Saprinus (Saprinus) laetus Erichson, 1834

Lackner, Tomas & Leschen, Richard A. B., 2017, A monograph of the Australopacific Saprininae (Coleoptera, Histeridae), ZooKeys 689, pp. 1-263 : 125-134

Saprinus (Saprinus) laetus Erichson, 1834 Figs 458, 459-467, 468-476, 763

Saprinus laetus Erichson, 1834: 179.

Saprinus cyanellus Marseul, 1855: 387 - Synonymized with S. pseudocyaneus by Dahlgren (1968): 264.

Saprinus westraliensis Blackburn, 1903: 106 - Synonymized with S. pseudocyaneus by Dahlgren (1971): 49.

Saprinus (Saprinus) pseudocyaneus White, 1846 - syn. n.

Saprinus mastersii MacLeay, 1871: 158 - syn. n.

Saprinus gayndahensis MacLeay, 1871: 158 - syn. n.

Type locality.

Australia.

Type material examined.

Saprinus laetus Erichson, 1834: Lectotype, present designation: most likely a ♀, pinned, with the following labels: “49088” (printed); followed by: "Hist. Coll. Coleoptera / Nr. 49088 / Saprinus laetus Er. x / Nova Holland., Hope / Zool. Mus. Berlin" (white, black margined label, printed); followed by: " laetus / Er. / Hist. cyaneus Pk. / N. Holl. Hope" (grey, black-margined label); followed by: " Saprinus laetus / Erichson, 1834 / LECTOTYPE 2014 / des. Lackner & Leschen" (red label, written) (ZMHUB). Paralectotype, designated herein, most likely a ♀, pinned, all tarsi (except right mesotarsus) broken off, with the printed label from Berlin Museum, identical to that of the lectotype, followed by the red paralectotype label. Three more paralectotypes, designated herein, most likely ♂♂, with labels identical to those of the female paralectotype (ZMHUB). This species has been described from unknown number of specimens and its taxonomic identity is hereby fixed by the lectotype designation.

Saprinus pseudocyaneus White, 1846: Lectotype, present designation: 1 ♂, with genitalia extracted and glued to the same mounting card as the specimen, left metatarsus missing, with following labels: "New Zealand" (round label, written); followed by: “Type” (round, red-margined printed label); followed by: " Saprinus pseudocyaneus / White Zool. Erebus & Terror" (written); followed by: "Sapr. cyaneus / G Dahlgren det." (printed-written); followed by: " Saprinus pseudocyaneus / White, 1846 / LECTOTYPE / Des. T. Lackner & R. Leschen 2014" (red label, written) (BMNH). This specimen is clearly the type of S. pseudocyaneus , and may be errorneously described from New Zealand, where it normally does not occur; though there are four specimens among S. pseudocyaneus material collected from New Zealand in 1930 (see below). For the taxonomic history of this species see Kuschel (1987). This species was described from unknown number of specimens and the lectotype designation fixes the identity of the species.

Saprinus gayndahensis MacLeay, 1871: Lectotype, sex unidentified, present designation, with the following labels: "Gayndah, / Queensland / Masters" (printed); followed by: “Co-type” (printed); followed by: "13739 / Saprinus / gayndahensis / Mast. / Queensland / Cotype" (written); followed by: " SAMA Database / No. 25-029675" (printed); followed by: " Saprinus / gayndahensis / W.S. Macleay, 1871 / LECTOTYPE des. T. / Lackner 2016" (red label, written) (SAMA). This species was described from an unknown number of specimens and the lectotype designation fixes the identity of this species.

Saprinus mastersii MacLeay, 1871: Lectotype, present designation: ♂, with genitalia dissected, dismembered and glued together with the right elytron to the same mounting card as the specimen, right antennal club and both metatarsi broken off, with the following labels: “Gayndah” (printed); followed by: "On permanent loan from / MACLEAY MUSEUM / University of Sydney" (printed); followed by: “SYNTYPE” (red label, printed); followed by: " ANIC Database No. / 25 053122" (printed); followed by: "SAPRINUS (s.str.) / pseudocyaneus / White, 1846 / Det. T. Lackner 2010 " (printed-written) (ANIC); followed by: " ANIC / image" (yellow label, printed); followed by: "LECTOTYPE / Saprinus mastersii / MacLeay, 1871 / Des. T. Lackner & / R. Leschen 2015" (red label, printed). In the collection of ANIC there are two specimens labeled syntypes of S. mastersii . One of them (male) is designated as the lectotype and the second one (unsexed) is a misidentified specimen of S. cyaneus cyaneus (Fabricius, 1775). There is a large " Saprinus mastersi " label, which isn’t actually attached to either specimen but is placed beside them in the unit tray. The syntype material of S. mastersii came that way from Macleay Museum (C. Lemann, CSIRO, pers. comm. 2014). This species was described from an unknown number of specimens and the lectotype designation fixes the species identity.

