Morphology and Morphometry of Demotispa neivai (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Adults

Abstract

Abstract Demotispa neivai Bondar (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) can damage the surface of oil palm fruits in Colombia. This specie has also been reported in Arecaceae species but without clarity on its identity. The aim of this study was the redescription of D. neivai using diagnostic characters. The external morphology of the insect body was described with scanning electron microscopy and its sexual dimorphism analyzed by morphometric data on width of the body, length of antennae, scutellum, and legs. The body of D. neivai is observed reddish—brown or slightly reddish—yellow, oval shape, dorsally flattened, and convex laterally; small head; maxillary palps with segments nearly similar in length; bases of the antenna separated by a keel in the front; compound eyes slightly protruding; pronotum with curved lateral margins; scutellum pentagonal; elytra oval covering almost the entire abdomen; with four sternites visible. The head antennae, body width, hindlegs, elytra, pronotum, and abdomen are the best structures to characterize the sex dimorphism of D. neivai. Additionally, differences and similarities with other phytophagous chrysomelid species of oil palm and were discussed.