Research Article |
Corresponding author: Xingmin Wang ( wangxmcn@scau.edu.cn ) Academic editor: Michael Thomas
© 2015 Xingmin Wang, Wioletta Tomaszewska, Shunxiang Ren.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Wang X, Tomaszewska W, Ren S (2015) A contribution to Asian Afidentula Kapur (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae, Epilachnini). ZooKeys 516: 35-48. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.516.9665
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Two new species of Afidentula, A. dentata sp. n. and A. jinpingensis sp. n. are described from China. Afissa siamensis Dieke is moved to Afidentula comb. n.. All three species are described and illustrated, and a distribution map is given. A key to Asian species of Afidentula is updated. Diagnostic similarities and differences between Afidentula and Afidenta are discussed and illustrated.
Entomology, taxonomy, Cucujoidea, Afidentula, Afidenta, new species
The genera Afidentula Kapur, 1958 and Afidenta Dieke, 1947 belong to the tribe Epilachnini Mulsant, 1846, the group of phytophagous Coccinellidae. The taxonomy and nomenclatural history of species of both genera have been confused for decades.
The genus Afidenta was established by
Li in
Based on the results of the phylogenetic analyses of
The external morphology was observed with a dissecting stereoscope (SteREO Discovery V20, Zeiss and Leica Mz Apo). The following measurements were made with an ocular micrometer: total length, length from apical margin of clypeus to apex of elytra (TL); total width, width across both elytra at widest part (TW=EW); height, from the highest part of the beetle to elytral outer margins (TH); head width in front view, widest part (HW); pronotal length, from the middle of anterior margin to margin of basal foramen (PL); pronotal width at widest part (PW); elytral length, along suture, from the apex to the base including scutellum (EL). Male and female genitalia were dissected, cleared in 10% solution of NaOH by boiling for several minutes, and examined with an Olympus BX51 and Leica compound microscope.
Morphological characters were photographed with digital cameras (AxioCam HRc and Coolsnap–Procf & CRI Micro*Color), connected to the dissecting microscope. The software AxioVision Rel. 4.8 and Image-Pro Plus 5.1 were used to capture images from both cameras, and photos were cleaned up and laid out in plates with Adobe Photoshop CS 8.0.
Coccinellidae morphological terms follow
Afidentula Kapur, 1958: 324. Type species: Epilachna manderstjernae Mulsant, 1853 (by original designation). –
part of Afidenta Dieke, 1947;
part of Epilachna Chevrolat in Dejean, 1837;
part of Henosepilachna Li in Li & Cook, 1961;
Species of Afidentula are most similar to Afidenta by the general body shape and colouration (Figs
Afidentula is also similar to Afissa Dieke (=Afissula Kapur) in general appearance, but it can be separated by having antennae distinctly shorter than width of the head and with at least antennomeres 7 and 8 subquadrate (in Afissa antennae are longer than width of head and have antennomeres 3–8 elongate) and tibiae without apical spurs (tibial spurs present in Afissa).
Monographic revision of all Epilachnini genera based on the results of phylogenetic analysis is in preparation (Tomaszewska and Szawaryn, in prep.) and richly illustrated; detailed descriptions of all genera will be provided there.
Asia and Africa.
