Pilemostoma fastuosa (Schaller, 1763)

Sekerka, Lukáš, 2008, Revision of the genus Pilemostoma Desbroches, 1891 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Cassidini), Zootaxa 1859, pp. 40-48 : 43-47

Pilemostoma fastuosa (Schaller, 1763)

Cassida fastuosa Schaller (1763) : 259 (type locality: not given).

Pilemostoma fastuosa: Spaeth (1914a) : 136, (1914b): 89.

Cassida fastuosa var. delicatula Weise (1893) : 1084 (type locality: “ Deutschland ”).

Cassida fastuosa ab. Dollmani Donisthorpe in Fowler (1913): 292 (type locality: “Box Hill”), syn. nov.

Cassida fastuosa var. nigrina Weise (1893) : 1084 (type locality: “ Deutschland ”).

Cassida vittata Fabricius (1798) : 81 (type locality: “ Helvetia ”); Gemminger and Harold (1876): 3653 (as syn. of C. fastuosa ).

Cassida ocellata Herbst (1799) : 244 (type locality: “Nordamerika”); Schönherr (1808): 214 (as syn. of C. vittata F. nec. vittata Villers ).

Cassida fastuosa var. variabilis Dahl : Gemminger and Harold (1876): 3653 (nomen nudum).

Pilemostoma bucharica Spaeth (1914a) : 136 (type localities: “Ost-Buchara: Tschitschantan, Kuliab: Ak-sou-Thal”), syn. nov.

Redescription. Measurements (n = 40): length: 4.83–6.24 mm (mean 5.59 mm), width: 3.04–3.88 mm (mean 3.54 mm), length of pronotum: 1.68–2.31 mm (mean 2.00 mm), width of pronotum: 2.65–3.48 mm (mean 3.17 mm), length/width ratio: 1.50–1.63 (mean 1.58). width/length of pronotum ratio 1.49–1.67 (mean 1.58), Body elongate, oval ( Figs. 1, 3, 4 ).

Ground colour of pronotum and elytra red, or occasionally lemon-yellow. Pronotum always partly black (usually with heart-shaped spot in the middle of disc and two spots - each in the basal corner of pronotum and extend to marginalia), occasionally reduced to several isolated spots or mostly black. Scutellum black. Elytral disc red, rarely lemon-yellow, with variable black pattern. Usually there are three black stripes: one along suture and one on slope of each elytron, or pattern is mostly black and reduced to more or less isolated spots. The pattern is variable, spots often enlarged and connected, sometimes dorsum almost completely black. Explanate margin completely red (or lemon-yellow) only sutural black band extends to it. Few specimens have somewhat darkened (but never deep black) extreme part of humeral angles of elytra. Living specimens are brick-red ( Fig. 1 ) or rarely lemon-coloured ( Fig. 3 ), in extreme cases mostly black ( Fig. 4 ). Clypeus black, occasionally in the middle rusty-brown. Thorax black. Abdomen black, at most with somewhat reddish extreme outer margin. Legs including coxae black. Antennal insertions and first segment reddish, always darkened in the inner part. Segments 2 to 6 partly to completely reddish, remainder black.

Pronotum semicircular, with maximum width close to base, hind angles angulate, without basal teeth, with strongly sinuate and black basal margin. Pronotal disc more or less distinctly bordered from marginalia, moderately sparsely punctate, with moderately deep basal impression, slightly shiny and microreticulate. Specimens with mostly blackish disc have punctation more prominent and slightly stronger. Marginalia densely and coarsely punctate and microreticulate, its punctures distinctly larger than on disc. Extreme margin of marginalia is bent upwards and forming distinct, moderately deep gutter. Scutellum triangular, smooth or with few fine impressions, microreticulate and shiny. Base of elytra as wide or slightly wider than pronotum. Humeral angles rounded, protruding anterad. Basal margin strongly sinuate with large black serrulation. Elytral disc moderately convex, microreticulate and moderately shiny. Its punctation regular, dense. Punctures large, regularly rounded, distinctly stronger in anterior than posterior part. 2nd interval not elevated, wider than others, straight in anterior part. Scutellar row of punctures present. Postscutellar area almost flat. Elytra without erected setae. Marginal row distinct, its punctures deep and intervals elevated, usually broken by vacancy in anterior part ( Fig. 2 ). Explanate margin narrow, with maximum width approximately in first basal third, posterior part moderately tapered. Its surface punctate and microreticulate, punctures large and coarse. Elytral margin distinctly marginate and forming distinct gutter.

