Chiridopsis aequinoctialis ( Olivier, 1808 )

Świ, Jolanta, 2017, A monograph of the Afrotropical Cassidinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Part 4. Revision of the genus Chiridopsis Spaeth, Zootaxa 4316 (1), pp. 1-85 : 9-12

Chiridopsis aequinoctialis ( Olivier, 1808)

( figs 1 , 19 , 24–26 )

Cassida aequinoctialis Olivier, 1808: 966 .

Coptocycla aequinoctialis: Boheman, 1855: 196, 1857: 169 , 1862: 421; Gemminger and Harold, 1876: 3665.

Chirida aequinoctialis: Weise, 1896 b: 14, 1896 c: 23 ; Spaeth, 1903: 179, 1914: 126, 1916: 41.

Chiridopsis aequinoctialis: Spaeth, 1924: 352 ; Shaw, 1956: 596, 1972: 77; Borowiec, 1985 a: 241, 1985 b: 448, 1999: 296.

Coptocycla grammica Boheman, 1862: 423 ; Gemminger and Harold, 1876: 3670, Spaeth, 1914: 131; Borowiec, 1999: 296 (as syn. of aequinoctialis ).

Chiridopsis grammica: Spaeth, 1924: 351 ; Borowiec, 1986: 807; Borowiec, 1996: 296 (as synonym of C. aequinoctialis ).

Coptocycla Kraatzi Wagener, 1880: 161 , n. syn.

Chirida Kraatzi : Weise, 1896 c: 23; Spaeth, 1914: 126.

Chiridopsis aequinoctialis ab. Kraatzi: Spaeth, 1924: 339.

Description. Le: 5.1–7.6 mm, Wi: 4.5–6.4 mm, Lp: 2.0–2.6 mm, Wp: 3.15–4.3 mm, Le/Wi: 1.13–1.23, Wp/Lp ratio: 1.58–1.73.

Ground colour of dorsum yellow, yellow-orange to rusty-yellow ( figs 24–26 ). Pronotal disc with black base and large, black M-shaped figure sometimes marked in anterior part with small yellowish spot, occasionally also lateral branch of the figure marked with small yellowish spot. Scutellum black, elytral suture and marginal interval, two marginal rows and apex of disc black. Head, legs, ventrites and antennae in western and central populations usually completely yellow, sometimes apex of last segment infuscate, in populations from East African rift, especially from Uganda, head, thorax and humeral partys of underside of elytra often infuscate to mostly black, abdomen in central part brown, broadly surrounded by yellow, femora up to 3/4 length infuscate to black.

Pronotum elliptical, with maximum width in front of the middle, anterior margin softly convex, sides broadly rounded, no basal corners ( figs 24–25 ). Surface of disc impunctate, shiny. Explanate margin broad, impunctate, shiny, transparent with well visible honeycomb structure.

Base of elytra much wider than base of pronotum ( figs 24–25 ), humeral angles distinctly protruding anterad, rounded. Disc regularly convex in profile ( fig. 26 ), without or with shallow postscutellar impressions. Punctation very fine, arranged in regular rows, sparse, distance between punctures from as wide as to four times wider than puncture diameter. Marginal row distinct, its punctures distinctly coarser than punctures in central rows. Intervals flat, three to five times wider than rows, marginal interval 1.3–1.6 times wider than submarginal one, no humeral or lateral folds. Explanate margin moderately broad, moderately declivous, in the widest part five times narrower than disc, surface impunctate, shiny, transparent with well visible honeycomb structure.

Eyes very large, gena obsolete ( fig. 19 ). Clypeus broad, approximately 1.3 times as wide as long. Clypeal grooves fine but well marked, in basal half running close to margin of eyes then converging in regular triangle, surface of clypeus regularly convex, shiny with few very small, setose punctures. Labrum minutely emarginate to 1/5 length. Antennae slim, segments 9–10 approximately 1.6 times as long as wide. Length ratio of antennal segments: 100:45:55:70:65:50:58:58:60:63:112. Segment 3 approximately 1.2 times as long as segment 2 and approximately 0.8 times as long as segment 4.

Prosternum broad in the middle, strongly expanded apically, area between coxa impressed to canaliculate, surface microreticulate and with slightly irregular sculpture, with few hairy punctures, expanded apex flat, with slightly irregular sculpture, and several hairy punctures.

Claws with moderate basal tooth.

Host plant: Convolvulaceae : Ipomoea sp. (new record).

Distribution. West and Central Africa east to W Ethiopia and E Uganda ( fig. 1 ).

