Eupines (Byraxis) longiceps Raffray, 1904

Fig. 30; map Fig. 52

Eupines (Byraxis) longiceps Raffray, 1904: 124. Raffray 1911: 83, 1924: 157; Nomura and Leschen 2006: 255; Maddison 2010: 417; Shen and Leschen 2019: 268.

Type locality: New Zealand.

Type depository: MNHN LT ♂; BMNH 2 PLT.

Diagnosis: Head with vertexal foveae barely visible; antennae 10-segmented with 4-segmented antennal club; A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 unmodified, A7 and A8 asymmetrical and short, A9 with apical half impressed at dorsal side, lateral side excavated, with curved spine at upper margin of excavation, A10 axe-shaped, with long setae around margin, broadly impressed at lateral and ventral side, strongly narrowed at base. Abdominal ventrite 2 with pair of large discal protuberances, inserted with short and wide apical setae; ventrite 6 with apical margin slightly sinuate, with pair of short median struts, slightly shorter than one-third of ventral length. Protrochanters with medium-sized ventral spine, about half of protrochanteral width; protibiae with minute apical protuberance; mesotibiae unmodified.

Redescription: Body length 1.55–1.64 mm; body colour reddish brown to dark brown with lighter coloured elytra and legs. Head as long as wide; frons slightly narrowed at end, about half width of head at eye level; eyes well developed, with about 29 facets; vertexal foveae barely visible; antennal tubercles moderately developed; lacking postantennal notches; postantennal cavities large, slightly longer than antennal tubercles in dorsal view; antennae 10-segmented with 4-segmented antennal club; A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 unmodified, A7 and A8 asymmetrical and short, A9 with apical half impressed at dorsal side, lateral side excavated, with curved spine at upper margin of excavation, A10 axe-shaped, with long setae around margin, broadly impressed at lateral and ventral side, strongly narrowed at base. Pronotum slightly longer than wide, about as wide as head at eye level; lacking lateral antebasal foveae. Elytra slightly longer than wide, widest at apical three-fifths; humeral calli barely prominent; sutural stria distinct and narrow, extending from base to apex. Abdomen with tergite 1 about 1.5 × longer than tergite 2; ventrite 2 with pair of large discal protuberances, inserted with short and wide apical setae; ventrite 6 with apical margin slightly sinuate, with pair of short median struts, slightly shorter than one-third of ventral length. Legs with protrochanters modified with medium-sized ventral spine, about half of protrochanteral width; protibiae with minute apical protuberance; mesotibiae unmodified. Aedeagus about 0.34 mm long, with long and stout parameres, sinuate towards apex, slightly narrowed at base, apex strongly curved inwards and twisted, forming hook-shaped end; median lobe small, with two symmetrical horn-shaped sclerites slightly curved towards each other in dorsal view, basal bulb large, nearly twice length of median lobe.

Comments: The last antennal segment of E. (B.) longiceps (Figs 3.29B–C) resembles the head of an axe, which can separate this species from all other Eupines.

Distribution: North Island. WN. South Island. NC, MC, MK.

Additional material examined: 69 ♂♂, WN: 16, JNPC, Waikawa Beach, 18/Mar/1990, J.T. Nunn Collection; NC: 9, JNPC, CC Deans Bush, Christchurch, 14/May/1990, J.T. Nunn Collection; 1, JNPC, Riccarton Bush, Christchurch, 23/May/1993, J.T. Nunn Collection; MC: 42, 13/Oct/1951, 21/Jan/1952 and 01/Feb/1952, Riccarton Bush, Christchurch S.I.; MK: 1, Pukaki Reserve, 08/Jan/2006, R. Leschen, T. Buckley, R. Hoare, tussock leaf litter, 44°13'S 170°01'E. Associated females (4 ♀♀): MC: 3, 13/Oct/1951 and 01/Feb/1952, Riccarton Bush, Christchurch S.I.; 1, JNPC, CC Deans Bush, Christchurch, 14/May/1990, J.T. Nunn Collection.