Saprinus westraliensis Blackburn, 1903: Lectotype, present designation: ♀, mounting label bears: “T”, “7250” and “W.A.”; followed by: "Type / H.T." (round, red-margined printed label); followed by: “♀” (written); followed by: "Australia. / Blackburn Coll. / B.M. 1910-236" (printed); followed by: " Saprinus / westraliensis , Blackb." (written); followed by: "Sapr. cyaneus / G. Dahgren det." (printed-written); followed by: " Saprinus westraliensis / Blackburn, 1903 / LECTOTYPE / Des. T. Lackner & R. Leschen 2014" (red label, written) (BMNH). This species has been described from an unknown number of specimens and the lectotype designation fixes the identity of the species.

Saprinus cyanellus Marseul, 1855: 387: Lectotype, present designation: ♀, pinned, right protibia missing, right mesotibia missing, both metatarsi missing, with the following labels: tiny, rectangular pink label, followed by: "28 / Saprinus / cyanellus m. / ♀ N. Holland / illegible" (pink label, written); followed by: "MUSEUM PARIS / cyanellus / COLL. / DE MARSEUL 1890" (pink label, printed-written); followed by: “TYPE” (red-printed label); followed by: " Saprinus cyanellus / Marseul, 1855 / LECTOTYPE 2014 / des. T. Lackner" (red label, written) (MNHN). This species has been described based on unknown number of specimens and the lectotype designation fixes its taxonomic identity.

Additional material examined.

NEW GUINEA. "New Guinea" Schmidt’s collection, locality doubtuful (ZMHUB).

