Chilocorus keralensis sp. n.

(Figs 49, 50)

Diagnosis. It outwardly resembles C. nigrita, the most common Indian species, but appears to be somewhat larger and slightly broader in outline (Figs 49a, 50a, b). The pronotum with anterolateral flanks very narrowly yellowish-testaceous (Fig. 50c) and the male genitalia (Fig. 49c–g) with a spindle-shaped penis guide in ventral view (Fig. 49d) and paddle-shaped parameres (Fig. 49c) are, however, diagnostic. It is also similar to C. flaviceps (Miyatake) in having a broadly rounded form but differs from the latter in having the terminal maxillary palpomere shortly cylindrical and the anterolateral flanks of the pronotum not markedly reddish-testaceous.

Description. Length: 4.60–5.00 mm; breadth: 4.20–5.00 mm. Male. Form (Figs 49a, 50a, b) broadly rounded and robust, nearly as broad as long, dorsum strongly convex and glabrous except anterolateral projections of pronotum with short, whitish hairs. Dorsal side with head yellowish to reddish brown, pronotum black except anterolateral margins of pronotal flanks narrowly reddish or yellowish brown, scutellar shield and elytra shiny black (Fig. 50c). Ventral side yellowish to yellowish-testaceous, prothoracic hypomere anteriorly darker brownish, prosternal process, meso- and metaventrite slightly darker reddish brown, legs yellowish brown. Epipleura broad and distinctly foveolate on level with middle and hind legs, with whitish pubescence. Abdominal postcoxal lines (Fig. 49b) incomplete; posterior margin of ventrite 5 and 6 medially narrowly but distinctly emarginate. Male genitalia (Fig. 49c–g) as illustrated, penis guide somewhat spindle-shaped and narrowed towards both ends in ventral view (Fig. 49d), anteriorly broadest and progressively narrowed to an acutely pointed and inwardly projecting apex in lateral view (Fig. 49c), parameres broadened in posterior half and paddle-shaped without a pronounced angulation (Fig. 49c); penis (Fig. 49e) strongly curved with a large capsule, penis apex (Fig. 49f, g) having triangular, lamellate and membranous expansions.

Female. Externally similar to male. Posterior margin of ventrite 5 and 6 arcuate (Fig. 50e). Coxites (Fig. 50e) transverse, spermatheca (Fig. 50f) as illustrated.

Distribution. Appears to be endemic to Western Ghats of Kerala.

Specimens examined. Holotype male: “ INDIA: Kerala: Trivandrum JNTBGRI Palode 8°45’14.94” N, 7701’37.01”E, 05.iii.2019, S. R. Hiremath Coll.” (NBAIR). Paratypes: “ India: Kerala, CRS, Pampadumpara, N09°48’23.7” E077°10’04.9”, 07.iii.2017, Amritha KS & SR Hiremath Coll.”, female; “India: Kerala, Ponmudi, 8°45’58.5”N, 77°6’38.9”E, 01.ix.2017, Amritha Kumari S. Coll., female” (NBAIR); Others: Trivandrum JNTBGRI Palode 8°45’14.94”N, 77°01’37.01”E, 05.iii.2019, S. R. Hiremath Coll. (one male).

Eytmology. The species epithet is in reference to Kerala, the state from where the specimens were collected.