A New Species of Flea Beetle in the Genus Alagoasa Bechyné (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae) from Highland Costa Rica Author Duckett, Catherine N. Author Daza, Juan D. text The Coleopterists Bulletin 2004 2004-03-31 58 1 84 96 http://dx.doi.org/10.1649/608 journal article 10.1649/608 1938-4394 10104333 Alagoasa aurora , new species ( Figs. 1–7 ) Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from all other Oedionychine flea beetles by the unique combination of highly vaulted habitus, glassily shiny elytra ( Fig. 2a ), eyes large ( Fig. 2b ) and with extremely wide epipleura and apical segment of hind tarsomere swollen but not globose ( Figs. 1 and 3 ) and dorsal surface of apical segment of maxilla palp bearing short row of tightly arranged setae (see Fig. 5b ). Description. Body : robust, broadly ovate and convex ( Figs. 1 , 2a , 3 ). Colo r: Body dark blood 86 of head, showing details of ommatidia, width of head 1.9 mm , intraorbital distance 0.66 mm . Fig. 2. A) Dorsal habitus of Alagoasa aurora , note the glassily shiny elytra; B) Anterior view red when alive; in preserved specimens, color varies from stramineous to piceous, always very shiny ( Fig. 2a ). Lateral margins of tibia, tarsi, and antennomeres II–XI piceous, basal portion of pedicle often lighter. Elytron may darken in its middle portion in dead specimens. Head : ovate, vertex glabrous with one long post-occular seta. Eye : oval, protruding and sub-hemispherical, bearing large ommatidia ( Fig. 2b ) intraoccular distance equivalent to diameter of eye. Antennal calli subquadrate, weakly visible. Frontal carina triangular ( Figs. 2b and 3 ), pronounced, narrowing between antennal sockets, bearing 2–3 setae just under each antennal socket. Antenna: filiform, gracile ( Figs. 1 , 2b , and 3 ), all segments bearing 2–5 long setae at apices, antennomeres I and II bearing fewer apical setae and few hairs, apical segments densely invested with short fine hairs. Clypeus: transverse, bearing 2 pairs long setae, below frontal carina. Labrum: slightly broader than long, apical margin gently rounded, bearing four long setae extending beyond apical margin ( Fig. 4a ), and multiple pitcher-shaped sensilla or sensory pores. Epipharynx: with anterior edge bearing 7 or 8 short leaf-shaped setae ( Fig. 4c ) each side, setae not extending beyond anterior edge, median fraction of anterior edge bearing 3–4 pairs short stout setae, broad apical medial groove present, bearing 4 campaniform sensilla each side just laterad of groove, medial area densely invested with microtrichea from just anterior of tormae to well inside pharynx, anterior angles of tormae each bearing circular group of short setae and campaniform sensillae, membranous area mesad and posterior to this group bearing 6 campaniform sensilla each side and 1 pair on midline ( Fig. 4c ). Mandible : palmate bearing four dentae ( Fig. 4b ) and a series of peglike sensilla on interior surface; mola flattened, surface bearing transverse ridges when unworn and 1–2 short setae at base; prostheca bearing short microtrichia ( Fig. 4b ), exterior face glabrous. Maxilla ( Figs. 5a and 5b ): cardo bearing two setae at the antero-lateral edge; basistipes bearing two long and two short setae; palpus 4-segmented, basal segment small bearing 1 campaniform sensilla and 5 sensory pores, 2nd palpomere narrow at base, bearing one pair lateral setae and 2 peg-like sensilla and 4 minute sensory pores on ventral surface, large sensory pore on dorsal side, 3rd segment with ventral surface bearing basal patch of 8 sensilla and 6–7 long setae (see Fig. 5a ), dorsal surface bearing 10–13 setae ( Fig. 5b ), apical