(based on
1 | Background of elytra black, covered with yellowish orange, round spots (Fig. |
A. jinpingensis sp. n. |
– | Background of elytra brown, covered with black spots or bands | 2 |
2 | Lateral and basal margins of elytra black; disk of each elytron with three round-oval, black spots | A. minima (Gorham) |
– | Lateral and basal margins of elytra brown like elytral background; each elytron with more than three spots, rarely some of them may be fused and arranged in transverse bands | 3 |
3 | Each elytron with four black spots | 4 |
– | Each elytron with more than four spots or with transverse bands | 6 |
4 | Body 1.13 times as long as wide, heart-shaped; elytra chestnut brown; epipleura about 3.5 times wider than metepisternum | A. semisqualens Tomaszewska & Szawaryn |
– | Body 1.24–1.43 times as long as wide, oval; elytra reddish brown or orange; epipleura at most 2.65 times wider than metepisternum | 5 |
5 | Labial palpomere 2 at most 1.15–1.20 times longer than terminal palpomere; prosternal process about 0.28–0.30 times as wide as longest procoxal diameter, truncate apically; penis guide with sharp tooth in apical fourth and short incision at apex | A. bisquadripunctata (Gyllenhal) |
– | Labial palpomere 2 1.35–1.50 times longer than terminal palpomere; prosternal process about 0.34–0.36 times as wide as longest procoxal diameter, weakly rounded apically; penis guide with blunt tooth in apical fourth and without incision at apex | A. thanhsonensis Hoàng |
6 | Body larger, 4.90–5.33 mm long; long-oval, 1.38–1.43 times as long as wide; elytra 1.17–1.20, almost parallel-sided | 7 |
– | Body smaller, 2.83–4.80 mm long; short-oval, 1.16–1.33 times as long as wide; elytra 0.97–1.13 times as long as wide, oval | 8 |
7 | Head black; mesoventral process about 0.55 times as wide as mesocoxal diameter; meso- and metaventrite without distinct grooves behind anterior raised borders | A. quindecemguttata (Dieke) |
– | Head red or reddish brown; mesoventral process about 0.65 times as wide as mesocoxal diameter; with distinct groove behind anterior raised border of mesoventrite and behind raised border of metaventral process | A. himalayana Kapur |
8 | Elytron with medio-anterior spot distant from scutellum and suture; body 2.83–3.68 mm long | A. manderstjernae (Mulsant) |
– | Elytron with medio-anterior spot touching at least suture; body 3.85–4.80 mm long | 9 |
9 | Medio-anterior spot on each elytron touching one another along suture but constitute distinct separate spots; antennomere 4 slightly longer than 5; penis guide in anterior view gradually narrowing from mid length to apex | A. stephensi (Mulsant) |
– | Medio-anterior spot on each elytron fused together forming one macula; antennomere 4 not longer than 5 (Figs |
10 |
10 | Antennomere 4 and 5 subequal in length; pronotum with large black spot which almost cover whole surface of pronotum (Fig. |
A. dentata sp. n. |
– | Antennomere 4 shorter than 5; pronotum with two, separate large black spots (Fig. |
A. siamensis (Dieke) |
Afissa siamensis Dieke, 1947: 127.
Afidenta siamensis:
This species is most similar to A. dentata and A. stephensi (known from India and Pakistan) but can be distinguished from both by having pronotum with two large black oval spots, apex of penis with small sharp process directed outwardly (Fig.
TL: 4.0–4.3 mm, TW: 3.0–3.7 mm, TH: 1.8–2.1 mm, TL/TW: 1.16–1.33; PL/PW: 0.35–0.36; EL/EW: 0.97–1.13; HW/TW: 0.30; PW/TW: 0.77.
Body short oval, dorsum strongly convex, densely pubescent (Fig.
Head with frontal punctures moderately large and densely distributed, 0.8–1.0 diameters apart, associated with scattered long setae; interocular distance 0.64 times head width (Fig.
Male genitalia. Penis short and stout, strongly curved at base, apex with small and sharp process directed inwardly, capsule inconspicuous (Figs
Female terminalia and genitalia. Proctiger (TX) triangularly pointed at apex. Coxites oval, without styli, apical margin with several setae. (Fig.
Holotype. Nan, Siam, Jan. 27/28, Cockerell/ Type No. 57138 USNM/ Afissa siamensis Dieke, holotype.
CHINA, Yunnan Prov.: 1 male, Jiluoshan, Xishuangbanna National Natural Reserve, Mengla County, 6.v.2009, Wang XM et al. leg; 1 female, Lafu, Menglian County, 1130m, 7.v.2008, Wang XM et al. leg; Guizhou Prov.: 3 males, Dadugang, Badu Town, Ceheng County, 15.x.2006, Wang XM leg.
