Derelomus nigrovariegatus Hustache, 1936

Fig. 17

Derelomus nigrovariegatus Hustache, 1936: 484.

Diagnosis

This species belongs to the D. nigrovariegatus group, characterised by the combination of a glabrous lateral carina on the pronotum, the large body length (generally beyond 3 mm) and the prosternum at least partly dark brown. Within this species group, it can be distinguished by the moderately convex eyes in dorsal view, slightly exceeding the lateral curve of the head capsule (Fig. 17A), while they are distinctly convex in other species.

Material examined

Lectotype (here designated)

ETHIOPIA • ♀; “Type [red label]” “TYPE [red label]” “ Abyssinia; Mt. Chillálo,; Forest.[7°54′25″ N, 39°13′52″ E]; circa 8,500ft.; 24.xi.1926; Dr. H. Scott ” “Brit. Mus.; 1927-127” “specimen figured” “♂” “Box 19” “ Derelomus; nigrovariegatus; m.; Hustache det.” “Lectotype ♀; Derelomus; nigrovariegatus; Hustache, 1936; J. Haran des. 2025”; NHMUK.

Paralectotypes

ETHIOPIA • 1 ♀; Chilalo Mountain; 7°54′25″ N, 39°13′52″ E; 24 Nov. 1926; H. Scott coll.; NHMUK • 1 ♀; Djem-Djem forest [Guinchi]; 9°03′00″ N, 38°12′00″ E; 22 Sep. 1926; H. Scott coll.; “var. enfumée ” [brown variety]; NHMUK.

Redescription (♀)

MEASUREMENTS. Body length 4.5 mm.

COLOR. Body integument dark brown, scape and base of funicle, central area of elytra and humeral angles pale brown; dorsum with minute downcurved whitish setae, contiguous or subcontiguous, forming 1–3 rows on interstriae.

HEAD. Rostrum longer than pronotum in lateral view (1.2 ×), moderately and regularly downcurved; in dorsal view about 5× as long as wide, integument densely punctate, forming 5 longitudinal carinae from eyes to antennal insertion, median carina more raised than others and split in two before antennal insertion; covered with minute recumbent and non-contiguous whitish setae oriented transversally; antennae inserted near apical ¼ of length; head capsule coarsely punctate in dorsal view; forehead with suberect setae longer and more condensed near eyes; eyes moderately convex, slightly exceeding lateral curve of head capsule in dorsal view; antennal funicle with first segment 2 × as long as wide, equal in length to 2+3, 3–6 isodiametric, 7 transverse.

PRONOTUM. Wider than long (W: L ratio: 1.30), widest near base, slightly narrower there than elytra at humeral angles (0.8×); sides slightly convex, with a distinct constriction beyond middle of length, moderately and regularly converging apicad from basal ¼ of length, apical constriction as wide as width of scape at apex; integument coarsely punctate, space between punctures irregular, dull, narrower or wider than diameter of a puncture on dorsum; white setae as long as diameter of punctures.

ELYTRA. Sides subparallel in basal 2/5 of length (W: L ratio: 0.61); humeri raised; apex rounded, not contiguous; striae with punctures 2× narrower than width of interstriae; interstriae slightly convex, 9 raised into carina; scutellar shield rounded, similar to integument of elytra, with long whitish setae not concealing integument.

ABDOMEN. Underside covered with minute recumbent whitish setae, subcontiguous.

LEGS. Profemora moderately thickened near middle of length; protibiae with external margin straight, meso- and metatibiae slightly curved outward in apical half, internal margin of protibiae bisinuate; claws simple.

Life history

Unknown.

Distribution

Ethiopia.

Remarks

In the collection housed at NHMUK, a specimen from Mount Chillalo labelled “ Derelomus nigrovariegatus m.” by the hand of Hustache was located. This specimen is designated as the lectotype for Derelomus nigrovariegatus Hustache, 1936 [here designated] and was labelled accordingly. Contrary to what is stated in the description, this specimen is a female. Other specimens of the series were labelled as paralectotypes.