segment truncate cone, bearing 9–11 setae and 8–9 sensory pores, dorsal surface bearing short row of 8–9 tightly arranged small setae ( Fig. 5b ); mediastipes with small patch of sensilla at base of galea; galea with 13–17 short stout setae, 9 peltate, and bearing 6 sensory pores, mediastipes bearing 3–5 short setae on mesal edge; lacinia heavily invested with thickened setae. Labium ( Fig. 5c ): submentum broadly triangular bearing 16–18 long setae; mentum with transverse band of fine sensory pores, bearing 2 pairs long setae and 1 pair sensory pores each side, palpus 3-segmented, basal segment bearing 3 large sensory pores and 2–3 small sensory pores on ventral surface, 2nd palpomere bearing 4 setae and 2 sensory pores; apical segment bearing 2 setae and 4–5 sensilla, 2 apical peg-like; prementum bearing 1 pair very long setae between palpi also bearing 3 pairs long setae and 2 pairs short peg-like sensillae apically, these are surrounded by a sclerotized band bearing 2–3 sensory pores anteriorly just posterior to palp and many tightly packed stout hairs posteriorly. Hypopharynx densely invested with fine hairs ( Fig. 5c ). Pronotum weakly convex, brilliantly shining, appearing impunctate below 403, pronotal margins wide, explanate, with edge rounded as if beaded, anterior pronotal angles produced forward, covering posterior 1/3 of eye with head retracted ( Figs. 1 and 2a ), bearing one long seta slightly mesad; posterior angles bearing 1 long seta, posterior pronotal margin very weakly bisinuate. Scutellum triangular. Elytral surface shining, finely and densely punctate; humeral pronounced ( Figs. 1 and 2a ) elytral margin broad (more than the length of antennomere III at widest point), slightly concave, more coarsely punctate than elytral disc, often transparent, 88 extending almost to elytral suture, posterior 1/4th bearing evenly spaced setae. Epipleuron very broad, almost 23 antennomere III at widest point. Prosternum shining bearing fine hairs visible at higher magnifications (.253), prosternal process extending to anterior 1/2 of Mesosternum, bearing a sharp longitudinal keel its entire length ( Fig. 3 ). Mesosternum slightly concave, posterior margin deeply emarginate to receive central portion of metasternum (see Fig. 3 ). Metasternum shining, appearing glabrous but lightly invested with fine hairs, slightly convex, anterior medial margin produced anteriorly and ventrally forming a bulbous protuberance. Leg robust, meta-femur incrassate, as wide as length of tarsomeres I–III, first tarsomeres larger on pro- and mesothoracic legs, very pronounced in male; claw appendiculate. Male. Male abdominal sternum VII : bi-sinuate posteriorly, ( Fig. 3 ), widest at center, median internal apodeme clearly visible, appearing as a suture extending from the anterior of sternum VII. Male genitalia with base of Y-shaped tegmen very short. Median lobe ( Figs. 6a–c ): robust, broad, with paired lateral, distinct auricles at the basal 1/ 3rd of the structure; basal foramen elongate, narrow, extending apically almost to auricles of median lobe; dorsal orifice of median lobe bearing a weakly concave dorsal median process, an oblique dorsal lateral process, and two pairs of free apical sclerites, one lateral concave and one apical-medial; ventral lip weakly triangular ( Fig. 6c ); endophallus bearing two small sinuate sclerites ventrally near midline. The wider base of the dorsal median process articulates with the primary tube of the median lobe apparently from within the tube, apex of process bearing median carina. Oblique dorsal process, irregular, near triangular in shape, parallelling ventral lip. Dorsal lateral