Tshernyshev S.E. 2020. Intybia (Protolaius), a new subgenus of soft winged flower beetles (Coleoptera: Malachiidae) from Indonesia // Russian Entomol. J. Vol.29. No.2: 173–177 [in English].
Institute of Animal Systematics and Ecology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Frunze Street 11, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia. E-mail: sch-sch@mail.ru
doi: 10.15298/rusentj.29.2.08
ABSTRACT. A new subgenus, Intybia (Protolaius) subgen.n., is described in the tribe Apalochrini (Coleoptera: Malachiidae, Malachiinae) on the basis of the male special structures of Intybia schillhammeri (Wittmer, 1996), which is known from Sumatra, Indonesia. The slender body with modified 1st and 3rd antennal segments in the male allow one to attribute this species to the genus Intybia Pascoe, but the emarginations on the outer sides of the anterior femora in the male and dark-blue metallic colouration of the upperside which are similar to the genus Laius Guérin-Méneville, 1831 have previously not been known in Intybia representatives. Thus, the male of Intybia schillhammeri demonstrates the evolutionary similarity between these two genera and presumably could be considered as a transitive form between them. A detail description and illustrations of male special characters of a type species and a diagnosis of the new subgenus are provided. The species that have been previously described from Sumatra in the genus Intybia are also discussed.
KEY WORDS: Coleoptera, Malachiidae, Intybia, Protolaius, Sumatra, Lombok, new subgenus, soft winged flower beetle.