Muisca malakela OPITZ nov.sp. (Figs 42, 73, 97, 151)

Holotype: ♀. Pérou (Peru), Huambo, M de Mathan, IV Trim 1889 (MNHN).

D i a g n o s i s: Within the M. testacea species group, only in the members of this species does each elytron show 7 brown maculations.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Size: Length 6.0 mm; width 2.3 mm. Form: As in Fig. 151. Color: Mostly light castaneous, frons and epicranium brownish, scape, pedicel, and funicular antennomeres yellow, capitulum brown; pronotal disc with 4 dark brown spots that coalesce via light brown flecks, each elytron with 7 brown flecks that show a bluish luster, humeral fleck elongate. Head: Funicular antennomeres subfiliform progressively more triangular, capitulum longer than combined length of funicular antennomeres, capitular antennomeres 9 and 10 triangular (Fig. 42), antennomere 11 obovate; frons wider than width of eye (EW /FW 25/34). Thorax: Pronotum (Fig. 73) quadrate (PW /PL 80/80), side margin with shallow tubercle, disc subglabrous at midline; elytral asetiferous punctation minute, striate to distal 2/3 rd, (EL /EW 260/70). Abdomen: Pygidium scutiform.

E t y m o l o g y: The specific epithet, malakela, is a Greek compound name that stems from mala (= much) and kelis (= stain). I refer to numerous flecks on the dorsum of this beetle.

D i s t r i b u t i o n (Fig.97): This species is known only from Peru.