Solariola forbixi Bello' & Osella & Baviera 2019, sp.n.
Creators: name: Bello', Cesare
name: Osella, Giuseppe
name: Baviera, Cosimo
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2019
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Curculionidae
Solariola
Solariola forbixi

description: Solariola forbixi Bellò, Osella & Baviera sp.n.
(Figs 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 44f, 52, 52 ’, 95, 138, 181) http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 00EAEAED-1604-4A5C-8D55-9AB6CDAA0CBF
Type locality. Sicily, Palermo, Sicani Mountains, Ficuzza Wood, 800m (Fig. 232).
Diagnosis. A medium or large size Solariola (TL: 3.15–3.60 mm; BL: 2.80–3.05 mm) belonging to the doderoi group with quite slender body shape. Within the species group, it is easily recognisable by red-brownish cuticle, elytra less slender and pronotum as long as wide. Rostrum elongate (RL: 0.55–0.60 mm, RW: 0.40– 0.40 mm, RL/ RW: 1.38–1.50). Mesorostrum carinae parallel to sides. Forehead convex (FW/MW: ratio 2.40–2.50). Mesorostrum and submentum with thick and elongate pappolepida. Antennae quite elongate and thin (SL: 0.70–0.75 mm, FL: 0.95–1.05 mm, SL/FL: 0.71–0.74). Pronotum as long as wide (PL: 0.70–0.80 mm, PW: 0.70–0.80 mm, PL/PW: 1.00–1.00) with few echinopappolepida at base. Elytra sub-oval to sides, dorsally vaulted (EL: 2.05–2.20 mm, EW: 1.08–1.18 mm, EL/EW: 1.86–1.90).
Type series. Holotype male with following labels: [genitalia in DHMF] [transparent label] / ♂ [w, p] / Sicilia, Palermo, Sicani, Ficuzza 4, 700m, v. Q [uercus] ilex & Q [uercus] suber 4. III. 2013, Leg. Baviera C[osimo] [w, p] / N37°53.173’ E13°23.796’ [w, p] / Solariola ruffoi Osella & Di Marco, 1996, det. Baviera 2017 [w, p] / collezione Cesare Bellò, Castelfranco Veneto [g, p] / Solariola forbixi det. Bellò, Osella & Baviera, 2018 Holotype [r, p] / esemplare fotografato by Francesco Sacco [y, p] (MCIZ).
Paratypes. Seven specimens (2 males and 5 females) with following labels: Sicilia, Palermo, Sicani, Ficuzza 4, 700m, v. Q. ilex & Q. suber, 4. III. 2013, Leg. Baviera C. / N37°53.173’ E13°23.796’ / Solariola ruffoi Osella & Di Marco, 1996, det Baviera 2017 / collezione Cesare Bellò, Castelfranco Veneto / Solariola forbixi det Bellò, Osella & Baviera, 2018 paratype (CBA, CBE, LFO); Sicilia, Palermo, Godrano, Ficuzza, 790m, vaglio, 37°53.159’N 13°23.797’E 18.XI.2018, Bellò & Baviera leg. / collezione Cesare Bellò, Castelfranco Veneto / Solariola forbixi det Bellò, Osella & Baviera, 2018 paratype (CBE).
Holotype description. Male. See Figs 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e. Quite stubby body (TL: 3.60 mm and BL: 3.05 mm). Red-brownish cuticle.
Rostrum elongate (RL: 0.60 mm, RW: 0.40 mm, RL/RW: 1.50), conical to sides with expanded pterygium. Epistome absent. Mesorostrum carinae parallel to sides. Submentum covered by yellowish pappolepida, also partially visible around mesorostrum. Interocular pit visible. Forehead convex (FW/MW: ratio 2.40). Vestigial eyes flat and just visible.
Antennae thin and elongate (SL: 0.75 mm, FL: 1.05 mm, SL/FL: 0.71); AS ratio: 10.10.5.5.4.3.3.13. Scape clubbed, more robust than funicle, curved at proximal third and progressively thickening towards apex. Funicle long and quite thin; all antennal segments with thin setae. Club three-segmented, elongate-oval, in length twice the width, densely covered by thin setae.
Pronotum as long as wide (PL: 0.80 mm, PW: 0.80 mm, PL/PW: 1.00), wider at the front and with echinopappolepida at base. Scutellum visible.
Elytra oblong elongate, rounded to sides, dorsally vaulted (EL: 2.20 mm, EW: 1.18 mm, EL/EW: 1.86), wider at middle with convex suture. Humeri rounded. Striae with 15–16 evident punctures, catenulate, deep. Interstriae little convex with thin setae raised and short. Elytral declivity> 60 degrees.
Legs quite short and robust with femora clubbed. Protibia with seven spines on inner edge and an evident mucro on inner apical angle. Protibia quite sinuous on inner edge and slightly curved in side view. Metatibia and mesotibia straight in side view. All tibia with noticeable apical comb.Tarsal segment 1 short, conical; segment 2 short and transverse; segment 3 very bilobed; all segments with thin golden setae. Onychium curved, robust and short with one short claw.
Male genitalia. See Figs: dorsal shape aedeagus Fig. 52; apex of penis Fig. 52 ’; IX sternite Fig. 95.
Female genitalia. See Figs: spermatheca Fig. 138; VIII sternite Fig. 181.
Sexual dimorphism. Males can usually be recognized by their smaller size, slender appearance, more rounded humeri, legs stronger with a more noticeable apical mucro, and ventrites 1 and 2 slightly hollowed.
Paratypes variability. Paratypes are similar to the holotype, sexual dimorphism excluded.
Distribution. See Figs. 221, 221a. Sicilian endemic. Known only from Palermo, Sicani Mountains, Ficuzza forest around 700 meters of elevation.
Etymology. Named after the passionate naturalist and weevils specialist, Forbicioni Leonardo (Forbix = nickname) as a gift for his availability, valuable collaboration and friendship.
Ecology and Phenology. S. forbixi specimens were collected by Winkler extractors from soil obtained sifting the leaf litter on sandy soil, of a Quercus ilex forest in March, at elevation of 700 m.
Main soil type. Chromic Cambisol (European Soil Data Centre; Panagos et al. 2012).
Reproduction. Amphigonic.
Associated species. Sympatric with Heteromeira neapolitana (Faust, 1890).
description: Published as part of Bello', Cesare, Osella, Giuseppe & Baviera, Cosimo, 2019, A taxonomic monograph of the genus Solariola Flach, 1908 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae), pp. 1-261 in Zootaxa 4676 (1) on pages 46-50, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4676.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3468945