The false darkling beetle genus Microscapha LeConte (Coleoptera, Melandryidae)

Transcription

1 ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALIS HUNGARICI Tomus 74. Budapest, 1982 p The false darkling beetle genus Microscapha LeConte (Coleoptera, Melandryidae) by N. B. NIKITSKY & V. V. BELOW, Moscow Abstract The melandryid genus Microscapha LE-C. is revised, with a key to all the 11 species of the world fauna provided, including 5 species described as new : M. africana sp. n. from Congo- Brazzaville, M. major sp. n., M. baloghi sp. n., M. maculata sp. n., and M. mutahilis sp. n., all from New Guinea. Therefore the present range of Microscapha covers the Americas, South-East Asia, New Guinea and Equatorial Africa. With 20 figures. The melandryid genus Microscapha LE-C. belongs to the tribe Orchesiini and includes 7 hitherto known species. One more species, M. californica BARRETT, 1928, from California, judging from its diagnosis seems in fact to belong to the genus Lederia and therefore is excluded from the key to the Microscapha species given herein. The species of Microscapha are chiefly restricted to tropical countries, only 2 species inhabit temperate latitudes. The present paper deals with descriptions of 5 new species of this genus: M. major sp. n., M. maculata sp. n., M. baloghi sp. n., M. mutabilis sp. n., all from New Guinea, and M. africana sp. n. from Congo-Brazzaville. A key to all the hitherto known species of Microscapha is elaborated. The present revision is based on a study of the following material: M. africana sp. n. Içfçf (type series), M. baloghi sp. n. Içf (holotype), M. bruchipic, syntypes, M. clavicornis LECONTE, rf and 1 Ç, M. maculata sp. n. 2 çf (type series), M. major sp. n. 1 çf (holotype), M. malayana CHAMPION, 1916 holotype, M. minuta CHAMPION, syntypes, M. mutabilis sp. n. 2 çf (types series), M. nigronotata Pic, $ (? type, labelled M. nigronotata" by Pic), M. pulicaria CHAMPION, 1916 holotype. We wish to express our most sincere gratitude to Dr. Z. KASZAB (Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest), Drs. C. M. F. VON HAYEK and M. BRENDELL (British Museum Nat. Hist., London), Dr. J. MENIER (Muséum National d'histoire Naturelle, Paris) and Dr. P. SPANGLER (Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.) for the opportunity to study the materials. Microscapha LECONTE Species of the genus Microscapha are small (1.4 to 3.5 mm long), with oval, oblong-oval or ovoid body (Figs. 1-7) clothed with thin decumbent pallid pubescence. Head small, bent down. Eyes often large, usually distinctly emarginate anteriorly and rather coarsely faceted, always distinctly separated. Terminal joint of maxillary palpi rather large, round securiform or oval, more or less round obliquely truncate at the apex. Antennae short, 3 or 4 apical joints usually forming a well-developed club, two basal joints large, 2nd joint usually not less than 1.8 to 2.0 times broader and 2.0 to 2.5 times longer than 3rd one; joints 3 to 7 rather narrow and short (Figs 15-17). Pronotum without depressions, much transverse (not less than 1.8 to 2.0 times broader than long), broadest at base, forwards roundly narrowed ; lateral borders completely marginated, anterior angles not pronounced, broadly rounded. Posterior margin distinctly bisinuate (Fig. 1), hind angles often roundly rectangular. Surface chiefly finely and sparsely punctured, much finer and sparser than on elytra. Scutellum distinct, triangular, though small. Elytra oval, oblong-oval or more or less ovoid, their base usually not broader than that of pronotum, usually broader at the 1st third of their length. Suturai stria usually well developed. Surface irregularly and usually finely and (at least posteriorly) densely pinctured. Wings usually well developed. Pro- and mesothorax relatively short, metathorax large, not shorter than both 1st and 2nd Annls hist.-nat. Mus. natn. hung., 74, 1982

2 visible abdominal sternites (Fig. 7), metathoracic episterna always well developed, backward triangularly narrowing. Metathorax usually with a median longitudinal depression (Fig. 7-9), in shape and length often characteristic for the species (at least in males). L e g s rather short, apices of middle femora a little exceeding the lateral margin's contour of the elytra. Anterior coxae narrowly divided by a triangular prothoracic process, its cavities opened posteriorly. Middle coxae narrowly divided by a mesothoracic process. Hind coxae very large, oblique, consisting of two parts, narrowly triangular anterior and rather broadly blade-shaped posterior ones. The abovementioned triangular portion of hind coxae usually longer than