Cassida depicta Boheman, 1862

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 : 51-54

Cassida depicta Boheman, 1862

( figs. 14 , 126–132)

Cassida depicta Boheman, 1862: 315 ; Gemminger & Harold, 1876: 3653; Spaeth, 1912 a: 503, 1932: 235; Shaw, 1955: 237, 1961: 29, 1963: 457, 1972: 73; Borowiec, 1999: 247.

Odontionycha depicta: Spaeth, 1903: 178 .

Cassida (Cassida) depicta: Spaeth, 1914 b: 118, 1924: 333 .

Cassida depicta ab. impicta Spaeth, 1932: 235, unavailable name.

Cassida infastidita Boheman, 1862: 313 ; Gemminger & Harold, 1876: 3655; Spaeth, 1939: 19 (as syn. of depicta ).

Cassida (Cassida) infastidita: Spaeth, 1914 b: 118 .

Cassida depicta ab. infastidita: Spaeth, 1924: 333 .

Cassida (Odontionycha) usambarica Weise, 1898: 221 ; Spaeth, 1903: 178 (as syn. of depicta ).

Description. L: 4.05–5.00 mm, W: 3.20–3.95 mm, Lp: 1.35–1.75 mm, Wp: 2.65–3.25 mm, L/W: 1.19–1.30, Wp/ Lp: 1.79–1.97. Body short–oval to almost circular, males ( fig. 132 ) slightly stouter than females ( fig. 131 ).

Very variable species. In typically coloured specimens pronotum mostly black with two yellow spots at base. Scutellum yellow, elytral disc mostly black except yellow marginal interval and yellow elevated spots: at base of folds surrounding postscutellar impression, on lateral branches of postscutellar H–shaped elevation, few small spots in anterolateral parts of disc, few spots behind postscutellar elevation and spots across slope, sometimes coalescent and forming arch–shaped transverse band (figs. 126, 127). In pale specimens pronotal spot forms only V–shaped brown figure, elytral disc with mixed yellow and brown to black pattern, on top of disc predominantly yellow, on sides of disc predominantly dark ( fig. 128 ). In dark specimens pronotal and elytral disc black except yellow marginal interval and extreme apex ( fig. 132 ). Between the palest and the darkest aberrations occur various intermediates ( figs. 129, 131 ). Explanate margins always yellow. Head from completely yellow to black basally and yellow apically, thorax always brown to black, including lateral plates, abdomen from uniformly yellow to black basally only occasionally mostly black broadly surrounded by yellow. Legs yellow. Antennae from uniformly yellow or at most with two last segments more or less infuscate.

Pronotum elliptical, with maximum width in the middle, anterior margin regularly convex, sides narrowly rounded, no basal corners.Area above head only slightly impressed, lateral lobes indistinctly bordered from explanate margin. Surface of disc shiny, with fine and sparse punctation. Distance between punctures mostly wider than puncture diameter. Explanate margin broad, impunctate, shiny, transparent with well visible honeycomb structure.

Base of elytra moderately wider than base of pronotum, humeral angles moderately protruding anterad, angulate. Disc moderately convex (figs. 127, 130), with well marked postscutellar and principal impressions and distinct postscutellar H–shaped elevation. In black form the postscutellar elevation is the only sculpture in pale forms yellow spots usually more or less elevated. Punctation coarse and dense in black form arranged in completely regular rows, in pale forms rows partly interrupted by yellow relief, punctures in rows almost touching each other. Marginal row distinct, its punctures twice coarser than punctures in central rows. Intervals from as wide as rows to almost linear, intervals 2 and 4 in posterior half slightly convex, marginal interval as wide as submarginal row, with well marked humeral and lateral folds. Explanate margin moderately broad, moderately declivous, in the widest part four times narrower than disc, surface shiny with shallow, coarse and dense punctation, appears irregular, transparent with well visible honeycomb structure.

Eyes very large, gena obsolete. Clypeus moderately broad, approximately as wide as long. Clypeal grooves fine but well marked, converging in triangle with angulate top, surface of clypeus flat or with shallowly apical impression, shiny, with several very small, setose punctures. Labrum broadly emarginate to 1/4 length. Antennae stout, segments 9–10 slightly transverse. Length ratio of antennal segments: 100:62:95:77:69:58:54:69:50:54:108. Segment 3 approximately 1.5 times as long as segment 2 and approximately 1.2 times as long as segment 4.

