Henosepilachna buqueti (Montrouzier)

Epilachna buqueti Montrouzier, 1861: 305 .

Henosepilachna buqueti: Bielawski 1972: 559 .

Bielawski (1963, 1972) added details to the original description by Montrouzier. Bielawski (1963) had also examined a specimen from Fiji Islands. This taxon is widespread in New Caledonia. It has been recorded around Nouméa (Saint-Louis, Forêt de Thi), on the west coast (Nouméa to Koné), Canala, Central Range (Mt Mou, Col d’Amieu), but also in the north (Ouayaguette, Diahot Valley), Belep Islands (type locality: Art Island). Host plants are restricted to wild, adventive Solanaceae, which casts doubt the endemic origin of this species (there are no native Solanaceae in New Caledonia).

Material examined. NEW CALEDONIA: Col d'Amieu, 23.vii.1977 (J. Chazeau rec.) (ONNC); Col d'Amieu, 19.i.1977 (J. Balogh rec.) (ONNC); Col d'Amieu, 29.xi.1983 (J. Chazeau rec.) (ONNC); Forêt de Thi, 22.ii.1957 (ONNC); Forêt de Thi, 19.i.1981 (De Bauwe rec.) (ONNC); Forêt de Thi, 11.iv.1981 (J. Chazeau rec.) (ONNC); Ouayaguette, 610 m, forêt humide, x.1988 (J. Chazeau rec.) (ONNC); Saint-Louis, vii.1964 (ONNC); Saint-Louis, ii.1965 (P. Cochereau rec.) (ONNC); Vallée du Diahot (ONNC).

Literature records. NEW CALEDONIA: Saint-Louis, near Nouméa, ii.1965 (P. Cochereau rec.); Saint-Louis, near Nouméa, 7.vii.1964; Kanala (coll. A. Fauvel in IRSNB); Nouméa, à Koné (Delauney rec.) (coll. A. Fauvel in IRSNB) (Bielawski 1972).