Cryptogonus sp.

POORANI, J., 2024, An illustrated guide to lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Indian Subcontinent. Part 3. Tribe Aspidimerini, Zootaxa 5431 (1), pp. 1-89 : 49-52

Cryptogonus sp. nr. guangdongiensis Pang & Mao

( Fig. 38)

Cryptogonus guangdongiensis Pang & Mao, 1979: 67 .— Ren et al. 2009: 114, 115. Two specimens collected from the northeastern Indian state of Tripura ( Fig. 38a, b) are tentatively identified as Cryptogonus sp. nr. guangdongiensis based on the similarity of their male genitalia ( Fig. 38d–f) to the illustrations given by Ren et al. (2009). However, the dorsal habitus illustration given by Ren et al. (2009) is somewhat different.

Material examined. India: Tripura: I.C. Nagar, 16.04.13, P.P. Bhatt, Host: Calamus erectus . 1 male ; with same data except Coll. JM, 1 male ( NRCB) .

Distribution. India: Northeastern region (Tripura).

Associated habitat. Collected on Calamus erectus (label data).

Genus Pseudaspidimerus Kapur

Pseudaspidimerus Kapur, 1948: 117 . Type species: Coccinella trinotata Thunberg, 1781 [= Platynaspis circumflexa Motschulsky, 1858 ], by original designation.

Diagnosis. Body small, short oval, convex. Antennae with 9 antennomeres, geniculate. Prosternal process short, subrectangular, carinate, at a higher elevation than surrounding areas. Male genitalia with penis very stout, arcuate, anteriorly swollen/broadened, penis guide usually broad and well developed, parameres slender, shorter or only slightly longer than penis guide. Female genitalia having transverse coxites, spermatheca with ramus more distinctly developed than nodulus.

Distribution. South and Southeast Asia ( India; Sri Lanka; Bangladesh; Vietnam; Laos; Thailand; Malaysia; Singapore; Java) ( Poorani 2001, 2002; Huo et al. 2014, 2017).

Immature stages. Eggs of Pseudaspidimerus are dorsoventrally flattened with conspicuous chorionic sculpture and look like eggs of Lepidoptera (see Figs 42a, b, 52a–c). They are glued to the leaf or other plant substrate in the vicinity of the host aphid colony and are difficult to spot. The larva ( Figs 42c–e, 44a–d, 51a–d, 52g –i) also has a dorsoventrally flattened body without any marked tubercles or projections and is remarkably similar to scale insects ( Coccidae ). Pupation takes place either singly ( Figs 42g, 44f) or in small aggregations ( Fig. 52k).

Prey / associated habitat. Species of Pseudaspidimerus are mostly aphidophagous and also feed on mealybugs, whiteflies and scales ( Poorani 2001).

Included species. Eleven species are known in this genus of which six are from the Indian Subcontinent. Poorani (2001) reviewed the species from this region and provided a key, along with prey and distribution records.