Prosternum moderately broad in the middle, strongly expanded apically, area between coxa on sides with dense punctures and oblique wrinkles, along middle with shiny, slightly convex area with few small punctures, central part of expanded apex convex, punctate with shiny interspaces, sides deeply impressed, rugose punctate.

Claws simple but appearing slightly appendiculate due to distally projecting flanks of last tarsal segment.

Distribution. Forest species known from Central Africa south to Zimbabwe, few localities also in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Togo ( fig. 14 ).

Remarks. A member of the Cassida lacrymosa species–group. The most widely distributed and the most variable species of this group. The typical form with well marked black M–shaped pronotal spot and elytral disc black with yellow relief (figs. 126, 129) is similar to C. bamendana but it differs in slightly more rounded pronotal sides, usually smaller size with length below 4.5 mm (although the smallest specimens of C. depicta have similar size to C. bamendana ) and marginal elytral interval almost completely yellow (in dark forms of C. depicta usually partly black). Cassida natalensis differs in pronotal sides broadly rounded ( figs. 133, 134 ). The darkest form of C. depicta with a completely black elytral disc ( fig. 132 ) is similar to C. schoutedeni but it differs in the surface of disc between punctures distinctly microreticulate, appearing more or less alutaceous (in C. depicta the surface of disc between punctures is less distinctly microreticulate, appearing shiny) and dark elytral disc not as deep black as in C. depicta , at least with reddish diffused borders, often on dorsal surface and elytral relief with small reddish spots of diffused borders ( figs. 80, 81 ).

Type examined. Type of Cassida depicta Boheman, 1862 not examined, according to original description it should be preserved in BMNH but we couldn’t find them in this collection. Lectotype of Cassida infastidita Boheman, 1862 (designated by Borowiec, 1999: 247): [ NIGERIA]: Old Calabar, Murray ( NRS); lectotype and 9 paralectotypes of Odontionycha usambarica Weise, 1898 , present designation: [ TANZANIA]: Kwai, Paul ( ZMHU); two paralectotypes of Odontionycha usambarica Weise, 1898 , present designation: [ TANZANIA]: Usambara, Mombo, ( MM).

Other specimens examined. BURUNDI: Mosso , Makoronkwe, 1450 m, 12 III 1953, 1, P. Basilevsky ( MRAC); NW Urundi, 2400 m, 11 IX 1911, 1, H. Meyer ( ZMHU) .

CAMEROON: Bamenda , 13 XII 1955, 3, Exped. Mus. Frey ( NMB) ; Edea , VIII 1922, 2, J.A. Reis ( MNHW) ; Joko , 1 ( ZMHU) ; Kamerunberg , 5 km s Muëli, 560 m, 30 I 1958, 1, H. Knorr ( ZSM) ; M’Balmayo , 1, Barga ( MNHW) ; Muëli , Mt. Kamerun, 600 m, II 1958, 1, W. Hartwig ( MKB) , 560 m, 1 II 1958, 1, H. Knorr ( SMNS) ; Ndong , 17 VI 1963, 1 ( ZSM) .

