Indomias ramakrishnani 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 : 44

23. Indomias ramakrishnani Ramamurthy sp. nov.

(figs. 4, 39, 67, 116, 117, 177, 228, 229 and 230)

Diagnosis: This species resembles I. cretaceus (Faust) and is distinguished by the following characters: Shape more elongate, length: breadth ratio of whole body 3.2:1. Rostrum deeply impressed at the middle dorsally, median furrow rounded anteriorly and pointed posteriorly. Antennae with first funicle segment 1.5x as long as the second. Elytra with intervals three, four, five and six slightly impressed at the posterior declivity and humeral fold not prominent, their apices rounded.

Description: Colour black with pale or dull green vestiture. Head as long as rostrum, upper surface flat, with deep, scattered punctations. Rostrum deeply impressed at the middle dorsally; as long as broad, anterior margin 0.88x as broad as the posterior margin; median furrow rounded anteriorly and pointed posteriorly, located more towards the anterior margin; lateral carinae distinct, running throughout the length of rostrum; sides straight; scrobes uniformly broad, parallel anteriorly and smoothly rounded at either ends. Eyes dorsolateral, convex, 2x as long as broad (figs. 4 and 39). Antennae piceous; scape abruptly clavate; funicle with its first segment 1.5x as long as the second, third to fifth conical, sixth longer and broader at apex; club transverse (fig. 67). Prothorax 1.09x as broad as long, its breadth at middle 1.1x as broad as the posterior margin; sides rounded at the middle and towards the anterior margin, but straight towards the posterior margin; anterior margin 0.68x as broad as the posterior margin, truncate dorsally and vertical laterally, posterior margin subtruncate, basal lobe slightly emarginate; upper surface rugosely punctate and interspaces perfectly tuberculate. Legs with hind tibial apex without any dense, golden yellow hairs. Elytra narrowly ovate, with basal margin strongly raised, its external angle acute, humeral fold small and not projecting; not at all impressed on declivity, apices rounded; stria deeply punctate, intervals broad, convex and raised, intervals three, four, five and six slightly impressed on declivity; elytral vestiture with predominant scales circular, reddish brown, with patches of granulated areas (fig. 116), less predominant, elongate, brown, with much broader and triangular base, apex smoothly rounded, narrowed and bent, with 2 ridges (fig. 117).

Male genitalia: Aedeagus with median lobe tubular; in profile arcuate at base, apex sharply pointed, length: breadth ratio 9.5:1, gradually broadened from base to apex, broadest at its junction with apophyses; apophyses 0.68x as long as median lobe (figs. 228–229). Tegmen with dorsal piece 3x as broad as basal piece; parameres long, narrowed to a sharply pointed apex; manubrium moderately long, 0.42x as long as median lobe, uniformly thick, its apex enlarged and rounded (fig. 230). Spiculum gastrale, with shaft 2.5x as long as manubrium, uniformly thick, its apex bent at right angles, enlarged and rounded; basal prongs subequal, their apices smoothly pointed (fig. 177).

Length: male, 8.15 mm; Breadth: male, 2.53 mm.

Holotype: 1 male, INDIA: Kerala: Malabar: Dhony forests, 26.V.1922, Coll. Ramakrishna ( NPC).

Distribution: India: Kerala.

Etymology: This species is named in honour of late Dr. T.V. Ramakrishna Ayyar, the collector of this specimen.