AUSTRALIA. Tasmania: 3 ♂♂ & 1 ♀, Queenstown, 19.i.1982, Bornemissza leg. (HMNH); 3 ♂♂ & 42 specs., Bothwell, 19.iii.1982, Bornemiszza leg. (HMNH); 7 ♂♂ & 28 specs., St. Helens, 10 km NW, 12.xii.1981, Bornemiszza leg. (HNMH); 3 ♂♂ & 4 specs., Borell, 9.iv.1982, Bornemissza leg. (HMNH); 1 ♂ & 1 ♀, Launceston, Littler Collection (NZAC); 4 specs., Flinders Island, Bass Strait, 1.-6.v.1989, B.M. Doube & K.G. Wardaugh (dung baited pitfall traps) (ANIC); 11 specs., Newstead, Launceston, 20.xi.1981, S. Fearn (on Stink Lily flower) (ANIC); 10 specs., Hollow Tree, 9 km S of, 42°37'S, 146°56'E, 12.ii.1992, Tom Gush (from dead Tasmanian devil) (ANIC); 1 spec., Beechford, 1.i.1985, S. Fearn (ANIC); 1 spec., Ocean Beach, Coastal Reserve, 42°09'S, 145°16 'E, 6.ii.1992, Tom Gush (in debris on beach) (ANIC); 1 spec., Mole Creek, 21.ii.2000, E. van der Duys (QM); 1 spec., Paratoh (?), no more details (MAMU); 1 spec., King’s Creek, Lea; 2 specs., West Tamar (SAMA); 1 spec., Launceston (SAMA). Victoria: 2 ♀♀, Wartook Reservoir, 10.x.1930, Grampians (NZAC); 2 ♂♂, Wartook Reservoir, Grampians, 10.x.[19]30, C.E. Clarke Collection (BMNH); 2 ♂♂ & 2 ♀♀, Victoria, without further details (ZMHUB); 1 ♂, Langwarrin, 30.x.1930 (AMNZ); 7 specs., Murray Valley Highway, 19 km E by S of Hattah, 34.47S 142.29E, 2.xi.1988, T. Weir, J. Lawrence & M. Hansen (from dead kangaroo) (ANIC); 13 specs., Whitfield, 3 km W, 36°47'S, 146°23'E, 14.x.1990, Tom Gush (on dead kangaroo) (ANIC); 2 specs., Tawonga, 2 km W, 36°40'S, 147°08'E, 13.x.1990, Tom Gush (on dead sheep) (ANIC); 1 spec., Cranbourne, 2.x.1960, B.P. Moore; 2 specs., Yanakie, 9 miles S, 13.v.1963, Bornemisza (ANIC); 1 spec., Kulkyne State Forest, 8.vi.1968, G.W. Anderson (ANIC); 1 spec., upper Jardine River, Cape York peninsula, 11°17'S, 142°35'E, 20.x.1979, M.S. & B.J. Moulda (MAMU). New South Wales: 1 ♂, Blue Mts., i.1909, G.E. Bryant (BMNH); 4 specs., Coricudgy, 20.ix.2006, G. Hangay leg. (HMNH); 1 spec., ditto, but 27.ii.2000, pitfall traps, G. Hangay (HMNH); 1 ♂, ditto, but 5.i.1998, pit trap, G. Hangay leg. (HMNH); 1 ♀, ditto, but 5.-26.ii.2002, pitfall traps, G. Hangay (HMNH); 1 ♀ & 4 specs., Great Dividing Range, Mt. Coricudgy, 941 m, 32°50.8'S, 150°17.8'E, 24.x.2000, Hungarian Entomological Expedition, A. Podlussány, G. Hangay & I. Rozner leg. (HMNH); 20 specs., Congo, 8 km SE by E of Moruya, 22.-26.iii.1982, M.S. Upton (ANIC); 1 spec., ditto, but 6.xi.1983 (ANIC); 6 ♀♀ & 4 ♂♂, 12 km E Walcha, 22.xi.1992, S. Watkins (carrion) (ANIC); 2 specs., Tomakin, 35.49S 150.11E, 25.xii.1988, W. Dressler (dead shark head) (ANIC); 1 spec., 8.5 km NE Gubbata, 33.35S 146.37W, 4.