Pachymelus ( Pachymelopsis ) haladai, Wood, 2025

Pachymelus ( Pachymelopsis) haladai sp. nov.

Holotype.

Ethiopia • 1 ♂; 60 km SSW Negele [probably actually 5.5333°N, 39.4333°E], 1480 m a. s. l.; 24 May 2015; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM. GoogleMaps

Diagnosis.

Pachymelus haladai can swiftly be placed in the subgenus Pachymelopsis , as the tarsi lack arolia, the first flagellar segment is shorter than the scape, the labrum presents a weak transverse preapical ridge, and T 2 has a moderately strong gradulus which does not reach the apical margin of the segment. At a specific level, it can be swiftly recognised due to the combination of a long dense fringe of hairs on the anterior basitarsus (Fig. 9 C View Figure 9 ; as in P. armatipes , P. conspicuus , and P. festivus ) and the mid trochanters being strongly produced into long tooth-like projections (Fig. 9 E View Figure 9 ). This places it closest to P. armatipes , as P. conspicuus and P. festivus have the mid trochanters rounded. Separation of P. haladai can be made by the shape of the hind basitarsus (Fig. 9 F View Figure 9 ) which in P. haladai has a strongly produced acute projection at the base, with the inner surface of the basitarsus distinctly concave (in P. armatipes without such a spine, and with the inner margin of the hind basitarsus straight, more or less parallel with the outer surface, Fig. 4 D View Figure 4 ). The shape of the hind basitarsus also allows for separation from P. conspicuus (Fig. 2 E View Figure 2 , hind basitarsus strongly broadened apically, thus triangular) and P. festivus (Fig. 7 D View Figure 7 , hind basitarsus with a small tooth apically, but not basally).

Description.

Female. Unknown.

Male. Body length: 18 mm (Fig. 9 A View Figure 9 ). Head: 1.5 times wider than long, integument dark with yellow maculations on scape, majority of clypeus with exception of black mark basomedially, labrum, and mandibles basally, apexes of mandibles olive-yellow (Fig. 9 B View Figure 9 ). Labrum with weak preapical transverse ridge, surface between preapical ridge and apical margin covered with short buff hairs. Eyes large, inner margins curved, dorsally and ventrally with margins diverging. Galea moderately long, shorter than length of head. Head covered with whitish to buff hairs, hairs not equalling length of scape. Gena approximately 60 % diameter of compound eye; ocelloccipital distance slightly exceeding diameter of lateral ocellus. Antennae with dorsal surface dark, ventrally surface from apex of A 3 onwards lightened orange, ventral surface of A 4–13 additionally with presence of greyish scales. A 3 exceeding length of A 4, shorter than A 4 + 5; A 3 also shorter than antennal scape.

Mesosoma: Scutum densely and shallowly punctate, punctures confluent over majority of surface, becoming sparser posteromedially, separated by 1–2 puncture diameters. Mesepisternum with relatively larger punctures, punctures predominantly dense, separated by <0.5–1 puncture diameter. Mesepisternum with whitish hairs, becoming buff to golden brown dorsally. Fore leg with femur entirely and tibia anteriorly lightened orange. Fore basitarsis slightly broadened, ivory white with anterior surface polished, posterior margin with conspicuous fringe of long golden hairs, fringe greatly exceeding diameter of basitarsus (Fig. 9 C View Figure 9 ); remaining tarsal segments brownish. Mid leg with femur and tibia anteriorly lightened orange, tibia thickened, apically produced into weakly lamellate margin. Mid basitarsus flattened, lightened yellowish, anteriorly produced into slightly curved blunt point; dorsal surface partially covered in short whitish hairs (Fig. 9 D View Figure 9 ). Trochanter of mid leg ventrally produced into long tooth-like projection (Fig. 9 E View Figure 9 ). Hind leg with femur latitudinally broadened, ventrally surface weakly excavated basally. Hind tibia weakly broadened medially, ventroapically with small acutely pointed tooth; dorsal surface partially covered with short whitish hairs. Hind basitarsus with outer surface flattened, basally with strongly produced acute projection, inner surface distinctly concave, broadening apically (Fig. 9 F View Figure 9 ). All tarsal claws lacking arolia.

Metasoma: Terga dark, apical margins obscurely lightened brownish hyaline. Lateral surface of disc of T 2–3 with moderately strong gradulus present, not extending to apical margin. Disc of T 1 with erect light brown hairs, apical margin with narrow hairband composed of buff hairs. Apical margins of T 2–5 with long white apical hairbands occupying entire marginal area. T 7 basally with dense orange hairs, becoming dark brown apically; surface with conspicuous pygidial plate, plate rounded triangular, surface obscurely pitted, dull.

Notes.

Coordinates were provided on the label, which read: 5°32'N, 39°26'E [ 5.5333°N, 39.4333°E], approximately 28 kilometres north-west of Negele. The altitude here is about 1,550 m a. s. l., whereas 60 kilometres SSW of Negele is at an altitude of around 800 m a. s. l. The provided coordinates are therefore considered more accurate, as written localities on Halada labels are often indicative rather than absolutely precise.

Etymology.

Named after the Czech collector Jiří Halada, who for many years has travelled the world collecting insects, many of which are deposited in the Linz collection and have served as the basis for hundreds of new species descriptions. His collections, along with those of other members of his family, have immeasurably increased our understanding of insect biodiversity.

Distribution.

Ethiopia.