sclerite deeply concave, highly sclerotized and visibly thicker than oblique dorsal process. Apical medial sclerites irregularly triangular in dorsal view, bilobed in lateral view with endophallus slightly everted ( Figs. 6a–c ). Female. Tergum VIII ( Fig. 7d ): bearing many long setae. Sternite VIII (tignum of Konstantinov 1998 a , b ): broad apically, narrowing subapically to long narrow base, apical margin medially invaginated ( Fig. 7b ). Gonocoxae (vaginal palpi of Konstantinov 1998 a , b ): narrowly conical, weakly sinuate, basally obliquely truncate, each bearing 7–8 setae apically and 4 sensory pores ( Fig. 7a ). Spermatheca: with receptacle almost tubular with virtually no narrowing from head of the receptacle to the pump; pump curved, bearing a broadly spatulate sinuous flange ( Fig. 7c ), large in proportion to receptacle; proximal spermathecal duct long, well sclerotized, coiled multiple times in tight and loose loops ending just before junction of gland valve and distal spermathecal duct; distal spermathecal duct sclerotized, more than 6.53 as long as receptacle, smooth, looping to fit in abdomen; gland valve cup-shaped approximately 33 as wide as distal spermathecal duct. Fig. 3. Alagoasa aurora , male, ventral habitus, note the extremely wide epipleura and the slightly swollen apical segment of the hind tarsomere, length 7.5 mm. Fig. 4. Alagoasa aurora mouthparts. A) Dorsal view of labrum ; B) dorsal view of mandible with the prostheca; C) epipharynx. Fig. 5. Alagoasa aurora mouthparts. A) Ventral surface of the maxilla ; B) detail of the dorsal surface of the palpus showing the high density of setae; C) labium. 90 Morphometrics. Adult females length 7.2–10.15 mm (mean ¼ 8.91 6 0.59), width 5.15–8.15 mm (mean ¼ 6.56 6 0.44), n ¼ 131; Adult males length 6.7–8.85 (mean ¼ 7.7 6 0.57), width 4.95–6.8 (mean ¼ 5.77 6 0.38), n ¼ 40. Size differences among males and females are not allometric (see Fig. 8 ). Fig. 6. Male genitalia—median lobe of adeagus. A) Ventral; B) lateral; C) dorsal views. AMS ¼ Apical Median Sclerite, DLS ¼ Dorsal Lateral Sclerite, DMP ¼ Dorsal Median Process, OPD ¼ Oblique Dorsal Process. Distribution. Known from the highlands of Costa Rica , between 700 and 1,800 m . Holotype . Male , Costa Rica , Guanacaste . Province , Estación. Cacao, 1,000– 1,400 m , SW side, Volcán Cacao , R . Blanco and C. Chávez. ‘‘323300, 375700,’’ CRI000145300.( INBIO ). Allotype . Female , ‘‘ Costa Rica : Monteverde V-22, 1985 B.L. and M. V ., light. A. J. Gilbert’ ’ ( USNM ). Paratypes . COSTA RICA . Prov. Alajuela , Úpala Bijagua , Albergue Heliconias , Send. Lag. Danto, 1,100 m , 15 Apr.–20 May 2000 , A. López , Malise , L-N_423760 298100 #58552, CRI0003302498; Finca San Gabriel , 2 Km. SW 2 Ríos , 600 m . May 1989 , GNP Biodiv. Survey UTM 318800, 383500, CRI001004773. Prov. Cartago : El Llano , Embalse NR Tapanti , 1,500 m , 22 Sep. 1990 . B.C. Ratcliffe. ( UNSM ); 2 specimens , Ref. Nac. Tapanti N 429, W 83 469, Elev. 4,2009, 20–21 May 1995 , B. Ratcliffe and M. Jameson ( UNSM ); Quebrada Segunda , Ref. Nac. Fauna Silv., P. N . Tapanti, 1,150 m , Jan. 1992 G. Mora and F. Quesada , L-N 194000_559800, CRI000529566 ( CASC ), CRI000529568 , CRI000529608 ; Quebrada Segunda , Ref. Nac. Fauna Silv., P. N . Tapanti, 1,250 m Mar. 1992 , R . Vargas , L-N 194000, 560000, CRI000883231, CRI000883232, CRI000883233, CRI000895076, CRI000895079; Quebrada Segunda , Ref. Nac. Fauna Silv., P. N . Tapanti, Mar. 1992 , G. Mora , L-N 194000, 560000, CRI000746941; May 1992 , G. Mora , L-N 194000, 560000, CRI000950309; 1,250 m , Aug. 1992 , G. Mora , L N 194000_559800, CRI000806958 ( CASC ), CRI000806959 ; Nov. 1992 , G. Mora , L-N 194000_560000, CRI000985078, CRI000985177; Quebrada Segunda , Ref. Nac. Fauna Silv., P. N . Tapanti, 18–28 Feb. 1993 , F. A. Quesada , L-N 194000_560000, CRI001211079, CRI001211080, CRI001211081, CRI001211083, CRI001211085, CRI001211086, CRI001211101; Quebrada Segunda , Ref. Nac. Fauna Silv., P. N . Tapanti, Feb. 1993 . G. Mora. L-N 194000_560000, CRI0; Apr. 1993 . G. Mora , L N 194000_560000 #1994, CRI001293688, CRI001293689; Quebrada Segunda , Ref. Nac. Fauna Silv., P. N . Tapanti, Oct. 1993 , 1,300 m , G. Mora , L N 194000_559800, CRI001129033; Quebrada Segunda , Ref. Nac. Fauna Silv., P. N . Tapanti, 1,150 m Jan. 1994 , G. Mora , L N 194000_559800 # 2578, CRI001830985; Quebrada Fig. 7. Female terminalia. A) Gonocoxae (also called vaginal palpi); B) sternite VIII (also known as tignum); C) spermatheca with spermathecal gland and distal spermathecal duct; D) tergum VIII. 92 Segunda , Ref. Nac. Fauna Silv., P. N . Tapanti, 1,650 m Feb. 1994 . G. Mora , L N 185900_563360 # 2785, CRI001750530 ( USNM ), CRI001750531 , CRI001750533 , CRI001913823 ; Quebrada Segunda , Ref. Nac. Fauna Silv., P. N . Tapanti, 1,150 m Mar. 1994 . G. Mora , L N 194000_559800 # 2681, CRI001733740; La Represa , 1,650 m 23 Mar. 1994 , G. Mora , A. Solis , E. Ulate , L N 185900_563360 # 2783, CRI 001964125; La Catarata , 1,700 m Jul. 1994 , G. Mora , L N 190900_560300 # 3011, CRI002048370; Quebrada Segunda , Ref. Nac. Fauna Silv., P. N . Tapanti, 1,300 m Apr. 1994 . G. Mora , L N 194000_559800 # 2813, CRI001767998; R . Grande de Orosi , desde Puente R . Dos Amigos hasta la Represa , 1,800 m , Feb. 1995 , R . Delgado. L _N_186600_562000 #4416, CRI002242857, CRI002242858; R . Grande de Orosi , desde Puente R . Dos Amigos hasta la Represa , 1,400–1,800 m , Mar. 1995 . R . Delgado. L _N_186600_562000 #4418, CRI002253229, CRI002253246, CRI002255341, CRI002255343, CRI002255347, CRI002255349; La Represa , 1,800 m Apr. 1995 , R . Delgado , de Luz L _N_185900_563300 #4825, CRI002190488. Prov. Guanacaste : Finca La Luz. 1,000 m . W. side Volcán Cacao : 3–8 Aug. 1986 , D. H. Janzen and W. Hallwachs , CRI0002611964, CRI002609920, CRI002609940, CRI002609943, CRI002609944, CRI002611963; Estac. Mengo , La Cruz, A.C.G . Parque Nal. Gte., Ladera SW Volcán Cacao , 1,100 m 26 Jun. 1987 . Janzen. Manual (Red. Libre) L- N_330200_375700 #52580188, CRI0003353851; Liberia , Bosque Primario 1,000 m 11–13 Jun. 1987 . Janzen. Manual (Red. Libre) L-N_322740_375198 #52598, CRI0003354845; Derrumbe , 1,400 m , W side Volcán Cacao. 5 Jun. 1988 , Janzen and Hallwachs , CRI001004497, CRI001004498; Estac. Pitilla , 700 m , 9 km S Santa Cecilia , Jul. 1988 , GNP Biodiversity Survey, W 885 259400, N108599260, CRI001004772; Estac. Pitilla , 700 m , 9 km S Santa Cecilia , Nov. 1988 , GNP Biodiversity Survey , L-N 330200_380200. CRI0001098; SW. side Volcán Cacao , 1,100 m , Feb. 1989 , GNP Biodiversity Survey W 858259100, N 108559430, CRI001004556, CRI001004697; Estac. Pitilla , 700 m , 9 km S Santa Cecilia , May 1,989, GNP Biodiversity Survey , L-N 330200_380200, CRI001004534; Estac. Cacao , 1,000–1,400 m , SW side Volcán Cacao , Sep. 1989 , Blanco and C. Chaves , L N 323300_375700, CRI001004552, CRI001004590, CRI001004591, CRI001004592; Estac. Cacao , 1,000–1,400 m , SW side Volcán Cacao , Oct. 1989 , URCG R . Blanco and C. Chaves , L-N 323300_375700, CRI00029850; Estac. Cacao , 1,000–1,400 m , SW side Volcán Cacao , Oct.–Dec. 1989 , B. Guadamuz ,, L-N 323300_375700, CRI000445956; Estac. Cacao , 1,000–1,400 m , SW side Volcán Cacao , Nov.