-12.ii.1999, D. Driscoli (pitfalls, ungrazed roadside, no spinifex) (ANIC); 42 specs., Morisset, 3 km SW, 33°08'S, 151°27'E, 19.viii.1990, Tom Gush (on dead cow) (ANIC); 9 specs., Sandy Hollow, 5 km NW, 32°18'S, 150°31'E, 7.vi.1992, Tom Gush (from dead fox) (ANIC); 8 specs., Mullengandra, 2 km N, 35°53'S, 147°11'E, 13.x.1990, Tom Gush (on dead kangaroo) (ANIC); 7 specs., Lightgow, 8 km SW, 33°31'S, 150°05'E, 17.xi.1991, Tom Gush (on dead kangaroo) (ANIC); 5 specs., Peats Ridge, 20.x.1990, Vince Lorimer (on dead dog) (ANIC); 3 specs., Mangrove Mountain, 27.x.1990, Vince Lorimer (on 10-day dead dog) (ANIC); 2 specs., Cox’s River, 4.ix.1932, Chadwick (under dead rabbit) (ANIC); 1 spec., Federal Highway, 19.x.1963, B.P. Moore (ANIC); 1 spec., Gundaroo Road, 18.xi.1971, B.P. Moore (ANIC); 9 specs., Calindary Station, 10.ix.1970, W.J.M. Vestjens (ANIC); 2 specs., Flat Rock State Forest, 35°23'S, 150°16'E, 26.viii.1990, Tom Gush (under dead pig) (ANIC); 1 spec., Mount White, 33°27'S, 151°10'E, 2.ix.1990, Tom Gush (in excrement on rock) (ANIC); 1 ♀, Matakana NE Hillston, 19.ix.1993, S.G. Watkins (carrion) (ANIC); 1 spec., Bombala, xi.1948, A. Dyce (ANIC); 1 ♀, Winghan, 4.xii.1994, J. Stockard (chicken manure) (ANIC); 2 ♀♀, Tallowwood Flat Road, Dingo State Forest, 26.xi.1994, S. Watkins (carrion) (ANIC); 1 ♂, Wherrol Flat, 24.xi.1992, S. Watkins (dead fox) (ANIC); 2 specs., Marulan, 22.x.1964, 13 m, Bornemissza; 2 specs., Durras Lake, 24.xii.1964, Bornemissza (ANIC); 1 ♂, Mt. Coricudgy, nr. Olinda Station, 1.-7.iii.2002, G. & K. Hangay coll. (ANIC); 1 spec., Katarapko Island, 27.vi.1998, ex Black Box Intercept (ANIC); 1 spec., Thalgarrah, 18.viii.1985, M. Coombs (QM); 2 specs., ditto, but 15.viii.1985 (QM); 1 spec., ditto, but 19.viii.1985 (QM); 14 specs., Lilyvale, 9.ix.1972, D.A. Doolan (MAMU); 1 spec., Brooklana Plantation, 23.ix.1979, D.A. Doolan (MAMU); 1 spec., Ashville, 12.ix.1980, D.A. Doolan (MAMU); 2 specs., North Ryde P.C., 17.iii.1967, D.A. Doolan (MAMU); 1 spec., Goonoo S.F. 6 km SW, Mendooran, 6.iv.1979, D.K. McAlpine & B.J. Day (MAMU); 2 specs., 40 km S of Mudgee, on Ilford Road, 13.v.1981, B.J. Day (on dead fox) (MAMU); 1 spec., Warrumbungle National Park, 25.iii.1973, collector unknown (MAMU); 1 spec., Cooma, 800 m, no date, J. Sedláček (BPBM); 1 spec., Lake Callabona, A. Zietz (SAMA). South Australia: 1 ♂, Adelaide, Hait, 1886 (BMNH); 4 specs., Althorpe Island, 17.xi.1979, Mrs. E.F. Lawley (HMNH); 3 ♂♂, 56 km SW Roxby D., 27.viii.2000, dead sheep, M.A. Hielkema leg. (HMNH); 1 ♂ & 1 ♀, nr. Tarlee, 20.x.1988, under carrion, Mrs. Lawley leg (HMNH); 1 ♂, 52 km NW Port Augusta, 25.viii.2000, in/under dead sheep, M.A. Hielkema leg. (HMNH); 4 specs., Flinders Island, 33.43S 134.31E, 27.vii.-2.viii.1987, J.E. Feehan (under dead sheep) (ANIC); 1 spec., Wai Kerie, 24.viii.1958, B.P. Moore (ANIC); 2 specs., 1 mile SW of Carierwerloo HS., 29.ix.1968, Key, Upton & Balderson (ANIC); 2 specs., William Creek, 28.54S 136.21E, 16.vi.1991, I. Gee (ANIC); 1 spec., Wirringina Well, 28.56S 135.45E, 10.viii.1991, I. Gee (ANIC); 1 spec., Old Anderson’s Well, 28.44S 135.55E, 24.viii.1991, I. Gee (ANIC); 1 spec., Murray Bridge, 31.x.1978, R. Laughlin (yellow trap) (ANIC); 3 ♀♀, 33°59'S, 140°30'E, 31 km NW Renmark, Dry Frogamerry paddock, Calperum Station, 8.