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (ZAIRE): Albert Nat. Park , Massif Ruwenzori , Kalonge , riv. Kiondo, aff. Butahu, 2130 m, 31 VII 1952, 1, P. Vanschuytbroeck and J. Kekenbosch ( MRAC) ; Albert Nat. Park , Massif Ruwenzori , Kalonge , riv. Nyamwamba, aff. Butahu, 17 VIII 1952, 1, 1 VIII 1952, 1, 28 VIII 1952, 2, P. Vanschuytbroeck anmd J. Kekenbosch (3 MRAC, 1 MNHW) ; Albert Nat. Park , Massif Ruwenzori , Kalonge, riv. Nyamwamba–Ihingero, 2480 m, 27 VIII–2 IX 1952, 3, P. Vanschuytbroeck and J. Kekenbosch (2 MRAC, 1 MNHW) ; Albert Nat. Park , Secteur Nord , Mutsora , riv. N’Gokoi, affl. Talya, 1100–1150 m, 3–18 II 1953, 1, P. Vanschuytbroeck and J. Kekenbosch ( MRAC) ; Albert Nat. Park , Secteur Nord , village Nzega près Mutwanga, 1200 m, 14 VII 1957, 1, P. Vanschuytbroeck ( MRAC) ; Beni , 1, Lt Borgerhoff, 1, Lt Bonnerie ( MRAC) ; Dima , 26 IX 1908, 1, A. Koller ( MRAC) ; Elisabethville , X 1911, 2, Miss. Agric. ( MRAC) ; Faradje , Maruka, 6 II 1930, 1, A. Collart ( MNHW) ; Foret de Kawa , Lac Albert, 17 IV 1929, 1, A. Collart ( MNHW) ; Garamba Nat. Park , XII 1951 – II 1952, 17, De Saeger ( MRAC) ; Garamba Nat. Park , Aka, 22 V 1952, 1, De Saeger ( MNHW) ; Garamba Nat. Park , Anie, 29 VII 1952, 1, De Saeger ( IRSN) ; Garamba Nat. Park , Dedegwa, 17 V 1952, 1, De Saeger ( IRSN) ; Garamba Nat. Park , Makpe, 5 XI 1952, 2, De Saeger ( IRSN) ; Garamba Nat. Park , Morubia, 14 VI 1951, 1, De Saeger ( IRSN) ; Garamba Nat. Park , Mpaza, 23 I 1952, 1, De Saeger ( IRSN) ; Haut Uele , Moto, 1922, 1, VI–VII 1923, 1, L. Burgeon ( MRAC) ; Ituri , Bunia, 1938, 1, P. Lefčvre ( MRAC) ; Kasai , 2, L. Achten ( MRAC) ; Kasai , Luisa, 1921, 1, L. Achten ( MRAC) ; Lomami , Kambage, IX 1930, 1, P. Guarré ( MRAC) ; Lomami , Kamina, 1930, 1, R. Massart ( MRAC) ; Lomami , Kaniama, 1930, 1, 1931, 4, III–IV 1932, 2, R. Massart ( MRAC) ; Lulua , Sandoa, X 1930, 2, F.G. Overlaet ( MRAC, MNHW) ; Masisi , Kishengo, 1936, 1, H. Herman ( MRAC) ; Mayumbe , Kiniati, 7 VI 1911, 1, R. Mayné ( MRAC) ; Mayumbe , Kondo–Bamba, 8 I 1924, 1, A. Collart ( MNHW) ; Ruwenzori , XII 1990 – I 1991, 1, F. Galizia ( RR) ; Upemba Nat. Park , R. Bowa aff. Kalule près Kiamalwa, 1–3 V 1949, 1, de Witte ( MRAC) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Kabwe , s. Muye, aff. Lufira, 1320 m, 13–14 V 1948, 1, de Witte ( MRAC) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Kaziba aff. Senze, aff. Lufira, 1140 m, 4–12 II 1948, 2, 10–14 II 1948, 1, 18–26 II 1948, 2, de Witte ( MRAC) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Kimakoto–Kiwakishi, 1070 m, 4–6 X 1948, 1, de Witte ( MNHW) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Kimakoto entre Masombwe–Mukana, aff. Kafwe, 1070 m, 20 IX 1948, 1, de Witte ( MRAC) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Kimapengo , af. Lusinga, 18 VII 1945, 1, Miss. de Witte ( MM) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Lubanga af. Senze, 1750 m, 5 IV 1948, 1, de Witte ( MNHW) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Lusinga, Kamalonge, 11 VI 1945, 2, de Witte ( MRAC) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Lusinga, Kamalongiru, 22 VI 1945, 2, de Witte ( MRAC) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Lusinga, Kamitungulu, 13 VI 1945, 1, de Witte ( MRAC) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Lusinga, riv. Lurwa, 1 VI 1945, 2, de Witte ( MRAC) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Lusinga, Mukana, 1 VI 1945, 1, 18 III 1948, 1, de Witte ( MRAC) ; Upemba Nat Park , Mbuye–Bala, 1750 m, 25–31 III 1948, 1, 1–7 IV 1948, 1, de Witte ( MRAC) .

ETHIOPIA: Arsi Reg. , Wondo Genet, 1890 m, VI 1990, 1, Werner ( DS) ; Beda–Kesa , III 1947, 2, G. Bexell ( MNHW) ; 17 km SW of Dolomena , 6°16.128’N, 39°47.991’E, 1080 m, 11 IV 2016, 1, R. Gerstmeier leg. ( ML) ; Jimma , Kaffa, Mizante Feri, 8 V 2002, 1, K. Werner ( MS) ; Kaffa Prov. , Bonga forest, VIII 1971, 1, G. de Rougemont ( MNHW) ; Shashamanni , 6–7 VI 1963, 1, R. Linnavuori ( ZMUH) .

