Otiorhynchus azaleae, PENECKE, 1894

Germann, Christoph, 2014, On the identity of Otiorhynchus (Nihus) subcostatus STIERLIN, 1866, description of Otiorhynchus muffi sp. nov., and an illustrated key to the species of Nihus REITTER, 1912 with taxonomic comments on both the subgenera Nihus and Eunihus REITTER, 1912 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), Contributions to Natural History 25, pp. 45-69 : 66

Remarks on Otiorhynchus azaleae sensu auctorum

Based on the key by Reitter (1913) and subsequently the one by Frieser (1981) to the taxa of Nihus , both O. azaleae and O. gredleri were mostly misinterpreted. One important detail, the shape of the eyes which is initially characterized by Daniel & Daniel (1898) in their description as "…stark gewÖlbte Augen", followed by Reitter (1913) as "…selten sehr schwach vortretend v. Gredleri Dan." and finally termed by Frieser (1981) as "… Augen wie bei azaleae …" (Whereas nothing is stated concerning the eyes in the case of azaleae …). This may have led to the repeated quotation of O. azaleae for Switzerland, initiated by the first record by Linder (1968) and followed by all subsequent authors ( Germann & Lüscher 2007, Germann 2010a, 2012, 2014b, Magnano & Alonso-Zarazaga 2013). The present investigations, with a new key to this subgenus replacing those proposed by Reitter (1913) and Frieser (1981), showed that all Swiss specimens belong to O. gredleri , presently known from Italy (Trentino-Alto Adige) and Austria (Nordtirol). Contrary to Magnano & Alonso-Zarazaga (2013) no reliable records from Germany are presently known (P. Sprick, pers. comm.), although records from Austria (Ausserfern) are very close to Bavaria.