Hellerius scansus Kuschel 2008, n. sp.

Hellerius scansus n. sp.

Fig. 29

DESCRIPTION. — Integument black, femora and tibiae black or dark reddish brown, tarsi of a paler reddish brown; tubercle on interstria 3 reddish brown; scales pale, in part ochreous, especially at base of prothorax and elytra, not overlapping; setae appressed.

Rostrum shallowly or deeply bisulcate. Scape passing hind margin of eyes halfway to prothorax, segment one of funicle slightly longer than 2, segments 3-7 variable, pyriform, moniliform or transverse; club fusiform, 2.5 x as long as wide. Elytra ovate, flat from suture to interstria 3, rather uneven with large, irregularly lined up puncta, with rather wavely interstriae 2 and 4, with a prominent tubercle on interstria 3 and a small posthumeral knob on interstria 7.

Male: aedeagal apex elongate, nbot exposed between apodemes, distinctly longer than wide at base below ostium; basal sclerite a little shorter than aedeagal body, broad at base but most of it thinned out to a flagellum.

Length: 6.5-7.8 mm.

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype male, 7.2 x 3.5 mm, Aoupinié, 800 m, II.2004, M. Wanat, MNHN. Paratypes with ANIC, MNHW, NZAC.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — New Caledonia. 1 female, Pic camp, 1.II.2002, G. Monteith; 4 males, Aoupinié, 600-820 m, d’Amoa, 480 m, 3.I.2005, G. B. Monteith; 1 male, Table Unio, 8-9.II.2004, M. Wanat; 3 males, 2 females, Aoupinié, 750 m, 700-1000m, 10.V.1984, G. Monteith & D. Cook, E. C. Zimmer- 2.V.2005, G. B. Monteith; 1 male, Mt. Mou, 350 m, 4.II.2004, man Coll.; 2 males, Aoupinié, 21°11’S, 165°18’E, 850 m, top G. B. Monteith. 14 specimens.

ETYMOLOGY. — The Latin participle ‘scansus’ (from scando) means climbed, reached the top, as the species seems to be at home on higher mountain ranges.

REMARKS. — H. scansus is distinguished by having a rather distinct posthumeral knob and striae with large, irregularly lined up puncta.