Clypeus flat, slightly wider than long, shiny, punctate and microreticulate. Clypeal grooves visible but shallow and run obliquely along eyes to antennal insertions. Eyes large. Labrum broad, moderately deeply emarginate. Venter of pronotum with deep antennal grooves running along head and limited by an obtuse carina. Prosternal process punctate but smooth, strongly expanded apically with broad apex ( Fig. 5 ).

Antennae stout, moderately elongate, distal segments as wide as long. Length ratio of antennal segments: 100:46:69:48:46:37:48:44:50:50:81. Segment 3 1.49 times longer than segment 2 and 1.43 times longer than segment 4 ( Fig. 5 ).

Tarsi slim, last segment elongate, distinctly reaching beyond marginal setae of third segment. Claws divergent, toothed basally.

Male genitalia: aedeagus with pitchy-black base and rusty apex; moderately broad, almost parallel-sided; apex laterally sharp, dorsally converging in arch with sharp top ( Figs. 6, 7 ).

Female genitalia: vasculum almost “C” shaped, rusty and swollen; ampulla short, strongly swollen; ductus long and forms very thin spiral ( Fig. 8 ).

Type material examined.

Cassida fastuosa ab. Dollmani Donisthorpe in Fowler, 1913

One syntype: “Soring Woods / July 28th 1914. [w, hw, cb, underside of label with glued beetle] // Type [w, p, s, circle label with red frame] // H. Donisthorpe / B. M. 1934-4 [w, p, s]” ( BMNH); one syntype: “Soring Woods / July 28th 1914. [w, hw, cb, underside of label with glued beetle] // H. Donisthorpe / B. M. 1934-4 [w, p, s]” ( BMNH); one syntype: “New Jst / larva from / Inula / dysentherica / on 27.vii.11 HD [w, hw, cb, underside of label with glued beetle] // H.C.Dollman / B. M. 1919-79 [w, p, s]” ( BMNH).

Pilemostoma bucharica Spaeth, 1914

One syntype: “OST-BUCHARA / Tschitschantan / Nufswald F. Hauser 1898. [w, p, h] // bucharica m. / Typus! / Spaeth det. [w, hw, cb, last row printed]” ( NMW); one syntype: “OST-BUCHARA / Tschitschantan / Nufswald F. Hauser 1898. [w, p, cb] // bucharica / m. cotyp! / Spaeth det. [w, hw, cb, last row printed]” ( NMW); one syntype: “ PROV. KULIAB / Ak-sou-Thal / F. Hauser 1898. [w, p, cb] // bucharica / m. cotyp! / Spaeth det. [w, hw, cb, last row printed]” ( NMW); one syntype: “OST-BUCHARA / Tschitschantan / Nufswald F. Hauser 1898. [w, p, cb] // bucharica m. / typ! / Spaeth det. [w, hw, cb, last row printed] // TYPE [pink, p, cb]” (MM).

Additional material examined. AUSTRIA: Niederösterreich: Gross-Enzersdorf, 4 spec., T. v. Wanka leg. (DS, LS).

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Herzegovina-Neretva reg.: Jablanica, 1 spec., Grabowski leg. ( HNHM); Mostar, 2 spec., Grabowski leg. ( HNHM); Zavala, 1 spec., Grabowski leg. ( HNHM); Zenica- Doboj reg.: “Zavídovíč” [= Zavidovići], 1. viii.1903, 1 spec., Kendi leg. ( HNHM).

