14. Chryasus cavernosus Champion

(Figs. 6, 20, 42)

Chryasus cavernosus Champion (1908: 337, description), Hustache (1938: 24, transfer from Centrinini to Bari[di]ni, Coelonertina), O’Brien & Wibmer (1982:181, new country records).

Diagnosis. Chryasus cavernosus is 2.3–3.2 mm long and entirely brown. The anterior constriction of the coarsely punctate pronotum has deep pits separated by longitudinal ridges, a trait unique to this species. Males have the basal ventrites almost unmodified, only large ones have inconspicuous appressed squamulae.

Material examined. COSTA RICA. Guanacaste: P.N. Guanacaste, Estac. Pitilla, 27.ii.1989 – 1.ix.1994, C. Moraga (MNCR 18), 6.–12.iii.1996, J. Prena (CMNC 3, JPPC 9, MNCR 4). Heredia: P.N. Braulio Carrillo, 13 km SSW Santa Clara, 13.i.1996, J. Prena (JPPC 1); Estac. El Ceibo, 17.–23.ii.2003, 11.– 16.iii.2003, J. Prena (JPPC 2). Limón: P.N. Hitoy Cerere, 21.–29.i.1996, J. Prena (JPPC 3). GUATEMALA. Ciudad de Guatemala, El Pueblito, 11.vi.1991, R. Anderson (CMNC 1); Ciudad de Guatemala, Puenta Parada, 12.vi.1991, R. Anderson (CMNC 2, JPPC 1). NICARAGUA. Chontales, Santo Domingo, T. Belt, syntypes (NHMUK 2). PANAMÁ. Canal Area: 3 mi W Paraíso, 14.xii.1969, H. Stockwell (STRI 1); 5 mi NW Gamboa, 20.ii.1970, H. Stockwell (CMNC 1). Chiriquí: 20.5 km NW Volcan, 20.v.1996, R. Turnbow (CMNC 1). Panamá: Cerro Campana, 28.iv.1973, H. Hespenheide (JPPC 1); Altos de Campana, 26.v.1996, R. Turnbow (CMNC 1). Chepo, Cerro Jefe, 16.vi.1976, H. Stockwell (STRI 1) .

Life history. In March 1996, I found many specimens on a flowering, unidentified Melastomataceae in an open habitat near Pitilla field station in Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Notes. This is the type species of Chryasus . A lectotype designation for it is not warranted at present because the two syntypes are from the same locality and do not threaten nomenclatural stability. Specimens from higher elevations are more elongate with a smaller prothorax (often with a median carina) than specimens from the lowlands.