Ebenacobius kuscheli Haran gen. et sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: E85498E4-BF3F-48B4-A3FF-FEB0DEC51FE3

Figs 2I, 4H, 6I

Differential diagnosis

Ebenacobius kuscheli gen. et sp. nov. can be distinguished by the following combination of features: claws simple, presence of dark patterns on elytra, setae on prothorax longer than the diameter of larger punctures (Fig. 2I) and rostrum moderately downcurved in lateral view (Fig. 4H). Males lack a protruding prosternal process.

Etymology

This species is dedicated to the late Guillermo Kuschel for his significant contribution to the knowledge of Derelomini.

Type material

Holotype REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA • ♂; “S. Afr [REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA]; Tvl. [Mpumalanga Province] Nelspruit [Mbombela]; Nat. Res., Rivulet val; 25.29S – 30-55 E” “ 18.12.1986; E-Y: 2397; Litt; riverine bush. Leg. Endrödy-Younga” “Holotype; Ebenacobius kuscheli; Haran 2022”; TMSA.

Paratypes REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA – Mpumalanga Province • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; TMSA • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; SANC • 1 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Nelshoogte Knuckles rocks; 25°47′ S, 30°50′ E; 4 Dec. 1986; Endrödy-Younga leg.; interception trap, 62 days; TMSA • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceeding; CBGP • 2 ♂♂; Berlin, gorge-edge; 25°32′ S, 30°44′ E; 3 Feb. 1987; Endrödy-Younga Leg.; beating bushes; E-Y:2405; TMSA. – Gauteng Province • 2 ♀♀; Tierpoort; 23 Oct. 1967; C.M. Niemann leg.; SANC. – KwaZulu-Natal Province • 1 ♀; Drakensberg, Oqalweni Forest; Oct. 1960; in humus; Z.A.26; TMSA.

Description

Male

BODY LENGTH. 2.8–3.0 mm.

COLOUR. Body integument pale brown to dark reddish-brown, head and prothorax generally darker than background of elytra; prothorax uniform or with two longitudinal and ill-defined dark bands on each sides of the median line; elytra with dark elongated spots on base of interstriae 3 and 5, in some individuals forming a continuous trip at base of interstriae 1–5 and a transverse more or less continuous dark band near middle of length, generally wider on interstria 5; dorsum (prothorax + elytra) with recumbent setae, contiguous, on prothorax longer than diameter of larger punctures.

HEAD. Rostrum as long as prothorax in lateral view, slightly and regularly downcurved in lateral view; underside with a row of setae, shorter than 2 nd segment of funicle, integument forming a small tubercle before apex; in dorsal view covered with recumbent not or subcontiguous setae; antennae inserted at apical 1/4 of length; head capsule coarsely punctate in dorsal view, with recumbent whitish setae, longer than diameter of punctures; eyes convex, exceeding the lateral curve of head capsule in dorsal view; antennal funicle with segment 1 elongate, 2× longer than wide, as long as 2–4, 3–7 wider than long.

PROTHORAX. Wider than long (W:L ratio: 1.3), widest near middle of length, slightly narrower there than elytra at humeral angles; sides moderately and regularly convex; apical constriction as long as width of funicle at apex; integument densely punctate, space between punctures smooth and shiny, mostly wider than diameter of punctures; setae longer than diameter of punctures; prosternal process absent, integument only slightly raised before procoxae.

ELYTRA. Sides slightly convex, widest near middle of length (W:L ratio: 0.70); humeri raised; apex jointly rounded; striae with punctures well aligned, 1.5–2 × narrower than interstriae; interstriae slightly convex, slightly more convex apically, 9 entirely convex; scutellar shield rounded, glabrous.

ABDOMEN. Underside covered with small non-contiguous whitish setae.

LEGS. Profemora strongly thickened near middle of length, almost forming an internal angle beyond middle of length; protibiae with external margin straight, meso- and metatibiae slightly curved outward in apical half; tibiae armed with a small apical mucro, smaller on metatibiae; claws simple.

TERMINALIA. Body of penis elongate (W:L ratio: 0.42), 0.7 × as long as apodemes, sides subparallels in dorsal view, abruptly narrowed in apical 1/5, apex truncate; in lateral view curvature moderate, regular, narrowing apicad in apical 1/5 (Fig. 6I).

Sexual dimorphism

Feebly apparent, females can be distinguished from males by their rostrum which is slightly less downcurved, longer than prothorax in lateral view.

Life history

Unknown. Adults of E. kuscheli gen. et sp. nov. were collected on unidentified bushes, with interception traps or by sifting leaf litter. Adults are active in February, October and December.

Distribution

Republic of South Africa (Mpumalanga and Kwazulu-Natal Provinces).