Scolytoplatypus lopchuensis Maiti & Saha

Beaver, R. A., Sittichaya, W. & Liu, L-Y., 2014, A Synopsis of the Scolytine Ambrosia Beetles of Thailand (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), Zootaxa 3875 (1), pp. 1-82 : 17-18

11. Scolytoplatypus lopchuensis Maiti & Saha *

Scolytoplatypus lopchuensis Maiti & Saha, 2009: 90 .

Thai distribution: N: Chiang Mai. New to Thailand.

New record: Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon NP, Checkpoint 2, 18° 31.55' N, 98° 29.94' E, 1700 m, MT, 8–15.v.2007 (Y. Areeluck) (1) .

Other distribution: India (W. Bengal). (2)

Taxonomy: In their description of the male, Maiti and Saha (2009) fail to mention the prosternum, which is a valuable taxonomic character in Scolytoplatypus ( Beaver & Gebhardt 2006) . It is broadly flattened posteriorly, but tapers anteriorly to a sharp point which is more strongly sclerotised. The tapering part bears long, backwardly pointing hairs, and at the tip on each side, a small tuft of short, forwardly pointing hairs. Maiti and Saha (2009) do not mention also the extremely long tufts of hairs on the anterior coxae. These are longer than in any other species of Scolytoplatypus known to us, the longest hairs extending two-thirds of the body length.

Biology: Maiti and Saha (2009) list three host species in three different families ( Lauraceae , Rutaceae , Symplocaceae ). Given the localities listed by Maiti & Saha (2009), and above, probably a montane species.

Illustrations: D ( Maiti & Saha 2009).