Ptinella mpanga sp. n.

(Figs 11 A–E)

Description

Habitus Fig. 11A, L. 0.64mm. Dusky yellow brown, antennae and pubescence pale yellow. Eyes present, width across 0.25mm. Antennomeres III–XI L. 0.29mm. Mentum and prementum chaetotaxy as Fig. 6I. Pronotum L. 0.18mm, W. 0.31mm, lateral margins evenly rounded to rectangular hind angles, without sinuations, lateral and posterior margins with a narrow border (Fig. 11B). Elytra L. 0.38mm, W. 0.36mm, truncate, shallowly foveolate, chaetotaxy as in Fig. 10E. Proventrum, mesocoxae adjacent. Mesoventrum (Fig. 11D), L. 0.13mm, reticulate, without pubescence, collar without a clearly defined posterior margin, lateral margins smoothly rounded at posterior angles. Metaventrum (Fig. 11D), L. 0.14mm, reticulate, with scattered pubescence, hind margin between metacoxae with sharply angled corners (Fig.11E), distance between metacoxae 0.09mm. ♀, spermatheca (Fig. 11B). ♂, not known.

Remarks: Holotype and two paratypes with eyes and wings, remainder with reduced eyes, possession of wings unclear.

Diagnosis: The form of the spermatheca distinguishes this species.

Etymology: Named after the Mpanga Forest Reserve, a small patch (453 hectares) of equatorial rainforest in the Mpigi District, Mawokota, 37 miles SW of Kampala, where the insects were collected. Noun in apposition.

Material examined

Holotype, ♀, UGANDA: Mpanga Forest, 25 miles N. Kampala, 0°12′N, 32°17′E, ix.1965, leg. W.C. Block, B.M. 1978-472 (BMNH).

Paratypes, 4 exs, UGANDA: Katabana, 14 miles N. Kampala, 0°29′N, 32°37′E, litter in papyrus swamp, leg. W.C. Block, B.M. 1978-472 (BMNH, one mounted verso) .