Melolontha aeneicollis, Bates, 1891

Gupta, Devanshu, Keith, Denis, Bhunia, Debika, Das, Priyanka, Ghosh, Joyjit & Chandra, Kailash, 2023, Review of Melolontha Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from India with the description of two new species, Zootaxa 5263 (2), pp. 191-216 : 207

Key to the Indian species of aeneicollis group

1. Mesometasternal process not projected beyond mesocoxae; serration on lateral margin of pronotum, developed at anterior half, smooth at posterior half; punctation on pronotal surface relatively sparse and fine; vertex sparsely punctate; pygidium of characteristic shape ( Fig. 17 ); apical process of left paramere relatively raised ( Figs. 45 , 57 )..... M. aeneicollis Bates, 1891

– Mesometasternal process projected beyond mesocoxae; serration on lateral margin of pronotum, developed entirely; punctation on pronotal surface dense and rugose; vertex densely punctate; pygidium of characteristic shape ( Fig. 18 ); apical process of left paramere slightly raised ( Figs. 46 , 58 )............................................ M. cuprescens Blanchard, 1871

Figures

FIGURES 13–18. Pygidium of Melolontha species. 13, M. guttigera; 14, M. virescens; 15, M. arunachalensis new species (holotype); 16, M. lachungensis new species (holotype); 17, M. aeneicollis; 18, M. cuprescens.

FIGURES 41–46. Parameres of Melolontha species in dorsal view. 41, M. guttigera; 42, M. virescens; 43, M. arunachalensis new species (holotype); 44, M. lachungensis new species (holotype); 45, M. aeneicollis; 46, M. cuprescens.

FIGURES 53–64. Parameres of Melolontha species in lateral view. 53, M. guttigera; 54, M. virescens; 55, M. arunachalensis new species (holotype); 56, M. lachungensis new species (holotype); 57, M. aeneicollis; 58, M. cuprescens; 59, M. chinensis; 60, M. nepalensis; 61, M. carinata; 62, M. indica; 63, M. flabellata; 64, M. furcicauda.