytra shiny black ( Fig. 50c View FIGURE 50 ). Ventral side yellowish to yellowish-testaceous, prothoracic hypomere anteriorly darker brownish, prosternal process, meso- and metaventrite slightly darker reddish brown, legs yellowish brown. Epipleura broad and distinctly foveolate on level with middle and hind legs, with whitish pubescence. Abdominal postcoxal lines ( Fig. 49b View FIGURE 49 ) incomplete; posterior margin of ventrite 5 and 6 medially narrowly but distinctly emarginate. Male genitalia ( Fig. 49c–g View FIGURE 49 ) as illustrated, penis guide somewhat spindle-shaped and narrowed towards both ends in ventral view ( Fig. 49d View FIGURE 49 ), anteriorly broadest and progressively narrowed to an acutely pointed and inwardly projecting apex in lateral view ( Fig. 49c View FIGURE 49 ), parameres broadened in posterior half and paddle-shaped without a pronounced angulation ( Fig. 49c View FIGURE 49 ); penis ( Fig. 49e View FIGURE 49 ) strongly curved with a large capsule, penis apex ( Fig. 49f, g View FIGURE 49 ) having triangular, lamellate and membranous expansions.

Female. Externally similar to male. Posterior margin of ventrite 5 and 6 arcuate ( Fig. 50e View FIGURE 50 ). Coxites ( Fig. 50e View FIGURE 50 ) transverse, spermatheca ( Fig. 50f View FIGURE 50 ) as illustrated.

Distribution. Appears to be endemic to Western Ghats of Kerala.

Specimens examined. Holotype male: “ INDIA: Kerala: Trivandrum JNTBGRI Palode 8°45’14.94” N, 7701’37.01”E, 05.iii.2019, S. R. Hiremath Coll.” ( NBAIR) . Paratypes: “ India: Kerala, CRS, Pampadumpara , N09°48’23.7” E077°10’04.9”, 07.iii.2017, Amritha KS & SR Hiremath Coll.”, female; GoogleMaps “India: Kerala, Ponmudi, 8°45’58.5”N, 77°6’38.9”E, 01.ix.2017, Amritha Kumari S. Coll., female” ( NBAIR); GoogleMaps Others: Trivandrum JNTBGRI Palode 8°45’14.94”N, 77°01’37.01”E, 05.iii.2019, S. R. Hiremath Coll. (one male) GoogleMaps .