Smicronyx (s. str.) pauperculus Wollaston, 1864

Haran, Julien, Schütte, André & Friedman, Ariel-Leib-Leonid, 2017, A review of Smicronyx Schoenherr (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) of Israel, with description of two new species, Zootaxa 4237 (1), pp. 17-40 : 20-21

2. Smicronyx (s. str.) pauperculus Wollaston, 1864

( Fig. 8 , 15 )

Material examined. Har Hermon: Har Hermon , 1700 m, 17.v.2009, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU) ; Upper Galilee: Gadot , 2.vii.1971, D. Gerling (1, SMNHTAU); Nahal Keziv, 28.ix.1999, M. Finkel, V. Kravchenko (2, SMNHTAU); Nahal Keziv , 33°02’43’’N35°13’24’’E, 31.i.2011, L. Friedman, pitfall (1, SMNHTAU); Lower Galilee: Umm el-Ghanem 32°42’N 35°23’E, 1.vi.2008, L. Friedman (17, SMNHTAU), 8.v.2013, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU), 12.v.2015, L. Friedman, on Cuscuta (1, SMNHTAU); Bet She'arim, Alexander Zeid Monument, 21.x.2014, L. Friedman, on Quercus ithaburensis (9, SMNHTAU); Bet Lehem haGelilit, 21.x.2014, L. Friedman, on Quercus ithaburensis (1, SMNHTAU) ; Yizre'el Valley: Bet-Alfa , 6.v.2014, on Cuscuta campestris Yunck (10 individuals, JHcoll); Jordan Valley: Almagor , 32°54’N 35°35E, 15–31.v.2011, W. Kuslitzky (1, SMNHTAU); Park haYarden, 32°54.5’N 35°37.5’E, - 210 m, 14.iv.2011, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); Amnun, 15.v.2003, V. Kravchenko, V. Chikatunov, light trap (1, SMNHTAU); Deganya A Bet-Gordon, 18.ix.1968, Y. Palmoni (1, SMNHTAU); Peza'el Nature Reserve, springs, 25.ix.2013, L. Friedman, on Mentha (1, SMNHTAU); Zomet Peza'el, 18.vi.1982, Q. Argaman (2, SMNHTAU); Carmel Ridge: Nahal Oren, 6.iv.1998, V. Chikatunov, T. Pavlicek (1, SMNHTAU); Samaria: Hare Gilboa', Har Ahinoam, 32°28’N 35°25’E, 15.iv.2012, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); Qedumim, 19.x.2000, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU), 28.ii.2001, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU), 10.iii.2002, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); Qedumim, Nahal Te'ena, 17.viii. 2 0 15, L. Friedman, on Amygdalus (3, SMNHTAU); Shekhem, Askar [ Nablus-Askur Horticultural station ], 22.viii.1947, P. Jolles (1, SMNHTAU); Central Coastal Plain: Ma’agan Mikha’el , 32°33’N 34°55’E, 1.ix.2008, W. Kuslitzky, Malaise trap (1, SMNHTAU), 2–20.xii.2009, W. Kuslitzky (2, SMNHTAU); Nahal Tanninim estuary, 20.iii.2001, L. Friedman (2, SMNHTAU); Shelulit Ga'ash Nature Reserve, reservoir, 18.ii.2014, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); Ga’ash, 14.iv.1973, D. Furth (1, SMNHTAU), 1.v.2014, J. Haran, on Cuscuta campestris (15 individuals JHcoll, 1 specimen sequenced from this series, voucher code: 2638-HAR_24064 JHA-A.16652. deposited in Curci collections); Herzliyya, 5.v.2003, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); Tel Aviv, Tel Barukh, 24.vi.2011, A. Freidberg (1, SMNHTAU); Zomet Morasha, 1.15 km SE, Rt. 5, Nahal Yarqon west bank, 12 m, 29.vii. 20015, L. Friedman (2, SMNHTAU); Rosh ha'Ayin Zafon Railway Station , 27.iv.2015, L. Friedman, on Cuscuta (3, SMNHTAU) ; Southern Coastal Plain : Tel Aviv, Ramat Aviv, 7.vii.2004, O. Auster (1, SMNHTAU) ; Tel Aviv, 1.v.2007, W. Kuslitzky, light trap (1, SMNHTAU), 10.v.2007, W. Kuslitzky, light trap (1, SMNHTAU); Bet Dagan, 12.viii.1987, I. Susman (1, SMNHTAU); Bet Dagan , 32°00’N 34°50’E, 19.v.2008, W. Kuslitzky (1, SMNHTAU); Rehovot, 14.vii.2002, W. Kuslitzky (1, SMNHTAU); Lod, 30.xii.1997, R. Hoffman (1, SMNHTAU); 'Enot Gibbeton Nature Reserve, 13.xi.2014, L. Friedman, on Cuscuta (17, SMNHTAU); Ashdod, 1.x.1991, J. Halperin, on Ziziphus spinachristi (9, SMNHTAU), on Ficus sycamorus (3, SMNHTAU); 'Ad-Halom bridge, 1.viii.1972, A. Goldstein (2, SMNHTAU); Nizzanim, 3.vi.1997, L. Friedman, light trap (1, SMNHTAU), 8.vi.1998, N. Meltzer (1, SMNHTAU), 9.vi.1998, L. Friedman (2, SMNHTAU), 19.iv.2005, I. Renan (2, SMNHTAU), 23.iv.2007, A. Freidberg (1, SMNHTAU), 21.iv.2008, A. Freidberg (1, SMNHTAU), 8.vii.2008, L. Friedman (2, SMNHTAU), 18.vi.2009, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); Nizzanim Nature Reserve, Nahal Evtah, 28.vii.2008, A. Freidberg (2, SMNHTAU); Mavqi'im, 32°00’N 34°50’E, 18.ii.2004, I. Zonstein (1, SMNHTAU); Dead Sea Area: Wadi Ahmar, near Yarden River , 32°01’N 35°30’E, 15.iii.2005, T. Stern (1, SMNHTAU); Hirbet Umm ' Azbe [Um Uzba], 23.iii.1989, J. Halperin, on Acacia raddiana (2, SMNHTAU); Nahal Yitav spill , 31°55’N 35°31’E, 16.iii.2005, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); 'En Gedi [Ein Gedi], 18.vi.1958, J. Wahrman (1, SMNHTAU); Zomet Zohar, 21.vii.1998, A. Freidberg (1, SMNHTAU); Nahal Peres, 30°59.5’N 35°20.3’E, 29.vii.2007, A. Freidberg (1, SMNHTAU); Foothills of Judea: Migdal Afeq, 32°05’N 34°57’E, 31.x.2001, L. Friedman (3, SMNHTAU); Park Shoham [149], 1.viii.1993, Y. Zvik (2, SMNHTAU), 31.iii.2006, L. Friedman (2, SMNHTAU); Park Canada, 4.xi.1996, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); Zor'a, 7.xii.1991, J. Halperin, on Ziziphus spina-christi (3, SMNHTAU), 24.viii.1993, on cotton, D. Gerling (1, SMNHTAU); Mishmar Ayalon, 15.i.1990, J. Halperin, on Laurus (5, SMNHTAU); Tel Sokho, 19.iv.2015, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); Tel Goded, 19.xi.2013, L. Friedman, B. Korotyaev, sifting (1, SMNHTAU); Northern Negev: HaBesor Nature Reserve , 31°14’07’’N34°30’24’’E, 19.iv.2010, L. Friedman, wet meadow, pitfall (1, SMNHTAU); Central Negev: Sedé Boqér , 29.v.2002, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); 'En Mor, 24.x.1988, J. Halperin (2, SMNHTAU); 'Avedat, 12.vi.2002, V. Kravchenko (1, SMNHTAU) ; Southern Negev: Ma'ale ' Aqrabbim, 8.vi.2015, I. Zonstein (1, SMNHTAU); Arava Valley : Nahal Bitron, camping site, 2 km NW ' Iddan , 30°49’N 35°16.9’E, - 185 m, 20.vii.2015, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); Hazeva, 3.vi.1998, V. Kravchenko (1 specimen, light trap, SMNHTAU), 10.vi.2001, V. Kravchenko (1, SMNHTAU); Nahal Shezaf Nature Reserve, 14.iv.1999, I. Yarom & V. Kravchenko (1, SMNHTAU).

Biology. This species is locally abundant on Cuscuta campestris Yunck. , inhabiting agricultural and disturbed areas. Months of collection: all year round.

Distribution. Smicronyx pauperculus is widely distributed around the Mediterranean basin ( Caldara 2013). In Israel this species is common throughout the country. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first report of this species in Israel.

Discussion. This species is distinct from any other Smicronyx inhabiting the country by its reddish integument. Some rare specimens exhibit a very dark integument, but the characteristic thin sparse scales and the conformation of the genitalia can help with identification. Smicronyx pauperculus is sympatric with S. jungermanniae , and both species were found together on C. campestris in all recently sampled localities (JH obs.).

Figures

FIGURES 6 – 10. Median lobe of male genitalia, dorsal and lateral view. 6 — S. jungermanniae Reich; 7 — S. jordanicus sp. nov.; 8 — S. pauperculus Wollaston; 9 — S. syriacus Faust; 10 — S. longitarsis sp. nov.

FIGURES 15 – 20. Photographs of habitus. 15 — S. pauperculus Wollaston; 16 — S. syriacus Faust; 17 — S. longitarsis sp. nov.; 18 — S. albosquamosus Wollaston; 19 — S. jungermanniae Reich; 20 — S. jordanicus sp. nov.