Beckhoplia nigrosetosa Dombrow 2020, new species
Creators: name: Dombrow, Holger E.
name: Colville, Jonathan F.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2020
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Melolonthidae
Beckhoplia
Beckhoplia nigrosetosa

description: Beckhoplia nigrosetosa Dombrow, new species
(Figs. 7, 13, 26, 28, 56, 90–91, 114)
http://zoobank.org/ 2C34F785-38C8-4265-B59D-DE94C9023A05
Beckhoplia colvillei Dombrow, 2005: 128 ex parte.
Type locality. [RSA, NCP]: Nieuwoudtville Wildflower Reserve.
Type material. [269] Holotype ♂: white label pr « RSA, NCP, Nieuwoudt- | ville, Wildflower Res. | 31.24S– 19.08E | 22/08/98, J. Colville» || yellow label hw «18» pr «.534 | coll. Dombrow» || red label pr « Paratype | Beckhoplia | colvillei sp.n. | det.: Dombrow 2003» || green label pr «Host plant: | Gazania rigida | Senecio erosus » || blue label pr «Bioregion: | Shale Renosterveld | Vegetation Type: FRs2 – | Nieuwoudtville Shale Renosterveld» || yellow label pr «SAM–COL | A071219» || red label pr « Holotype | Beckhoplia | nigrosetosa sp.n. | det.: H. Dombrow 2019» (SAMC). – Paratypes 179 ♂♂, 40 ♀♀: same labels as holotype but || yellow label hw «18» pr «.535–.713,.734–.773 | coll. Dombrow» || red label pr « Paratype | Beckhoplia | colvillei sp.n. | det.: Dombrow 2003» || red label pr « Paratype | Beckhoplia | nigrosetosa sp.n. | det.: H. Dombrow 2019» (ESDW); 39 ♂♂ 10 ♀♀: same labels as holotype but || yellow label hw «55» pr «.708–.756 | coll. Dombrow» || yellow label pr «SAM–COL | A071219» || red label pr « Paratype | Beckhoplia | nigrosetosa sp.n. | det.: H. Dombrow 2019» (SAMC).
Condition of holotype. Very good. Pinned. Dissected, parameres glued on separate card below beetle.
Differential diagnosis. Differs from B. suturalis: Elytra of B. nigrosetosa widest medially. Elytra of B. suturalis widest in anterior third. Lateral margin of elytra of B. nigrosetosa narrowly darkened. Lateral margin of elytra of B. suturalis broadly blackened. Interno-posterior margin of parameres of B. nigrosetosa parabola in dorsal view (Figs. 90, 114). Interno-posterior margin of parameres of B. suturalis rounded in dorsal view (Figs. 88, 113). Externo-posterior margin of parameres of B. nigrosetosa linear with a convex median extension in dorsal view (Figs. 90, 114). Externo-posterior margin of parameres of B. suturalis convex in dorsal view (Figs. 88, 113). Anterior margin of phallobase of B. nigrosetosa broad parabola-shaped in dorsal view (Figs. 90, 114). Anterior margin of phallobase of B. suturalis curly bracket-shaped in dorsal view (Figs. 88, 113).
Description:
Measurements: length 7.6–8.4 mm; width 4.5–4.9 mm.
Integument: Black; funiculum pale-brown annulated; elytra transparently pale-brown, lateral and posterior margins blackened.
Tegument: Clypeus bare; loose setose with short, erect, black setae on the inner side of the reflexed anterior and lateral margins. Head loose setose with long, erect, black setae. Eye canthus with a loose setose ciliary of long, black, setae. Scapus loose setose with long, black setae, pale-brown ventrally, sparse and medium-long on pedicellus; funiculum with few very-short, erect, brown setae, shorter and semi-erect on clavus. Pronotum loose setose with long, erect, brown setae, shorter towards posterior margin; with a loose setose ciliary of long, brown setae on lateral margin. Scutellum loose setose with short and medium-long, semi-erect, brown setae. Elytra without pattern. Sparse setose with short, semi-erect, pale-brown and black setae, medium-long at humerus; few short, reclinate, whitish setae interspersed below apical torus; with two loose, longitudinal rows of medium-long, semi-erect, black setae: a juxta-sutural row from anterior margin crossing scutellar torus towards apical torus; a juxta-humeral row from anterior margin between humerus and scutellar torus towards apical torus terminating towards middle. Suture with a loose row of short and long, robust, semi-erect, black setae. Thorax and pleurites loose pilose with long, black hairs. Ventrite I–V loose setose with short, reclinate, brownish setae; long, semi-erect, black setae interspersed. Propygidium and pygidium loose setose with short, reclinate, pale-brown and whitish setae; long, semi-erect, black setae interspersed on propygidium, erect on pygidium; tip of pygidium with a loose setose ciliary of long, black setae. Prothoracic femur loose pilose with long, brown hairs; bare internally. Prothoracic tibia loose setose with short, reclinate, pale-brown setae dorsally; erect, medium-long and black ventrally; medium-long, black, semi-erect setae interspersed dorsally; with a sparse setose longitudinal row of medium-long erect, black setae dorsally; a loose setose ciliary of short, black setae on internal ridge; whitish and very short at external ridge; a setaceous ciliary of short, brown setae on anterior margin; a medium-long downwards pointing setose ciliary of pale-brown setae along anterior margin of apical tooth. Mesothoracic femur loose pilose with long, brown hairs; distinctly long, brown ventrally; long, erect, black setae interspersed dorsally and externally; bare internally. Mesothoracic tibia sparse setose with short, reclinate, white and pale-brown setae, sparser internally; medium-long, semi-erect, robust, black setae interspersed, long and finer internally. Posterior margin with a bristled ciliary of medium-long, black bristles; missing internally. Metathoracic femur loose setose with medium-long and long, semi-erect, black setae; long, palebrown setae interspersed ventrally; bare internally. Metathoracic tibia loose setose with short, reclinate, pale-brown setae; medium-long, semi-erect, black setae interspersed; denser, finer and long internally. Posterior margin with a loose bristled outer marginal ciliary of short, black bristles, lengthening dorsally and ventrally. Tarsomere I–IV of all thoracic legs sparse setose with very short, reclinate, brown setae; with a setaceous, apical, marginal ciliary of short, dark red-brown setae lengthening towards metathoracic tarsomeres, fine dorsally and more robust ventrally. Pretarsomere of all thoracic legs with few, medium-long, semi-erect, red-brown setae at apical margin, shorter ventrally. Mesothoracic and metathoracic pretarsomere additionally sparse setose with short, reclinate, pale-brown setae, lengthening towards metathoracic pretarsomere.
