Three new subterranean species of Baezia (Curculionidae, Molytinae) for the Canary Islands

The genus Baezia Alonso-Zarazaga & Garcia, 1999 is endemic to the Canary Islands, where four species were known to date. Based on morphological evidence, three new species of Baezia are described in this study: Baezia aranfaybo Garcia & Lopez, sp. nov. from El Hierro island, and Baezia madai Garcia & Oromi sp. nov. and Baezia tizziri Garcia & Andujar, sp. nov. from La Palma island. Notes on their biology, habitat, and distribution are presented. The number of taxa in this endemic Canarian genus increases to seven eyeless species. One species has been reported from the soil (endogean environment), with the other six associated with caves and the mesovoid shallow substratum (hypogean or subterranean environment). Frequent association with the presence of roots suggests that species of Baezia may inhabit the continuum represented by the endogean and hypogean environments. Identification key to the seven species are provided.