Abstract
The genus Coccidula Kugelann includes five species distributed in the Holarctic, with one species in North America and four in Palearctic region. Coccidula belongs to the tribe Coccidulini which historically was treated as a separate subfamily within ladybird beetles, but recent studies confirmed its placement as a tribe within the broadly defined subfamily Coccinellinae. All species are revised and a new synonymy of Lithophilus naviauxi Duverger with C. litophiloides Reitter is proposed. Light and electron microscopy pictures support morphological descriptions. An identification key to all species is also provided.
Highlights
The classification of ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) has changed dynamically in the last decade mainly due to molecular approaches
In the current work we present a morphological revision of all currently known species of Coccidula, the type genus for the tribe
Comparison of the female genitalia of the type material of both taxa, and other available material, together with the lack of a second and third row of large punctures on the elytra, and other morphological features described in the original description of Duverger, led to the conclusion that L. naviauxi Duverger falls well within the definition of C. litophiloides; we propose to synonymize both species
Summary
The classification of ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) has changed dynamically in the last decade mainly due to molecular approaches. Comparison of the female genitalia of the type material of both taxa, and other available material, together with the lack of a second and third row of large punctures on the elytra, and other morphological features described in the original description of Duverger, led to the conclusion that L. naviauxi Duverger falls well within the definition of C. litophiloides; we propose to synonymize both species.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call