Laparocerus inermis, Machado, Antonio, 2007

Machado, Antonio, 2007, New species of Laparocerus Schönherr, 1834 from La Gomera, Canary Islands (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae), Zootaxa 1643, pp. 1-38 : 18-19

Laparocerus inermis n. sp.

( Figs. 6 B, 12C–D, G, 16A, 18M)

Dimensions, holotype (ɗ). Length: total (without rostrum) 8.85 mm, head 1.85 mm, rostrum 0.95 mm, eyes 0.62 mm, scape 2.05 mm, funicle 2.10 mm, segments (1st /2nd) 0.50 / 0.45 mm, club 0.68 mm, pronotum 2.15 mm, elytra 6.20 mm, and tibiae (pro- /meso- /meta-) 2.35 /2.15 / 2.50 mm. Width: head (with eyes) 1.40 mm, head (between eyes) 0.80 mm, rostrum (with pterygia) 0.92 mm, rostrum (minimum dorsal /ventral) 0.66 / 0.80 mm, eyes 0.44 mm, scape (apicad) 0.20 mm, club 0.24 mm, pronotum (anterior /maximum /posterior) 1.70 /2.60 / 2.30 mm, elytra (maximum) 3.90 mm. Height: abdomen 3.10 mm. Specimen slightly teneral.

Differential diagnosis. Similar in appearance and structural details to L. hupalupa but slightly more oblong, rostrum a little shorter and broader (L/W ratio 1.4 instead of 1.6); eyes less evenly convex (more depressed in front); legs stouter (protibia not much longer than pronotum), male metatibia more robust without trace of terminal spur; internal rim of tibial face flat and bordered by 4–5 flat, thickened, blunt setae or spines, leaving a small open middle space. Aedeagus (fig. 12C–D) relatively long and characteristic, ending in broad ly tapering, slightly bisinuate apical plate with a well developed median keel at blunt apex, anvil-like in profile; internal sac shorter but with equivalent fields of sclerotized denticles and teeth. Hemisternites with short subapical styli, not widely distant (compare figs. 12F, G); plate of sternite VIII larger (fig. 16A).

Etymology. The subspecific epithet (unarmed) refers to the absence of an apical lobe on the male metatibia.

Remarks. Females of L. inermis and L. hupalupa are difficult to distinguish from each other unless the ovipositor is examined. Only the males of the latter species bear the characteristic apical metatibial lobe, which is absent in L. inermis . However, if this lobe is broken or abraded, also the males can only be distinguished by their genitalia, the apex of the median lobe being narrowly attenuated in L. hupalupa but broad, narrowing apicad and always with a well developed median keel in L. inermis (fig. 16A). Both species can be easily distinguished from other similar species by the conspicuous, narrow pronotal constriction or collar and by the absence of hairs or scales on the elytra.

Material examined. Holotype: Tagamiche-S, 930 m (UTM = 28R 0 2785788 3109002), 3-1-2005, leg. A. Machado, 1 ɗ ( TFMC, reg. CO-15518). Paratypes: s ame data, 6 exx. ( AMC); same locality, 7-12-2002, leg. R. García, 7 exx. (RGB); Degollada de Peraza-N, 950 m, 16-3-2003, 2 exx.; same data, 20-2-2007, 58 exx.; Vegaipala–NE, 760 m, 16-3-2003, 3 exx.; Carretera a Benchijigua , 670 m, 3-1-2006, leg. A. Machado, 3 exx. ( AMC). Other specimens: El Cedro, 850 m (under stone), 5-5-1981, leg. A. Machado, 1 ex. ( AMC).

Distribution and ecology. This species seems to be restricted to high altitudes in the south-eastern part of La Gomera. It was collected at night, feeding on Cistus monspeliensis mixed in bush vegetation with Kleinia, Echium and Euphorbia or, on cliffs, with Pericalis or Argyranthemum . One specimen was found beneath stones in the forest area of El Cedro, but the exact habitat is not recorded.

Figures

FIGURE 6. New Laparocerus species from La Gomera, holotypes: (A) L. hupalupa, (B) L. inermis. Scale = 2 mm