Cassida lacrymosa Boheman, 1854

Borowiec, Lech & Świętojańska, Jolanta, 2022, A monograph of the Afrotropical Cassidinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Part 6. Revision of the tribe Cassidini 3, the genus Cassida L., Zootaxa 5171 (1), pp. 1-250 : 97-100

Cassida lacrymosa Boheman, 1854

( figs. 25 , 182–189 )

Cassida lacrymosa Boheman, 1854: 397, 1856: 129 , 1862: 310; Gemminger & Harold, 1876: 3655; Kolbe, 1898: 345; Borowiec, 1986: 805, 1995: 371, 1999 a: 260, 2005 a: 127; Rice, 2003: 81 .

Cassida lacrimosa [sic]: Spaeth, 1912 a: 504.

Cassida (Cassida) lacrimosa: Spaeth, 1914 b: 119 .

Cassida trepidula Spaeth, 1932: 239 ; Shaw, 1956: 270; Borowiec, 1999 a: 288, new synonymy.

Description. L: 4.00–5.00 mm, W: 3.15–3.90 mm, Lp: 1.50–1.75 mm, Wp: 2.60–3.20 mm, L/W: 1.17–1.33, Wp/Lp: 1.71–1.83. Body from short–oval to oval, males distinctly stouter than females ( figs. 182, 183, 185, 186 , 188–190 ).

Pronotum uniformly yellow ( figs. 183 , 189, 190 ) or with small V–shaped brown spot in front of scutellum ( fig. 186 ), sometimes disc with M–shaped brownish spot of diffused borders ( fig. 185 ). Scutellum yellow, elytral disc yellow usually with numerous small black spots: on postscutellar elevation, three spots on second interval, few spots at base of disc and along sides, sometimes only punctures with dark centre. Spot on postscutellar elevation only occasionally absent, extreme pale specimens with dorsum uniformly yellow except indistinct small brownish spots on sides of elytral disc ( fig. 188 ). Explanate margin always yellow. Head from completely yellow to black in basal part, especially in basal corners, thorax and abdomen in the palest specimens completely yellow but usually thorax completely black and abdomen from completely yellow to mostly black surrounded by yellow. Legs, except brown to black coxa in dark specimens, yellow. Antennae from uniformly yellow to apical two or three segments more or less infuscate, sometimes last two segments black.

Pronotum elliptical, with maximum width in the middle, anterior margin regularly convex, sides narrowly rounded, no basal corners. Disc indistinctly bordered from explanate margin except short lateral impression, area above head shallowly impressed. Surface of disc shiny, with fine and sparse punctation, distance between punctures mostly wider than puncture diameter, interspaces regular. Explanate margin broad, impunctate, shiny, transparent with well visible honeycomb structure.

Base of elytra slightly wider than base of pronotum, humeral angles moderately protruding anterad, angulate. Disc moderately convex in profile ( figs. 184, 187 ), with distinct postscutellar and principal impressions and distinct H–shaped postscutellar elevation, second interval more or less elevated. Punctation coarse and dense, arranged in completely regular rows, punctures in rows almost touching each other. Marginal row distinct, its punctures not or only slightly coarser than punctures in central rows. Intervals mostly linear, marginal interval distinct, as wide as submarginal interval and two marginal rows combined, no humeral fold, lateral fold usually distinct but sometimes obsolete. Explanate margin moderately broad, moderately declivous, in the widest part 4.5 times narrower than disc, surface shiny with shallow and dense punctation, appears irregular, transparent with well visible honeycomb structure.

Eyes very large, gena obsolete. Clypeus narrow, approximately as wide as long. Clypeal grooves fine but well marked, converging in regular triangle, surface of clypeus flat with oval or round apical impression, shiny, with several very small, setose punctures. Labrum deeply emarginate to 1/3 length.Antennae stout, segments 9–10 slightly transverse. Length ratio of antennal segments: 100:67:74:67:59:48:52:48:48:56:104. Segment 3 approximately 1.1 times as long as segment 2 and approximately 1.1 times as long as segment 4.

Prosternum moderately broad in the middle, strongly expanded apically, area between coxa slightly convex, along sides impressed with row of setose punctures, expanded apex slightly convex centrally and impressed laterally, with moderately coarse and dense, setose punctures, surface appears more or less irregular.

Claws with large basal tooth.

Host plant. Acanthaceae : Duosperma crenatum (Lindau) ( Rice 2003) .

Distribution. East and South Africa north to Somalia, south to Cape province in South Africa ( fig. 25 ).

