The rehabilitation of Smaragdina limbifera (Escalera, 1928) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Clytrinae)

2 Pages·2000·0.11 MB·English

by  Warchałowski, A

Genus Vol. 11 (4): 585-586 Wroc‡aw, 26 XII 2000
The rehabilitation of Smaragdina limbifera (E , 1928)
SCALERA
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Clytrinae)
ANDRZEJ WARCHA£OWSKI
Zoological Institute, University of Wroc‡aw, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wroc‡aw, Poland
ABSTRACT. The form var. limbifera (ESCALERA), considered hitherto as a variety
of Smaragdina gratiosa (LUCAS), is recognized as a distinct species.
Key words: entomology, taxonomy, Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Smaragdina limbifera
Gynandrophtalma limbifera was described by ESCALERA (1928: 432), as a
variety of Clythra gratiosa (LUCAS, 1845: 124). The name limbifera has been
omitted in the catalogue of WINKLER (1929) and quoted by KOCHER (1958) in his
catalogue as a variety.
The well-defined and well-correlated morphological differences between
gratiosa and limbifera justify a recognition of the two taxa as two different,
distinct species. The most important differential characters are:
Smaragdina gratiosa (LUCAS):
Elytra greenish-blue or blue, with yellowish-orange apical spot, lateral bor-
ders bluish, epipleura entirely black. Legs yellowish-orange, last two tarsomeres
more or less darkened, usually brownish. Apical part of aedeagus shorter, in
broad outline roundish, its sides slightly but distinctly sinuate (fig. 1). Rather
videly distributed in Morocco and Algeria.
Smaragdina limbifera (ESCALERA):
Elytra green or green with golden reflex, with yellow or yellowish-orange
apical spot and yellow marginal borders, epipleura entirely yellow. Legs usually
entirely yellowish-orange, rarely last two tarsomeres slightly darkened, at most
586 ANDRZEJ WARCHA£OWSKI
pale brownish. Apical part of aedeagus longer, in broad outline triangular, its
sides not or indistinctly sinuate (fig. 2). Known from Middle Atlas only.
1-2 (orig.). Aedeagus in dorsal view: 1 (cid:150) Smaragdina gratiosa (LUC.), 2 (cid:150) S. limbifera (ESC.)
MATERIAL EXAMINED (author(cid:146)s collection, M = male, F = female):
S. gratiosa: Algeria, Tichy ad Beja(cid:239)a, 17.IV.1986, leg. WARCHA£OWSKI, 1 M;
Morocco, Middle Atlas: Ifrane, VI. 1949, 1 F, leg. CHOPARD; ibidem 19.VIII.1963,
1 M and 1 F, leg. WARCHA£OWSKI; ibidem 29.VI.1992, 1 F, leg. VELA; ad Azrou, 1
M, leg. TH(cid:201)RY; ibidem, 1.V.1998, 4 M and 5 F, leg. WARCHA£OWSKI.
S. limbifera: Morocco, Middle Atlas: ad Azrou, 1.V.1998, 1 M and 1 F, leg.
WARCHA£OWSKI; Col du Zad, 28.VI.1992, 3 M and 3 F, leg. VELA; Aguelm Azigza,
V.1949, 1F, leg. PANOUSE.
REFERENCES
ESCALERA, M. M., 1928. Formas nuevas de Gynandrophtalma LAC., de Espaæa y Marruecos. Bol.
Soc. esp. Hist. nat., Madrid, 28, 8: 431-433.
KOCHER, L., 1958. Chrysomelidae. In: Catalogue commentØ des ColØoptŁres du Maroc. Trav. Inst.
sci chØrif., Rabat, sØr. zool. , 19, 8: 42-145.
LUCAS, H., 1845. Note sur quelques nouvelles espŁces d(cid:146)insectes qui habitent les possessions
fran(cid:231)aises du nord de l(cid:146)Afrique. Rev. zool., Paris, 8: 120-127.
WINKLER, A., 1927-1932. Catalogus Coleopterorum Regionis Palaearcticae. I, II. Wien, VI + 1698
pp.