Tillus schawalleri, ., 2022

Tillus schawalleri sp. n.

( Fig. 5, 10-16)

ZooBank:http://zoobank.org/A3424369-0DB5-4359-9F7C-FC59EC5E5BCC

Holotype, ♂. – RSA, KwaZulu - Natal , Tembe Elefant Park , 17.-19.XI. 2002, leg. W. Schawaller ( SMNS).

Paratypes.

- 2 ex., same label data ( RGCM).

- 2 ex., Kenya: Eastern Nyambeni Hills , Ngaja Forest , 1070 m, at light; 0°19'113" N, 38°02'609" E, 02.-04.XII.2002, leg.: C. Häuser, D. Bartsch & A. Zahm ( SMNS). GoogleMaps

- 2 ex., Kenya: Rift Valley Matthews Range , ca. 35 km N Wamba, 1300-1400 m; 1°10'707" N, 37°18'962" E, 07.-12.XII.2002, leg.: C. Häuser, D. Bartsch & A. Zahm (1 ex. RGCM, 1 ex. SMNS).

Description

Diagnosis. – Tillus schawalleri sp. n. specimens can be identified by the typical coloration: the whole beetle is red brown, glossy, head, pronotum and scutellum are slightly darker, legs are completely black or femora are predominantely yellow-red, with black tips (tibiae and tarsi are black).

Length. – 6.17-10.68 mm (7 specimens measured).

Head. – Head including eyes wider than pronotal anterior margin, red brown, glossy. With very fine and diffuse punctation; in front of eyes with short, light, anteriorly directed hairs, behind eyes with longer, brown hairs, not so dense. Eyes conspicuously protruding, eye width 0.30-0.48 mm, eye distance 0.56-0.94 mm, index 1.68-1.96. Antennae black, scarcely reaching pronotal base or exceed base slightly when extended backwards, from A5 dilated distally, antennomeres wider than long, from A5 with dense pubescence, A11 basally slender, then inner side ventricose and conspicuously pointed.

Pronotum. – Longer than wide, slightly dilated anteriorly and posteriorly, slightly sinuate before middle (l = 1.76-2.02 mm, w = 1.24-1.50 mm, length to width index 1:1.35-1.42), anterior transverse depression not distinct; with fine, diffuse, but distinct punctation, central part slightly wrinkled, glossy, with long, light, erect, more-orless dense hairs.

Scutellum . – Elliptic, with coarse punctation and wrinkles, posterior margin straight or slightly to distinctly emarginated.

Elytra . –Elytratwiceaslongaswide (l = 4.20-6.92mm, w= 1.92-3.36mm, width to length index 1: 2.06-2.38), more evenly dilated towards apex, punctation in rows, diameter of punctation slightly smaller than interstices, punctation towards apex less distinct. Light hairs behind middle mostly directed posteriorly.

Legs. – Short, totally black or femora predominantely yellow red, tip black; legs with long, light, dense, erect hairs.

Lower surface. – Prosternal process narrow, long, slightly dilated distally, strongly connected with hypomera. Yellow red to red brown, posterior margin of ventrites V1-V3 bordered yellow.

Genitalia. – See Fig. 10-16.

Distribution. – South Africa, Kenya.

Etymology. – This species is dedicated to Dr. Wolfgang Schawaller, the former curator of Coleoptera in the Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart, Germany.