Remarks. A member of the Cassida lacrymosa species–group. It belongs to the complex of species with the elytral disc predominantly yellow with sparse brown to black pattern of small separate spots never forming distinct reticulation. The darkest form ( figs. 185, 186 ) is similar to the typical form of C. depicta but it differs in a predominantly black colour, dark spots always black, occupying at least half surface of disc and often coalescent, forming a more or less distinct reticulation ( figs. 128, 129 ). Pale forms of C. lacrymosa have a mostly reduced pattern similar to C. fuscosignata but differ in brown, small spots grouped mostly on top of the elytral disc (figs. 191, 192) while in C. lacrymosa the brown, small spots are grouped mostly on the sides of the elytral disc ( figs. 188, 190 ). Both species are separated geographically, C. fuscosignata is known only from Senegal while C. lacrymosa is wide spread in East and South Africa north to Somalia, south to Cape Province in South Africa.

Types examined. Lectotype and four paralectotypes of Cassida lacrymosa Boheman, 1854 , designated by Borowiec, 1999: 260: [ SOUTH AFRICA]: Natal, Pt. Natal, Vahlberg (NRS, MM); paralectotype of Cassida lacrymosa Boheman, 1854 , designated by Borowiec, 1999: 260: [ SOUTH AFRICA]: Caffraria, Bhn (NRS); paralectotype of Cassida lacrymosa Boheman, 1854 , designated by Borowiec, 1999: 260: [ SOUTH AFRICA]: Port Natal, 1, Bohem. (ZMHU); syntype of Cassida trepidula Spaeth, 1932 : [ ZAMBIA]: Kashitu, N of Broken Hill, I 1945, 1, H.C. Dollman (MM); syntype of Cassida trepidula Spaeth, 1932 : [ ZAMBIA]: Mwenga, 28 VII 1913, 1, H.C. Dollman (BMNH).

Other specimens examined. ETHIOPIA: Arushi Prov. , Lake Zwai at Laki, 1650 m, 7–8 II 1968, 1 ex., Brinck– Enckelt ( LU) .

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (ZAIRE): Elisabethville, 1, Miss. Agric. ( MRAC) ; Kivu, Terr. Mwenga, Kitutu, 650 m, IV 1958, 1, N. Leleup ( MNHW) ; Tanganika Terr., Malonge, VI 1943, 3, H.J. Bredo ( MNHW) .

KENYA: Elsamere , 29 III 1997, 1, ABD ( TD) ; Kibwezi , 23 V 1980, 1, D. Furth ( PMNH) ; Malindi , 27 IX–14 X 1992, 1, L. Bartolozzi ( MZUF) ; Masongaleni , 29 III–1 IV 1911, 1, S.A. Neave ( MNHW) ; Naivasha , 26 VII 1992, 1, S. Kirmse (Erfurt); Naivasha, BC, 9 X 2000, 1, ABD ( TD) ; Naivasha , Joan Root, 1 VI 1999, 1, 31 III 2002, 1, 8 IV 2002, 1, ABD ( TD) ; Njorowa Gorge , Hells Gate, 18 IV 1998, 1, ABD ( TD) ; 50 km N Namanga, Ilbisil env., 18 XI 1007, 1, M. Snižek ( MS) ; Watamu env.– Watamu Beach, 3°21’20.6”S, 40°00’14.5”E, 21 I 2015, 1, J. Oboňa leg. ( LS) .

MALAWI: Nyika Nat. Park , 6 XII 1986, 1, E. Holm & E. Marais ( WM) .

MOZAMBIQUE: Chupanga, 1, Tavares ( ZMHU); Sofala prov., 50 km S Inchope, 17–18 XII 2005, 1, A. Kudrna ( LS) .

NAMIBIA: E Caprivi, Katima Mulilo , 3–8 III 1992, 1, U. Göllner ( ZMHU) ; Kavango, Kaudom–Camp , 25 II 1992, 1, U. Göllner ( ZMHU) ; Kavango, Popa Falls , 18.07 S 21.33 E, 26–31 VIII 1971, 1 ( WM) ; Windhoek , III–IV 1989, 3, J. Irish ( ZMHU) .

NIGERIA: Ife , 7–8 VII 1973, 1, R. Linnavuori ( ZMUH); Olokemeji forest, 9 VII 1973, 1, R. Linnavuori ( ZMUH) .

RWANDA: Rubona , 17 V 1963, 1, G. Pierrard ( MNHW) .

SOMALIA: Gatschin, 1, O. Neumann (ZMHU).

