Pelidnota MacLeay, 1819

Moore, Matthew R., Jameson, Mary L., Garner, Beulah H., Audibert, Cedric, Smith, Andrew B. T. & Seidel, Matthias, 2017, Synopsis of the pelidnotine scarabs (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae, Rutelini) and annotated catalog of the species and subspecies, ZooKeys 666, pp. 1-349 : 1

Pelidnota MacLeay, 1819 Figs 2B , 3B , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97

Type species.

Scarabaeus punctatus Linnaeus, 1758.

Species.

195 species and subspecies; length 11-37 mm.

From southeastern Canada to Argentina and the Caribbean, members of the genus Pelidnota are obvious members of the entomofauna with diverse forms (some with enlarged metafemora such as P. burmeisteri ), diverse colors (from metallic silver in P. teocuitlamayatli Delgado-Castillo, Deloya, and Morón to shiny red and blue in P. rubripennis riedeli [Ohaus]), and diverse maculations (striped green and tan in P. liturella [Kirby] or colorfully spotted in P. xanthospila [Germar]). Their large size, abundance, and beauty make them fairly recognizable. Some species are recognized as pests: P. filippiniae Soula, which defoliates plantations ( Lunz et al. 2011) and P. punctata that feeds on leaves in vineyards ( Ratcliffe and Paulsen 2008). Complete life cycle and representative larvae are described ( Ritcher 1945, 1966, Morón 1976, Morón and Deloya 2002, Rodriguez et al. 2012, Garcia et al. 2013).

Hardy (1975) revised the genus Pelidnota from North and Central America and provided a key to species. He geographically restricted his revision to North and Central American species due to the large size of the group. The work stabilized the classification of North and Central American taxa and provided the only method of accurately identifying species in this region. He did not discuss relationships among the subgenera of Pelidnota , although he noted that the classification and subgeneric concept (as proposed by Ohaus) were in need of study. Subsequent to Hardy’s revision ( Hardy 1975), many new species of Pelidnota have been described. Keys to the Mexican species (Delgado et al. 1988) and Costa Rican species ( Solís and Morón 1994) of Pelidnota are available. Soula (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010a, 2010b, 2011) described 104 species and subspecies and provided difficult-to-use keys to many species.

Research on Pelidnota and its allies was initiated by one of us in the 1990s (MLJ). This research, however, became intractable when Soula began describing many pelidnotine taxa and depositing type specimens in his private collection where they were not accessible to other scientists. Additionally, Soula created many new species for North American morphotypes of P. punctata (see " Pelidnota punctata (Linnaeus) species hypothesis and synonyms" below). A comprehensive revision of the genus and its allies is needed, including identification resources for all species.

Molecular and morphological phylogenetic analyses are necessary to unravel the evolutionary and ecological patterns within this interesting group. For over a century, taxonomy and nomenclature of the genus has been mired with several genus-level nomenclatural and classification conflicts (F. Bates 1904, Ohaus 1918, 1934b, Machatschke 1970, 1972, 1974, Krajcik 2008, Özdikmen 2009, Soula 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010a, 2011) (see Moore and Jameson 2013). Whereas the taxonomy and composition of Pelidnota (Pelidnota) is stable (ICZN 2003) and fairly homogeneous, other genus-level names are much less stable, the composition unknown, and identification is problematic (including Chalcoplethis , Epichalcoplethis , Strigidia , Odontognathus , Ganonota Ohaus). It is possible that Pelidnota sensu lato includes several natural groups (=genera), but to truly unravel the group, an unabridged systematic revision (taxonomy, phylogeny) must be undertaken and the group must be examined within a broad context of the Rutelini .

Due to possible paraphyly, diagnosis of the genus is difficult. For most species of Pelidnota , the pronotal basal bead is complete (obsolete in some); external margin of the mandible is bidentate; mesosternum with a transverse suture that separates the metasternum; prosternal projection more or less prominent and beaded; scutellum as wide as long; mesosternal projection not well-developed, not strongly produced anteriorly; elytral shoulder with a bead; metatrochanters sometimes protruding; claws simple in both sexes; male protarsal claw with or without inner tubercle; metatibia simple, gradually widening from base or corbeled.

