Myrmeconycha gordoni Konstantinov and Tishechkin, 2017

Konstantinov, A. S. & Tishechkin, A. K., 2017, Myrmeconycha new genus: the first myrmecophilous flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), Insecta Mundi 2017 (525), pp. 1-13 : 4

Myrmeconycha gordoni Konstantinov and Tishechkin , new species

( Fig. 12 – 19 )

Description. Body length 3.94 mm, width 1.89 mm. Color light ochre, except pronotum and head dark brown. Antennae dark brown except last three antennomeres light ochre or yellowish. Head and pronotum covered with waxy secretion.

Head with impressions lateral to antennal calli deep. Anterofrontal ridge slightly longer than width of frontal ridge. Proportions of female antennomeres 1 – 6 as follows: 16:7:11:12:10:10.

Pronotum with basal central cell with short ridge in middle, much smaller than basal lateral and central cells. Anterior wall of basal central cell shorter than lateral walls. Anterolateral setiferous pore situated on a sharp appendage. Pronotal punctures small, barely visible through wax.

Third (humeral) elytral ridge bent gradually. Proportions of mesotarsomeres in female as follows: 20:15:15 (including setae):22. Proportions of metatarsomeres in female as follows: 33:18:17 (including setae):22.

Sclerotized part of spermathecal pump shorter than membranous part.

Etymology. This species is named after Robert Gordon, a friend and fellow coleopterist at the USNM between 1993 and 1998.

Material examined. Holotype, female. 1) Brazil: Amazonas 18.1 km e Campinas field sta. km 60 n Manaus 22 Feb 1979, 02°30’S 060°15’W. 2) Terra firme forest canopy fogged with Pyrethrum Sample #2. 3) Montgomery, Erwin, Schimmel, Krischik, Date, Bacon colls.; 4 ) Holotype Myrmeconycha gordoni sp. nov. Konstantinov and Tishechkin 2016 ( USNM) .

Figures

Figures 12–19. Myrmeconycha gordoni. 12, 13, 14) Habitus, dorsal, lateral and ventral views. 15) Head, frontal view. 16) Pronotum. 17) Hind leg. 18) Female abdomen. 19) Spermatheca.