Termitotrox cupido sp. n. (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae), a new termitophilous scarab species from the Indo-Chinese subregion, associated with Hypotermes termites

Zookeys. 2012:(254):89-97. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.254.4285. Epub 2012 Dec 21.

Abstract

Termitotrox cupidosp. n. is described from Cambodia and represents the first discovery of Termitotrox Reichensperger, 1915 from the Indo-Chinese subregion of the Oriental region. The type series was collected from fungus garden cells of Hypotermes makhamensis Ahmad, 1965 (Isoptera, Termitidae, Macrotermitinae). Hypotermes Holmgren, 1917 was previously an unknown host of Termitotrox species. The new species is readily distinguished from all known congeners by having wing-shaped trichomes on the elytra and is most probably the world's smallest scarab, at 1.2 mm in length.

Keywords: Indo-Chinese subregion; Termitophily; Termitotroginae; Termitotrogini; new species; smallest scarab.