metepisterna. Penultimate joints of anterior and middle tarsi distinctly bilobated, those of hind tarsii simple. Hind legs saltatory, their femora thickened and flattened, tibiae at the outer margin without transverse ridges, distad triangularly enlarged, significantly shorter than the femora, apically each bears 2 long pectinate serrate spurs (Figs 10, 11) reaching at least the apical third of basal tarsal joint. Hind tarsi much longer than tibiae, their 1st joint very long, usually not less than joints 2 to 4 taken together. The species o f Microscapha are morphologically close to Orchesia spp., but clearly distinguishable by the triangular form of scutellum (in Orchesia it is roundly trapeziform), much narrower a n t e n n á i joint 3 which is not less than 2.0 to 2.5 times shorter and 1.8 to 2.0 times thinner than the 2nd (whereas in Orchesia the 3rd joint is usually better developed), as well as by the pronotum with distinctly bisinuate base and without depressions which are present in the majority of Orchesia spp. The genus Microscapha differs from Lederia R T T. and Eucinetomorphus PERRIS by the presence of a well-developed triangular scutellum. KEY T O T H E SPECIES O F MICROSCAPHA LECONTE 1 (12) Elytra usually uniformly reddish-brown or black-brown, without markings or fasciae. Smaller: 1.4 or 2.0 m m long. 2 (3) Oblong-oval, body 2.1 times longer than wide, broadest between the 1st third and quater of elytra. Pronotum finely and sparsely punctured, elytra rather densely and more coarsely (at least posteriorly) punctured. Upper surface finely transversely shagreen, rather shining, only apices of elytra dull. Reddish-brown w i t h lighter (testaceous) legs, antennae and maxillary palpi. Body clothed w i t h thin decumbent yellowish-greyish pubescence m m long. Malaya (Pening) M. malayana C H A M P I O N 3 (2) Less elongated, body not more than twice longer than wide. 4 (5) Depression along middle o f posterior portion o f metathorax sharply oval i n male (Fig. 12), i n females narrower, i n the form of a slightly broadened depressed line reaching approximately to half of metathorax. A n t e n n á i joint 3 usually not more than twice thinner than the 2nd. Distance between eyes not or just a bit less than their height. Oblong-oval, body 1.9 to 1.98 times longer than wide, colour reddishbrown, surface more or less dull or slightly shining. Legs, antennae and maxillary palpi lighter. Upper surface distinctly transversely shagreen. Elytra finely and rather densely punctured, sparser at the base. 1.6 to 1.7 m m long. Eastern N o r t h America M. clavicornis L E C O N T E 5 (4) Median depression of metathoracic posterior portion narrow, i n the form of a depressed line or very narrowly lanceolate, reaching the anterior third or quarter of metathorax (Figs. 8, 9). A n t e n n á i joint 3 very small, usually 2.0 or more times thinner than the 2nd. Distance between eyes considerably less than their height. 6 (11) H i n d tibial spurs shorter, first joint of the hind tarsi more than 1.2 times longer than the longest of the spurs (Fig. 10). Larger: 1.5 to 2.0 m m long. Depression along middle of metathorax often wider (narrowly) lanceolate (Fig. 8). Species from Central and South America. 7 (8) Median depression along posterior portion of metathorax poorly broadened, nar-

3 rowly lanceolate, reaching approximately to anterior third of metathorax (Fig. 8). Distance between eyes ca. 1.4 to 1.5 times less than their height. Antennae short or at best slightly exceeding base of pronotum, joints 9 to 11 forming a club. Joint 8 a little transverse, considerably shorter and thinner than the 9th. Joints 9 and 10 subequal, each approximately as long as wide. Joints 9 to 11 ca. 1.6 to 1.7 times longer than joints 3 to 8 taken together. Body oblong-oval, 1.85 times longer than wide, colour black-brown, surface slightly shining, lower surface somewhat lighter, legs reddish-brown, antennae and maxillary palpi reddish-yellow. Pronotum extremely finely and sparsely punctured and very finely transversely shagreen. Elytra finely, but still much more coarsely and densely punctured and shagreen (distance between punctures at anterior parts of elytra usually 1.4 to 1.5 times larger than the diameter of a puncture). 1.5 mm long. Brasil (Rio de Janeiro) M. pulicaria CHAMPION 8 (7) Median depression along posterior portion of metathorax often thinner, very narrowly lanceolate or in the form of a depressed line usually reaching anterior quarter of metathorax. 