Neotropical Dryophthoridae: Redescription of the Genus Melchus Lacordaire with Description of Daisya Anderson, New Genus, and Seven New Species (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea)
Author
Anderson, Robert S.
text
The Coleopterists Bulletin
2003
2003-12-31
57
4
413
432
http://dx.doi.org/10.1649/579
journal article
10.1649/579
1938-4394
10103766
D98ABFDD-7421-4EAC-A4D0-A84AD1643B02
Melchus perplexus
Anderson
,
new species
Figs. 7–8
,
14, 17
Types.
Holotype
male labelled ‘‘
San Jose
,
Dept
/
La Paz
Bolivia
/
September 1925
/
GL Harrington’
’ (
USNM
).
Derivation of Species Name.
The species is named because of its similarity to
M. onorei
and resulting initial uncertainty as to whether or not it represented a different species.
Identification.
Melchus perplexus
can be separated from the very similar
M. onorei
by the less distinctly sinuate rostrum (
Fig. 14
) which is dorsally more shallowly and less coarsely punctate near the base with a broad median impunctate area (
Fig. 17
).
Description.
Female not known. Male, length,
8.7 mm
; width
4.4 mm
. Color dark reddish brown, extensively infuscate throughout, integument with scattered tufts of micropilosity or micropilose nodules, especially towards declivity of elytra.
As in
M. onorei
but rostrum with only slight sinuation at basal one-third; dorsally with less dense shallow punctures near base and broad median impunctate area. Antenna with club with apical pilose part one-third length entire club. Male genitalia as in
M. onorei
.
Distribution.
Bolivia
(
La Paz
). The
type
locality is given only as ‘‘San Jose.’’ This might refer to San Jose de Chupiamonas.
Natural History.
There is no information available on the natural history of this species.