Remarks. We examined syntypes of Coptocycla kraatzi and they belong to the same taxon described as Chiridopsis aequinoctialis and fits well within the intraspecific variation of this common species thus we consider C. kraatzi as simple synomym of Ch. aequinoctialis . Coptocycla grammica was described from a poorly preserved specimen and dark colour of the holotype is an artifact.

Chiridopsis aequinoctialis belongs to the vittate species ( figs 24–25 ). Its pattern with black ring around disc, black suture and black M-shaped figure on pronotal disc is constant. This is the largest vittate species with length of the largest specimens over 7.5 mm. It is also well characterized by salmon to reddish ground colour of pronotal and elytral disc. From similar vittate species such as Ch. aubei , Ch. circe , and Ch. quadriguttata ( figs 24–25 , 31–32, 34–35 , 48 ) it distinctly differs in yellow clypeus and black marginal intervals while in other species clypeus is brown to black and marginal interval yellow ( figs 19 , 21 ).

Types examined. Type of Cassida aequinoctialis probably lost. Ch. aequinoctialis is quite consistently identified and the present day concept faily match the original description and drawing (Olivier 1807).

Holotype of Coptocycla grammica : [ GUINEA BISSAU] Bissao, Deyrolle ( BMNH).

4 syntypes of Coptocycla kraatzi : [ GHANA] Ashanti (MM).

Other specimens examined. BENIN: Dahomey, 1, Schulz ( MRAC) ; env. Porto-Novo , 1908, 1, Waterlot ( MNHN) .

CAMEROON: Akokbikoé , 30 VII 1976, 1, B. de Miré (HPA); Amt-Jaunde, 19-23 X 1914, 1, Tessmann ( ZMHU) ; Batanga , III 1914, 6, IV 1914, 6, V 1914, 12, F.H. Hope ( CMNH) ; Batouri , 3.75°N, 13.75°E, 1 V-6 VI 1935, 1, F. G. Merfield ( BMNH) ; Bibundi , 1-15 XI 1905, 1, 16-26 II 1905, 1, G. Tessmann ( ZMHU) ; Bipindi, 1, Zenker (ZMHU); Djoungolo, Mkongzoki, 11 II 1963, 1 (ZSM); Djoungolo, Villa Carde n. Nyong , 28 VIII 1963, 1 ( ZSM) ; Duala, 1 (IRSN); Edea , 26 VIII 1922, 1, J. A. Reis ( CMNH) ; Efulen , III 1910, 2, H.L. Weber ( CMNH) ; Jaunde , 1 V 1923, 1 ( CMNH) ; Joh.-Albrechtshöhe , 1 IX-31 X 1897, 1, 14 IX-6 X 1898, 2, L. Conradt ( ZMHU) ; Joko, 5 (ZMHU), 3, Moser (MRAC); Kamerunberg , 5 km S Muëli, 580 m, 21 II 1958, 1, H. Knorr ( ZSM) ; Lolodorf, 1, Heyne (ZMHU); Mt. Balmayo , 3, Barga (2 MRAC, 1 DBET) ; Muëli , 1 II 1958, 4, H. Knorr ( SMNS) ; Metet , XI 1918, 3, A.I. Good ( CMNH) ; Mueli, Mt. Kamerun, 600 m, II 1958, 7, W. Hartwig ( MKB, DBET) ; 5 km S Muëli , 800 m, 6 II 1958, 1, H. Knorr ( SMNS) ; Nkolbisson, Dept. Nyong-Nkolbison, Yaounde-Bi, 20 V 1963, 2, L. Segers (ZSM); Nyang , V 1912, 24, L. Kolin ( ZMHU) ; Sanaga , X 1963, 3, L.G. Segers ( MRAC) ; Tibati, 1 (ZMHU); Tome n. Victoria , 22-31 I 1980, 1, Polish Students Exp. ( DBET) ; Uamgebiet, Bosum, 1-10 VI 1914, 1, Tessmann (ZMHU); Yaunde , 4 IV 1923, 1, V 1923, 1 ( CMNH) .

