Centris (Ptilotopus) auriceps Entomologia & Nacional & Quinta da Boa Vista & Cristóvão & Janeiro & E-mail 2019, sp. nov.

Centris (Ptilotopus) auriceps sp. nov.

(Figs. 1, 2)

Diagnosis. This new species is easily recognized by the yellowish coloration of clypeus and labrum, by the yellowish pubescence on T2 (Fig. 2) and the yellowish-orange hairs on head and fore legs that contrast with the brown pilosity on the rest of the body (Figs. 1, 2).

Description. Holotype male. Measurements (mm): Approximately body length: 25.1. Head width: 6.7. Forewing length: 20.1. Mandible basal width: 1.8. Mandible length: 3.4. Escape length: 1.0. F1 length: 1.6. F2 length: 3.5. F3 length: 4.5. UID: 2.7. DII: 3.4. Coloration: Integument of head in general dark brown, but mandible light brown with dark brown apex (Fig. 1). Labrum, clypeus, supraclypeal and paraocular areas yellowish (Fig. 1). Antenna brown, escape, pedicel and F1 slightly reddish brown. Forelegs and pronotal lobe light brown. Mesoscutum, mesoscutellum and tegula dark brown (Fig. 2). Hypoepimeral tubercle, metanotum, metepisternum and propodeum reddish brown. Middle and hind legs brown (Fig. 2). Terga and sterna brown with yellowish brown distal margin. Wings brown with slight violet iridescence (Fig. 2). Pubescence: Head and forelegs yellowish-orange (Figs. 1, 2). Mesosoma with brown hairs, slightly darker on mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 2). Middle and hind legs with dark brown hairs (Fig. 2). Metasoma with brown hairs, similar to those on mesoscutum, except T2 with yellowish hairs (Fig. 2). Integument and sculpture surface: Labrum with fine areolation, almost absent, with coarse and relatively scattered punctation, with a narrow and not well-defined smooth longitudinal area. Clypeus strongly areolate and with fine and dense punctation, coarser and scattered towards the lateral sides. Distal margin of terga and sterna smooth. Structures: Maxillary palpus with five palpomeres (relative lengths: 2 nd>3 rd>1 st>4 th ≈5 th). Mandible with three apically acute teeth, except second widely rounded (relative lengths: 1 st>2 nd>3 rd) (Fig. 1). Apical tooth widely separated from the others (Fig. 1). Third tooth with apex directed upwards. Trimmal angle absent. Acetabular carina reaching the base of second tooth (Fig. 1). Labrum relatively semicircular, without longitudinal carina (Fig. 1). Clypeus convex (lateral view) and with concave upper half (dorsal view). Central area of epistomal suture slightly more convex than central area of clypeal lower margin (Fig. 1). Inner orbits of compound eyes slightly diverging downwards (Fig. 1). Occipital area not visible behind the eyes (frontal view) (Fig. 1). Vertex slightly above the upper orbital tangent. External lateral area of lateral ocelli with a deep longitudinal cavity directed backwards. Pronotal lobe rounded. Mesoscutum without glabrous area on posterior half. Mesoscutellum with two rounded glabrous protuberances. Axilla raised, rounded and glabrous. Tegula with a small rounded protuberance on central inner side. Hypoepimeral area with relatively acute protuberance. Claws with well-developed internal tooth.

Type specimen. Holotype male, with the following data label: Coleção Campos Seabra \ Cachimbo Pará - Brasil julho 1955 F. M. Oliveira (MNRJ).

Etymology. From Latin aureus (golden) and ceps (head) due to the yellowish-orange pubescence on head.

Distribution. The distribution of this new species remains restricted to Cachimbo, in the Amazonian state of Pará, northern Brazil.

Comments. This species exhibits a unique pattern of coloration of pilosity that makes it easily recognized and unmistakable between the species of Centris (Ptilotopus). The female of this new species is unknown.