Leoserica knysnana, Fabrizi & Eberle & Ahrens, 2019

Fabrizi, Silvia, Eberle, Jonas & Ahrens, Dirk, 2019, Unexpected diversity of Hyboserica chafers in South African forest remnants: cladistic analysis, new species and the new genus Leoserica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 186, pp. 950-982 : 979-980

LEOSERICA KNYSNANA SP. NOV.

( FIGS 7A, 9)

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F2461379-62CA-4B55-A871-A1CC70AAB73C

Type material examined: Holotype: ♂ ‘ S. Afr. W Cape 20 km W Knysna 15– 20.2.1978 ’ ( TMSA) . Paratypes: 2 ♂♂ ‘ S. Afr. W Cape 20 km W Knysna 15– 20.2.1978 ’ ( TMSA, ZFMK) , 1 ♂ ‘X-DA4364 South Africa Western Cape: Goukamma Nature Reserve; Dunes near Rondavell Chalet , 10m 34°04’02,9’’S; 22°56’50,8’’E 24.–26.xi.2013 lg. Ahrens, Eberle, Fabrizi’ ( ZFMK) , 6 ♂♂ ‘ South Africa Western Cape: Goukamma Nature Reserve; Dunes near Rondavell Chalet , 10m 34°04’02,9’’S; 22°56’50,8’’E 24.–26.xi.2013 lg. Ahrens, Eberle, Fabrizi’ ( ZFMK) .

Diagnostic description: Body length: 9.1 mm, elytral length: 6.4 mm, maximum width: 4.6 mm. Labroclypeus wide and short; not incised or narrowed behind labrum. Anterior margin of labroclypeus medially distinctly sinuate. Angle between lateral margin of labroclypeus and ocular canthus distinct. Eyes, ratio diameter/interocular width: 0.42. Antennal club as long as remaining antennomeres combined. Mentum convexly elevated and slightly flattened anteriorly. Basal marginal line of pronotum present. Marginal line of anterior margin of pronotum complete. Hind wings fully developed. Epipleural edge reduced behind anterior half of elytra. Metasternum and metepisernites in length normal. Ratio of length of metepisternum/metacoxa: 1/1.5. Metacoxa glabrous except a few fine lateral setae; its anterior marginal line complete. Protibia, externally tridentate; external margin between apical two teeth deeply sinuated. Metatibia, ratio of width/length: 1/4. Basal group of dorsal spines of metatibia before basal quarter of metatibial length; apical group of external spines about at half of metatibial length. Apex of metatibia interiorly near tarsal articulation concavely sinuate; apical face simple, not elevated or produced. Meso- and metatarsomeres dorsally punctate. Mesotarsomere 1 slightly longer than the subsequent tarsomere. Aedeagus and habitus: Fig. 7A. Female unknown.

Etymology: The new species is named after its occurrence close to Knysna.

Variation: Body length: 7.9–9.1 mm, elytral length: 6.1–6.4 mm, maximum width: 4.2–4.6 mm.