9 (10) Body less elongated, 1.75 to 1.84 times longer than wide. Smaller: 1.55 to 1.7 mm long. Antennái joint 8 (unlike in M. pulicaria) much transverse, joint 9 also more or less transverse. Joints 9 to 11 forming a good separated club ca. 1.7 times longer than joints 3 to 8 taken together. Colour light reddish-brown or brown, legs lighter, antennae and maxillary palpi reddish-yellow. Upper surface finely transversely shagreen. Elytra finely and sparsely (at least at basal part) punctured, more or less shining. Mexico. Guatemala M. minuta CHAMPION 10 (9) Body more elongated, 1.9 to 1.94 times longer than wide. Larger: 1.7 to 2.0 mm long. Antennái joint 8 approximately as long as wide, joints 9 to 11 form a good separated club; joints 9 to 10 subequal in length and width, 11th one oblong-oval, acuminate at the apex, approximately as long as joints 9 to 10 taken together. Body oblong-oval, convex, upper surface black-brown, more or less shining. Head, hind or also anterior margins of pronotum and sometimes humeral and apical part of elytra a bit lighter, legs reddish-brown, antennae and maxillary palpi reddish-yellow. Body clothed with fine decumbent greyish pubescence, upper surface very finely transversely shagreen. Elytra finely and moderately densely punctured. Argentina M. bruchi Pic 11 (6) Hind tibial spurs longer, first joint of hind tarsi less than 1.2 times longer than the longest of the spurs (Fig. 11). Smaller: 1.4 to 1.5 mm long. Median depression of the posterior portion of metathorax narrow in the form of a depressed line reaching approximately to anterior quarter of metathorax (Fig. 9). Antennái joints 9 and 10 slightly transverse (Fig. 17). Body oblong-oval, ca. 1.9 times longer than wide (Fig. 6). Colour black-brown or dark reddish-brown, surface more or less shining, legs reddish-brown, antennae and maxillary palpi reddish-yellow. Elytra very finely and rather densely punctured and transversely shagreen. Congo-Brazzaville M. africana sp. n. 12 (1) Elytra bichrome (Figs. 1-5), dark reddish-brown or rusty reddish with black markings which are sometimes (in M. nigronotata) unclear and present as a dim dark spot. Larger: 2.1 to 3.5 mm. 13 (14) Body oval (1.85 times longer than wide), dark reddish-brown, more or less shining; metathorax, abdomen (partly) and pronotum (except for its anterior and hind margins) black or black-brown; each elytron with a large dim dark spot leaving light: a basal fascia broadening laterally from scutellum, a band along the suture,

4 and apical portions. Legs and antennae (except darkened antennái joints 9 to 10) reddish-brown. Pronotum covered with very small and sparse punctures, utterly finely shagreen, shining. Elytra more coarsely and densely punctured and more distinctly shagreen. Median depression at the posterior portion of metathorax narrow in the form of a slightly broadened depressed line reaching approximately to anterior third of metathorax. Antennái joint 3 small, not less than twice thinner and ca. 2.4 times shorter than 2nd; joints 9 to 11 forming a loose elongate club; joints 9 to 10 subequal in length and width, club ca. 1.6 times longer than joints 3 to 8 taken together. 2.4 mm long. Phillipines (Luzon) M. nigronotata Pre 14 (13) Upper surface lighter, reddish or reddish-brown, with well-developed black or black-brown markings (Figs. 1-5). Body 1.8 to 2.2 times longer than wide. Species from New Guinea. 15 (18) Median depression at posterior portion of metathorax at least in males rather broad, more or less lanceolate, extending forward as a depressed line (Fig. 14). 16 (17) Larger: 3.5 mm long. Distance between anteriorly much emarginated eyes 1.6 times less than their height. Metathorax more coarsely and densely punctured, distance between punctures usually a little less than diameter of a puncture. Metathoracic process directed forwards and set against mesothoracic process (which separates mesocoxae), projects a little above level of thorax. Body oval, very convex, 1.93 times longer than wide, broadest in front of the half of elytra. Colour reddish-brown; usually band at base of pronotum, transverse fascia at the latter's middle and 3 much emarginated fasciae on elytra, within anteriormost of which a light part is left (Fig. 4), metathorax, as well as partly abdomen and legs black-brown; maxillary palpi and antennae reddish-yellow; antennái joints 8 to 11 (except apex of 11th) darkened, brown or black-brown. Elytra more or less shining, covered with small and dense punctures, distance between punctures usually not exceeding the diameter of a puncture. New Guinea. M. major sp. n. 17 (16) Smaller: 2.1 mm long. Distance between eyes ca. 2.2 times less than their height. Metathorax covered with smaller punctures, distance between punctures usually not less than 1.1 to 1.3 times greater than diameter of a puncture. Metathoracic process flat and not projected above level of thorax. Body more or less oblong-oval (1.9 times longer than wide), convex,light reddish-brown; metathorax, pronotal hind margin, 2 narrow transverse spots at middle of pronotum, antennái joints 8 to 10, as well as partly abdomen and legs from dark reddish-brown to brown. Elytra brownish, with light reddish-brown oval spots (Fig. 5). Maxillary palpi and antennae (except joints 9 and 10) reddish-yellow. Body upper surface more or less shining. New Guinea. M. baloghi sp. n. 18 (15) Median depression at posterior portion of metathorax thinner, very narrowly lanceolate (Fig. 13). 