Solariola mariaesilvanae Bellò, Osella & Baviera sp.n.

(Figs 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 44j, 56, 56 ’, 99, 142, 185) http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 75744EDA-B9BE-4F9B-AD1E-B6E570E0ACC8

Type locality. Sicily, Messina, Peloritani Mountains, Naso, 370m. (Fig. 236) .

Diagnosis. A large size Solariola (TL: 3.20–3.60 mm; BL: 2.50–2.95 mm) belonging to the doderoi group with slender body shape. Within the species group, it is easily recognisable by reddish cuticle, the mesorostrum covered by yellowish pappolepida and the sub-oval elytra with elytral punctures wide and deep. Rostrum elongate (RL: 0.50–0.60 mm, RW: 0.35–0.40 mm, RL/RW: 1.43–1.50). Mesorostrum carinae parallel to sides. Forehead convex (FW/MW: ratio 2.33–2.40). Mesorostrum and submentum covered by yellowish, compact and elongate pappolepida. Antennae elongate and thin (SL: 0.60– 0.60 mm, FL: 0.80–1.00 mm, SL/FL: 0.60–0.72). Pronotum as long as wide or slightly elongate (PL: 0.70–0.85 mm, PW: 0.65–0.85 mm, PL/PW: 1.00–1.08) with many echinopappolepida at base. Elytra sub-oval to sides, dorsally vaulted (EL: 1.75–2.10 mm, EW: 0.90–1.10 mm, EL/EW: 1.91–1.99).

Type series. Holotype male with following labels: [genitalia in DHMF] [transparent label] / ♂ [w, p] / Sicilia: Messina, Peloritani, Naso, Vaglio Quercus, 15. VI. 2009, leg. Baviera C. [osimo] [w, p] / collezione Cesare Bellò [g, p] / esemplare fotografato by Francesco Sacco [y, p] / Solariola mariaesilvanae Holotype det. Bellò, Osella & Baviera, 2018 [r, p] (CBE).

Paratypes. 5 males and 12 females: Sicilia, ME, Naso, 400m, al vaglio lettiera Olea e. sativa, 24. IV. 06, leg. Bellò (CBE, GOS); ibidem, vaglio Quercus, 23. VI. 2007, leg. Baviera C. (CBA); ibidem, vaglio Quercus, 15. VI. 2009, leg. Baviera C. (CBA); ibidem, vaglio Olea, 372m, 20. IV. 2010, leg. Baviera C. & Bellò C. (CBA); ibidem, vaglio Quercus, 20. III. 2015, Baviera C. (CBE); I, Sicily, Messina, Nebrodi, Naso, 370m, vaglio Quercus 38°08’15.43’’N 14°45’54.3’’E 20.XI.2018 Bellò & Baviera leg. (CBA, CBE). All with label: Solariola mariaesilvanae paratype det. Bellò, Osella & Baviera, 2018 [r, p].

Holotype description. Male. See Figs 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e. Body shape slender and subcylindrical (TL: 3.40 mm and BL: 2.80 mm). Reddish cuticle.

Rostrum elongate (RL: 0.60 mm, RW: 0.40 mm, RL/RW: 1.50), conical to sides with much expanded pterygium. Epistome absent. Mesorostrum carinae parallel to sides. Submentum covered by whitish-yellowish pappolepida, also around mesorostrum. Interocular pit not visible. Forehead convex (FW/MW: ratio 2.40). Vestigial eyes flat and just visible.

Antennae thin and elongate (SL: 0.60 mm, FL: 0.90 mm, SL/FL: 0.67); AS ratio: 9.7.5.4.3.3.3.14. Scape clubbed, slightly more robust than funicle, curved at proximal third and progressively thickening towards apex. Funicle long and quite thin; all antennal segments with short and thin setae. Club three-segmented, elongate-oval, in length twice the width, densely covered by thin setae.

Pronotum slightly elongate (PL: 0.75 mm, PW: 0.70 mm, PL/PW: 1.07), wider at middle and with many echinopappolepida at base. Scutellum visible.

Elytra elongate, sub-oval to sides, dorsally vaulted (EL: 1.95 mm, EW: 0.98 mm, EL/EW: 1.99), wider in the middle with convex suture. Humeri rounded. Striae with 13–14 punctures, catenulate, almost wide and deep. Interstriae convex with short and recumbent setae. Elytral declivity>60 degrees.

Legs quite slim and elongate with femora clubbed. Protibia with six spines on inner edge and an evident mucro on inner apical angle. Protibia 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. 56; apex of penis Fig. 56 ’; IX sternite Fig. 99.

Female genitalia. See Figs: spermatheca Fig. 142; VIII sternite Fig. 185.

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, sexual dimorphism excluded, are similar to the holotype but differs in size.

Distribution. See Figs. 221, 221a. Sicilian endemic. Known from Peloritani Mounts near Naso locality at 350–400 meters of elevation.

Etymology. This species is named after Maria Silvana (Chemello), the wife of one of us (Bellò), in appreciation and gratitude of her availability and cooperation to the field research.

Ecology and Phenology. S. mariaesilvanae specimens were collected by Winkler or Berlese extractors from soil obtained sifting the leaf litter on clay soil of a grove of Olea and Quercus sp., in spring or winter.

Main soil type. Chromic Cambisol ( European Soil Data Centre; Panagos et al. 2012) .

Reproduction. Amphigonic.

Associated species. Sympatric with Pseudomeira vitalei (Desbrochers, 1892) .