Erymanthus melanurus Kuwert, 1893

Gerstmeier, Roland & Salvamoser, Max, 2014, Revision of the checkered beetle genus Erymanthus Spinola, 1841 (Coleoptera, Cleridae, Clerinae), Zootaxa 3755 (6), pp. 501-548 : 525-527

Erymanthus melanurus Kuwert, 1893

( Figs 24–25 , 40 C)

Kuwert 1893: 479.

Specimens examined: Holotype: Fr. Congo, Kuilu, Mocquerys, Holotype, 1892, Ex Musaeo, W. Rothschild, 1899, Museum Paris 195-, Coll. R. Oberthúr (MNHN).

Comment on the type specimen: The single specimen mentioned by Kuwert (1893: 479) from Kuilu, Congo from the Tring museum (now in MNHN), can be considered the holotype, fixed my monotypy (ICZN 1999: Article 73.1.2).

Others: Muséum Paris, Congo belge centr., Maniema: Kindu, L. Burgeon, J. J. Menier, 1981 (MNHN). Togo, Conradt, Coll. Kraatz, Schenkling det., D. Ent. Inst. DAHLEM, 1922 (RMNH). Togo, Bismarckburg, L. Conradt S., 89. (ZMB). Togo, Bismarckburg, 21.3.– 30.4.93, L. Conradt S., Schenkling det. (ZMB). Guin., Coll. Kraatz, Schenkling det., Col - 0 3107 (SDEI). Brit. Uganda, Grauer, Coll. v. Bennigsen, Schenkling det., Col - 0 3108 (SDEI). Ansila, vesuvioides Thomson , ???, Ex Musaeo Parry, Muséum Paris 1952, Coll. R. Oberthúr (MNHN).

Diagnosis: Erymanthus melanurus can be confused with E. vesuvioides . Erymanthus vesuvioides is 12–20mm long and its metafemora are black. Erymanthus melanurus is 9–12mm long and can be recognized by its light brown femora.

Length: (8 specimens measured) 9–12mm (average 10.5mm).

Head: Light brown; frontal umbo with two rounded grooves; with dark pilosity posteriorly, anteriorly with white pilosity; antennae yellow.

Pronotum: Pronotal length to width ratio 1.11:1 to 1.12:1 (average 1.12:1); light brown; pronotal groove sometimes darker; gibbosities inconspicuous.

Scutellum: Black; vested with white setae.

Elytra: Elytral length to width ratio 2.02:1 to 2.15:1 (average 2.09:1); basal half light brown, apical half dark brown to black; punctation large, circular to slightly elongate-ovate, interstices half to same width as diameter of punctation, punctation in more or less regular rows; elytral base with black and flavous pilosity, apically partly with dense white and flavous pilosity; gibbosities pale, gibbosities A, B, C and D with dense white setal tuft, E with black setae.

Legs: Light brown, sometimes dark markings on the femora, tibiae slightly darker.

Lower surface: Dark brown to black with indication of light spots lateral of each abdominal segment; with white pilosity.

Male genitalia, pygidium, ventrite VI: Tips of tegminal lobes blunt, tegminal lobes very short; tegminal struts broadened until three-sevenths length and tapering lanceolate until tip; phallic tip very blunt; posterior side of pygidium rounded; processes of ventrite VI rather pointed.

Distribution: Guinea, Togo, Congo, DR Congo, Uganda.

Seasonal occurrence: Collected from March to April.

Figures

FIGURE 24. Erymanthus melanurus: (A) Aedeagus ventral, (B) Phallus lateral, (C) Tegmen dorsal, (D) Spicular fork, (E) Pygidium, (F) Ventrite VI; (scale bars 1 mm).

FIGURE 25. Distribution of Erymanthus melanurus.

FIGURE 40. (A) Erymanthus horridus, (B) Erymanthus maculaticeps, (C) Erymanthus melanurus, (D) Erymanthus pustulosus, (E) Erymanthus revoili, (F) Erymanthus semirufus; (scale bars 5 mm).