Embates paucilimbatus Prena 2005, sp. n.

16. Embates paucilimbatus Prena sp. n.

(Fig. 75–78, 253)

Holotype male (dissected), Costa Rica, labeled: “Sect. San Ramon de Dos Rios, Prov./ Alaju, COSTA RICA. 620m. 28 ABR–11/ MAY 1995. C. Cano,/ L N 318100 381900 #5277”, CRI002 207591 (INBC).

Paratypes 3 (1 male, 2 females), labeled: “C.R.: Cartago:/ Turrialba / upper forest”, “(CATIE)/ 6.VIII.1980 / DRWhitehead” (JPPC, NMNH); “ Costa Rica: Turrialba, 650m, 29 Feb 1980, H&A Howden, afternoon” (HAHC).

Description. Habitus: similar to Fig. 1, total length 4.1–4.8 mm (m=4.6, n=3). Color: integument piceous, funicular segments and legs rufous, basic vestiture of light brown scales; elytron with black subcircular macula slightly behind middle (Fig. 76); scales light yellow to brown in ill­defined post­macular element, preapical callus with normal basic vestiture. Head: frontal fovea minute or absent, rostrum moderately slender, subcylindrical (Fig. 75), subcostate dorsomedially, basolateral margin edged, length of rostrum ♂♂ 1.25– 1.28 x (m=1.27, n=2), ♀ 1.31 x pronotal length, length of ante­antennal portion ♂♂ 0.40– 0.41 x (m=0.41, n=2), ♀ 0.42 x total rostral length, dorsal margin of antennal scrobe reaching rostral base well before eye; funicular segment 2 longer than 1, club oblong ovate. Pronotum: length 0.87 x (n=3) maximum width, proportionately larger than in E. biguttatus, sides rounded, widest in basal third, anterior portion tubulate; disk densely punctate, intervals granulose. Elytra: length 1.72–1.79 x (m=1.75, n=3) width at humeri, width 1.30–1.35 x (m=1.33, n=3) maximum pronotal width, sides subparallel (or very slightly converging) in basal half, then increasingly narrowed toward apex, apices rounded conjointly, preapical callus little produced, striae fine, punctures indistinct, interstriae flat, 9 subcostate. Legs: tibiae almost straight, ventral margin slightly bisinuate, metatibia ventrodistally with indistinct fringe (♂♂) or cluster (♀♀) of cupreous hairs, tarsal claws arcuate and separate at base. Male: apex of aedeagus broad, middle membranous, anterolateral portion sclerotized (Fig. 77), body of aedeagus relatively short, curved evenly in lateral view, apodemes 2.5 x longer than body of aedeagus, flagellum thin, slightly longer than apodemes, transition to curved base gradual, basal appendage moderately elongate, fused laterally with base of flagellum, projecting beyond base (Fig. 78).

Plant association. Not known.

Distribution. Atlantic side of Costa Rica (Fig. 253).

Specific epithet. The name is a compound adjective derived from paucus and limbatus meaning “sparsely bordered”.

Discussion. Embates paucilimbatus is a member of the E. biguttatus complex. The species occurs in Costa Rica on the Atlantic side of the Cordillera Central. Embates mendax, a very similar Costa Rican species from the Pacific side, is comparatively slender, and the distinctly produced preapical callus has its flank with black rather than with light brown scales.