BULGARIA: Blagoevgrad reg.: Melnik, 27. vi.1976, 2 spec., 24. vi.1977, 2 spec., 30. vii.1977, 2 spec., L. Borowiec leg. (DBET), 9. vii.1989, 1 spec., S. Bíly leg. (NMP); Petrič, 23.–25. iv.1958, 1 spec., B. Pisarski leg. (DBET).

CROATIA: Lika-Senj reg.: “Capella” [= Mala or Velika Kapela Mt. in the Lika Mts.], 1897, 1 spec., Spaeth leg. (MM); “M. Kapella” [= Mala Kapela Mt.], 1 spec., V. Stiller leg. (HNHM); Dubrovnik-Neretva reg.: Metković, 1 spec., E.D.V. leg. (HNHM).

CZECH REPUBLIC: Bohemia: Čelákovice, 26 spec., J. Obenberger leg. (NMP, LS); iii.1909, 1 spec., Kříżeneckv leg. (NMP), 16. iv.1919, 5 spec. (NMP, LS); Chot’ovice, 28.v.2002; 2 spec., J. Pelikán leg. (JP); Lobkovice, 1 spec., Zeman leg. (NMP); Podĕbrady, 14. iv.1909, 1 spec. (LS); Toušeň, 20. iv.1917, 1 spec. (NMP); Moravia: Bučovice, 7. vi.1985, 1 spec., J. Strejček leg. (JS); Bzenec, 1. vi.1941, 1 spec., O. Kodym leg. (NMP); Bzenec, Přívoz, v.1992, 1 spec., D. Poisel leg. (JB); Haná, 1 spec., Fleischer leg. (NMP); Holešov, Dobrotice, 16. v.2001, 1 spec., D. Poisel leg. (JB); Jestřabice, 29. vii.2003, 1 spec., R. Stejskal leg. (JB); Lanżhot, 27. iii.1992, 1 spec., J. Vávra leg. (JB); Lednice, 1 spec., J. Fleischer leg. (NMP); Moravské Budĕjovice, 1 spec., J. Bechynĕ leg. (NMP); Mutĕnice, 2 spec., J. Bechynĕ leg. (NMP); Šakvice, 2 spec., Fleischer leg. (NMP); Velká nad Veličkou, 14.V.1998, 1 spec., Nerudová & Horsák leg. (JR); Znojmo, 1 spec., Javůrek leg. (NMP).

FRANCE: Var dept.: Cavalaire, 1 spec. (LS).

GERMANY: Berlin: Berlin, 4 spec. (ZMHU); Berlin, Finkenkrug, 2 spec., Delahon leg. (ZMHU); Brandenburg: Sperenberg, 4 spec. (ZMHU); Niedersachsen: Celle, 3. iv.1914, 2 spec. (ZMHU); Saale-Holzland- Kreis: Löberschütz, 2. vi.1974, 1 spec., H. Mehlhorn leg.(ZMHU).

GREAT BRITAIN: Kent: Chattenden, 3 spec., G. C. Champion leg. (BMNH); Surrey: Box Hill, iv.1909, 1 spec., Sharp leg. (BMNH), 10. v.1927, 4 spec., E. C. Tottenham leg. (BMNH); Box Hill, Happy Valley, 29. iv.1962, 1 spec., D. J. Clark leg. (BMNH); Mickleham, without date, 1 spec., 7. v.1909, 2 spec. (BMNH).

