Indomias yercaudensis Ramamurthy

Y, R A M A M U Rt H & Ayri, Shaloo, 2010, Revision of the genus Indomias Marshall (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae, Tanymecini) from India, Zootaxa 2357, pp. 1-49 : 45-46

25 Indomias yercaudensis Ramamurthy sp. nov.

(figs. 18, 50, 76, 105, 106, 183, 252, 253 and 254)

Diagnosis: This species resembles I. lividus ( Marshall) and is distinguished by the following characters: Rostrum plain dorsally. Elytra with basal margin strongly raised, with an impression at the base of intervals five and six, intervals three and five not broader than others. Prothorax with median stria uniformly broad rounded at both ends and running across posterior two thirds. General body size with length: breadth ratio 2.8:1.

Description: Colour black with metallic green or bluish green vestiture, prothorax and elytra interspersed with metallic blue scales. Head as long as rostrum, upper surface flat or even, with shallow, confluent punctations, usually hidden behind vestiture. Rostrum plain dorsally, as long as broad, anterior margin 0.83x as broad as posterior margin; median furrow short, broad; lateral carinae distinct; sides straight; scrobes 2x broad as breadth at posterior margin and squarish anteriorly but narrow and convergent posteriorly. Eyes dorsolateral, slightly or moderately convex, length: breadth ratio 2.66:1 (figs. 18 and 50). Antennae dark brown; scape abruptly clavate; funicle with first segment 1.16x as long as second, third and fourth subequal, fifth and sixth equal and bead like; club conical (fig. 76). Prothorax as long as broad, its breadth at middle 1.2x as broad as the posterior margin; sides rounded; anterior margin 0.9x as broad as the posterior margin, truncate dorsally and acute laterally, posterior margin truncate; upper surface with shallow confluent punctations at the middle, lateral areas rugosely punctate. Legs with hind tibial apex without any dense, golden yellow hairs. Elytra broadly ovate, with basal margin strongly raised, its external angle acute or perpendicular, humeral fold present and projecting, posterior declivity not impressed, with an impression at the base of intervals five and six; apices rounded; stria shallowly punctate, hidden behind vestiture; intervals broad, plain and not much raised; elytral vestiture with predominant scales circular, orange, with ridges (fig. 105), less predominant more elongate, orange, with incomplete ridges (fig. 106).

Male genitalia: Aedeagus with median lobe much slender, in profile narrowly arcuate at the base, apex pointed, length: breadth ratio 10:1, apophyses 0.85x as long as median lobe, their apices rounded; endophallus duct with a sclerotized patch and a distinct, transfer apparatus (figs. 252–253). Tegmen with dorsal piece 3x as broad as basal piece; parameres short, broad, thumb shaped; manubrium slender, uniformly thick, only 0.64x as long as median lobe, with apex deflected and truncate (fig. 254). Spiculum gastrale with shaft very slender, only 0.25x as broad as the median lobe, 1.1x as long as median lobe, apex pointed; basal prongs equal, with their rounded apices (fig. 183).

Length: male, 7.41 mm; Breadth: male, 2.45 mm.

Holotype: 1 male, INDIA: Tamil Nadu: Salem: Yercaud 7–15.V.1919. Coll. Isaac ( NPC).

Distribution: India: Tamil Nadu.

Etymology: This species is named after the locality Yercaud, from where it was collected.