-21.viii.1995, K. Pullen, FIT (ANIC); 5 ♀♀ & 1 ♂, 34°00'S, 140°47'E, 19 km N of Renmark, Clover Lake paddock, Calperum Station, 10.viii.-7.ix.1995, K. Pullen, F.I.T. (ANIC); 3 ♀♀, 33°53'S, 140°44'E, 32 km N Renmark, Amalia paddock, Calperum Station, 6.ix.-11.x.1995, K. Pullen, F.I.T. (ANIC); 1 spec., Nullabor, 27.x.1963, J. Sedláček; 1 ♀, 16 km S of Port Augusta, 10 m, 26.x.1963, J. Sedláček (BPBM); 1 spec., Penong, ii.1957, C. Warner (SAMA); 1 spec., Ardrossan, J.G.O. Tepper (SAMA); 1 spec., Yerilka Creek, 24.viii.1953, G.F. Gross (SAMA); 1 spec., Kangaroo Island, Vivonne Bay, 1926, Museum Expedition (SAMA); 2 spec., Kangaroo Island, J.G.O. Tepper (SAMA); 1 spec., Purple Downs, without further data (SAMA); 6 specs., Kangaroo Island, Ravine de Casoara, 25.x.1951, G.F. Gross (under wallaby carcass) (SAMA); 12 specs., Hindmarsh Park Station, 19.x.1967, P.E. Gniel (in dustbin) (SAMA); 3 specs., Mt. Lofty, J.G.O. Tepper (SAMA); 1 spec., Kelso (SAMA); 4 specs., Mt. Serle, N Flinders Ra., Hale & Tindale (SAMA); 1 spec., Port Lincoln; 6 specs., Blanchetown, Mrs. Kreusler (SAMA); 1 spec., Halletts Cove, 26.i.1967, N. McFarland (on freshly dead sheep carcass) (SAMA). Western Aus tralia: 2 ♀♀ & 1 ♂, Marloo Station 1934, Wurarga, Gebr. Goerling S.G. (ZMHUB); 1 ♀, Fremantle, 1956, E.C. Chapman (BMNH); 1 spec., Woomera, ix.-xi.1953, F.L. Hill (BMNH); 5 specs., Dumbleyoung, 19.ix.1979, E. Gowing-Scopes (BMNH); 4 specs., 3 km E. of Pingrup, 18.ix.1979, E. Gowing-Scopes (BMNH); 1 ♂, Perth, 22.vii.1908, G.E. Bryant (BMNH); 5 specs., Hamelin Pool, 19.xii.1981, K. & E. Carnaby (ANIC); 16 specs., Carnavon, viii.1980, K. & E. Carnaby (ANIC); 1 spec., Lake Grace, 16.xi.1979, K. & E. Carnaby (ANIC); 2 specs., Katanning, 12.iv.1951, M.M.H. Wallace (ANIC); 3 specs., Wilga, 8.xi.1973, K. Carnaby (ANIC); 3 specs., ditto, but 20.iv.1973 (ANIC); 2 specs., Floreat Park, 18.ix.1978, G.P. Hall (ANIC); 2 specs., Maidu Vale, 28.viii.1959, B.P. Moore (ANIC); 2 ♂♂, Boyup Brook, 1.xi.1981, Ex. Carnaby Coll. (ANIC). 1 spec., Wilga, 23.viii.1981, G.A. Holloway (MAMU). 1 ♂ & 9 specs., Stirling Ranges, Bluff Knoll, 150 m, 12.xi.1963, J. Sedláček (BMNH); 20 specs., Eucla, 5 m, 28.x.1963, J. Sedláček (BMNH); 2 specs., 5 km W of Lake Cave, 1-140 m, 7.-8.xi.1963, J. Sedláček (BMNH); 2 specs., Murchison River, 21.xi.1963, J. Sedláček (BMNH); 1 spec., 16 km N Northampton, 21.xi.1963, J. Sedláček (BMNH); 4 specs., Warren River, W.D. Dodd (SAMA); 1 spec., Eucla (SAMA); 1 spec., Everard ranges to Warburton Ranges, A. Brumby (SAMA). Australian Capital Territory: 11 specs., Canberra, 9.