HUNGARY: Bács-Kiskun megye: Kalocsa, 5 spec., Speiser leg. (HNHM), 1 spec., Sajo leg. (HNHM), 10. iv.1933, 1 spec., Erdős leg. (HNHM); Baranya megye: Mohács, 1904, 1 spec., Kaufmann leg. (HNHM); Békés megye: Gyula, Városerdő, 21. iii.1981, 1 spec., L. Ádám leg. (HNHM); Budapest: Budafok, 1 spec. (HNHM), 14. iv.1914, 4 spec. (HNHM); Budapest, 3 spec., Csiki leg. (HNHM), 1 spec., Gammel leg. (HNHM), 5 spec., H. Diener leg. (HNHM), 1903, 1 spec., Kaufmann leg. (HNHM); Csepel, 1 spec., H. Diener leg. (HNHM); Dunapart, [= Bank of Danube River], 4 spec. (HNHM); “Margitszig” [= hotel on Margaret Island in Budapest], 23. iii.1907, 1 spec., Wachsmann leg. (HNHM); Újpest, 9. viii.1910, 1 spec., Meusel leg. (ZMHU); Csongrád megye: Szeged, 7 spec., V. Stiller leg. (HNHM); Fejér megye: Székesfehérvár, 2 spec., Lichtkneckert leg. (HNHM); “Szfvár” [=Székesfehérvár], viii.1926, 2 spec. (ZMHU); Gy ő r-Moson- Sopron megye: Fenyőfő, 1900, 3 spec., Wachsmann leg. (HNHM); “Raab” [= Győr], 1 spec. (NMP); Győr, 18. iv.1936, 1 spec., D. Révy leg. (HNHM); “M.-óvár” [= Mosonmagyaróvár], 23. v.1940, 1 spec., 28. iv.1942, 1 spec., D. Révy leg. (HNHM); Heves megye: Egerbakta, Baktai-tó, 24. iv.1983, 1 spec., Ádám & Hámori leg. (HNHM); Kerecsend, 11. x.1984, 3 spec., Ádám & Hámori leg. (HNHM); Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok megye: Szolnok, 1spec. (HNHM); Tiszasüly, 1956, 1 spec., Lenczi leg. (HNHM); Komárom-Esztergom megye: Esztergom, 1spec., E. Bokor leg. (HNHM); Esztergom, Kertvaros, 17.V.1996, 1 spec., A. Bezdĕk leg. (JB); Nógrád megye: Ipolytamóc, Gyurtyánkö, 9. vii.1996, 1 spec., O. Merkl leg. (HNHM); Legénd, 1 spec., Tunkl leg. (HNHM); Pest megye: Budakeszi, 1 spec. (HNHM); “Issaszegh” [= Isaszeg], 1 spec. (HNHM); Lórév, Szlatina, 18. viii.2002, 1 spec., O. Merkl leg. (HNHM); Pécel, 29. iii.1958, 1 spec., G. Hoiéczy leg. (HNHM); Vecsés, 20. v.1991, 1 spec., O. Merkl leg. (HNHM); Rád, 2. v.1916, 1 spec., Szilády leg. (HNHM); Somogy megye: Balatonfenyves, 23. iv.1972, 1 spec., D. Szálóki leg. (HNHM); Balatonlelle, 2 spec., Peregi leg. (HNHM); Siófok, 12 spec., Lichtkneckert leg. (HNHM); Vörs, Kisbalaton, Gyékénvestó, 19.ix.1950, 65 spec., Z. Kaszab & L. Kovács leg. (HNHM); Zamárdi, Tőreki-láp, 24.–26. iii.1953, 3 spec., I. Kovács leg. (HNHM); Tolna megye: Dombóvár, 10. iii.1947, 19 spec., Gebhardt leg. (HNHM); Simontornya, 12. iv.1918, 1 spec. (HNHM); Veszprém megye: Balatonaliga, 2 spec., Peregi leg. (HNHM); Balatonederics, 4 spec., Györffy leg. (HNHM); Pápa, 1 spec., E. Horvath leg. (BMHN).

IRAN: G ī l ā n prov.: Sheykh Mahalleh, 160 m, 28.vi.–3. vii.1977, 1 spec., Exp. Nat. Mus. Praha (NMP).