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO ( ZAIRE): Albert Nat. Park, May ya Moto, Piste Mutsora, 1100 m, 19 V 1948, 1, J. de Wilde ( MRAC) ; Albert Nat. Park, Mutsora, 1939, 25, Hackars (17 MRAC, 8 DBET) ; Albert Nat. Park, Ruwenzori, Mutawanga, 1000-1300 m, XI 1936 - II 1937, 11, II-III 1 937, 5, IV-X 1937, 1, Hackars (12 MRAC, 6 DBET) ; Albert Nat. Park, W Ruwenzori, 1200-1500 m, IV 1937, 1, Hackars ( MRAC) ; Albert Nat. Park, Secteur Nord, Bumali, village près Mutawanga , 1300 m, 7 IX 1951, 5, R. Christiaens (4 MRAC, 1 DBET) ; Albert Nat. Park, Secteur Nord, Butahu, affl. Semliki , 1360 m, 20 III 1957, 1, P. Vanschuytbroeck ( MRAC) ; Albert Nat. Park, Secteur Nord, riv. Byangolo, affl. g. Djilube , 1025 m, 17 IV 1958, 5, P. Vanschuytbroeck (4 MRAC, 1 DBET) ; Albert Nat. Park, Secteur Nord, Gundu, affl. rive dr. Semliki , rég. Kylia , 840 m, 11 I 1957, 1, P. Vanschuytbroeck ( MRAC) ; Albert Nat. Park, Secteur Nord, riv. Lume (moyenne), 1420 m, 10 IX 1956, 1, P. Vanschuytbroeck ( MRAC) ; Albert Nat. Park, Secteur Nord, riv. Mangbwelu, af. dr. Butahu , 1300 m, 29 III 1951, 1, R. Christiaens ( MRAC) ; Albert Nat. Park, Secteur Nord, Molidi, affl. dr. Byangolo , 1140 m, 29 I 1957, 3, P. Vanschuytbroeck ( MRAC) ; Albert Nat. Park, Secteur Nord, riv. Molidi, piste Watalinga , 1210 m, 18 IX 1956, 4, P. Vanschuytbroeck; Albert Nat. Park , Secteur Nord, riv. Musinini , affl. Byangolo , 1225 m, 1 II 1957, 1, 14 IV 1958, 12, P. Vanschuytbroeck (9 MRAC, 3 DBET) ; Albert Nat. Park, Secteur Nord, Ngokoi, affl. g. Talya , 1200 m, 12 II 1958, 1, P. Vanschuytbroeck ( MRAC) ; Albertville, XII 1918, 6, R. Mayné ( MRAC) ; Amadi, IV 1913, 1, Van den Plas ( MRAC) ; Bambesa, 10 IX 1933, 14, 20 IX 1933, 4, J. Leroy ( MRAC), I 1934, 1, H.J. Bredo ( MRAC), 26 VII 1935, 1, III 1 937, 2, 10 IV 1937, 1, 23 IX 1937, X 1937, 1, 1, X 1938, 1, IV 1939, 1, XII 1939, 1, 28 XII 1939, 2, 3 I 1940, 1, J.M. Vrijdagh ( IRSN, MRAC), 15 X 1933, V. Leroy ( MRAC), I 1934, 1, H.J. Bredo ( MRAC) ; Banzyville, 3, Hermans ( MRAC) ; Bas Uele, Beo , IV 1958, 1 ( FMNH) ; Bas Uele, Buta, 1925, 1, 1926, 1, Fr. Joseph ( MRAC) ; Beni à Lesse, VII 1911, 1, Murtula ( MRAC) ; Bongide , 20 VIII 1957, 2 ( FMNH) ; Garamba Nat. Park, 26 VIII 1952, 1, H. De Saeger ( MRAC) ; Garamba Nat. Park, Aka, 19 V 1952, 1, De Saeger ( MRAC) ; Garamba Nat. Park, Morubia, 14 VI 1951, 1, J. Verschuren ( MRAC) ; Garamba Nat. Park, Mt. Embe, 20 IV 1952, 1, De Saeger ( IRSN) ; Garamba Nat. Park, Ridigala, 23 IV 1952, 1, De Saeger ( IRSN) ; Haut Uele, Moto, 1920, 1, X-XI 1923, 2, L. Burgeon ( MRAC) ; Haut Uele, Tuku, IV 1915, 1, P. Van den Plas ( MRAC) ; Haut Uele, Watsa, 1922, 3, L. Burgeon ( MRAC) ; Haut Uele, Yebo, XI 1925, 1, I 1926, 1, II 1926, 1, L. Burgeon ( MRAC) ; Ituri, La Moto, Madyn , 1, Burgeon ( MRAC) ; Ituri, Medje, 1 IV 1914, 1, Christy ( MRAC) ; Ituri, Mt Hoyo, 1200-1500 m, 20 VIII 1978, 1, M. D'Adamo (DS); Kasai, Luisa, 1921, 3, L. Achten ( MRAC) ; Katanga, Kafakumba, 6, F.G. Overlaet ( IRSN), IV 1933, 2, XI 1933, 2, G.F. Overlaet ( MRAC) ; Kibali-Ituri, Niarembe, XI 1935, 1, Ch. Scops ( MRAC) ; Kiniati-Zobe, XII 1915, 1, R. Mayné ( MRAC) ; Kisantu , 1, P. Goossens ( MRAC) ; Kivu, Kavumu à. Kabunga, km 82 Mingazi , IV-VII 1951, 11, H. Bomans ( MRAC, MM); Kivu, vall. de la Ruzizi, Kanambo , III 1959, 1, P.L.G. Benoit ( MRAC) ; Libenge , 28 VIII 1947, 4, 16-23 X 1947, 3, 28 XI 1947, 2, Cremer & Neuman ( IRSN) ; Libenge, Mawuya, 14-23 X 1947, 8, 28 XI 1947, 8, R. Cremer & H. Neuman ( IRSN) ; Lomami, Kaniama, 1931, 1, 1932, 1, R. Massart ( MRAC) ; Mayumbe, Gende, 20 VIII 1924, 1, A. Collart ( MRAC) ; Mt. Hoyo, 21 VIII 1 987, 2, Paysan ( SMNS) ; Mayidi, 1942, 1, P. Van Eyen ( MRAC) ; Mboga , III 1908, 3 ( ZMHU) ; Mongende, 12 IV 1921, 1, 14 IV 1921, 1, Schouteden ( MRAC) ; Motenge Boma , 2 XII 1947, 1, Cremer & Neuman ( IRSN) ; Ngowa, 7 IV 1939, J. Mertens ( IRSN) ; Région du Lacs, 10, Sagona ( MRAC) ; Ruwenzori Fuss, Nördl. Alb.-Edw. See, II 1908, 1 (ZMHU); Tshela, Mayumbe, XI 1924, 1, A. Collart ( MRAC) ; Sassa Region, 1895-1896, 1, Colmant ( MRAC) ; Uele, Dakwa, 9 VII 1933, 1, J. Leroy ( MRAC) ; Uele, Dungu, 1, De Greff ( MRAC) ; Uele-Itimbiri, Dingila, 26 IX 1932, 2 (MRAC); Uele, Tukpwo, IX 1937, 1, L. Leconte ( MRAC) ; Watsa à Niangara, VII 1920, 1, L. Burgeon ( MRAC) .

EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Benito Reg., Alén , 1-15 VIII 1906, 1, G. Tessmann ( ZMHU) ; Fernando Poo, St. Isabel , 22 V 1900, 3, 11 VIII 1900, 1, Conradt ( ZMHU) ; Nkolentangan , XI 1907 - V 1908, 5, G. Tessmann ( ZMHU) .

ETHIOPIA: Illubabor , Bedele-Metu, 4 V 2002, 1, K. Werner (MS); Ilubabor Prov., 15 km NW Ihoro, 1600 m, VI 1973, 1, G. de Rougemont ( MRAC); Ilubabor Pr., Tépi, Masha, 8–9 V 2003, 1, B. Malec (FK); Wellega, Nekemte-Bedele, 28 VII 2002, 1, K. Werner (MS).

GABON: Lambarene, 1, A.C. Good ( CMNH) ; Ogove R., 1, Good (CMNH); Ogove R., Kangve, 11, A.C. Good ( CMNH) .

GAMBIA: Abuko Nature Reserve , 25–26 II 1977, 1, 18 XI 1977, 1, Lund University Exp. (LU); Houko Res., 25 II 1977, 1 ( DBET).

GHANA: Asente Akem (Ashantis), 3, Junod ( MRAC) ; Ashante, 2, Simon ( ZMHU) ; Ashanti, 1 ( NMP) ; Gold Küste, 1, Staudinger ( ZMHU) .

GUINEA BISSAU: Suzana , X 1952, 1, VI 1958, 5, Andreoletti ( MCSNM).

IVORY COAST: Comoé Nat. Park, VI 1994, 4, on Ipomoea sp., E. Obermaier (EO); Haut Sassandra, Sauron-Kouale, 1910, 4, A. Chevalier ( MNHN).

NIGERIA: Old Calabar , 2 ( ZMHU).

