Eupines (Byraxis) whirinaki Shen & Leschen 2020, sp. nov.

Eupines (Byraxis) whirinaki sp. nov.

Fig. 47; map Fig. 54

Diagnosis: Head with vertexal foveae punctiform; antennae 10-segmented with 2-segmented antennal club; A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 unmodified, A9 cylindrical and largest, about 1.5 × longer than A10, with apical small impression surrounding small spine at ventral side, A10 conical and slightly flattened at ventral side near base. Abdominal ventrite 2 with pair of minute discal protuberances, inserted with pair of slightly curved minute apical setae; ventrite 6 unknown. Protrochanters with short ventral spine, about two-fifths of protrochanteral width; protibiae and mesotibiae unmodified.

Description: Body length 1.52 mm; body colour dark brown with lighter coloured tibiae and tarsi. Head wider

than long; frons not narrowed at end, about three-fourths width of head at eye level; eyes well developed, conspicuously prominent in dorsal view, with about 32 facets; vertexal foveae punctiform; antennal tubercles weak; postantennal notches shallow; postantennal cavities large, slightly shorter than antennal tubercles in dorsal view; antennae 10-segmented with 2-segmented antennal club; A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 unmodified, A9 cylindrical and largest, about 1.5 × longer than A10, with apical small impression surrounding small spine at ventral side, A10 conical and slightly flattened at ventral side near base. Pronotum about as long as wide, slightly wider than head at eye level; lacking lateral antebasal foveae. Elytra slightly wider than long, widest near middle; humeral calli barely visible; sutural stria barely visible near base and apex, distinctive near middle. Abdomen with tergite 1 about twice length of tergite 2; ventrite 2 with pair of minute discal protuberances, inserted with pair of slightly curved minute apical setae; ventrite 6 unknown. Legs with protrochanters modified with short ventral spine, about two-fifths of protrochanteral width; protibiae and mesotibiae unmodified. Aedeagus about 0.33 mm long, with slender parameres asymmetrical, curved towards each other and nearly meet at apex, with two pairs of long subapical setae and three pairs of long apical setae; median lobe with two large and two small sclerites, large two slightly entwined near apex, wider and slightly shorter than parameres, small two straight.

Comments: This species is described from a singleton that lacks ventrite 6. It is similar to E. (B.) hectori by having A9 modified with a small apical spine but differs by having A9 about twice the length of A10 (Figs. 47 B–D).

Distribution: North Island. TO.

Etymology: This species is named after the type locality.

Type material ( NZAC): Holotype. ♂, body parts on acetate card: “ NEW ZEALAND, TO, Whirinaki SF. 12 Sep 1984, C. Crowe & A. Davis, Litter 84/66”.