GUINEA: Foufa Djallon , Dalaba, 1200 m, 15.6.51, 1, J. Bechyne ( MNHW) ; Foufa Djallon , Dalaba 1200 m, 16.6.51, 1, J. Bechyne ( NMB) ; Foufa Djallon , Dalaba 1200 m, 19.6.51, 1, J. Bechyne ( NMB) ; Mt. Gandan , 1100 m, 2 VI 1984, 1, S.V. Murzin ( LM) .

KENYA: Kibwezi , 2–4 IV 1911, 1, S.A. Neave ( MM) ; Lembus Forest , nr. Ibobor, 23 VIII 2004, 2, ABD ( TD) ; Lembus Forest , Kapcholoi, 12 VIII 2004, 1, 14 VIII 2004, 1, 18 VIII 2004, 1, ABD ( TD) ; Malindi , Gedi Forest, V 1973, 3, H. Gřnget ( ZMC) ; Mt. Elgon , SE slope, 2150 m, 24 II 1938, 1 ab. impicta, 2600 m, 3 III 1938, 1, A. Holm ( NRS) ; Mt. Elgon Nat. Park , near Chepnyalil Cave, dry evergreen montane forest, 2500 m, 24–28 I 1992, 11, O. Merkl and G. Várkonyi ( HNHM, MNHW) ; Mt. Elgon , Salt Lake Estate, 2100 m, 15 XII 1937, 1, A. Holm ( NRS) ; Mt. Elgon Suam River , 2150 m, 24 XII 1964, 1, A. Holm ( NRS) .

MALAWI: Chinteche , 1–5 IV 2000, 1, F. Pavel ( MS); Nyika N.P., 15 km N of Chelinda, 10°30.1’S, 33°48.8’E, 2368 m, 29 XII 2009, 1, L. Friedman leg. ( ML) .

RUANDA: Kibungo Ranch , Mpanga, 8 XII 1985, 1 ( TW) .

SIERRA LEONE: Kailahun , 2 km W of Potolu, 219 m, 4–5 V 2013, 1, P. &. B. Malec ( LS) .

TANZANIA: Amani , 1 II 1904, 1, Karasek ( ZMHU) ; Kilimandjaro, Litema–Berge , 1, F.A. Böttcher ( MNHW) ; Langenburg , 9 VIII–7 X 1898, 2, Fülleborn ( ZMHU) ; Litema Mt. , 4, V. Böttcher ( ZMHU) ; Mombo , III 1899, Paul ( ZMHU) ; Nyassa See, Langenburg , 9 VIII–7 X 1898, 2, IV 1899, 1, Fülleborn ( ZMHU) ; Tanga, 1 ( IRSN) ; Usambara, Derema , 2, L. Conradt ( ZMHU) ; Usambara, Kwai , 29, P. Weise ( ZMHU) .

TOGO: Missahoué , 650 m, VI 1963, 1, Y. Schach ( MNHW) .

UGANDA: Acholi Ranch , 19 XI 1972, 1, H. Gřnget ( ZMC) ; Budongo Forest , 18 II 1973, 1, H. Gřnget ( ZMC) ; Budongo Forest, Sonso , 6–16 X 2004, 1, T. Wagner ( TW) ; Kampala, 11 V 1939, 1, H. Hargreaves ( MM) ; Kibale Forest, W Pr., 12 V 1985, 1, M. Nummelin ( MNHW) ; Kibale forest, Toro Distr. , 7 III 1973, 1, H. Gønget ( MNHW) ; SW Hoima, Rwera env., 30 XI 2001, 1, M. Snižek ( MS) ; Mabira , 1 ( NMP) , Mabira , 2, R.A. Dummar ( IRSN, MNHW) ; Tororo, 1300 m, 5 VI 1993, 1, Cuccodoro & Erne leg. ( MHNG) .

ZIMBABWE: Selinda Mt. , Gungunyana forest, 25 XII 1998, 1, M. Snižek ( MS) .

Figures

FIGURE 14. Distribution of Cassida depicta.

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

FIGURES 133–135. Cassida natalensis. 136–137. Cassida vespertilio. 133–134, 136. Dorsal; 135, 137. Lateral.

FIGURES 80–82. Cassida schoutedeni. FIGURES 83–85. Cassida tarda. 80–81, 83–84. Dorsal; 82, 85. Lateral.