19 (20) Shorter and more convex, 1.76 to 1.84 times longer than wide, 2.3 to 2.4 times longer than high (at elytra). Median depression at posterior portion of metathorax very narrowly lanceolate, not reaching as far as anterior third of metathorax. Antennae with better developed 3-jointed club, their 9th joint approximately as long as wide or slightly transverse. Elytra more finely punctured. Colour light reddishbrown, surface more or less shining, apex of antennái joint 6 and joints 7 to 10, partly metathorax and abdomen darkened, brownish: pronotum with transverse black brown fascia at middle not reaching lateral margins and with darkened hind

5 margin; elytra somewhat variable i n colouration, usually black-brown, with light reddish-brown margins (Fig. 3) consisting of 7 large spots (one of them being com mon to both elytra as it is situated o n suture about apex), a transverse fascia at base and a band along suture connected w i t h fascia; anterior light spot on elytra usually connected with fascia. 2.1 to 2.3 m m long. New Guinea M. maculata sp. n. 20 (19) Body more elongate and less convex, 2.1 to 2.2 times longer than wide, 2.5 to 2.8 times longer than high. Median depression of metathorax very narrowly lanceolate, longer and reaching approximately to anterior quarter of metathorax (Fig. 13). A n t e n n á i club poorly distinct, 3- to 4-jointed; joint 9 usually slightly longitudinal (Fig. 16). Elytra punctured more coarsely. Colour black-brown or b r o w n ; prothorax, partly abdomen and legs, maxillary palpi and at least antennái joints 1 to 6 and apex of 11th or antennae completely, two transverse falcate spots situated i n front of base of pronotum and medially divided by a dark space, as well as variable spotted markings on elytra and often a transverse bent backward band behind pronotal anterior margin (Figs. 1, 2) light reddish-brown to reddish. 2.2 to 2.5 m m long. New Guinea M. mutabilis sp. n. DESCRIPTION OF T H E NEW SPECIES Microscapha africana sp. n. L o c a l i t i e s : Congo-Brazzaville, Bonenza, catarract, <-f (holotype) , shifted in float, leg. Endrődy-Younga; Foret Classée, 30 km W. from Brazzaville, 1 rf (paratype) , singled from trunk, leg. Endrődy-Younga. The types have been deposited in the Hungarian Museum of Natural History, Budapest. D e s c r i p t i o n : Body oblong-oval, ca. 1.9 times longer than wide (Fig. 6), very convex more or less shining, dark reddish or black-brown, legs reddish-brown, antennae and maxillary palpi reddish-yellow. Body clothed with thin decumbent greyish pubescence. H e a d rather narrow, elongate, bent down, moderately densely and coarsely punctured. Eyes large, deeply emar ginated anteriorly, distance between eyes 1.4 to 1.5 times less than their height. Maxillary palpi 4-jointed; joint 2 longitudinal, joint 3 short, distinctly transverse, joint 4 large, irregularly oval, roundly obliquely truncate mesad at the apex, 1.4 to 1.5 times longer than 3rd one. A n t e n n a e (Fig. 17) short, usually not exceeding posterior margin of pronotum; joints 1 and 2 large, distinctly longitudinal, subequal in length; joint 3 very short and thin, not less than 2.5 times thinner and 4 to 5 times shorter than 2nd; joints 4 to 6 short and thin, 7th and 8th ones broader than 6th; joint 8 distinctly transverse, short; joints 9 to 11 forming a rather well expressed club, 9th and 10th ones distinctly transverse, while 9th approximately 1.5 times as wide and 2.5 times as long as 8th; joint 11 oval, elongated, much longer than 10th, joints 9 to 11 ca. twice as long as joints 3 to 8 and only a little longer than joints 1 and 2 taken together. P r o n o t u m very finely and sparsely punctured and finely shagreen, much transverse (1.8 to 2.0 times longer than wide). S c u t e l l u m short, transversely triangular. E l y t r a more or less oblong-oval, 1,55 to 1.6 times longer than wide, broadest at anterior third, punctured very finely ana" moderately densely (distance between punc tures in transverse direction at anterior portion of