Synonyms
Wioletta Slipinski, 2007: 123. TS: Rhyzobius elongatulus Crotch, 1874.
Diagnosis
This genus is somewhat intermediate between Rhyzobius and Rodatus; and its narrowly elongate body, hidden head, antenna with slightly enlarged scape, large securiform maxillary palps and single spurs are the distinguishing features of this genus. Males have simple, non foveate 5th abdominal ventrite like in typical Rhyzobius.
Description
Length 1.8-4.0 mm. Head dorsally almost entirely covered by pronotum; body elongate and weakly convex; dorsum uniformly hairy. Elytral colour blackish. Head narrow, elongate with eyes narrowly separated on vertex. Antenna 11-segmented; slightly shorter than head capsule with scape slightly enlarged and externally arcuate; antennal club 3-segmented, asymmetrical. Terminal maxillary palpomere weakly securiform. Pronotal disc evenly convex and distinctly narrowing anteriorly; anterior margin deeply arcuate medially. Prosternum very long in front of coxae, arcuate; prosternal process narrow without distinct carinae. Elytral epipleuron very narrow, incomplete apically, not foveate. Protibia not angulated externally. Tibial spurs formula 0-1-1. Abdominal postcoxal line recurved and complete; male with 5th ventrite without setose foveae. Male terminalia. Parameres and phallobase symmetrical; penis guide symmetrical. Parameres articulated with phallobase. Penis stout, consisting of single sclerite; basal capsule distinct and T-shaped. Apodeme of male sternum 9 very narrow and rod-like. Female terminalia. Coxities distinctly elongate, triangular; styli strongly reduced and hardly visible; infundibulum a lightly sclerotised but clearly delimited piece of bursa; sperm duct simple, uniform in diameter. Spermatheca worm-like, without clear ramus or nodulus; spermathecal accessory gland adjacent to sperm duct.
Distribution and Biology
Wioletta appears to be endemic to eastern Australia with its range from ACT and central NSW to northern Queensland; one species was described from Adelaide but no further material has been seen from South Australia since. Specimens have been collected from September to December, mostly in light and flight intercept traps; one specimen was collected under Eucalyptus bark.
Genus References
Slipinski, S.A. 2007. Australian Ladybird Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) their biology and classification. ABRS, Canberra. 286 pp.
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