Cladobethylus ceylonicus KROMBEIN, 1980

Cladobethylus ceylonicus KROMBEIN, 1980 View in CoL ( Figs 5 View Fig A-5F, 6A-6D)

M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: Meghalaya: 1♁, Tura peak, 25°30’N 90°14’E, 600-1000m, 12.- 22.vi.2007, leg. Pacholátko (BZL).

I n d i a n r e c o r d s: This is the first confirmed record of Cladobethylus in the country. Although the genus was previously mentioned for southern India by KIMSEY & BOHART (1991), none of the species listed in the checklist were associated with India, leaving uncertainty on its occurrence. Additionally, in Kimsey’s revision of the genus (2019), none of the eleven species were recorded for India. However, the genus was expected to be present in the country ( Rosa et al. 2021a), considering that Cladobethylus ceylonicus KROMBEIN was described from Sri Lanka.

R e m a r k s: The Indian specimen matches the original description and the description given by KIMSEY (2019). However, some differences can be observed, probably related to different populations. In particular, first flagellomere 6.0× as long as broad (vs. 4.5×), flagellar setae 0.7× as long as flagellomere breadth taken proximally (vs. 0.5×); second flagellomere 4.2× as long as broad (vs. 3.3×); last flagellomere 8× as long as broad (5×).

Pronotum and scutum with even punctures (not subcontiguous, coarser than on vertex); metanotal median area suboval, l/ w 0.68 (not triangular, about as long as basal width); mesopleuron with large and subcontiguous punctures covering the segments, 2-3 times larger than those on pronotum (vs. lower two thirds of mesopleuron with punctation similar to that on pronotal dorsum, the upper third with smaller, more scattered punctures (KROMBEIN 1983) or ventrally polished, impunctate ( KIMSEY 2019)). Antennae dark brown contrasting light yellowish legs.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: India (Meghalaya), Sri Lanka.