Description of Brumoides maya sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Chilocorini) from Yucatán, México, with notes on its molecular identity and biology

A new species of the tribe Chilocorini, Brumoides maya sp. nov., is described from the Yucatán Peninsula, México. Specimens were collected in citrus orchards preying on Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) and Unaspis citri Comstock (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). To date, five species of Brumoides are known from the Americas, of which only Brumoides septentrionis (Weise) has been formally recorded from México. The new species is distinguished from other American congeners by its small body size (length 2.6 mm, width 2.2 mm), creamy-white to satiny yellow elytra with sinuous dark brown longitudinal vittae, sparse dorsal punctation, and appendiculate tarsal claws. Male and female genitalia are described and illustrated. Molecular data from the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene confirm its specific distinctiveness, showing clear separation from its congener Brumoides septentrionis (Weise) and revealing that a GenBank sequence (accession OK505623) previously attributed to Exochomus sp. is misidentified and represents the new species. Biological observations under laboratory conditions (26.5 ± 7 °C, 64.7 ± 21% RH, 14:10 h L:D) revealed a mean total developmental time of 33.94 ± 1.09 days (egg to adult), with four larval instars and a mean adult longevity of 20.76 ± 2.19 days. The description of B. maya sp. nov. expands the known diversity of Brumoides in the Americas and provides baseline data for its potential use in biological control programs against citrus pests.