SOUTH AFRICA: Cap , 1, Krebs ( ZMHU) ; Cape Prov., Somerset East , X 1930, 1, XI 1930, 1, R.E. Turner ( MNHW) ; Dunbrody , 1 ( MM) ; Dunbrody , 1 ( MNHW) ; E Cape, N of Ndwalane , 60-120 m, -31.5964 / 29.4626, 30 XI 2019, 1, P. Jałoszyński ( MNHW) ; E Cape, Silaka Reserve , 10 m, -31.6528 / 29.5061, 29 XI 2019, 1, P. Jałoszyński ( MNHW) ; Eastern Cape Prov., Hogsback State Forest, Hogsback Pass , approximately 1000 m, 26 V 1998, 1, Grobbelaar et al. ( NIC) ; Eastern Cape Prov., Hogsback State Forest, Amatolaarea, west of Stutterheim , 32°36’E, 26°56’E, 1 ( ARC) ; Fountains, Pretoria , 7 XI 1951, 1, A.L. Capener ( MM) ; Free State, W of Bothaville, Vaal river, 24 XII 2008, 1, M. Snižek ( MS) ; Kaffraria , 1 ( NMP) ; Limpopo Prov., Ben Alberts Nat. Res., Thabazimbi , 24°37’S, 27°23’E, 1 ( ARC) ; Limpopo Prov., Thabazimbi , 12 XII 2008, 3, M. Snižek ( MS) ; Limpopo Prov., Wyliespoort, Soutpansberg N of Louis Trichardt, 22°54’S, 29°56’E, 1 ( ARC) ; Mpumalanga Prov., Skukuza, Kruger Nat. Park , 24°59’S, 31°35’E, 1 ( ARC) ; Natal, Durban , 1, P. Reineck ( ZMHU) ; Natal, Malvern , X 1897, 1, Cassida trepidula det. S. Shaw ( DNHM) ; Port Natal , 1 ( ZMHU) ; Natal, Umkomas , 3–12 III 1957, 1, A.L. Capener ( MNHW) ; North West Prov., Bothaville, Vall riv., 16 I 2003, 3, M. Snižek ( MS, MNHW) ; North West Prov., Rustenburg Nat. Res. , 25°40’S, 27°12’E, 1 ( ARC) ; Transvaal, Berlin , 23 X 1986, 11, S. Endrödy – Younga ( TM) ; Transvaal , 15 km E Klaserie ( MZSNV) ; Transval, nr Pretoria , 18 VII 1953, 1, A. v Peez ( MNHW) ; Transvaal, Pretoria, Fountains , 13 XI 1985, 1, S. Endrödy – Younga ( TM) .

TANZANIA: Mbaramu , 1, v. d. Dick ( ZMHU) ; Mt. Meru, W slope, Olkokola , 26 IX 1965, 2, J. Szunyoghy ( HNHM) ; Utete–Rufiji, Kindwitvi , 10–14 XII 1993, 1, M. Snižek ( MS) ; Zanzibar, 1, R.P. Guillemé ( MM) .

UGANDA: Entebbe , 18 IV 1971, 2, H. Gønget ( ZMC, MNHW) .

ZAMBIA: Northern Prov. , 40 km SW of Mpika, 1450 m, 11 XII 2009, 1, F. Kantner ( LS) .

ZIMBABWE: Gweru , Nalatale Ruins, 7 XII 1998, 1, M. Snižek ( MS) ; Mazowe , Dam, 17°31’06’’S / 30°59’13’’E, 11 VI 1998, 1, 19 VI 1998, 4, 17 IX 1998, 1, M. Rice ( MER) ; 40 km N Mhangura, Chipiri lake , 16°37’31”S, 30°06’42”E, 19 IX 1998, 1, M. Rice ( MER) ; Mutirikiwi Recr. Park , 41 km of Great Zimbabwe, 17.39 S 27.29 E, 9 III 2000, 1, U. Heinig ( UH) ; Mvuma , route Gutu–Chatsworth, 24 II 1998, 1, M. Snižek ( MS) .

Figures

FIGURE 25. Distribution of Cassida lacrymosa.

FIGURES 182–187. Cassida lacrymosa. 182–183, 185–186. Dorsal; 184, 187. Lateral.

FIGURES 188–190. Cassida lacrymosa. 191–192. Cassida fuscosignata. 188–191. Dorsal; 192. Lateral.

FIGURES 128–132. Cassida depicta. 128–129, 131–132. Dorsal; 130. Lateral.