Head: Suture between head and clypeus linear, crenated. Head dense punctate with small, shallow, roundish, partly merging punctures, micropunctate within. Funicle I–II cylindrical, slightly thickened medially; funicle III short asymmetric frustum-shaped; clavus elliptic, slightly longer than pedicellus and funiculum combined.
Pronotum: Widest medially; loose punctate with small, shallow, roundish punctures, dense within medial furrow and posteriorly.Anterior corner orthogonal. Lateral margin linearly attenuate anteriorly and posteriorly. With an indistinct, shallow, shortened medial furrow from posterior margin terminating on disk. Posterior corner rounded.
Scutellum: Parabola-shaped; as broad as long; dense punctate with small to large, shallow, roundish punctures, micropunctate within; with a shortened, median, longitudinal, narrow, smooth stripe from anterior margin terminating in apical third. Lateral margin slightly convex. Tip pointed.
Elytra: Ovate; longer than broad; widest in anterior third; protruding propygidium. Lateral margin slightly convex attenuate apically. Sculpture indistinct; very slightly pulvinate laterally; humerus indistinct; with a broad roundish torus beside scutellum, expanding towards disk; lateral trench missing; complanate along scutellum and suture. Loose punctate with extremely small to very small, shallow, roundish punctures, micropunctures in-between; with two loose, longitudinal rows of small, deep, roundish punctures: a juxta-sutural row from anterior margin crossing scutellar torus to apical torus; a supra-humeral row from anterior margin between humerus and scutellar torus towards apical torus terminating medially.
Abdomen: Ventrite I extremely shortened medially; ventrite V not constricted ventrally. Propygidium with a slightly projected stoma at posterior corner. Pygidium slightly pulvinate longitudinally and laterally; upper margin slightly convex, linear medially; lateral margin linearly attenuate apically; tip linear.
Prothoracic leg: Femur and tibia slender. Tibia with a medio-ventral ridge. Median tooth elongate. Basal tooth rudimentary. Interspace between teeth almost equal. Shape of interspace between teeth concave. Tarsomere I–IV combined extremely short; equal in length; slightly less than 1 / 2 in length of tibia. Pretarsomere distinctly thickened; with a shortened granulate ridge ventrally; slightly more than 1 / 10 more in length of tarsomere I–IV combined. Internal claw slightly longer than pretarsomere. External claw slightly more than 7 / 10 in length of internal claw.
Mesothoracic leg: Tibia slightly less than 9 / 10 in length of femur. Tarsomere I–IV combined extremely short; slightly less than 2 / 5 in length of tibia. Pretarsomere with a shortened granulate ridge ventrally, roundish cutting missing; slightly longer than tarsomere I–IV combined. External claw slightly less than 1 / 5 more in length of pretarsomere. Internal claw slightly less than 7 / 10 in length of external claw.
Metathoracic leg: Tibia slightly shorter than femur. Tarsomere I–IV combined distinctly short; slightly less than 4 / 5 in length of tibia. Pretarsomere slightly thickened; with an undulate ridge ventrally; slightly less than 1 / 2 in length of tarsomere I–IV combined. External claw slightly more than 1 / 10 more in length of pretarsomere. Internal claw slightly more than 4 / 5 in length of external claw.
Parameres: (Figs. 90–91, 114).
♀♀. Measurements: length 8.4–9.4 mm; width 4.5–5.3 mm.
Integument: Black; elytra pale-brown, lateral margins darkened; thoracic legs dark red-brown; metathoracic tibia and thoracic tarsi red-brown.