elytra not less than 1.3 to 1.5 times greater than diameter of a puncture). L e g s rather short, procoxae narrowly divided by a triangular process of prothorax reaching to posterior third of procoxae; mesocoxae narrowly divided by a triangular process of mesothorax reaching to half of their length. Joint 1 of mesotàrsi slender but considerably shorter than tibiae and subequal in length to tarsal joints 2 to 4 taken together. Metatibiae triangular ly enlarged at apex, their spurs subequal in length, and nearly reaching apex of the first tarsal joint ; the latter very long, a little longer than joints 2 to 4 taken together ; joints 2 and 4 subequal in length, distinctly longer than 3rd one each (Fig. 11). Claws simple, distinctly enlarged at base. M e t a t h o r a x medially smooth, its lateral parts rather densely and moderately finely punctured (distance between punctures usually not less than 1.2 to 1.3 times greater than diameter of a puncture), as well as transversely well shagreen; a long depressed median line reaching anterior third of length of metathorax (Fig. 9). Metepisterna relatively narrow, well developed, triangularly narrowing back10 Természettudományi Múzeum Évkönyve 1982

6 Figs Habitus and details of structure of Microscapha spp. 1 : Habitus of M. mutabilis sp. n. (holotype) 2-6. Pronotum and elytra: 2: M. mutabilis sp. n. (paratype), 3: M. maculata sp. n., 4: M. major sp. n., 5: M. baloghi sp. n., 6: M. africana sp. n. 7: Ventral view of M. mutabilis sp. n. {a mesothorax, b mesepisternum, c mesepimeron, d metathorax, e metepisternium, / anterior part of metacoxa, g posterior part of metacoxa) 8-9. Medial part of metathorax (sketch): 8: M. pulicaria CHAMP., 9: M. africana sp. n Metatibial spurs and metatarsi: 10: M. minuta CHAMP., 11: M. africana sp. n Medial depression of metathorax: 12: M. clavicornis LeC, 13: M. mutabilis sp. n., 14: M. baloghi sp. n Antennae: 15: M. major sp. n., 16: M. mutabilis sp. n., 17: M. africana sp. n Aedeagus: 18: M. major sp. n. 19: M. maculata sp. n., 20: M. africana sp. n.

7 ward, ca. 3.3 times longer than wide at their anterior margin. Aedeagus as shown (Fig. 20). 1.4 to 1.5 mm long. R e m a r k s : This is the first representative of the genus found i n Africa. M o r p h o logically it seems to be more closely related to the Central and South American species than to the Australian ones, but differs in the length of metatibial spurs, reaching nearly the apex of the 1st joint of the hind tarsi. Microscapha major sp. n. L o c a l i t y : New Guinea (NE), Mt. Wilhelm, 3900 m, 1 çf (holotype) I X. 1968, leg. J. BALOGH. The type has been deposited in the Hungarian Museum of Natural History, Budapest. D e s c r i p t i o n : Body oval, 1.93 times longer than wide, very convex, reddish-brown; metathorax, pronotal hind margin, transverse fascia at middle of pronotum, and 3 much emarginated fasciae on elytra anteriormost of which with a light space within itself (Fig. 4), antennái joints 8-11 (except the latter's apex), as well as partly abdomen and legs darker, brown or black-brown; antennái joints 1-6 and maxillary palpi light, reddish-yellow. Body clothed with thin decumbent grey-yellowish pubescence, upper surface very finely transversely shagreen. Pronotum and elytra more or less shining. H e a d rather small, moderately finely and densely punctured. Eyes large, rather coarsely faceted, anteriorly rather deeply emarginated; distance between eyes 1.6 times less than their height. Maxillary palpi 4-jointed; its 2 joint longitudinal, narrowly triangular; 3rd one broadly triangular, approximately as long as wide, considerably wider than 2nd, terminal joint large, roundly securiform, ca. 1.8 times wider and 2.5 longer than 3rd one and approximately 1.5 to 1.6 times longer than wide. A n t e n n a e (Fig. 15) short, 11-jointed, a little exceeding base of elytra; joints 1 and 2 well developed, distinctly longitudinal, 2nd joint a bit longer than 1st one; joint 3 small, longitudinal, 2.4 times narrower and ca. 2.2 times shorter than 2nd one; joints 4 to 6 also small, a little shorter than 3rd, very poorly longitudinal or approximately as long as wide; joints 7 and 8 distinctly broadened, (7th a bit wider than 6th), each approximately as long as wide; joint 8 distinctly transverse and ca. 1.4 to 1.5 times longer and 1.6 to 1.7 times broader than 7th one; joints 9 to 11 form a well expressed club, 9th and 10th approximately as long as wide, each ca. 1.5 to 1.6 times wider and 1.6 to 1.7 times longer than 8th one, joint 10 just a bit shorter than 9th, 11th oblong-oval, 1.4 to 1.5 times longer than 10th and approximately 1.6 to 1.7 times as long as wide; club