Diplotrichus medius Jordal 2021, sp. nov.

(Figs 17, 20, 24)

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: ADF13F5C-03E6-4266-B75D-5FB7845B2528

Type material. Holotype female: South Africa, East Cape, Hogsback [GIS: -32.595, 26.960], ex Rhus pyroides, 16 Nov. 2006, B. Jordal, leg. Allotype male and paratypes: same data as holotype (5). Holotype and allotype in SAMC, two paratypes in ZMUB, one in NHMW.

Diagnosis. Female frons lightly concave, with short setae in impressed area not longer than pedicel; antennal club with two procurved, slightly bisinuate, sutures; elytral interstriae with regular rows of erect setae separated in a row by half the length of a seta, closer on declivity than on disk.

Description, female. Length 1.4–1.6 mm, 2.6–2.7 × as long as wide; colour dark brown. Frons lightly impressed on lower half; entire surface covered by short setae. Eyes separated above by 2.5–2.8 × the width. Antennal scapus triangular with setae as long as antennal club; the club with two procurved sutures somewhat bisinuate. Pronotum with distinct summit, asperities on anterior half; vestiture mixed hair-like, mainly on posterior half, and scale-like, mainly on anterior half. Elytral interstriae with regular rows of erect and pointed bristle-like setae separated within rows by half their length, closer on declivity. Protibiae with three apical denticles.

Etymology. The Latin nominative adjective medius has several meanings, among them middle or half, referring to the moderately setose female frons, intermediate between calvifrons and pilifrons.

Distribution and biology. South Africa. Only known from the type locality in Hogsback where it was dissected from a thin branch of Searsia pyroides (Anacardiaceae). Broods were mature and mixed, not allowing study of the mating system.

Remarks. Distinguished from the closest relative D. calvifrons by the setose central median frons and the bisinuate sutures on the antennal club. This species also has slightly longer strial setae which occasionally overlap and tend to be slightly raised.