Myrmeconycha erwini Konstantinov and Tishechkin, 2017

Konstantinov, A. S. & Tishechkin, A. K., 2017, Myrmeconycha new genus: the first myrmecophilous flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), Insecta Mundi 2017 (525), pp. 1-13 : 3-4

Myrmeconycha erwini Konstantinov and Tishechkin , new species

( Fig. 1 – 11 )

Description. Body length 3.81 – 4.09 mm, width 2.00 – 2.18 mm. Color light ochre, except pronotum, head and antennae dark grayish brown. Head and pronotum covered with waxy secretion. Front and middle legs and metatibia dark brown. Metafemora light ochre with apices dark brown.

Head with impressions lateral to antennal calli shallow. Anterofrontal ridge much longer than width of frontal ridge. Proportions of female antennomeres 1 – 6 as follows: 17:7:11:12:12:11.

Pronotum with basal central cell without ridge in middle, much smaller than basal lateral and central cells. Anterior wall of basal central cell shorter than lateral walls. Anterolateral setiferous pore situated on a sharp appendage. Pronotal punctures small, barely visible through wax.

Third (humeral) elytral ridge bent abruptly. Proportions of mesotarsomeres in female as follows: 17:12:13 (including setae):22. Proportions of metatarsomeres in female as follows: 32:17:15 (including setae):24.

Tignum with anterior end gradually rounded.

Etymology. This species is named after Terry Erwin who collected the only known specimens of this species.

Material examined. Holotype, female. 1) Ecuador: Depto. Orellana. Res. Ethnica Waorani, 1 km S Onkone Gare Camp. Trans. Ent. 0°39’10’ S 76°26 ”W 220m, 8 February 1995, T. L. Erwin et al. collectors. 2) Insecticidal fogging of mostly bare green leaves, some with covering of lichenous or bryophitic plants in terra firme forest. Project MAXUS Lot 953 Trans. 9 Sta. 4.; 3 ) Holotype Myrmeconycha erwini sp. nov. Konstantinov and Tishechkin 2016 ( USNM) . Paratype, female. Same labels as holotype ( USNM).

Figures

Figures 1–11. Myrmeconycha erwini. 1, 2, 3) Habitus, dorsal, lateral and ventral views. 4) Head, frontal view. 5) Hind tarsus, lateral view. 6) Ventral view. 7) Antenna. 8) Apex of 8th antennomere. 9) Hind tarsus dorsolateral view. 10) Female abdomen. 11) Tignum.