Pellobaris melancholica (Roelofs)

Prena, Jens, Yang, Jiani, Ren, Li, Wang, Zhiliang, Liu, Ning & Zhang, Runzhi, 2014, Nomenclatural changes, new country records and range extensions of Baridinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) from China, Zootaxa 3841 (3), pp. 339-363 : 349-351

Pellobaris melancholica (Roelofs)

( Figs. 11 , 18 )

Baris melancholica Roelofs 1875: 181 .

Syntypes from Japan without precise locality ( BMNH, NKMB, RBINS); one examined. Transferred to Didothis by Morimoto (1962), to Paracythopeus by Morimoto (1983), to Pellobaris by Morimoto & Yoshihara (1996).

Paracythopeus collaris Voss 1958: 86 .

Holotype Kuatun [Guadun], Fujian, China ( NHRS); not examined, ID based on 2 PT in AKMB and HNHM. New synonymy.

Diagnosis. Species of Pellobaris generally have a distinct premucro, a prosternal depression, subconnate claws and often a sutural locking device that protrudes distally beyond the elytral apex. Male P. melancholica have a wider, laterally somewhat angular pronotum than females. We have seen two other species from China with different body proportions and elytral apices, neither of them having a dimorphic pronotum.

Notes. Voss (1958) apparently was unaware of the sexually dimorphic pronotum of B. melancholica and described the male as P. collaris .

Distribution. The species has been found in China (Anhui, Fujian, Guizhou, probably Heilongjiang, Henan, Hunan, Shaanxi, Sichuan), Japan, Russia and South Korea.

Biology. Available life history data are fragmental and inconsistent. Takahashi (1930) reported P. melancholica as a pest of Vitis vinifera [Common Grape Vine; Vitaceae ]. Weevils appeared in early June and laid eggs in new shoots, which turned black and were aborted. Feeding occurred also on Vitis ficifolia . However, there are no further original reports on economic damage and the weevil may attack cultivated grapes only occasionally. Morimoto (1984) reported feeding on Actinidia arguta [Hardy Kiwi; Actinidiaceae ] and Pyrus [pear; Rosaceae ]; Egorov et al. (1996) observed specimens on Acer barbinerve [Ussuri Maple; Sapindaceae ] and Fallopia sacchalinense [Giant Knotweed; Polygonaceae ].

Material examined. CHINA. Anhui: Taipingshien, X/1932 ( JPPC 2). Fujian: Guatun, 5.iv.1946, 10.ix.1946 ( AKMB 2), 10.ix.1946 ( HNHM 1) ; Shaowu, 6.iv.1938 ( AKMB 1), 7.v.1945 ( BPBM 1) ; Chong'an Xincun, 29.v.1960, 30.iv.1965 ( IZCAS 2). Guizhou: Kuankuoshui Nat. Res., Xiangguang Village, Zunyi Suiyang, 4.vi.2010 ( IZCAS 1). Henan: Huaguoshan, Yiyang, Luoyang, 2.viii.2006 ( IZCAS 1). Hunan: Mang Mountain Forest Park, Zhangyi, 19.vii.2008 ( IZCAS 1). Shaanxi: Miaotaizi, 19.viii.2013 ( IZCAS 1) ; Pingheliang, 13.viii.2013 ( IZCAS 1). Sichuan: Yajiang river, 27.v.2009 ( IZCAS 1). “Northeast China ” without further data ( IZCAS 1). JAPAN. Yamagushi Pref.: Hagi ( NKMB 1) ; without data ( NKMB 1, RBINS 1). RUSSIA. Primorsky Kraj: Vladivostok ( SNSD 1).

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 12. Dorsal and lateral habitus images. 9, Mimophilus tragicus, 7.8 mm, West Garo Hills (India). 10, Moreobaris deplanata, 3.9 mm, Linhai (Zhejiang). 11, Pellobaris melancholica, 3.7 mm, Taipingshien (Anhui). 12, Psilarthroides czerskyi, 2.9 mm, Zhouzhi Houzhenzi (Shanxi).

FIGURES 17 – 18. Map of mainland China and surrounding countries showing distribution of Acythogaster babaulti, Baris artemisiae, Nespilobaris inflatirostris, Athesapeuta albisquama and Pellobaris melancholica.