joints (9 to 11) approximately 1,4 to 1.5 times as long as antenna! joints 1 to 2 or 3 to 8 taken together. P r o n o t u m distinctly transverse, twice as long as wide, broadest at base, laterally much roundly narrowed, finely punctured (but with pronotal punctures well visible). S c u t e l l u m short, triangular, ca. 1.3 times wider than long. E l y t r a more or less oval, approximately 1.63 times longer than wide, broadest in front of half, more backward roundly nar rowed, rather finely and densely punctured, distance between punctures usually not exceeding dia meter of a puncture. L e g s rather short. Procoxae divided by a triangular prothoracic process reaching in length to posterior third of procoxae; mesocoxae divided by a narrow subtriangularcuneiform mesothoracic process reaching to posterior third of mesocoxal length and set against a shorter and broader metathoracic process somewhat projected and directed forward. Mesotarsal joint 1 elongate, as long as joints 2 to 4 taken together ; joint 4 of pro- and mesotarsi well bilobated, longitudinal. Joint 5 of mesotarsi slender, elongate, ca, 1.4 times as long as 4th one. Claws of all tarsi basally distinctly enlarged. Metatibial spurs large, subequal in length and reach terminal third of first tarsal joint; latter approximately as long as subsequent tarsal joints taken together; joint 2 ca. 1.3 to 1.4 times longer than 3rd one and of subequal length with 4th one (length without claws). - M e t a t h o r a x covered with punctures of moderate size, distance between punctures usually a little less than diameter of a puncture. Posterior medial portion of metathorax with a more or less lanceolate depression (Fig. 14). Metepisterna well developed, triangularly narrowing back wards, approximately 3.3 times longer than wide at anterior part. Aedeagus as depicted (Fig. 18). 3.5 mm long. Microscapha baloghi sp. n. Locality: New Guinea (NE), Mt. Kaindi, Wau, 1 rf (holotype) , leg. J. BALOGH. The above specimen has been deposited in the Hungarian Museum of Natural History, Budapest.

8 D e s c r i p t i o n : Body oblong-oval, ca. 1.9 longer than wide, convex; colour light reddishbrown, hind margin and two narrow transversal spots on disc of pronotum, antenna! joints 8 to 10, metathorax, as well as partly abdomen and legs dark reddish-brown to brown, elytra (Fig. 5) brownish with numerous light reddish-brown spots partly coalescing into fascia; antennae (except joints 8 to 10) and maxillary palpi reddish-yellow. Pronotum and basal portion of elytra rather shining. Body clothed with thin decumbent grey-yellowish pubescence. H e a d rather finely and moderately densely puncured. Eyes large, rather coarsely faceted, anteriorly deeply emarginate; distance bet ween eyes 2.2 times less than their height. Maxillary palpi 4-jointed; joint 2 narrowly triangular, distinctly longitudinal, longer and thinner than short and transversal 3rd one; joint 4 large, roundly securiform, approximately 2.6 times longer and times broader than joint 3. A n t e n n a e 11 - jointed, rather short, exceeding a little base of elytra; joints 1 and 2 rather large, longitudinal, 2nd just a bit longer than 1st one; joint 3 short and thin, not less than 2.5 times shorter and 2.0 to 2.2 times thinner than joint 2; joints 4 to 6 subequal, short, small, slightly transversal, a little shorter than 3rd one; joints 7 and 8 a little longer and broader than joint 6; joints 9 to 11 forming a club, 9th very slightly longitudinal, 1.6 to 1.7 times broader and 1.8 to 2.0 times longer than 8th; joint 10 approximately as long as wide, a little shorter than 9th; joint 11 oblong-oval, 1.8 times longer than 10th one; club 1.6 to 1.7 times longer than both joints 1 and 2 and around twice as long as joints 3 to 8 taken together. P r o n o t u m much transversal, twice as long as wide, broadest basally, forwards laterally much roundly narrowed; its hind angles roundly rectangular; surface utterly sparsely and finely punctured, smooth in appearance, very finely transversely shagreen. S c u t e l l u m short, transversely triangular. - E l y t r a oblong-oval, along sutures 1.65 times longer than wide, broadest at anterior third of length ; surface finely and moderately densely punctured at basal part and much more densely and coarsely at apical portion, very finely transversely shagreen. L e g s rather short ; procoxae divided by a prothoracic triangular process reaching approxima tely to posterior third of their length ; mesocoxae narrowly divided by a mesothoracic process reaching to about posterior third of their length and set against a shorter and broader metathoracic process, not projected above level