–Dec. 1989 , URCG R . Blanco and C. Chaves , L-N 323300_375700, CRI000145302, CRI000145303, CRI000148192, CRI000148193, CRI000148208 ( CNDC ), CRI000148213 , CRI000148230 ; Estac. Pitilla , 700 m , 9 km S Santa Cecilia , Dec. 1989 , C. Moraga and P. Rios , L-N 330200_380200, CRI000166551; Estac. Pitilla , 700 m , 9 km S Santa Cecilia , Apr. 1990 , P. Rios , L-N 330200_380200, CRI000615342; Estac. Cacao , 1,000–1,400 m , SW side Volcán Cacao , Jun. 1990 , ‘‘II curso Parataxon. ’’ L-N 323300_375700, CRI000225438, CRI000225728 ( UVC ), CRI000225731 , CRI000226123 , CRI000226169 ; Estac. Cacao , 1,000–1,400 m , SW side Volcán Cacao , Nov.– Dec. 1990 , A. Guadamuz , L-N 323300_375700, CRI000298096; Estac. Cacao , 1,000–1,400 m , SW side Volcán Cacao , Elfín Rainforest 91, May 1991 ,? L-N 323300_375700, CRI000515860; Estac. Cacao , 1,000–1,400 m , SW side Volcán Cacao , May 1991 C. Chaves , L-N 323300_375700, CRI000563775 CRI,000563776, CRI000563779 ( CNDC ), CRI000563780 , CRI000563781 , CRI000563782 , CRI000570963 ; Río San Lorenzo , 1,050 m , Tierras Morenas , R . F. Cord. Guanacaste , Jun. 1991 , C. Alvarado , L-N 287800_427600, CRI000668680; Estac. Pitilla , 700 m , 9 km S Santa Cecilia , Set. 1991 , C. Moraga , L-N 330200_380200, CRI000460635; 2–15 May 1992 , C. Moraga , L-N 330200_380200, CRI000405398, CRI000405399, CRI000405422, CRI000405439; Estac. Cacao , 1,000–1,400 m , SW side Volcán Cacao , 11 Sep.–11 Oct. 1991 , D. García , L-N 323300 375700, CRI000349710 ( UVC ); Río San Lorenzo , 1,050 m , Tierras Morenas , R . F. Cord. Guanacaste , Dec. 1991 , C. Alvarado , L-N 287800_427600, CRI000354360; Río San Lorenzo , 1,050 m , Tierras Morenas , 23 Mar.–21 Apr. 1992 , M. Segura , L-N 287800_427600, CRI000414935; Río San Lorenzo , 1,050 m , Tierras Morenas , R . F. Cord. Guanacaste , Jan. 1992 , C. Alvarado , L-N 287800_427600, CRI000557243; Sector Las Palmas , 5.5 km . SSW Volcán Rincón de la Vieja , 1,400 m 11 Jun. 1994 , D. García , L-N 307943_389422 #3045, CRI002384792; Derrumbe , Estac. Cacao, W. side Volcán Cacao , 1,400 m : 21–29 May 1992 , III curso Parataxon. , L-N 323700_376700, CRI000409736, CRI000409739, CRI000409740, CRI000409741, CRI000409742, CRI000409743, CRI000409744, CRI000423485 ( BMNH ), CRI000423486 , CRI000423487 ( MCZC ), CRI000423539 , CRI000423556 , CRI000423557 , CRI000423558 , CRI000423559 , CRI000423560 , CRI000423561 , CRI000423562 , CRI000423563 , CRI000423564 , CRI000423565 , CRI000423566 , CRI000423567 , CRI000866580 , CRI000866581 , CRI000866582 , CRI000866583 , CRI000866584 , CRI000866585 , CRI000866586 , CRI000866587 , CRI000866588 , CRI000866589 , CRI000866590 , CRI000866591 , CRI000866592 , CRI000866593 , CRI000866594 , CRI000866595 , CRI000866596 , CRI000866597 , CRI000866598 , CRI000866599 ; Estac. Cacao, W. side Volcán Cacao , 1,000–1,400 m , 21–29 May 1992 , Z. Fuentes , L-N 323300_375700, CRI000714077 ( MCZC ); Estac. Cacao, W. side Volcán Cacao , 1,000–1,400 m , 21–29 May 1992 , K. Taylor , L-N 323300_375700, CRI000858733, CRI000858735; Estac. Cacao, SW side Volcán Cacao , 800–1,600 m , 12–17 Jul. 1993 , G. Carballo , L S 323300_375700 #2213, CRI001824309; Estac. Pitilla, 700 m , 9 km S Santa Cecilia , Jul. 1994 , C. Moraga , L-N 330200_380200, #3158, CRI002001124; Estac. Pitilla, 700 m , 9 km S Santa Cecilia , Jul. 1994 , P. Rios , L-N 330200_380200, #3140, CRI002048689 ( USNM ); Estac. Cacao, SW side Volcán Cacao , 800–1,600 m , 1,100–1,650 m , 8–18 Feb. 1995 , R . Villalobos, L _N_323100_375800 #4443, CRI002183509; Estac. Cacao, SW side Volcán Cacao , 1,100 m , 7–18 Feb. 1995 , E. Alfaro , L_N_323100_375800 #4591, CRI002183999; Estac. Pitilla, 800–1,100 m , 9 km S Santa Cecilia , Sector Orosilito , 3–24 Apr. 1995 , E. Alfaro , L-N 328650 378600 #4600, CRI002140693, CRI002140695, CRI002140696, CRI002140697, CRI002140698; Estac. Pitilla, 800–1,100 m , 9 km S Santa Cecilia , Sector Orosilito , 7 Apr. 1995 , M. Moraga , de Luz , L-N 328650 378600 #4722, CRI002199928, CRI002199929; Coopelares , Sector Las Pailas , 1,600 m 24 Jun.