Nelloptodes gretae, Darby, 2019

Darby, Michael, 2019, Studies of Ptiliidae (Coleoptera) in the Spirit Collection of the Natural History Museum, London, 6: New species and records collected by W. C. Block in Kenya and Uganda, 1964 - 1965, Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 155, pp. 239-257 : 250

Nelloptodes gretae sp. n.

( Figs 8 A–D)

Description

Habitus Fig. 8A, L . 0.79mm. Dull yellow brown as a result of strong reticulation, antennae and pubescence pale yellow. Head foveolate between eyes. Eyes reduced to points, width across 0.28mm. Antennomeres III–XI L. 0.38mm. Mentum and prementum chaetotaxy as in Fig. 6I . Pronotum L. 0.24mm, W. 0.40mm ( Fig. 8B ). Elytra L. 0.41mm, W. 0.42mm, truncate, shallowly foveolate. Proventrum, mesocoxae adjacent. Mesoventrum ( Fig. 8D ), L. 0.15mm posterior margin shallowly convex medially and meeting lateral margin at an obtuse angle. Metaventrum ( Fig. 8D ), L. 0.11mm, distance between metacoxae 0.14mm. ♀, spermatheca ( Fig. 6D ). ♂, not known.

Remarks: All specimens without eyes and wings.

Diagnosis: The form of the spermatheca and the presence of foveolae on the head between the eyes separate this species from the other Nelloptodes .

Etymology: Named in honour of the Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg, climate activist and promoter of Extinction Rebellion.

Material examined

Holotype, ♀, KENYA, Aberdares National Park , 64 miles W. Nairobi, 0°30′S, 36°40′E, x.1965, leg. W.C. Block, BM 1978-472 ( BMNH).

Paratypes, 2♂♂, same data as holotype ( BMNH, one mounted verso) .

Figures

Fig. 8. — Nelloptodes gretae sp. n. A, habitus; B, spermatheca; C, pronotum ×550; D, meso- and metaventra ×405.

Fig. 6. — Nelloptodes blocki sp. n.. A, habitus; B, aedeagus; Ca, Cb, spermathecae; D, terminal abdominal tergites and ventrites showing position of spermatheca and lack of claws; E, pronotum ×400; F, meso- and metaventra ×470; G, terminal abdominal ventrites ×600; H, proventrum ×470; I, mentum and prementum ×840.