Derelomus karooensis Haran sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: B88668D9-2A4C-49DD-9A26-C4B2B5C39AC2

Fig. 3

Diagnosis

Derelomus karooensis sp. nov. can be distinguished by the combination of white scales on the lateral carina of the pronotum, the distinctly transverse pronotum (W: L ratio: 1.33), two transverse bands or lines of dark spots on the elytra, a black club, and the comparatively short body of the penis (Fig. 3D). It is closest to D. acuminatus sp. nov., see key of species for diagnostic features. GenBank accession number for the corresponding DNA barcode: ON553427.

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to the area of origin of most of the studied specimens, the Karoo region in the Republic of South Africa.

Material examined

Holotype

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA • ♂; “Rep. of South Africa; WC. Pr. [Western Cape province], Groenfontein; Guest Farm, 16.i.2019; J. Haran coll.” “ JHAR02095-01; -33.448 21.793 [33°26′52.8″ S, 21°47′34.8″ E]; Light trap; Collection – Cirad” “HOLOTYPE ♂; Derelomus karooensis; Haran, 2025”; SAMC.

Paratypes

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA – Western Cape Province • 4 ♀♀; LittleKaroo, Raubenheimer dam; 33°24′57″ S, 22°18′58″ E; 30 Oct. 1993; Endrödy-Younga coll.; beating Acacia [ Vachellia]; E-Y:2922; TMSA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; CBGP • 1 ♀; Mossel Bay; 34°12′04″ S, 22°05′57″ E; Jan. 1922; R.E. Turner coll.; NHMUK • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; Dec. 1921; R.E. Turner coll.; NHMUK. – Eastern Cape Province • 2 ♀♀; Baviaanskloof, near Patensie; 33°38′00″ S, 24°28′59″ E; 23 Nov. 1983; R. Oberprieler coll.; SANC • 1 ♀; Dunbrody; 33°28′12″ S, 25°32′46″ E; 19 Sep. 1900; NHMUK • 1 ♀; Dunbrody; 33°28′12″ S, 25°32′46″ E; 20 Dec. 1900; NHMUK • 1 ♀; Uitenhage; 33°45′36″ S, 25°21′30″ E; Oct. 1998; J. Onui (?); on Mimosa L.; NHMUK • 1 ♀; between Somerset East and Swaarshoek; 32°34′59″ S, 25°26′00″ E; 6 Feb. 1990; V.M. Uys coll.; SANC • 1 ♀; Somerset East;; 32°43′48″ S, 25°35′10″ E; 1–26 Jan. 1931; R.E. Turner coll.; NHMUK .

Description (♂)

MEASUREMENTS. Body length 2.5 mm.

COLOR. Body integument pale brown, club black, elytra with two transverse oblique dark bands forming an “X” near middle of length; vestiture of dorsum made of minute white setae, integument glabrous in appearance.

HEAD. Rostrum as long as pronotum in lateral view, downcurved near base, almost straight in apical ⅔; in dorsal view 2.5× as long as wide, integument densely punctate, with 4 carinae, covered with short suberect whitish setae oriented transversally; antennae inserted near apical ¼ of length; head capsule coarsely punctate in dorsal view, with suberect whitish scales forming two tufts near eyes oriented toward centre of forehead; eyes convex, exceeding lateral curve of head capsule in dorsal view; antennal funicle with first segment 1.5× as long as wide, equal in length to segments 2–3 together, 2 isodiametric, 3–7 transverse.

PRONOTUM. Wider than long (W: L ratio: 1.33), widest near apical ⅓, 0.77× as wide there as elytra at humeral angles, lateral carina forming an obtuse angle at apical ⅓ of length; sides abruptly converging in apical ¼, apical constriction shallow; integument with large circular punctures, space between punctures dull, narrower than or as wide as diameter of punctures; cover denser along lateral carinae.

METATHORAX. Metanepisterna with scarce setiform scales.

ELYTRA. Elongate (W: L ratio: 0.68); sides convex, widest near middle of length; humeri raised; apex jointly rounded; striae with punctures as wide as or slightly narrower than interstriae; interstriae slightly convex; scutellar shield rounded, black, glabrous.

ABDOMEN. Underside covered with minute recumbent whitish setae, not contiguous.

LEGS. Profemora thickened near middle of length; protibiae with external margin straight, internal slightly bisinuate; claws simple.

TERMINALIA. Body of penis elongate (W:L ratio: 0.37), 1.2× as long as apodemes; sides subparallel in dorsal view, widest at base, converging regularly apicad from apical ¼ of length, apex forming spatula; in lateral view curvature stronger in basal ½ of length, width narrowing regularly from middle of length to apex; apex curved upward (Fig. 3D).

Sexual dimorphism

Females can be distinguished from males by the rostrum which is slightly longer and more downcurved in lateral view (Fig. 3C).

Life history

Adults were recorded on various species Vachellia ( Fabaceae). The holotype was collected in the vicinity of blooming Vachellia karroo (Hayne) Banfi & Galasso. Adults were collected from October to February, they are attracted by light traps.

Distribution

Endemic to the Republic of South Africa, where it seems to be restricted to the Eastern and Western Cape provinces. Its putative host plant is widely distributed in Southern Africa.

Remarks

The stridulatory plate of the unique male specimen available was damaged and could not be used in the description.