of thorax and directed forwards. Mesotarsal joint 1 rather long, just a bit shorter than joints 2 to 4 taken together. Metatibial spurs a little different in length, longest one reaching to terminal third of tarsal joint 1 ; latter very large, distinctly longer than tibia and a little longer than tarsal joints 2 to 4 taken together; joint 2 and 4 subequally long, 3rd 1.5 times shorter than 2nd. Lateral parts of m e t a t h o r a x moderately densely punctured; distance between punc tures there 1.1 to 1.3 times exceeding diameter of a puncture. Median depression of metathorax more or less lanceolate, continuing forwards by a narrow depressed line (Fig. 14). Metepisterna well developed, backward triangularly narrowed, not less than 3.2 times longer than wide at anterior part. 2.1 mm long. Derivatio nominis. This species is dedicated to its collector, Dr. J. BALOGH. Microscapha maculata sp. n. Locality: New Guinea, M t. Kaindi, Wau, 2 rfç? (holotype and paratype), , lrg. J. BALOGH. The holotype and paratype have been deposited in the Hungarian Museum of Natural History, Budapest. D e s c r i p t i o n : Body oval, 1.76 to 1.84 times longer than wide, very convex, more or less shining, light reddish brown, pronotum usually with black or brown a thin basal marginal band and a transverse fascia at middle, not reaching lateral borders; apex of antenna! joint 6, joints 7 to 10, partly metathorax and abdomen, as well as less darkened, dark reddish brown to brown; basal portion of antennae reddish-yellow; colouration of elytra variable, light markings well developed (Fig. 3) and presented usually by 7 large spots on both elytra; anterior spot connected with a trans verse light reddish basal fascia broadened at humeral parts and at scuttellum and coalescent with a light band running along suture; sutural pre-apical spot common to both elytra, other spots sepa rated from the suture and lateral margins by darker parts. Body clothed with thin decumbent greyyellowish pubescence, 2.3 to 2.4 times longer than high. H e a d rather finely and densely punc tured, distinctly transversely shagreen. Eyes large, deeply emarginate anteriorly, rather coarsely facet ed, covered with pubescence ; distance between eyes 1.4 times greater than their height. A n t e n n a e rather short, exceeding a little base of elytra; antennái joints 1 and 2 large, 2nd distinctly longitudinal, 1.3 to 1.4 times longer than 1st; joints 3 to 5 very short and thin, 3rd about twice thinner and 3 to 3.5 times shorter than 2nd; joints 6 to 8 short, gradually thickened, 8th approxima tely as long as wide, distinctly larger and wider than 7th; joints 9 to i l form a rather loose club, 9th joint 1.4 to 1.5 times broader and ca. 1.3 to 1.4 times longer than 8th; joints 9 and 10 each approximately as long as wide, 11th more or less oval, rounded at apex, ca. 1.4 times longer than

9 wide and than 10th, club ca. 1.2 to 1.3 times longer than joints 3 to 8 and 1.4 to 1.5 times longer than joints 1 and 2 taken together. P r o n o t u m extremely finely and sparsely punctured and finely shagreen, 2.1 to 2.3 times as wide as long, broadest at base, laterally much roundly narrowed forwards. S c u t e l l u m short, transversely triangular, finely punctured. E l y t r a on the base as wide as pronotum, broadest at anterior third of their length, backward more or less roundly narrowed, 1.55 to 1.6 times longer than wide. Base of e l y t r a finely and less densely punctured than their apical half (still considerably more densely and coarsely than pronotum). L e g s rather short, procoxae narrowly divided by a prothoracic triangular process reaching to posterior third of their length; mesocoxae narrowly divided by a triangular mesothoracic process exceeding a little a half of their length. Metatibial spurs long, slightly different in length, longest one reaching approximately to terminal quarter of first tarsal joint which is very large, much longer than tibia and considerably longer than joints 2 to 4 taken together; joints 2 and 4 subequally long and each 1.4 to 1.5 times longer than 3rd; claws simple, well enlarged basally. M e t a t h o r a x laterally rather finely and moderately densely punctured and transversely shagreen. Median depression of metathorax very narrowly lanceolate, not reaching as far as anterior third of metathorax length. Metepisterna well developed, triangularly narrowed backward, 3.3 times longer than wide at an terior border. Abdomen punctured more densely than metathorax. Aedeagus as depicted (Fig. 19). 