Derelomus discus Haran, 2025

Derelomus discus Haran sp. nov.

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Fig. 31 View Fig

Diagnosis

In the D. ephippiger group, this species can be distinguished by the uniformly pale brown pronotum and elytra in the males, their shape almost forming a disc, and the comb of erect setae on the protibiae ( Fig. 31D View Fig ). It is closest to D. ephippiger and D. costiger , but the rostrum is longer than in those two species which also lack a comb on the protibiae in the males. The body of the penis and the stridulatory plate are diagnostic in all these species. Females are unknown.

Etymology

This species is named in reference to the very wide elytra in male, almost forming a disc with the pronotum.

Material examined

Holotype

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA – Limpopo Province • ♂; “SOUTH AFRICA, Venda; Nwanedi Waterfall ; 22.38S 30.24E [ 22°37′34.8″ S 30°24′21.6″ E]; 8.ii.1994 R. Oberprieler ” “collected from; Phoenix reclinata ; ( ARECACEAE )” “National coll.; of insects; Pretoria, S. Afr” “Holotype ♂; Derelomus discus ; Haran, 2025”; SANC.

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Paratype

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA – Limpopo Province • 1 ♂; Hans Merensky Nature Reserve ; 23°41′42.0″ S, 30°40′04.8″ E; 23–25 Jan. 1987; R. Oberprieler coll.; collected on leaves of Phoenix reclinata ; ANIC.

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Description ( ♂)

MEASUREMENTS. Body length 3.2 – 3.3 mm.

COLOR. Body integument uniformly pale brown, apical ¾ of rostrum and club dark brown, post ocular area slightly darker than rest of head capsule; dorsum with minute recumbent whitish setae, glabrous in appearance.

HEAD. Rostrum a little longer than pronotum in lateral view (1.1×), regularly downcurved; in dorsal view about 4.75 × as long as wide, integument densely punctate, forming 5 longitudinal carinae; antennae inserted at apical 1/5 of length in lateral view; head capsule densely punctate in dorsal view, forehead flat; eyes convex, exceeding lateral curve of head capsule in dorsal view; antennal funicle with first segment 2.5× as long as wide, as long as segments 2–3 together, 3–7 transverse.

PRONOTUM. Wider than long (W: L ratio: 1.85), widest near base, a little narrower there than elytra at humeral angles (0.85×), side rounded, converging apicad, forming deep notch near middle of length; apical constriction distinct, about as deep as width of scape in middle of length; integument with punctures rounded, space between punctures rough, shiny, micropunctate, wider or narrower than diameter of punctures in middle, narrower laterally.

METATHORAX. Metanepisterna with recumbent white setae, non-contiguous.

ELYTRA. A little longer than wide (W: L ratio: 0.92); sides strongly convex, widest near basal ¼ of length; humeri not distinct from lateral curvature of elytra; apex rounded, jointed at level of suture; striae with punctures about ½ to ⅓ as wide as width of interstriae; interstriae flat, 5 slightly raised on basal 3/5 of length; scutellar shield rounded, coated with small recumbent scales not concealing integument.

ABDOMEN. Underside uniformly pale brown, with minute recumbent whitish setae, not contiguous. Stridulatory plate with lines of 11–12 granules about as long as median line from base, space between granules 1–2× as wide as diameter of a granule. Central sclerotized area slightly longer than wide, rounded at base ( Fig. 31E View Fig ).

LEGS. Profemora moderately thickened near middle of length; protibiae with external margin straight, internal bisinuate, with a comb of erect setae on apical ½ of length, setae longer than a claw ( Fig. 31D View Fig ); claws simple.

TERMINALIA. Body of penis elongate (W: L ratio: 0.33), about as long as apodemes; sides subparallel in basal ⅔, converging apicad in apical ⅓ in dorsal view, apex rounded; in lateral view curvature moderate, stronger in basal ⅓ of length, width narrowing regularly from apical ¼ of length to apex, apex downcurved ( Fig. 31C View Fig ).

Life history

Adults were collected on Phoenix reclinata ( Arecaceae ) in January and February.

Distribution

This species is known from two male specimens from the Limpopo Province in the Republic of South Africa. Its putative host, P. reclinata is widely distributed in Africa.