Enoclerus boquete Rifkind, n. sp.

Enoclerus boquete Rifkind, n. sp.

(Fig. 2)

Type specimen. Holotype male: Panamá, Boquete, Prov. Chiriquí, July 27–30, 1961, 4000 ft., J. M. Campbell. Holotype deposited in LACM.

Diagnosis. Unique among the small, black, antlike Enoclerus of Middle America by virtue of its smooth anterior elytral surface. The Panamanian species E. albosignatus Ekis is similar, but has the elytral base distinctly carinate.

Description (Holotype). Length: 3.75 mm. Color: black to reddish black; antennal scape and pedicel (in part), palpi, and trochanters testaceous; legs reddish; each elytron bearing a slightly raised, elongate–triangulate, transverse eburneous fascia, complete to lateral margins, narrowing internally where it is interrupted before the suture (Fig. 2). Head: broader across than anterior margin of pronotum, antennae elongate, attaining posterior margin of pronotum when laid alongside; club rather elongate and loosely composed; surface densely and coarsely but shallowly rugulo–punctate; vestiture pale, sparse and fine, with a few erect, stouter setae intermixed. Pronotum: longer than broad (25:22), campanulate, broadest at anterior 1/5; transverse impression obscure; disk subflattened above; surface sculpturing as on head; rugae irregularly transverse; vestiture moderately dense but inconspicuous, consisting of short and long, fine and robust, suberect and erect, pale and black setae, mostly directed anteriorly. Elytra: elongate; umbones rounded; sides sinuate, broadest at approximately posterior 1/3; subbasal tumescences very shallow, rounded and smooth above; posterior quite convex in holotype (this possibly an artifact of preservation); apices do not appear to be dehiscent; surface shining on anterior 1/3, which is smooth except for shallow, indistinct wrinkling laterally, and a sparse array of mostly erect, mostly robust setae; eburneous fascia smooth, slightly elevated, situated at about anterior 1/3, inconspicuously set with short, suberect white setae; surface posterior to fascia coarsely but very shallowly rugose, with impressions forming vague longitudinal striae; vestiture inconspicuous, composed of fine, rather short, suberect pale setae with a sparser admixture of longer, more robust, erect dark setae. Legs: meso– and metafemora elongate, not particularly swollen at middle.

Etymology. Named for the type locality.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality of Boquete, Chiriquí, Panamá at an elevation of 4000'. Boquete is situated in montane forest, including cloud forest habitat.