-12.xii.1957, W.J.M. Vestjens (ANIC); 7 specs., ditto, but 28.x.1960, collector unknown (ANIC); 1 spec., Uriarra, 35.17S 148.55E, 28.x.1992, M. Tindale-Biscoe (ANIC); 3 specs., Turner, x.1965, K. Pullen (ANIC); 1 spec., Black Mountain, lower E slope, 3.vi.1985, K.R. Pullen (ANIC); 1 spec., ditto, but 20.ix.1972, T.E. Bellas (ANIC). Queensland: 1 ♀, "Cape York" (ZMHUB); 1 spec., Leyburn, 22.iii.1975, J. Macqueen; 1 spec., Great Barrier Reef, Swain Reefs, Bylund Cay, vii.1985, 21.47S 152.24E, H. Heatwole (under dead bird) (ANIC); 1 spec., Brisbane, vii.1920, collector unknown (ANIC); 1 spec., 1 mile S of Herberton, 17.24S 145.23E, 14.v.1969, Brooks & Nebois (on dead wallaby) (ANIC); 1 ♀, Thomson Creek, 16.06.31S 145.26.25E, 140 m, Trunk F.I.T. #14, 9.xi.-19.xii.1998, Coll. Simon Grove (ANIC); 3 specs., Allinga Chinchilla, 26°41'S, 150°38'E, Grace Lithgow; 1 spec., Boggom, via Taroom, 25°27'S, 150°08'E, 13.xi.1996-i.1997, Cook & Monteith (FIT trap, baited) (QM); 12 specs., Mt. Tambourine, xii.1919, H. Pottinger (QM); 1 spec., Fraser Island, Eurong, 11.vii.2002, I. Thrash (bird carcass) (QM); 4 specs., Caloundra, 28.ix.1913, H. Hacker (QM); 6 specs., Brisbane, 5.ix.1916, H. Hacker (QM); 1 spec., ditto, but vii.1920, H. Pottenger (QM); 2 specs., 39 miles N Morven, 2.v.1963, E.C. Dahms (under Kangaroo body) (QM); 2 specs., Cairns (QM); 1 ♀, Keysland, 26.i.-20.iv.1995, 26°12'S, 151°44'E, G.B. Monteith (pitfall trap, open forest) (QM); 1 spec., near Riversbourne National Park, Brisbane Valley, 25.xi.1973, K. McDonald (QM); 1 ♀, Blackdown, Tableland Via Dingo, 1.-6.ii.1981, G.B. Monteith (QM); 1 spec., Yarran Downs, 27°40'S, 148°38'E, 9.iv.2001, NHT project (pitfall trap, dung) (QM); 1 spec., Mt. Moffat National Park, 1 km WNW Lots Wife, 24°58'S, 147°57'E, 820 m, 1.-30.x.1998, D.J. Cook (dung pitfall) (QM); 1 ♀, Bogantungan, 9 km N, 840 m, 23°34'S, 147°18'E, 25.-26.x.2000, G.B. Monteith (open forest, dung pitfall) (QM); 1 spec., Mill Creek, 17°30'S, 145°27'E, above 1000 m, 5.-6.ii.1999, G. Monteith & D.J. Cook (open forest, rotten bait) (QM); 1 spec., Wallum, 26°57'S, 147°42'E, 15.iv.2001, NHT Project (dung pitfall) (QM); 2 specs., Lake Bindegolly, near bridge, 28°06'S, 144°13'E, 26.-27.viii.2000, D.J. Cook (dung pitfall) (QM); 9 specs., Womblebank Gap, Site 2, 25°49'S, 148°15'E, 620 m, 28.ix.-30.x.1998, D. Cook (dung pitfall, vinescrub in brigalow) (QM). Northern Territory: 3 specs., c. 85 km NW of Yuendumu, 22.15S 131.48E, 29.vi.1970, S. Parker (ANIC); 1 spec., 12.43S 143.17E, 9 km ENE of Mt. Tozer, 5.-10.vii.1986, T. Weir & A. Calder, collected at light (ANIC); 2 ♀, NSW, Bogan River, J. Armstrong (ANIC); 4 specs., Box Hole, 1.-11.x.1953, G.H. Gross (SAMA). Unknown Localities: 5 specs., Australia occid., 1192, no further details (HMNH); 1 ♀ & 7 specs., Australia, without further data (HMNH); 1 ♂ & 1 ♀, Australia 1934, C.E. Clarke, no further details (AMNZ). Lord Howe Island: 2 ♂♂ & 6 specs., 21.-30.i.1985, G.F. Bornemissza leg. (HNMH).