This species is most similar to A. siamensis in general appearance and colouration, e.g. having two mutual maculae on elytra along suture (anteriorly and medially) but can be distinguished from the latter by having pronotum with a large black spot which almost covers entire surface of the pronotum leaving only lateral and anterior margins brown (Fig.
TL: 4.20–4.80 mm, TW: 3.40–3.90 mm, TH: 1.90–2.40 mm, TL/TW: 1.23–1.24; PL/PW: 0.42–0.43; EL/EW: 0.97–1.03; HW/TW: 0.31; PW/TW: 0.62.
Body short oval, dorsum strongly convex, densely pubescent (Figs
Head with frontal punctures fine and densely distributed, 1.0–1.5 diameters apart, associated with scattered long setae; interocular distance 0.67 times head width (Fig.
Male genitalia. Penis stout, strongly curved, apex with two tooth-shaped appendixes directed inwardly, capsule inconspicuous (Fig.
Female terminalia and genitalia. Proctiger (TX) rounded apically. Coxites oval, without styli, apical margin with small protuberance and several setae (Fig.
Holotype: male, CHINA, Yunnan Prov.: Menglun, Xishuangbanna National Natural Reserve, Mengla County, 21.viii.2005, Wang XM leg; Paratypes (110): CHINA, Yunnan Prov.: 3 males, same data as holotype; 1 male, Longmen Village, Shangyong Town, Mengla County, 1.v.2008, Wang XM leg; 2 males, Menglun, Xishuangbanna National Natural Reserve, Mengla County, 29.iv.2008, Wang XM leg; 1 female, Yaoqu Villge, Mengla County, 700m, 7–8.v.2009, Ren SX leg; 30 females and males, Jiluoshan, Xishuangbanna National Natural Reserve, Mengla County, 28.iv.2008, Wang XM et al. leg; 11 females and males, Menga Town, Mengla County, 1170m, 12.v.2009, Ren SX et al. leg; 5 females and males, Jiluoshan, Xishuangbanna National Natural Reserve, Mengla County, 6.v.2009, Wang XM et al. leg; 6 females and males, Caiyanghe Natural Reserve, Puer County, 4.v.2009, Wang XM et al. leg.; 7 females and males, Longtan, Ximeng County, 900m, 9-10.v.2008, Wang XM et al. Leg.; 11 females and males, Banhong, Nangunhe National Natural Reserve, 1790m, 14-15.v.2008, Wang XM et al. leg.; 33 females and males, Banlao, Nangunhe National Natural Reserve, 1100m, 16.v.2008, Wang XM et al. leg.
China (Yunnan).
The specific epithet is formed from the Latin adjective dentatus, referring to the apex of penis with two tooth-shaped processes.
This species can be easily distinguished from all other Asian species of Afidentula by having elytra black covered with 12 yellow spots (Fig.
TL: 4.6–4.8 mm, TW: 3.7–4.0 mm, TH: 2.0–2.2 mm, TL/TW: 1.20–1.24; PL/PW: 0.43–0.46; EL/EW: 1.05–1.08; HW/TW: 0.28; PW/TW: 0.62.
Body short oval, dorsum strongly convex, densely pubescent (Figs
Head with frontal punctures fine, 1.0–2.0 diameters apart, associated with scattered long setae; interocular distance 0.64 times head width (Fig.
Male genitalia. Penis stout, strongly curved, apex simple and pointed, capsule with an expanded outer arm and a small inner one (Fig.
Female genitalia not known.
Holotype: male, CHINA, Yunnan Prov.: Fenshuiling National Natural Reserve, Jingpin County, 1800–2200m, 18.v.2009, Ren SX leg.
China (Yunnan).
The specific epithet is named after Jingpin County, China, the type locality of this ladybird.
The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30970324 and 2006FY120100). We thank Adam Ślipiński for reading a draft of this paper and providing helpful suggestions.