Stegopterus hexrivieri, Ricchiardi & Perissinotto & Strümpher, 2025

Stegopterus hexrivieri sp. nov.

Fig. 9 View Figure 9

Type material.

Holotype. South Africa – WCP • ♂; Hex River ; Oct. [18] 99; SAMC: SAM-COL- 043593 .

Diagnosis.

Stegopterus hexrivieri sp. nov. differs from S. kromrivieri sp. nov., the closest species, by having the clypeus colliculate, the apical margin of its elytra shagreened and the pygidial surface covered with scattered, round punctures, imbricate at sides. The shape of its parameres is also distinctive (Fig. 9 F, G View Figure 9 ).

Description.

Male (holotype). Measurements. Total length = 12.3 mm; maximum width = 6.4 mm. Body. Stocky, with melolonthinoid shape, black, with green metallic hue; elytra fulvous, antennae and legs dark brown; elytra bordered at juxtascutellar and sutural sides by broad black band reaching apex; all other margins narrowly black; humeral humbones prominent; abdomen black, with green metallic hue. Head. Mainly covered with very long, dense, testaceous setae bent backwards; clypeus hollowed, wider than long (2.2 times), with anterior margin retuse, anterior corner strongly rounded (about 40–55 % of clypeal length), lateral margin strongly reborded and narrowing towards base; surface colliculate; antennal club shorter than clypeus (Fig. 9 D View Figure 9 ). Pronotum. Black, wider than long, maximum width posteriorly, covered with thick, long, testaceous setae and round, deep, dense punctures, confluent at sides. Scutellum. Black, covered with dense, round punctures. Elytra. Fulvous and semi-transparent, with humeral humbones prominent; lateral, posterior, and sutural margins with blackish band, sutural band much larger than others; apical margin with some scattered, round punctures; discal striae effaced, and entire surface covered with scattered, round punctures. Pygidium. Dark green, with faint metallic hue; surface imbricate, covered with very long, testaceous setae. Legs. Protibia externally tridentate, with distal two teeth much closer to each other than to third; mesotibia strongly bent ventrally, with lower spur shorter than upper; second metatarsal segment as long as first. Venter. Abdomen black, with noticeable green metallic hues, covered with tight punctures and very long, backwards-flattened setae.

Etymology.

The species name is a noun in apposition, reflecting the Afrikaans spelling of Hex River (Hexrivier), where the holotype was collected.

Distribution.

The only available record refers to the Hexrivier (Fig. 21 View Figure 21 ). It may indicate an occurrence across the Hexrivierberge and Hexriviervallei area above the town of Worcester.

Remarks.

The female is unknown and there is no available information on the biology / ecology of this species.