Derelomus brevis Haran, 2025

Derelomus brevis Haran sp. nov.

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Fig. 21 View Fig

Diagnosis

In the D. ephippiger group, this species can be distinguished by its comparatively short elytra, at most 2.4× as long as the pronotum (at least 2.45 × longer in other species). The dark pattern on the elytra is variable, but it always covers at least the base of interstriae 1–7, which is unique among species in this group. GenBank accession number for the corresponding DNA barcode: ON553436 View Materials .

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to the short elytra of this species.

Material examined

Holotype

KENYA • ♂; “KENYA. Gazi [ 4°25′44″ S 39°30′04″ E] x.1956. ♂ flowers. Cocos nucifera . 2714” “C.I.E. Coll. No. 17370” “Press by. Com Inst Ent. B M 1960 2” “Holotype ♂. Derelomus . brevis . Haran 2025”; NHMUK.

GoogleMaps

Paratypes

KENYA • 5 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Gazi; 4°25′44″ S, 39°30′04″ E; Oct. 1956; on male flowers of Cocos nucifera L. ( Arecaceae ); 2714; NHMUK GoogleMaps • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Gazi; 4°25′44″ S, 39°30′04″ E; Sep. 1956; on male flowers of Cocos nucifera ( Arecaceae ); 2714; NHMUK GoogleMaps • 1 ♂; Muhaka station ; 4°18′57″ S, 39°32′24″ E; 19 Aug. 2020; E. Deletre coll.; on inflorescences of Mangifera indica L. ( Anacardiaceae ); JHAR03278 ; CBGP. GoogleMaps

MAYOTTE ISLAND ( FRANCE) • 1 ♀; 18 Jan. 2010; light trap; Mn3/100117.120; DM.

REUNION ISLAND ( FRANCE) • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Sainte Marie; 20°53′54″ S, 55°32′56″ E; 28 Mar. 2010; C. Lemagnen coll.; UV light trap in a garden; R. 297; DM GoogleMaps • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 5 Jan. 2011; DM GoogleMaps • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 1 Jan. 2019; EL GoogleMaps • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 5 Jan. 2019; EL GoogleMaps • 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; 12 Jan. 2018; EL GoogleMaps • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 24 Feb. 2018; EL GoogleMaps • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 6 Sep. 2018; DM GoogleMaps • 2 ♂♂; same data as for preceding; Feb. 2022; JHAR07812 ; CBGP. GoogleMaps

TANZANIA • 7 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Zanzibar Island; 6°03′14″ S, 39°12′36″ E; 1956; in debris of coconuts; 151; NHMUK GoogleMaps .

Description ( ♂)

MEASUREMENTS. Body length 1.8–3.0 mm.

COLOR. Body integument pale brown to brown, with post-ocular dark spots and dark patterns on dorsum generally forming two transverse strips on elytra, one at base between interstriae 1–7 and one slightly after middle of length, the latter sometimes reduced to small spot on each elytron; elytra and pronotum with minute recumbent whitish setae, glabrous in appearance.

HEAD. Rostrum as long as pronotum in lateral view, moderately and regularly downcurved; in dorsal view about 3 × as long as wide, integument densely punctate, forming 5 longitudinal carinae (upper margin of scrobes excluded); antennae inserted near apical 1/6 of length; head capsule densely punctate in dorsal view, forehead flat or slightly concave; eyes convex, exceeding lateral curve of head capsule in dorsal view; antennal funicle with first segment 2 × as long as wide, equal in length to segments 2–4 together, 2 longer than wide, 3–7 transverse.

PRONOTUM. Wider than long (W: L ratio: 1.50), widest near base, almost as wide there as elytra at humeral angles, side slightly rounded, converging apicad, generally with a tooth or a notch near apical 2/5, apical constriction deep; integument with punctures rounded, space between punctures smooth, dull, generally wider than diameter of punctures.

METATHORAX. Metanepisterna glabrous.

ELYTRA. Moderately longer than wide (W: L ratio: 0.75–0.85); sides slightly convex, widest near middle of length; humeri raised; apex jointly rounded; striae with punctures ½ as wide as width of interstriae; interstriae flat, 5 generally convex, contrasting with the rest of interstriae, 9 raised into carina, at least in apical half; scutellar shield rounded, glabrous, pale brown, sometimes with sides darker.

ABDOMEN. Underside uniformly pale brown, similar in color to dorsum. Stridulatory plate with lines of 12–13 granules ¾× as long as median line from base. Central sclerotized area broad and rounded at base ( Fig. 21E View Fig ).

LEGS. Profemora moderately thickened near middle of length; protibiae with external margin straight, internal bisinuate, with a comb of setae on apical half, setae about as long as 4 th tarsomere, metatibiae slightly curved outward in apical half; claws simple.

TERMINALIA. Body of penis elongate (W:L ratio: 0.25), 1.5× as long as apodemes; sides subparallel in dorsal view, narrowing in apical 1/5, apex rounded; in lateral view curvature stronger in basal ⅓ of length, width narrowing regularly from middle of length to apex ( Fig. 21D View Fig ).

Sexual dimorphism

Females can be distinguished by the rostrum which is slightly longer in lateral view than in males ( Fig. 21C View Fig ) and by the interstriae 5 never convex or contrasting.

Life history

Series of this species were collected on male flowers of Cocos nucifera ( Arecaceae ) and in debris of this palm. Adults were sporadically found on inflorescences of Mangifera indica L. ( Anacardiaceae ) and Beaucarnea recurvata (K.Koch & Fintelm.)Lem. ( Liliaceae ; E. Lemagnen pers. com.). Adults fly by night and are attracted by UV lights. They are active from January to March, in August, September and October.

Distribution

Coastal regions of Kenya and Tanzania and La Reunion and Mayotte islands. In La Reunion, this species has only been collected since 2010, suggesting a rather recent introduction on this island (E. Lemagnen pers. com.).