REPUBLIC OF CENTRAL AFRICA: Dar-Banda Mérid., Fort Sibut , 1904, 1, J. Decorse ( MNHN) ; Fort Crampel , 2 ( IRSN) ; Fort Sibut , Oubanghi-Chari, 34 (2 IRSN, 32 NMP) ; Ht. Chari-Tchad, Fort-Sibut, 4, Le Moult (LS, NMP); Haut Oubangui, Fort de Possel , 1904, 4, J. Decorse ( MNHN) ; Nola, 1 ( IRSN) ; Oubanghi-Chari, Fort Sibut , 1968, 1 ( MRAC) .

REPUBLIC OF CONGO: chutes de Samlla, 1, Mocquerys ( MRAC).

SENEGAL: Senegal , 1, Buquet ( ZMHU).

SIERRA LEONE: Bendu , 14 VIII 1912, 1, J. J. Simpson ( BMNH).

SUDAN: Equatoria , Lotti forest, 14–17 III 1963, 16, R. Linnavuori ( ZMUH, DBET) ; Yambio , 1 8–25 IV 1963, 1, R. Linnavuori ( ZMUH) .

TOGO: Amedzowe, 1 ( ZMHU) ; Bismarckburg , 25 IX-12 XI 1892, 1, 11–17 I 1893, 2, L. Conradt ( ZMHU) ; Misahöhe , 5 VII 1893, 1, 30 IV 1994, 1, Baumann ( ZMHU) .

UGANDA: Buamba Forest, Semliki Valley , 2.300–2.800 ft., 3–7 XI 1911, 1, S. A. Neave ( BMNH) ; Buamba Vall. , VII 1921, 2, G.D. Carpenter ( BMNH) ; Buddu , 3.800–3.900 ft., 12–15 IX 1911, 1, S. A. Neave ( BMNH) ; uoma Valley , VII 1921, 1, D. H. Carpenter ( BMNH) ; Entebbe , 26 VIII 1911, 1, 13 II 1913, 1, C.C. Gowdey ( BMNH) ; 3 mls NNE of Entebbe, Kitabi Hill, 3800 ft., 13 VI 1912, 1, C. A. Wiggines (HOC); Fort Portal , 15 km E Sebitoli, 1400 m, 23 XI–5 XII 1994, 3, M. Snižek (MS, DBET) ; George Lake, 3200–3400 Ft. , 17–19 X 1911, 1, S. A. Neave ( BMNH) ; Masindi Distr., Budongo Forest n. Sonso , 5–25 I 1997, 2, T. Wagner (TW); between Jinja & Busia or Mbwango's, E Busoga, 3.800–4.000 ft., 28 VII–1 VIII 1911, 1, S. A. Neave ( BMNH) ; Mbua , 9 VIII 1989, 1 (LM); Ruwenzori, Kilembe, 4500 ft., XII 1934 – I 1935, 1, F.W. Edwards ( BMNH) ; Semliki Forest , 0.48 N / 30.8 E, 5–12 II 1997, 1, T. Wagner ( SMNS) ; Siroko R. n. W of Mt Elgon , 12–14 VIII 1911, 3, S. A. Neave ( BMNH, DBET) ; Toro Distr., Ft. Portal , Kibale Forest, V–IX 1992, 1 (JM).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Distribution of Chiridopsis aequinoctialis.

FIGURES 17 – 19. Head. 17. Chiridopsis nigrostillata — species with broad clypeus; 18. Chiridopsis picturata — species with narrow clypeus; 19. Chiridopsis aequinoctialis — species with yellow clypeus.

FIGURES 24 – 30. Chiridopsis aequinoctialis. 24. Male dorsal, 25. Female dorsal, 26. Female lateral; 27 – 28. Chiridopsis convexula. 27. Dorsal, 28. Lateral, 29 – 30. Chiridopsis ruandana. 29. Dorsal, 30. Lateral.

FIGURES 31 – 36. Chiridopsis aubei. 31 – 33. Nominotypical form, 31. Male dorsal, 32. Female dorsal, 33. Female lateral; 34 – 36. Variation of dorsal pattern.

FIGURES 43 – 49. Chiridopsis boutareli. 43. Male dorsal, 44. Female dorsal, 45. Female lateral; 46 – 47. Chiridopsis castaneoplagiata. 46. Dorsal, 47. Lateral, 48 – 49. Chiridopsis circe. 48. Dorsal, 49. Lateral.

FIGURES 20 – 23. Head. 20. Chiridopsis observabilis — species with flat clypeus; 21. Chiridopsis aubei — species with convex clypeus; 22. Chiridopsis tanganikana — species with long and angulate prosternal collar; 23. Chiridopsis tessellata – species with short and not angulate prosternal collar.