Ceraeochrysa rochina ( Navás, 1915 ), Navas, 1915

Tauber, Catherine A. & Flint, Oliver S., 2010, Resolution of some taxonomic and nomenclatural issues in a recent revision of Ceraeochrysa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Zootaxa 2565, pp. 55-67 : 65-66

Ceraeochrysa rochina ( Navás, 1915) = Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schnieder, 1851)

Chrysopa rochina Navás 1915: 195 [Lectotype (not holotype), MNHN].

Ceraeochrysa rochina (Navás) . First combination in Ceraeochrysa by Adams (1982: 73). Junior subjective synonym of Cereaochrysa cincta ( Schneider, 1851) by Legrand et al. (2008:165). Recognized as a valid species and combination reinstated by Freitas et al. (2009: 574). Here: Synonymy with Ceraeochrysa cincta reinstated.

Background: Legrand et al. (2008: 165) treated Chrysopa rochina (Navás) as a junior subjective synonym of Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider) with little supporting evidence. Freitas et al. (2009: 574) questioned the synonymy and recognized Ceraeochrysa rochina as a valid species. However, they appear to have done so based on erroneous information. Here, we provide visual evidence that corrects the errors and supports the synonymy.

Type: (i) Navás (1915: 195), in his original description of C. rochina , stated that the antennae are “flavis”, not black, as stated by Freitas et al. (2009: 574); (ii) the figure that accompanies Navás’ original description of C. rochina shows pale (not dark) scapes and pedicel, each with a dorsal stripe ( Navás 1915: 195, his Fig. 6 ); and (iii) the basal flagellomeres on the C. rochina lectotype ( MNHN) and paralectotype ( MZB) are pale (not black) ( Figs. 11, 12 here, CAT notes). In these features, the C. rochina lectotype clearly resembles Cer. cincta .

The head, thorax and one forewing remain on the C. rochina lectotype, and its genitalia (female) are cleared and contained in an attached vial. The head of the pinned specimen has a brown longitudinal stripe on the dorsum of the scape and pedicel, as in Cer. cincta , and the thoracic markings are those of Cer. cincta ( Figs 11, 12 here). Moreover, the female genitalia are similar to those figured for Cer. cincta by Adams & Penny (1985: 440, Figs 110–113) and Freitas et al. (2009: Figs 14D, E, G).

Conclusion: We consider the synonymization of C. rochina with Cer. cincta to be well justified.

Figures

FIGURES 6 – 9. Ceraeochrysa intacta. 6, Labels, neotype (CNC). 7, Left wings, neotype (CNC). 8, Spermatheca, Contra Costa County, California [Essig Museum, University of California, Berkeley (UCB)]. 9, Ceraeochrysa placita, Spermatheca, paratype (MCZ).

FIGURES 11 – 12. Chrysopa rochina, lectotype (MNHN). 11, Head, frontal. 12, Head and part of pronotum, dorsal. Note: The dark mark on the left maxillary palp in Fig. 11 is a bit of debris, not intrinsic coloration.