Biology.

A common and widespread Australian volant predator, found mainly on decomposing carcasses of mammals.

Distribution.

Australia: all states; newly reported from Lord Howe Island (Fig. 763). The species was also doubtfully reported from the island of New Guinea and New Zealand (not shown on the maps).

Remarks.

Erichson (1834:179) described the species Saprinus laetus from Australia; this species was later synonymized by Marseul (1862:714) with the species Saprinus cyaneus (Fabricius, 1775). However, examination of the type specimens of S. laetus indicates that this species is conspecific with Saprinus pseudocyaneus White, 1846, and has priority over S. pseudocyaneus White, 1846. Mazur (1997, 2011) erroneously lists S. gayndahensis as a synonym of S. cyaneus ; we find instead no characters (in the lectotype examined) that separate S. gayndahensis from S. laetus , and synonymize these two species. Saprinus laetus is a variable species, though genitalia support its unity. Specimens from Lord Howe Island are generally most distinctive from the remaining populations, generally lighter in color, especially in the elytra, which are light green as opposed to the dark green/violet or dark blue present in specimens from Australia; also the elytral striation is reduced and the mesoventrite is covered with scattered to moderately dense punctures.

Re-description.

Body length: PEL: 3.50-5.25 mm; APW: 1.25-2.00 mm; PPW: 2.85-4.15 mm; EL: 2.25-3.50 mm; EW: 3.00-4.65 mm. Body (Fig. 458) rectangular oval, convex, elytra widest at humeri, elytra light to dark green, dark blue, occasionally dark brown or even black, shining, with metallic luster; pronotum light yellow to dark bronze with slight greenish hue, at times even purple, coppery or entirely dark, in most cases metallic; legs, mouthparts and antennae dark brown to almost black.

Antennal scape (Fig. 459) slightly thickened, punctuate, with two rather long and several shorter setae; antennal club wider than long, semi-circular, somewhat truncate apically, covered with dense short sensilla intermingled with sparse longer erect setae; sensory structures of antennal club (Fig. 460) in form of four rather small ellipsoid ventral sensory patches, which are usually difficult to discern; vesicle(s) not examined.

Mandibles (Fig. 459) dorso-laterally punctuate, rounded, outer margin slightly carinate, mandibular apex acute, sub-apical tooth on left mandible obtuse; labrum finely and sparsely punctuate, convex, with deep median depression; labral pits present, each with two short labral setae; terminal labial palpomere elongate, pointed apically, approximately twice as long as pen-ultimate, its width about three times its length; terminal maxillary palpomere elongate, about two- and half times as long as pen-ultimate, approximately three times as long as wide, pointed apically; mentum (Fig. 461) sub-quadrate, laterally with a double row of short ramose setae, several setae present also on disc, anterior margin medially with low notch surrounded by a tuft of several longer sparse setae.

Clypeus (Fig. 459) even, occasionally very faintly convex or even concave, sloping down laterally, finely punctate; frontal and supraorbital striae complete, frontal stria not prolonged onto clypeus; frontal disc (Fig. 459) with similar punctation as that of clypeus, near posterior margin approximately medially a fine definite fovea present; eyes convex, well visible from above.

Pronotal sides (Fig. 458) narrowing anteriorly, apical angles acute, pronotal depressions present, fine, anterior incision for head rather deep; marginal pronotal stria carinate, visible along its entire length from dorsal view, reaching pronotal base; pronotal disc laterally with a depressed band of deep dense coarse elongate punctures originat ing approximately in pronotal depressions, not reaching basal angles of pronotum, between it and pronotal margin a narrow impunctate band present; rest of the pronotal disc glabrous; several rows of punctures present along pronotal base, ante-scutellar area impunctate; pronotal hypomeron with short amber setae often visible only from ventral view, originating from scattered fine punctures; scutellum small, visible.

Punctation of elytral epipleuron ranges from none to rather dense; marginal epipleural stria complete; marginal elytral stria well impressed and carinate, slightly present also on elytral base, continued as weakened, but complete apical elytral stria that is connected to incomplete sutural elytral stria. Humeral elytral stria well impressed on basal third, occasionally doubled, sometimes connected to variably short median fragment of inner subhumeral stria; outer subhumeral stria present as short basal fragment situated on elytral humerus; elytra usually with four dorsal elytral striae; striae 1-2 in most cases longer than striae 3-4, reaching often approximately elytral half apically, but can be considerably shorter, even very reduced, third stria almost always shorter than striae 1-2, at times represented by only a basal fragment, fourth stria always very shortened apically, present only as a basal hooked fragment not linked to shortened sutural elytral stria or only as a very short row of points, in extreme cases completely absent; sutural elytral stria in punctures, erased on basal fifth to fourth, apically connected to apical elytral stria. Surface between humeral elytral stria and first and second elytral intervals usually with sparse to moderately dense punctures; in most cases on first elytral interval elongate strioles present, at times these strioles present also on second interval or punctures in intervals aciculate; sutural elytral stria abbreviated on basal fourth to fifth, well-impressed, in round punctures, apically connected with apical elytral stria; elytral punctation very variable, usually punctures present on apical third to half (roughly), but punctation can cover almost the entire elytron except for glabrous part between third elytral and sutural stria, often glabrous ‘mirror’ (=polished area) considerably larger; punctures usually fine, sparse, separated by about twice their diameter, but can be denser, especially laterally where they can be separated by less than their own interval, occasionally aciculate (especially those near elytral intervals); along elytral flanks often entering elytral intervals, but not necessarily so, punctation usually not reaching elytral apex.