–10 Jul. 1995 , K. Taylor , L-N_311400_389400 #6199, CRI002426704; Estac. Cacao, SW side Volcán Cacao , 1,000–1,400 m , 30 Aug. 1995 , C. Moraga , de Luz L-N_323100_375800 #6410, CRI002357068; Hda. Santa María, 750 m , Set. 1996 , D. Briceño , F. A. Quesada , A. Solís , E. Araya and C. Moraga , L-N_304700_393300 #8347, CRI002556934; Estac. Cacao, SW side Volcán Cacao , 1,150 –1,250 , Jun. 1996 . Faldas C. Moraga, I . Villegas, CRI002422770, CRI002422771; Estac. Pitilla, 700 m , 9 km S Santa Cecilia , Jun. 1996 , P. Rios. de Luz , L-N 329950_380450, #8268, CRI002470618. Prov. Heredia, Transecto, Braulio Carrillo N. P. 1,100– 1,500 m , Oct. 1989 , R . Aguilar and M. Zumbado , CRI000131924. Prov. Puntarenas, Estac. La Casona , Res. Biol. Monteverde, 1,250 m , Nov. 1990 , E. Bello , L-N 253250_449700 , Fig. 8. Graph of the length and width of the body of Alagoasa aurora paratypes in millimeters; open circles represent females and closed males; dashed line is linear regression of female length vs. width, solid line is linear of male. 94 CRI000307119 ( BMNH ); Estac. La Casona, Res. Biol. Monteverde, 1,520 m , Jun. 1991 , N. Obando, L-N253250_449700 #1714, CRI001694118; Estac. La Casona, Res. Biol. Monteverde, 1,520 m , Aug. 1991 , N. Obando, L N 253250, 449700, CRI001357714; Estac. La Casona, Res. Biol. Monteverde, 1,520 m , Dec. 1992 , N. Obando L-N 253250, 449700, CRI000895984; CRI000978893; 1,520 m , 11–31 Mar. 1996 , K. Martínez, de Luz L_N_253900_449300 #7640, CRI002422354. Prov. San José, Estac. Santa Elena, Pérez Zeledón, 1,650 m , 21–29 Jul. 1999 , J. Rodríguez. Manual L-S_373000_507500 #57318, CRI0003165565. Other material examined: PANAMA . Chiriqui Pr. Reserva La Fortuna Quijada del Diablo 4 km . N. Hornito 2 Aug. 1997 A. R . Gillogly. ( TAMU ) NICARAGUA : Zelaya Cerro Saslaya Camp 3,950 m , Apr. 1999 , J. M. Maes and B. Hernández , UTM-713150/ 152 1450. ( SEAN ) Etymology. From the Latin aurora for dawn alluding to the nocturnal habits, red color and commemorative for Aurora Lauzardo who is equally brilliant and also possesses a unique combination of characteristics. Gender is feminine. Biology. Alagoasa aurora is biologically interesting because of it is frequently collected at light, (see label data, E. G. Riley pers. comm.) Nocturnal habits are unusual for so brightly colored a beetle. Host plant and immature stages are unknown. Remarks. Another closely related species has been collected at La Fortuna reserve in Panama´. This undescribed species is very similar to Alagoasa aurora with the exception of much larger eyes, each eye being 3/8 of the width of the head and bearing extremely large facets, in the very lightly colored pronotal margins by the iridescent greenish tinge to the body coloration. Additionally the specimen collected in Nicaragua (see other material) is significantly different from the norm that we consider to be Alagoasa aurora ; we suspect that it is a different species. It differs in having opaque and lusterless elytra, femoral apices and tibia picieous, spermatheca with pump narrow and pronounced in comparison with the receptacle and gonocoxae with base more than 43 as broad as in A. aurora . DNA. DNA sequences were submitted to Gen-bank from a specimen collected at 1,070 m above La Selva. The sequences bear accession numbers AF545066 , D2 gene, large subunit (28S) ribosomal fragment, and AF545065 , mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I fragment.