AnimaliaColeopteraCoccinellidaeNestor-ArriolaJorge IsmaelToledo-HernándezVíctor HugoSolísÁngelGonzálezGuillermoVětrovecJaroslavThe Brachiacantha Dejean, 1837 (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) of Central AmericaZookeys1632021102415719610.3897/zookeys.1024.56927E7D8E7A8-50DB-56DA-869D-7644C6C400AF Brachiacantha octostigma MulsantFigures 4, 29–32 Brachyacantha octostigmaMulsant, 1850: 539. Crotch 1874: 212. Gorham 1894: 188. Leng 1911: 311.Material examined.

Guatemala • 2♀; Totonicapan, V. Sta. María; 1850 m; 19 Jun 1973; Ginter Ekis leg. (USNMNH) Panamá • 1♀; V. Chiquiri; 2000–3000 ft; Champion leg. (USNMNH).

Diagnosis.

Oval body. Elytra black, each elytron with five yellow spots. Male abdomen with several ventrites emarginated and depressed. Male genitalia with penis guide wide, shorter than the parameres, not truncate at apex, symmetrical, sides parallel but convergent at apical ⅓ (Fig. 30); parameres curved, wide at base, narrowed to apex, apex acute, setae arising from the apex and the convex side margin (Fig. 29); penis curved in basal ½, apex without alae, basal capsule crested, inner arm of basal capsule long and slender (Figs 31, 32).

Distribution.

México and Central America.

Discussion.

The coloration of this species is very similar to that of the ursina group, but the male genitalia are different, with a shorter penis guide with the apex not truncate. The material was identified by comparison with previously identified as B. octostigma by J. Chapin in 1956 (USNMNH), the diagnosis of the male and the male genitalia is based on Mexican specimens of the same series.

10.3897/zookeys.1024.56927.figures1-410ABA89F-E1E0-599B-8C1E-0F1082E76B6D

Brachiacantha sp. 1Brachiacantha lepida, dark habitus (image by Jorge Valdez Carrazco) 2B. lepida, common habitus (image by Jorge Valdez Carrazco) 3Brachiacantha fenestrata, male 4Brachiacantha octostigma, male (image by Jorge Valdez Carrazco).

https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/520866
10.3897/zookeys.1024.56927.figures29-323092D9ED-FFDD-5531-B0C0-EADA60861F4A

Brachiacantha octostigma, male genitalia 29 Tegmen, lateral view 30 Tegmen 31 Penis 32 Penis apex.

https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/520872
CrotchGR (1874) A Revision of the Coleopterous Family Coccinellidae.Janson EW, London, 311 pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.8975GorhamHS (1894) Coccinellidae.Biologia Centrali-Americana, Insecta, Coleoptera7: 177208.LengCW (1911) The species of Brachyacantha of North and South America.Bulletin American Museum of Natural History30: 279333.