Leptostylus retrorsus Bates, 1885

(Figures 1–2)

Leptostylus retrorsus Bates, 1885: 387; Monné, 2018: 85 (cat.).

Bates (1885) described L. retrorsus based, apparently, on a single specimen from Panama. It is possible to infer this because he provided one unique length: “4¾ lin. [≈ 10.1 mm].” When Bates had more than one specimen, he provided the range as, for example, in the description of Leptostylus fuligineus, in the same work: “Long. 3½-4½.” Even so, Chemsak & Linsley (1970) designated lectotype for L. retrorsus (Fig. 2). Although it is not a serious problem, it is important to know that if there are more specimens in the BMNH and/or other institutions, identified as L. retrorsus (even by Bates himself), from the same place as the holotype / lectotype, they are not paralectotypes. This is because the existence of syntypes is not supported by the original description. According to ICZN (1999: Article 73.1.2): “if the nominal species-group taxon is based on a single specimen, either so stated or implied in the original publication, that specimen is the holotype fixed by monotypy.” The single measurement provided in the original description is evidence that Bates had a single specimen when described the species.

The specimen from Ecuador (Fig. 1) agrees well with the photograph of the lectotype (Fig. 2) deposited at BMNH. Therefore, its geographical distribution extends from Central America (Costa Rica, Panama) to northern South America.According to Bates (1885), the dark macula placed about middle of the elytra is V-shaped. However, sometimes that macula is more widened close to suture, becoming something like an inverted triangle. Furthermore, there is another V-shaped macula, slightly brownish, from near humeri to about midlength, slightly distinct in some specimens, but well-marked in others.

Material examined. ECUADOR (new country record), Pichincha: Río Pachijal (Los Bancos; 00º04’06”N / 78º54’17”W; 928m), 1 female, 29.X.2011, V. Sinyaev col. (MZSP) .