2.1 to 2.3 mm long. Microscapha mutabilis sp. n. L o c a l i t i e s : New Guinea (NE), M t. Wilhelm, 3900 m, çf (holotype), , leg. J. BALOGH. Same locality, 1 çf (paratype) , leg. J. BALOGH. The holotype and paratype have been deposited in the Hungarian Museum of Natural History, Budapest. D e s c r i p t i o n : Body oblong-oval, 2.1 to 2.2 times longer than wide, more or less convex, elytra posteriorly along suture somewhat flattened. Colour black-brown or brown, prothorax, partly abdomen and legs, usually antennái joints 1 to 6 and apex of 11th or antennae completely, maxillary palpi, as well as two large transversal curved falcate paramedial spots in front of pronotal base, often a transverse band behind anterior border of pronotum, and variable spotted markings on elytra (Figs. 1, 2), light reddish-brown to reddish. Body clothed with thin decumbent grey-yellowish pubes cence, upper surface more or less shining. H e a d rather sparsely punctured with punctures of moderate size. Eyes large, rather coarsely faceted, anteriorly deeply emarginated; distance between eyes 1.4 to 1.5 times less than their height. Maxillary palpi 4-jointed, 2nd joint oblong, distinctly longitudinal, much longer than 1st and 3rd, latter approximately as long as wide; joint 4 large, roundly securiform or irregularly oval, roundly obliquely truncate at apex, not less than 3 times longer and ca. 2.2 to 2.5 times wider than 3rd one. A n t e n n a e (Fig 16) rather short, exceeding a little base of elytra; club poorly developed, 3- to 4-jointed; antennái joints 1 and 2 well developed, longitudinal, 2nd a little longer than 1st, about twice wider and 1.8 to 2.0 times longer than 3rd, latter joint small, slender, distinctly longitudinal, much longer than 4th or 5th one, latter two being subequal and very slightly transversal; joint 6 a little broader than 5th, slightly transversal; joint 6 a little broader than 5th, slightly transversal; joint 7 considerably wider and longer than 6th; joint 8 approximately as long as wide, distinctly broader than 7th; joints 9 to 11 forming a loose club poorly separated from joint 8 (which may seem to gain the club); 9th slightly longitudinal, 1.2 to 1.3 times wider and 1.5 times longer than 8th; joint 10 usually as long as wide; 11th more or less oval, 1.4 to 1.5 times longer than the 10th one, joints 9 to 11 ca. 1.7 to 1.8 times longer than 1st and 2nd, and 1.2 to 1.3 times longer than joints 3 to 8 taken together. P r o n o t u m much transversal, 1.9 to 2.0 times wider than long, broadest at base, distinctly roundly narrowed forwads, extremelly finely and sparsely punctured. S c u t e l l u m short, transversely triangular. E l y t r a more or less oblong-oval, 1.7 to 1.75 times longer than wide, broadest at anterior third of their length whereupon backward roundly narrowing, surface finely transversely shagreen and finely and rather densely (considerably denser and coarser than on pronotum) punctured, distance between punctures at basal part of elytra ca. 1.1 to 1.3 times greater than diameter of a puncture. L e g s rather short ; procoxae divided by a triangular prothoracic process reaching around the posterior third of their length; mesocoxae divided by a triangular mesothoracic process reaching to posterior third of their length; mesotarsal joint 1 elongate, approximately as long as joints 2 to 4 taken together, but considerably shorter than tibia. Metatibial spurs long, reaching to about terminal quarter of length of metatarsal joint 1, which is very long, much longer than tibia and nearly as long as all subsequent joints taken together; joints 2 and 4 subequally long, each 1.5 to 1.6 times longer than 3rd; claws simple, distinctly enlarged basally. M e t a t h o r a x laterally moderately densely punctured with punctures of medium size; distance between punctures subequal

10 to diameter of a puncture. Median depression of metathorax (Fig. 13) very narrowly lanceolate, reaching approximately anterior quarter of length of metathorax. Metepisterna well developed, backward triangularly narrowed, 3.0 to 3.2 times longer than wide at anterior border. 2.2 to 2.5 mm long. References BARRETT, R. E. (1928): A new species of Melandrydae (Coleoptera). Pan-Pacif. Ent., 4: CHAMPION, G. C. ( ): Insecta, Coleoptera. - In: Biológia cent-am., IV, 2: CHAMPION, G. C. (1916): Notes on Melandryidae (3). Entomologist's mon. Mag., 52: LECONTE, J. (1866): New species of North-American Coleoptera. Part 1. Smithson. misc. Colins, 167: Pic, M. (1930) : Deux nouveaux Hétéromères de la République Argentine. Revta Soc. ent. argent., 3: Pic, M. (1931): Nouveautés diverses. Mélang. exot. -ent., 58: Authors' address: DR. N. B. NIKITSKY and Dr. V. V. BELOW National Committee of Soviet Biologists Academy of Sciences Leninskij Prospect Moscow V-71 USSR f