Renzo Perissinotto; Petr Šípek; Jonathan B. Ball

“ Male specimen in its natural habitat on the Elandsberg summit, November 2013 (Photo: JB Ball) . Remarks.
It appears that, despite being seen on numerous flowers in different plant families, the univoltine adults are unable to feed and are active for a relatively short period of time at the onset of summer, from mid November to mid December. Their observed behavior is unexpected for a member of the genus Trichostetha, in that they show very little flying activity, preferring rather to perch on leaves and flowers of a variety of shrub species (Figure 4) , which may serve as mating platform. ”

“ The two species also occupy habitats that are remarkably different to that of Trichostetha curlei, with Trichostetha dukei restricted to South Hex Sandstone Fynbos (FFs 8 of [14] ) and Trichostetha hawequas found in Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos (FFs 10 of [14] ) vegetation types. The three are, however, sufficiently different in terms of external morphology (e.g. small body size, variable extent of female brachyptery) and habitat/ecology (e.g. non-feeding adult) from the other Trichostetha species to possibly warrant inclusion into a distinct species group. ”

“ The two species not only differ significantly in phenotypic characteristics, as described by [6] , but also occupy different habitats and exhibit different ecological dynamics. Contrary to what was suggested by [7] , the two neither occur sympatrically nor exhibit intermediate forms. Trichostetha capensis capensis is found in the Cape Peninsula area, and possibly further inland to the north, in typical Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos vegetation (type FFs 9 of [14] ) , where adults feed mainly on flowers of Protea, Berzelia and Leucospermum species. ”

“ Adults were noted on a number of plants, including Leucadendron rubrum (both male and female flower heads) , Protea eximia, Passerina truncata, Elegia filacea (both male and female flowers) and Cullumia bisulca. ”

“ Parameres tapering gradually into sharply pointed apical end, gently curved downwards at apical half; without setae.
Trichostetha curlei sp. n.: Dorsal (A) and lateral (B) view of aedeagus (length 6.8 mm) (Photos: L Clennell) . Female, paratype (Figure 3) . Size: length 17.3 mm; width 8.9 mm. General shape and colour patterns similar to male, but white marks substantially reduced throughout body surface; white setation drastically reduced both on dorsal and ventral surfaces; tarsal segments shorter and protibial denticles wider and rounded ”