KAZAKHSTAN: Almaty prov.: Arynkol, 28. v.1993, 2 spec., I. Milukov leg. (DBET); Zhambyl prov.: “Assa, Dżambul env.” [= vill. Assa in environs of Taraz former Dzhambul], v.1981, 15 spec., Pfeffer leg. (NMP, LS).

MONGOLIA: Chovol aimak: Bulgangol, 10 km O von Zarant, 25. v.1975, 1 spec., R. Piechocki leg. (HNHM).

MONTENEGRO: Budva reg.: Budva, 6. vi.1912, 1 spec., 26. vi.1912, 1 spec., 12. vii.1912, 1 spec., Neuhaus leg. (DS), 29. v.1939, 1 spec., W. Liebmann leg. (ZMHU); Herceg Novi reg.: Sutorina, 16. vi.1911, 1 spec., Spaney & Sumacher leg. (ZMHU); Kotor reg.: Dobrota, v.1916, 1 spec. (LS).

POLAND: Nizina Mazowiecka: Obary n. Warszawa, 16. v.1952, 1 spec., B. Burakowski leg. (DBET); Pomiechówek, 1. iv.1951, 1 spec., J. Makólski leg. (DBET); Pułtusk, 2. iv.1947, 1 spec., J. Makólski leg. (DBET); Pobrze ż e Bałtyku: “Misdroy” [= Miedzyzdroje], 2 spec. (ZMHU); Podlasie: Małoziemce n. Wola Uhruska, 5. viii.2003, 1 spec., M. Wanat leg. (DBET); Pojezierze Pomorskie: “Zellin” [= Czelin], 1 spec. (ZMHU); Roztocze: Kąty n. Zamość, 7. ix.1978, 1 spec., M. Wanat leg. (DBET), Zwierzyniec n. Zamość, 26. v.1955, 1 spec., A. Riedel leg. (DBET).

ROMANIA: Alba jud.: “M.-bagó” [= Magyarbagó = Băgău], 1 spec. (HNHM); Arad jud.: “Borosjenő” [= Ineu], 1912, 1 spec., Kuthy leg. (HNHM); Bucharest jud.: Bucureşti, 2 spec., A. Montadon leg. (LS); Cara ş -Severin jud.: Băile Herculane, 11. v.1922, 1 spec., M. Hering leg. (ZMHU); Mehadia, 20. iv.1915, 1 spec., J. Frodor leg. (HNHM); Harghita jud.: “Nagy-Homoródvölgy” [= Homorod river valley], 3. vii.1942, 1 spec., Gebhard leg. (HNHM); Mure ş jud.: “Maramos, Rodnaer Geb.” [= Munţii Rodnei Mts.], 1 spec., H. Diener leg. (HNHM); Timi ş jud.: “Temešvár” [= Timişoara], 1 spec. (LS); Vla ş ca jud.: “Comana Vlasca” [=Vlaşca country], 2 spec., A. Montadon leg. (MM, NMP); Vrancea jud.: “Rim. Sar. Plainesci” [= probably locality was situated between Râmnicul Sărat in Buzău jud. and Dumbraveni (= Plainesci) in Vrancea jud.], 4 spec. (LS, MM).

RUSSIA: Irkutsk obl.: Irkutsk, 2 spec. (BMNH); Krasnodar obl.: Goriatchiy Klutsch distr., near Saratovskaja st., 13. v.2005, 1 spec., S. Vashchenko leg. (LS); “Novorossisk” [= Novorossiysk], 1 spec., E. Koenig leg. (IRSN); Orenburg obl.: Kornilovka, Akbulak distr., Ilek riv., Ural Mts., 15. iv.2000, 1 spec., L. Korshikov leg. (DBET); Orenburg, 1917, 1 spec., Jureček leg. (NMP); Rostov obl.: Zirgnugrad dist., Ivliev, v.2001, 1 spec. (DS); near Vioshenskaja vill., 12.–15. vi.2002, 1 spec., S. Kasatkin leg. (LS); Sakha obl.: Alar near Jakutsk, Lena river, 24. v.1908, 1 spec., Pfinzenmayer leg. (ZMHU); Middle Amga River, 4.–21. vi.1983, 1 spec., E. Pietrzeniuk leg. (LS); Samara obl.: Tockoje, without date, 2 spec., 1917, 1 spec., vi.1917, 1 spec., Jureček leg. (LS, NMP); Saratov obl.: Saratov, 1 spec., N. L. Sacharow leg. (BMNH); Stavropol obl.: Borgustan, vi.2001, 1 spec. (DS); Volgograd obl.: “Sarepta”, 1 spec., Le Moult leg. (IRSN), 2 spec., Will leg. (ZMHU).