Ohaus (1912) described the genus Heteropelidnota based on one, unusual male specimen ( Ohaus 1934b; Plate 2, Fig. 11 ) (Fig. 72 ). The color and form of the specimen (the holotype of P. kuhnti [Ohaus] and the only known representative of the taxon) (Fig. 72 ) was compared with individuals of P. aeruginosa var. citripennis (valid name P. semiaurata citripennis ) ( Ohaus 1912). Examination of this specimen reveals that it is an aberrant, teratological specimen (see discussion of P. kuhnti in "Annotated Catalog"). In Ohaus’ (1934b) discussion of the genus Heteropelidnota , he compared the genus with Hoplopelidnota and Xenopelidnota , both of which possess a dense row of setae near the ventral apex of the elytra. Ohaus (1934b) stated that Hoplopelidnota and Xenopelidnota differ from Heteropelidnota based on the bidentate mandible and produced mesometasternal peg. It should be noted that the dense row of setae on the ventral side of the elytra is observed within many rutelines, but the position (subapically, anteapically, apically) and the density of setae varies widely. The function of this character is unknown (possibly functioning in flight or preventing water loss) and should be investigated. Ohaus included a new species in the genus, P. cribrata (Ohaus), and he transferred Pelidnota rostrata Burmeister ( Ohaus 1918) to the genus. Martínez (1967) described P. ustarani ( Martínez), also including it in the genus. After examination of the species included in the genus and based on lack of sufficient “collective” characters that support the genus, Soula (2008) transferred P. cribrata , P. ustarani , and P. rostrata to the genus Pelidnota ( Soula 2008). However, he retained H. kuhnti in the genus based on its many “singularities.” Indeed, Soula (2008) also seemed to imply that H. kuhnti was a member of the genus Pelidnota . Herein, we consider Heteropelidnota a new junior synonym of Pelidnota . Lacking certainty of the species association due to the extreme deformities, we retain the species name and transfer the species to the genus Pelidnota .

Figures

Figure 2. Characters of the mesofemora and metatibiae in pelidnotine genera. A Epichalcoplethis aciculata (F. Bates), metatibia somewhat flattened (dorsal view) B Pelidnota virescens, metatibia not flattened (dorsal view) C Mecopelidnota sp., metatibia at base with a semicircular notch D Pseudogeniates cordobaensis Moore et al., metatibia simple at base E Mesomerodon gilletti Soula male, acute production of posterior margin of mesotibia (ventral view).

Figure 3. Characters of the thorax (ventral view) and elytral apex (dorsal and lateral views). Mesosternal keel not surpassing base of mesocoxae (A) or keel surpassing base of mesocoxae (B). Acute, spiniform projections at apex of elytra (C, D). A Homonyx elongatus B Pelidnota dobleri Frey C Mesomerodon gilletti, dorsal view D Mesomerodon gilletti, lateral view.

Figure 11. Chrysina giesberti Monzon paratype male from MSPC. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, caudal view.

Figure 53. Pelidnota ancilla F. Bates male holotype from BMNH. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, dorsal view.

Figure 54. Pelidnota (Odontognathus) adriani Martinez (valid name Pelidnota bahiana adriani [Martinez]) paratype male from CMNC. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, caudal view.

Figure 55. Pelidnota (Ganonota) boyi Ohaus (valid name Pelidnota boyi Ohaus) holotype female from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 56. Pelidnota burmeisteri burmeisteri Burmeister male specimen from MSPC. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus.

Figure 57. Pelidnota tricolor Nonfried (valid name Pelidnota burmeisteri tricolor Nonfried) syntype male from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Male genitalia, lateral view D Male parameres, caudal view E Specimen labels.

Figure 58. Pelidnota crassipes Ohaus type male (see " Type specimens and lectotype designation " in Methods) from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels, mouthparts, and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, caudal view.

Figure 59. Pelidnota cuprea var. coerulea Ohaus (unavailable name) (valid name Pelidnota cuprea [Germar]) invalid type female from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 60. Pelidnota cuprea var. nigrocoerulea Ohaus (unavailable name) (valid name Pelidnota cuprea [Germar]) invalid type female from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 61. Pelidnota cuprea var. rufoviolacea Ohaus (unavailable name) (valid name Pelidnota cuprea [Germar]) invalid type male from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels, mouthparts, and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, caudal view.

Figure 62. Pelidnota discicollis Ohaus holotype female from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 63. Pelidnota dubia F. Bates syntype male from BMNH. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, dorsal view.

Figure 64. Pelidnota ebenina (Blanchard) female specimen compared [by Jameson] with syntype from MNHN. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 65. Pelidnota fracida F. Bates syntype male from BMNH. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, dorsal view.

Figure 66. Pelidnota fusciventris Ohaus type female from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and egg.

Figure 67. Pelidnota (Odontognathus) gabrielae Martinez (valid name Pelidnota gabrielae Martinez) allotype female from MACN. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 68. Pelidnota hoefigi Ohaus syntype male from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, dorsal view.

Figure 69. Strigidia incerta Soula holotype female from CCECL (valid name Pelidnota incerta (Soula )). A Dorsal habitus B Female gonocoxites, dorsal view C Specimen labels.