Tegument: Clypeus loose setose with short, erect, black setae, medium-long and brown on head. Eye canthus with a loose setose ciliary of medium-long, brown setae. Setae on scapus and pedicellus red-brown, pale-brown on funiculum and clavus. Pronotum loose setose with short and long, semi-erect, brown setae; short, reclinate, whitish setae sometimes interspersed on disk, in posterior half of medial furrow and at posterior margin; with a loose setose ciliary of long, brown setae on lateral margin. Scutellum loose setose with short, semi-erect, brown setae; short, reclinate, white setae interspersed. Elytra loose setose with short, reclinate, pale-brown setae; long, semi-erect and erect, black setae interspersed, distinctly long anteriorly; sometimes few, short, reclinate, whitish setae below apical torus. Thorax and pleurites loose pilose with long, pale-brown hairs. Ventrite loose setose with short, reclinate, yellowish-white setae; medium-long and long, semi-erect, brown setae interspersed. Propygidium and pygidium loose setose with short, reclinate, yellowish-white setae; medium-long, semi-erect, pale-brown setae interspersed. Tip of pygidium with a loose setose ciliary of long, brown, setae. Prothoracic femur loose pilose with long, brown hairs, paler towards tibia. Prothoracic tibia loose setose with short, semi-erect, pale-brown setae, erect and medium-long ventrally; a loose setose ciliary of short, pale-brown setae on internal ridge and external ridge; a setaceous ciliary of short, pale-brown setae on anterior margin. Mesothoracic tibia sparse setose with short, reclinate white setae; robust, medium-long, semi-erect, pale-brown setae interspersed. Ciliary of posterior margin as in male but red-brown. Metathoracic femur loose setose with long, semi-erect, pale-brown setae. Metathoracic tibia loose setose with medium-long and long, semi-erect, red-brown setae; more robust dorsally; denser, fine and long internally. Fringe of posterior margin as in male but red-brown. Setae of thoracic tarsi pale red-brown.
Head: Clypeus very slightly depressed laterally; dense punctate with large, deep, roundish punctures, micropunctate within.Anterior margin of clypeus slightly vertically reflexed. Lateral margin very slightly reflexed. Suture between head and clypeus undulate. Head dense punctate with very large, deep, roundish, not merging punctures. Eye below head level. Funicle I cylindrical; clavus short elliptic.
Pronotum: Widest in anterior third; moderate pulvinate laterally; punctures additionally with a micropunctuation within. Lateral margin linearly attenuate in anterior third, slightly convex attenuate posteriorly. With an indistinct, shallow, complete medial furrow.
Scutellum: Dense punctate with small, shallow, roundish punctures; with a shortened, median, longitudinal, narrow, smooth stripe from anterior margin terminating medially. Tip rounded.
Elytra: Covering propygidium. Scutellar torus missing; lateral trench indistinct.
Abdomen: Distinctly pulvinate; ventrite I distinctly shortened medially; ventrite II–V broadened medially; ventrite V broadest. Pygidium slightly pulvinate longitudinally and laterally; slightly declined posteriorly; lateral margin subparallel in upper fifth, linearly attenuate apically.
Prothoracic leg: Femur and tibia robust. Tibia smooth ventrally. Median tooth broad triangular-shaped. Basal tooth very small. Tarsomere I–IV combined distinctly short; tarsomere I petiolate chalice-shaped, longest, tarsomere II–IV equal in length; slightly less than 7 / 10 in length of tibia. Pretarsomere slightly thickened; smooth ventrally, roundish cutting missing; slightly more than 3 / 5 in length of tarsomere I–IV combined. Internal claw slender; not broadened medially; as long as pretarsomere. External claw slightly less than 4 / 5 in length of internal claw.
Mesothoracic leg: Tibia slightly less than 4 / 5 in length of femur. Tarsomere I–IV combined very short; slightly less than 1 / 2 in length of tibia. Pretarsomere slender; with a shortened smooth ridge ventrally; slightly less than 7 / 10 in length of tarsomere I–IV combined. External claw slender; not broadened medially; slightly less than 1 / 10 more in length of pretarsomere. Internal claw slightly less than 4 / 5 in length of external claw.
Metathoracic leg: Femur slightly thickened. Tibia distinctly extended dorso-apically; slightly less than 4 / 5 in length of femur. Tarsomere I–IV combined short. Pretarsomere slender; slightly more than 1 / 2 in length of tarsomere I–IV combined. External claw slightly shorter than pretarsomere. Internal claw 4 / 5 in length of external claw.
Distribution. Northern Cape Province (Fig. 140), only known from the type locality.
Vegetation Type. Nieuwoudtville Shale Renosterveld [FRs 2].
Host Plants. Asteraceae: Gazania rigida (Burm. f.) Roessler; Senecio erosus L. f.
Etymology. The name derives from the black setae, especially on the pronotum [Latin: nigr- = black; Latin: set = a bristles].
description: Published as part of Dombrow, Holger E. & Colville, Jonathan F., 2020, Review of the genus Beckhoplia Dombrow, 2005 with the description of fifteen new species from South Africa and observations on its biogeography (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Hopliini), pp. 1-79 in Zootaxa 4823 on pages 61-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4823.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4401916