Propygidium (Fig. 462) very densely punctate, punctures separated by less than their own diameter; pygidium (Fig. 462) with sparser punctation.

Anterior margin of median portion of prosternum (Fig. 463) rounded; marginal prosternal stria present laterally and also as medial fragment; prosternal process between carinal prosternal striae slightly convex, glabrous to microscopically punctate, surface near united apices of carinal prosternal striae distinctly depressed; carinal prosternal striae carinate, often distance between them rather narrow, slightly bisinuate, occasionally slightly divergent on anterior third, thence in most cases convergent and united in front (Fig. 463); lateral prosternal striae carinate, rather short, apically attaining carinal prosternal striae at about three-fourths of their length.

Discal marginal mesoventral stria (Fig. 464) well impressed, carinate, complete, anteriorly distinctly inwardly arcuate; disc often smooth, at times with sparse fine punctation, occasionally (specimens from Lord Howe Island) with moderately dense punctures; meso-metaventral sutural stria indicated by a row of punctures; intercoxal disc of metaventrite in males with very faint longitudinal depression, best observable on basal third; in females slightly convex; disc of metaventrite for the most part almost smooth, only in post-metacoxal area several rows of fine punctation appear; lateral metaventral stria well impressed, carinate, straight, shortened; lateral disc of metaventrite slightly concave, with dense and large shallow setigerous punctures separated by less than their to about their own diameter, occasionally between large punctures another type of much finer sparse punctures present; metepisternum (Fig. 465) rather broad, its punctures deeper and denser, on fused metepimeron punctures becoming much sparser; metepisternal stria present often only along fused metepimeron, at times along metepisternum also present in a form of short intermittent fragments or string of deep punctures (in rare cases complete).

Intercoxal disc of first abdominal ventrite completely striate laterally; disc almost smooth, only along basal and lateral margins with shallow fine punctures.

Protibia (Fig. 466) dilated, outer margin with about five low teeth topped by triangular denticle, followed by approximately three tiny denticles diminishing in size proximally; setae of outer row regular, short; protarsal groove shallow; anterior protibial stria present on basal third, next obliterated; setae of median row placed on low stria-like ridge, shorter than those of outer row; two tarsal denticles present near tarsal insertion; protibial spur (Fig. 466) large, bent, growing out from apical margin of protibia; apical margin of protibia ventrally with three tiny denticles; outer part of posterior surface slightly obscurely variolate, punctate, separated from imbricate-punctate narrow median part of posterior surface by a ridge bearing a row of setae; posterior protibial stria complete, bearing along its length a row of microscopic setae turning into well-sclerotized minuscule denticles apically; inner row of setae single, lamellate.

Mesotibia (Fig. 467) on outer margin with a row of about seven distally growing in size denticles, several of them situated on low teeth; setae of outer row rather strongly sclerotized, longer than denticles; setae of median row shorter and finer than those of outer row; posterior mesotibial stria not complete; mesotibial spur rather short; on anterior face of mesotibia (Fig. 476) a row of about five widely-spaced denticles present; anterior face of mesotibia imbricate-punctate; anterior mesotibial stria complete, terminating in two tiny denticles; inner anterior denticles weakly developed, usually only one or two present; inner row of setae rather dense. Metatibia basically similar to mesotibia, but longer and more slender, and denticles of both rows sparser; denticles of outer row do not grow out from low teeth.

Male genitalia. Eighth sternite (Figs 468-469) apically with strongly sclerotized part, completely fused medially, apex laterally with several setae, vela present, with several rows of pores; eighth tergite apically faintly inwardly arcuate, almost straight, basally strongly inwardly arcuate; eighth tergite and eighth sternite fused laterally (Fig. 470). Ninth tergite (Figs 471-472) laterally strongly sclerotized; ninth tergite basally faintly inwardly arcuate; tenth tergite basally inwardly arcuate, rounded apically; spiculum gastrale (Figs 473-474) apically gradually dilated from approximately its mid-length; basal end inwardly arcuate; apex with strongly sclerotized part. Aedeagus (Figs 475-476): parameres widely separated approximately from mid-length, apices of parameres on inner side with a comb of regular setae; basal piece of aedeagus rather short, ratio of its length: length of parameres approximately 1: 6.