Eupines (Byraxis) conspicua (Broun, 1893)

Fig. 11; map Fig. 49

Bryaxis conspicua Broun, 1893a: 1415.

Eupines (Byraxis) conspicua: combination and subgeneric assignment by Raffray 1904: 207. Raffray 1911: 82, 1924: 156; Hudson 1923: 364, 1934: 183; Nomura and Leschen 2006: 254; Maddison 2010: 417; Shen and Leschen 2019: 261.

Type locality: [AK] Hunua Range, Maketu.

Type depository: BMNH LT ♂, 3 PLT; NZAC 14 PLT.

Diagnosis: Head with vertexal foveae punctiform; antennae 10-segmented with 2-segmented antennal club; A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 unmodified, A9 boot-shaped with curved basal spine, A10 bean-shaped, truncate at base in dorsal view, with bi-excavation in ventral view. Abdominal ventrite 2 with pair of large discal protuberances, inserted with strongly curved apical setae; ventrite 6 with pair of median struts, slightly shorter than one-fourth of ventral length. Protrochanters with long ventral spine, about four-sevenths of protrochanteral width; protibiae and mesotibiae unmodified.

Redescription: Body length 1.45–1.56 mm; body colour reddish brown to dark brown with lighter coloured elytra and legs. Head slightly wider than long; frons slightly narrowed at end, about two-thirds width of head at eye level; eyes prominent, with about 38 facets; vertexal foveae punctiform; antennal tubercles weak; postantennal notches weak; postantennal cavities well developed, about two-thirds length of antennal tubercles in dorsal view; antennae 10-segmented with 2-segmented antennal club; A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 unmodified, A9 boot-shaped with curved basal spine, A10 bean-shaped, truncate at base in dorsal view, with bi-excavation in ventral view. Pronotum as long as wide, about as wide as head at eye level; lacking lateral antebasal foveae. Elytra as long as wide, widest at apical two-thirds; humeral calli vaguely visible; sutural stria distinctively extending from base to apex. Abdomen with tergite 1 about twice length of tergite 2; ventrite 2 with pair of large discal protuberances, inserted with strongly curved apical setae; ventrite 6 with pair of median struts, slightly shorter than one-fourth of ventral length. Legs with protrochanters modified with long ventral spine, about four-sevenths of protrochanteral width; protibiae and mesotibiae unmodified. Aedeagus about 0.32 mm long, with parameres elongate and thick, curved downwards; median lobe with two long sclerites, narrower than parameres in dorsal view, both bent inwards subapically in dorsal view, with left one longer than right one.

Comments: This species is most similar to E. (B.) monstrosa by having similar modifications of A9 and A10 and can be separated by A10 lacking a small internal hook at the apex (Fig. 11B).

Distribution: North Island. ND, AK, WO, CL, TO, GB, HB.

Additional material examined: 23 ♂♂, ND: 3, 20/vi/51, moss, Ruakaka, N.I., N.Z.; AK: 1, Bethells, Matuku Reserve, 23/Jun/1987, R. C. Craw; CL: 1, AMNZ, Orewa Gorge, Karangahaka, 11/10/42, C. E. Clark Collection; WO: 3, JNPC, Maungatautari, Hamilton, 6/Sep/04, forest floor litter, collected by Sue Nunn; GB: 4, Motu river, April/1928, A. E. Brookes Collection; To: 1, Waipunga River, nr. Falls, 14/March/1980, C. F. Butcher; HB: 2, Waipatiki Res., 23/Dec/1983, J. C. Watt. Sifted, wood mould, 83/144; 3, White Pine Bush, 18/Nov/1984, J. G. Charles. Unknown locality: 3, 2464, T. Broun Collection, A. E. Brookes Collection; 2, 2464, T. Broun. Associated females (6 ♀♀): ND: 1, 20/vi/51, moss, Ruakaka, N.I. N.Z.; WO: 3, JNPC, Maungatautari, Hamilton, 6/Sep/04, forest floor litter, collected by Sue Nunn; GB: 2, Motu river, April/1828, A. E. Brookes Collection.