Ptinella mpanga, 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 : 252-253

Ptinella mpanga sp. n.

( Figs 11 A–E)

Description

Habitus Fig. 11A, L . 0.64mm. Dusky yellow brown, antennae and pubescence pale yellow. Eyes present, width across 0.25mm. Antennomeres III–XI L. 0.29mm. Mentum and prementum chaetotaxy as Fig. 6I . Pronotum L. 0.18mm, W. 0.31mm, lateral margins evenly rounded to rectangular hind angles, without sinuations, lateral and posterior margins with a narrow border ( Fig. 11B ). Elytra L. 0.38mm, W. 0.36mm, truncate, shallowly foveolate, chaetotaxy as in Fig. 10E . Proventrum, mesocoxae adjacent. Mesoventrum ( Fig. 11D ), L. 0.13mm, reticulate, without pubescence, collar without a clearly defined posterior margin, lateral margins smoothly rounded at posterior angles. Metaventrum ( Fig. 11D ), L. 0.14mm, reticulate, with scattered pubescence, hind margin between metacoxae with sharply angled corners ( Fig.11E ), distance between metacoxae 0.09mm. ♀, spermatheca ( Fig. 11B ). ♂, not known.

Remarks: Holotype and two paratypes with eyes and wings, remainder with reduced eyes, possession of wings unclear.

Diagnosis: The form of the spermatheca distinguishes this species.

Etymology: Named after the Mpanga Forest Reserve, a small patch (453 hectares) of equatorial rainforest in the Mpigi District, Mawokota, 37 miles SW of Kampala, where the insects were collected. Noun in apposition.

Material examined

Holotype, ♀, UGANDA: Mpanga Forest , 25 miles N. Kampala, 0°12′N, 32°17′E, ix.1965, leg. W.C. Block, B.M. 1978-472 ( BMNH).

Paratypes, 4 exs, UGANDA: Katabana , 14 miles N. Kampala, 0°29′N, 32°37′E, litter in papyrus swamp, leg. W.C. Block, B.M. 1978-472 ( BMNH, one mounted verso) .

Figures

Fig. 11. — Ptinella mpanga sp. n. A, habitus; B, spermatheca; C, pronotum ×705; D, meso- and metaventra ×595; E, metaventral posterior margin between metacoxae ×1380.

Fig. 6. — Nelloptodes blocki sp. n.. A, habitus; B, aedeagus; Ca, Cb, spermathecae; D, terminal abdominal tergites and ventrites showing position of spermatheca and lack of claws; E, pronotum ×400; F, meso- and metaventra ×470; G, terminal abdominal ventrites ×600; H, proventrum ×470; I, mentum and prementum ×840.

Fig. 10. — Ptinella katyae sp. n. A, habitus; B, spermatheca; C, pronotum ×595; D, meso- and metaventra ×445; E, elytral chaetotaxy ×1100.