SERBIA: Pomoravlje reg.: Resavica, 30.V.1998, 1 spec., F. Kantner leg. (FK); Vojvodina distr.: South Banat distr., Lokve, 1 leg. (HNHM).

SLOVAKIA: Bánská Bystrica, v.1951, 1 spec., A. Olexa leg. (NMP); Čakov, 17.–18. vi.2002, 2 spec., 11. vi.2003, 1 spec., J. Pelikán leg. (JP), 11. vi.2003, 1 spec., J. Krátky leg. (JS); Hajnáčka, 5.–6. v.1990, 2 spec., P. Veselý leg. (JS); 28. iv.1996, 1 spec., A. Sedláček leg. (JB); Kamenica nad Hronom, 2. v.1949, 1 spec., O. Kavan leg. (LS), 19.–23. v.1991, 1 spec., Z. Košt’ál leg. (FK); Komárno, iii.1947, 9 spec., Pfeffer leg. (LS, NMP), iii.1947, 1 spec., J. Havelka leg. (NMP); Muráňská planina, NPR Suchý dol, 26.–30.V.2004, 33 spec., J. Pelikán leg. (JP, LS), 23. vi.2005, 1 spec., L. Sekerka leg. (LS); Štúrovo, 1 spec., J. Obenberger leg. (NMP), 1 spec., B. Kouřil leg. (NMP), 26.–28. iv.2001, 1 spec., S. Krejčík leg. (LS); Zlaté Moravce, 1 spec., A. Růżička leg. (LS).

TURKEY: Çanakkale prov.: “Port Baklar” [= Baklaburunn located in the Saros Bay on Cape of Xeros (40°32'40 N, 26°45'0" E)], 5 spec. (BMNH); Kocaeli prov.: “Ismid” [= İzmit], 3 spec., M. Cameron leg. (BMNH); Konya prov.: “Ak-Chehir” [= Aksehir], 1900, 1 spec., Korb leg. (LS); Mardin prov.: “Alem- Dagh” [= Alem Dağı Mt.], 1 spec., Bodemeyer leg. (LS); “Zoppa” [unknown to me], 1 spec., Varhegy leg. (DS).

UKRAINE: Avtonomna Respublika Krym: “Crimea”, 4 spec. (ZMHU), 2 spec., N. L. Sacharow leg. (BMNH); Kharkivs’ka obl.: “Charkow” [= Kharkiv], 22. iv.1939, 1 spec. (ZMHU); Kyivs’ka obl.: Kiev, v.1912, 1 spec., Roubal leg. (LS); Kiev, Dnjepr, 15. iv.1923, 1 spec., Iwanow leg. (ZMHU); Odes’ka obl.: Kovalevka, 1 spec., Hanuš leg. (LS); Zakarpats'ka obl.: Babińce, 21. vii.1935, 1 spec. (DBET); “Kołodróbka” [= Kolodrobka] 24. vii.1923, 1 spec. (DBET); Dupliska, 7. vii.1932, 1 spec. (DBET); Dżwinogród, 11. v.1938, 1 spec. (DBET); “Mukačevo” [= Mukatschewe], 1 spec., K. Ješátko leg. (NMP); Ve lk e K om ňaty [= Welyki Komjaty], 1 spec., Danihelka leg. (NMP).