Figure 70. Pelidnota (Chalcoplethis) jolyi Martinez (valid name Pelidnota jolyi Martinez) paratype male from CMNC. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, caudal view.

Figure 71. Pelidnota kirschi var. tenuistriata F. Bates (valid name Pelidnota kirschi tenuistriata F. Bates) holotype female from BMNH. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 72. Heteropelidnota kuhnti Ohaus (valid name Pelidnota kuhnti [Ohaus]) holotype male from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels, mouthparts, and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, dorsal view.

Figure 73. Pelidnota assumpta Ohaus (valid name Pelidnota liturella assumpta Ohaus) holotype male from ZMHB. A Lateral habitus B Specimen labels and male genitalia C Male parameres, dorsal view D Male genitalia, lateral view.

Figure 74. Pelidnota malyi Soula male paratype from CCECL. A Dorsal habitus B Male genitalia, dorsal view C Specimen labels.

Figure 75. Pelidnota (Ganonota) matogrossensis Frey (valid name Pelidnota matogrossensis Frey) paratype male from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Male genitalia, lateral view D Male parameres, dorsal view.

Figure 76. Pelidnota (Ganonota) ohausi Frey (valid name Pelidnota ohausi ohausi Frey) paratype from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 77. Pelidnota (Pelidnota) perplexa Hardy (valid name Pelidnota perplexa Hardy) paratype female from CNC. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 78. Rutela pulchella Kirby (valid name Pelidnota pulchella pulchella [Kirby]) syntype female from BMNH. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 79. Scarabaeus punctatus Linnaeus (valid name Pelidnota punctata [Linnaeus]) female lectotype from UUZM. A Dorsal habitus B Ventral habitus C Specimen labels. Photographs courtesy of Dr. Hans Mejlon, Museum of Evolution, Uppsala University, Sweden.

Figure 80. Pelidnota rostrata Burmeister (male specimen compared with Burmeister's syntype by Ohaus from the Weber Collection). A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, dorsal view.

Figure 81. Pelidnota viridana Blanchard (female specimen compared with Blanchard's syntype by Ohaus which is deposited at MNHN) (valid name Pelidnota rostrata Burmeister). A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 82. Odontognathus riedeli Ohaus (valid name Pelidnota rubripennis riedeli [Ohaus]) syntype male from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels, mouthparts, and male genitalia D Male parameres, caudal view E Male genitalia, lateral view.

Figure 83. Pelidnota rubripennis rubripennis (Burmeister) (male specimen compared with Burmeister's syntype by Ohaus from MLUH). A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, dorsal view.

Figure 84. Pelidnota rufipennis Waterhouse (valid name Pelidnota rubripennis [Burmeister]) type female (see " Type specimens and lectotype designation " in Methods) from BMNH. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 85. Pelidnota pubes Ohaus syntype male from ZMHB (valid name Pelidnota sanctidomini sanctidomini Ohaus). A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels, mouthparts, and male genitalia D Male parameres, dorsal view E Male genitalia, lateral view.

Figure 86. Pelidnota sanctidomini sanctidomini Ohaus holotype female from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 87. Pelidnota soederstroemi Ohaus (valid name Pelidnota soederstroemi Ohaus) holotype female from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and mouthparts.

Figure 88. Pelidnota subandina Ohaus (valid name Pelidnota subandina subandina Ohaus) syntype male from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male parameres, dorsal view E Male genitalia, lateral view.

Figure 89. Pelidnota vittipennis F. Bates (valid name Pelidnota testaceovirens vittipennis F. Bates) syntype male from BMNH. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 90. Pelidnota thiliezi male, neotype from CCECL. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male genitalia, dorsal view.

Figure 91. Pelidnota zikani Ohaus (valid name Pelidnota tibialis tibialis Burmeister) syntype male from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, dorsal view.

Figure 92. Heteropelidnota cribrata Ohaus paralectotype male (valid name Pelidnota touroulti Soula) from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels, mouthparts, and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, dorsal view.

Figure 93. Pelidnota uncinata Ohaus type male from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, caudal view.

Figure 94. Pelidnota unicolor var. infuscata Ohaus (unavailable name) (valid name Pelidnota unicolor [Drury]) invalid type female from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 95. Heteropelidnota ustarani Martinez (valid name Pelidnota ustarani [Martinez]) holotype male from MACN. A Dorsal habitus B Specimen labels and male genitalia.

Figure 96. Pelidnota viridicuprea Ohaus holotype female from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and egg.

Figure 97. Pelidnota (Ganonota) vitalisi Ohaus (valid name Pelidnota vitalisi Ohaus) type male (see " Type specimens and lectotype designation " in Methods) from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, dorsal view.