A New Genus and Species of Bothrosternina (coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) from Ecuador

Resumen

Akrobothrus ecuadoriensis, new genus and species of bark beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Bothrosternina) is described from the Ecuadorian Amazon. Its highly unusual elytral morphology, with a distinct depression around the scutellum, distinguishes it from all known species within the subtribe. In the male specimen, this depression results in a large spade-shaped scutellum that extends out over the elytral suture. Akrobothrus can be separated from other genera of Bothrosternina by a unique combination of characters. The antennal club is elongate and parallel-sided with 3 segments divided by procurved and recurved sutures. The lateral margins of the pronotum are costate and the prothroracic intercoxal piece has a transverse subcarinate ridge.