Nelloptodes blocki, 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 : 247

Nelloptode s blocki sp. n.

( Figs 6 A–I)

Description

Habitus Fig. 6A, L . 0.81mm (L. including extended abdomen 1.12mm). Shining yellow/brown, antennae and pubescence pale yellow. Eyes reduced to points, width across 0.30mm. Antennomeres III–XI L. 0.39mm. Mentum and prementum chaetotaxy ( Fig. 6I ). Pronotum L. 0.26mm, W. 0.44mm ( Fig. 6E ). Elytra L. 0.42mm, W. 0.45mm, truncate, shallowly foveolate. Proventrum ( Fig. 6H ). Mesoventrum ( Fig. 6F ), L. 0.17mm. Metaventrum ( Fig. 6G ), L. 0.12mm, distance between metacoxae 0.15mm. ♀ spermathecae ( Figs 6 Ca, 6Cb). Terminal abdominal ventrites ( Fig. 6G ). Slide to show absence of internal abdominal hooks ( Fig. 6D ). ♂, aedeagus ( Fig. 6B ).

Remarks: All specimens without wings, and eyes reduced to small points.

Diagnosis: The form of the spermatheca distinguishes this species.

Etymology: Named after Dr William C. Block the collector.

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, 3 exs, same data as holotype ( BMNH, one mounted as a disarticulated slide, one mounted verso, 1♂ with dorsal surface marked by numerous shallow circular pits of varying size, which may be the result of contact, possibly with a chemical substance ( Fig. 6E ).

Figures

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.