Parapenthus solitarius (Peyron, 1858)

(Figs 1–4)

Ditomus solitarius Peyron, 1858: 387

M aterial examined. 1 ♀, with bottom label “ solitarius Peyr. ” and “Loubich” (MNHN). Egypt: 1 ♀, “Аegypt”, “Ex Musaeo Chaudoir”, also with bottom label “ Chilotomus solitarius Peyr. (G-s Penthus mihi)” (MNHN). Turkey: 1 ♀, “Asie m., Adana”, “Ex Musaeo A. Carret, 1908” (MNHN); 1 ♀, “Ceyhan, Asm. 12.5– 24.5.65 leg. F.Schubert” (NHMW). Syria: 1 ♂, Nord-Syrien, Jisr ech Chou Lhour 200 m, 17.IV.1978, W. Heinz leg. (SMNS).

Description (2 females measured). With characteristics of the genus. Body (Fig. 1) robust, comparatively large, length, according to Reitter (1900), 11–14 mm, and according to our measurements, 12.0– 13.7 mm from apex of clypeus to apex of elytra. Dark reddish-brown, with violet or bluish metallic tinge on dorsum; palpi, antennae and legs light reddish-brown. Head (Fig. 3) large (HWmax/PWmax = 0.74–0.75; HWmin/PWmax = 0.60–0.62), with small, convex eyes (HWmax/HWmin = 1.21), tempora long and flat, evenly sloped to neck. Pronotum transverse (PWmax/PL = 1.45–1.47), widest slightly before the middle, markedly narrowed posteriorly (PWmax/PWmin = 1.37–1.43), its sides largely rounded, deeply sinuate in short distance before almost right basal angles; basal margin almost straight, slightly narrower than apical margin and markedly narrower than elytral base. Elytra (EL/EW = 1.37–1.46; EL/PL = 2.34–2.42; EW/PWmax = 1.13–1.18), slightly widened posteriorly, widest slightly after the middle; humerus with a small, acute denticle; basal border complete, slightly sinuate, forming an obtuse angle with lateral margin; striae impressed along entire length; intervals convex, parascutellar striole long, with small basal setigerous pore.

Distribution. This very rare species is known from Turkey, Syria, Israel and Egypt (Wrase & Kataev 2017).

Bionomics. Peyron (1858) mentioned that he found his only specimen “grimpant sur une tige de graminée”, obviously in trying to feed on the seeds.

Remarks. The examined specimens of Parapenthus solitarius are housed in three museum collections and were studied at different times. Unfortunately, during preparation of the present paper, only females were available. The male specimen at SMNS was only registered some time ago without examination of the genitalia and now is not accessible. For this reason, the description presented above does not include the characteristics of the male genitalia.