Derelomus acuminatus Haran, 2025

Derelomus acuminatus Haran sp. nov.

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Fig. 4 View Fig

Diagnosis

Derelomus acuminatus can be distinguished by the combination of acuminate elytra, two transverse bands or lines of dark spots on the elytra and a distinctly downcurved rostrum in lateral view ( Fig. 4B– C View Fig ).

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to the acuminate shape of the elytra in this Derelomus , a unique feature in this genus.

Material examined

Holotype

KENYA • ♂; “KENYA; Naivasha [ 0°43′26.0″ S 36°25′14.8″ E]; 14.ix.1986 ” “Sp. 9.A; fm. Flwhds [female flowerheads]; of Acacia [ Vachellia ]” “ xanthoph -; loea; CIE A1 8553 ” “Pres by; Comm Inst Ent; B.M.; 1987-1” “HOLOTYPE ♂; Derelomus acuminatus ; Haran, 2025”; NHMUK.

GoogleMaps

Paratypes

ETHIOPIA • 1 ♀; Mulu, above Muger Valley ; 9°17′06″ N, 40°50′28″ E; 18–23 Nov. 1926; H. Scott coll.; circa 8.000 ft; NHMUK. GoogleMaps

KENYA • 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀; Naivasha; 0°42′53″ N, 36°25′23″ E; 14 Sep. 1986; Comm Inst Ent coll.; on female flowerheads of Vachellia xanthophloea (Benth.)Banfi & Galasso ; CIE A1 8553 ; NHMUK GoogleMaps • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; CBGP. GoogleMaps

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA – Western Cape Province • 1 ♀; Cape Town; 33°57′00″ S, 18°34′41″ E; 1915 [?]; Péringey coll.; SAM-COL-A050323 ; SAMC GoogleMaps .

Description ( ♂)

MEASUREMENTS. Body length 2.6–2.8 mm.

COLOR. Body integument pale brown, club black, elytra with two transverse oblique lines, more or less contrasting dark bands, basal one extending from humeral angle to middle of suture, the apical one from the level of metafemora to apical ⅔ of suture, interrupted on suture, in some individuals apical band covering entire sides of apical ½ of elytra; vestiture of dorsum made of minute, recumbent white setae, forming one row per interstria.

HEAD. Rostrum slightly longer than in lateral view, more downcurved near base; in dorsal view 4 × as long as wide, integument densely punctate, covered with short suberect whitish setae oriented transversally; antennae inserted near apical ¼ of length; head capsule coarsely punctate in dorsal view, with minute whitish scales oriented toward centre of forehead; eyes convex, exceeding lateral curve of head capsule in dorsal view; antennal funicle with first segment 1.5× as long as wide, equal in length to segments 2–3 together, 2 slightly longer than wide, 3–7 transverse.

PRONOTUM. Isodiametric (W: L ratio: 1), widest near apical ⅓, 0.7× as wide there as elytra at humeral angles, lateral carina forming an obtuse angle at apical ⅓ of length; sides abruptly converging in apical ⅓, apical constriction shallow; integument with large circular punctures, space between punctures micro reticulate, shiny, narrower or wider than diameter of punctures, each puncture with tiny whitish seta, lateral carina covered by dense strip of whitish, setiform scales.

METATHORAX. Metanepisterna with minute seta, glabrous in appearance.

ELYTRA. Elongate (W:L ratio: 0.63); sides slightly convex, widest near middle of length; humeri raised; apex acuminate separately; striae with punctures as wide as or narrower than interstriae; interstriae slightly convex, interstriae 5 raised at apical ¾ of length; scutellar shield rounded, dark brown, integument glabrous, shiny.

ABDOMEN. Underside covered with minute recumbent whitish setae, not contiguous. Stridulatory plate with lines of 6 granules, 4/5 × as long as median line from base; central sclerotized area elongate, rounded at apex.

LEGS. Profemora thickened near middle of length; protibiae with external margin straight, internal slightly bisinuate; claws simple.

TERMINALIA. Body of penis very elongate (W:L ratio: 0.13), about 10 × as long as apodemes, apodemes very short hidden by body of penis in lateral view; sides subparallel in dorsal view, widest near base, converging in apicad 1/5 of length, apex forming spatula; in lateral view curvature stronger in basal ½ of length, width narrowing regularly from apical ⅓ of length to apex; apex curved upward ( Fig. 4D View Fig ).

Sexual dimorphism

Females can be distinguished from males by the rostrum which is slightly longer and more downcurved in lateral view ( Fig. 4C View Fig ).

Life history

This species was collected on female inflorescences of Vachellia xanthophloea . Adults were collected in September and October.

Distribution

Ethiopia, Kenya and the Republic of South Africa. The putative host plant is not native to the Republic of South Africa and D. acuminatus sp. nov. has probably been introduced there with this ornamental tree.