UNKNOWN: “Castelnuovo” [many communities bear this name in Italy; also Herceg Novi in Montenegro was known as Castelnuovo (“Newcastle”) for many centuries], 1 spec. (LS), 4 spec., Hummler leg. (LS, MM, ZMHU).

VARIOUS: Caucasus, 3 spec., Leder & Reitter leg. (NMP, ZMHU).

Distribution: Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Byelorussia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Moldavia, Mongolia, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia to West Siberia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Uzbekistan. New species to Iran. All country records are based on Borowiec (in prep.) and above mentioned faunistic data.

Host plants: Asteraceae : Inula sp. ( Lopatin 1977); Pulicaria dysenterica ( Steinhausen 1950) ; Pulicaria dysenterica , P. vulgaris , Senecio jacobaea ( Brovdij 1983) . New records: Inula ensifolia (larvae and adults observed by the author in the Central Slovakia, in June 2006), Inula salicina (adults and larval feeding pattern observed by J. Pelikán in the Central Bohemia, during 2004–2005). Biology and immatures described by Maulik (1949).

Comments. Cassida fastuosa has been described under three names. Besides fastuosa itself Fabricius (1798) described C. vittata (not vittata Villers, 1789 ) from “ Helvetia ” and Herbst (1799) C. ocellata from North America (certainly based on mislabeled specimen(s)). Both species were synonymized during early years with typical C. fastuosa . Schönherr (1808) overlooked the priority rule and synonymized ocellata and fastuosa with vittata Fabricius. Gemminger & Harold (1876) corrected this mistake and since that time fastuosa is used as a valid name. I did not have an opportunity to examine types of those species but according to localities given in the primary descriptions and large amount of examined material I am convinced that they certainly represent Pilemostoma fastuosa ( Schaller, 1783) .

Pilemostoma fastuosa is an extremely variable species in pattern and colour of elytra. Weise (1893) described two varieties: var. nigrina (with completely black dorsum except extreme margin) and var. delicatula (with background colour lemon-yellow not bright-red as in the typical form). Both varieties represent only extreme colour forms and since Reitter (1912) they have been treated as aberrations. Donisthorpe in Fowler (1913) described ab. dollmani and this was omitted in all recent catalogues ( Spaeth, 1914b; Borowiec, 1999). I found syntypes of ab. dollmani in BMNH and they are the same lemon-yellow aberration as delicatula.

Spaeth (1914a) described Pilemostoma bucharica based on Weise’s material. According to the original description, Spaeth examined four specimens labeled: “ var. nigrina Weise-Type !”. Presently, none of the specimens have this label. Anyway, types of P. bucharica were collected in 1898 while ab. nigrina was described in 1893 thus probably they are not the types of nigrina. I have examined all the type specimens (now preserved in MM and NMW) and in my opinion, they represent an isolated form of widespread P. f a s t u - osa. These specimens differ in the elytra being somewhat more depressed and not as regularly convex as in the typical P. fastuosa but remaining characters (including genitalia) are the same or show similar variability. Specimens of P. bucharica have quite an unusual pattern: one longitudinal reddish band along the second interstice of each elytron (remaining parts of elytral disc black) but I have examined few similarly coloured specimens from Hungary. Pilemostoma fastuosa is a widespread species in the Palaearctic region (from UK to Mongolia) and accordingly contains polymorphic forms. It is quite normal that European forms are more or less different from Asiatic ones but is nearly impossible to treat them as distinct taxa because between each two areas all intermediates occur.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 8. Pilemostoma fastuosa: 1, 3, 4 — body dorsal, 2 — body lateral, 5 — head, antennae, prosternal collar and fore legs, 6 — aedaeagus lateral, 7 — aedaeagus apex, 8 — spermatheca. 1, 2 — typical form, 3 — yellow form (ab. delicatula Ws.), 4 — black form (ab. nigrina Ws.).