Flea Beetle Genus Research Articles

Two new species of the flea beetle genus Psylliodes Latreille of the montana species-group from Eastern Africa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

In this paper, Psylliodes afromontana sp. nov. and P. shira sp. nov., both from Eastern Africa [Kenya (Kikuyu Escarpment) and Tanzania (Kilimanjaro) respectively], are described. The two new species are attributed to the montana species-group, currently including four other wingless species occurring in the montane forests of Kenya and Tanzania: Psylliodes montana Weise, P. kikuyana Biondi, P. masai Biondi, P. manobioides Nadein. Micrographs of diagnostic characters, comprehending male and female genitalia are supplied. Ecological data for each species, including habitat preference, and phenology are also reported.

New contributions to the knowledge of Chinese flea beetle fauna (III):revision of Meishania Chen Wang with description of five new species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae).

The flea beetle genus Meishania Chen Wang is revised and five new species-M. cangshanensis sp. nov., M. flavipennis sp. nov., M. fulvotigera sp. nov., and M. sichuanica sp. nov. from China and M. bhutanensis sp. nov. from Bhutan-are described. All species of Meishania are illustrated and a key to species is provided.

Ugandaltica gen. n., a tiny flea beetle from the forest canopy in Central Africa (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

In this contribution, Ugandaltica wagneri gen. n. and sp. n., collected from the canopies in the Budongo Forest, Uganda, is described. Similarities and affinities with other small-sized and convex-shaped flea beetle genera, occurring in the Afrotropical region, are discussed. Micrographs of diagnostic characters, including male and female genitalia, are supplied. Finally, some considerations on the ecology of canopy flea beetles are also reported.

Hesperoides, a new “hairy” flea beetle genus from southern Africa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini)

Hesperoides afromeridionalis gen. nov. and sp. nov. from the Republic of South Africa (Western and Eastern Cape Provinces and KwaZulu-Natal) is described. Despite some similarities with Hespera Weise, it exhibits major affinities with the genera attributed to the subtribe Aphthonini, especially with Aphthona Chevrolat and Montiaphthona Scherer. Data on distribution are supplied, along with preliminary ecological notes. Photomicrographs of main morphological characters, including male and female genitalia, and metafemoral extensor tendon are provided. Key to the six “hairy” flea beetle genera occurring in sub-Saharan African and their habitus photos are also given.

Guilielmia Weise, a little known Afrotropical flea beetle genus: systematic affinities and description of a second new species from Central Africa (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini)

The genus Guilielmia Weise from the high mountains of Central Africa, known on a female specimen only, is redescribed based on new specimens of the type species, and the new species Guilielmia leleupi sp. nov. described here. Habitus photos, and microscope and scanning electron micrographs of diagnostic characters, including the aedeagus, are provided for both the species. Some considerations about taxonomic affinities and morphological adaptations to high altitudes are suggested.

Supraspecific taxonomy of the flea beetle genus Blepharida Chevrolat, 1836 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the Afrotropical Region and description of Afroblepharida subgen. nov.

The supraspecific taxonomy of the species traditionally attributed to the flea beetle genusBlepharidaChevrolat, 1836 is discussed. A cladistic analysis, based on 30 morphological characters of traditionalBlepharidaspecies, has revealed that two genera occur in Sub-Saharan Africa:CalothecaHeyden, 1887 andBlepharidinaBechyné, 1968. The latter genus is known from Africa, and probably also Madagascar, and has two subgenera:Blepharidinas.str. andAfroblepharidasubgen. nov. Twenty-seven traditionalBlepharidaspecies are here attributed to the genusCalothecaHeyden, while eighteen species are assigned to the genusBlepharidinaBechyné. FourBlepharidinaspecies,antinorii(Chapuis, 1879),gedyei(Bryant, 1948),scripta(Weise, 1904) andsomaliensis(Bryant, 1948), belong to the new subgenusAfroblepharida. The following new synonymies are established:Eutheca conradsiWeise, 1906= Eutheca erlangeriWeise, 1907 syn. nov. =Blepharidella irregularisBryant, 1945 syn. nov.;Blepharida marginalisWeise, 1902 =Blepharida monticolaWeise, 1926 syn. nov. =Blepharida ugandaeBryant, 1944 syn. nov.;Blepharida inornataJacoby, 1895 =Blepharida semisulcataAchard, 1922 syn. nov.;Blepharidella lewiniWeise in Lewin, 1912 =Blepharidella picticollisBryant, 1945 syn. nov.;Podontia nigrotessellataBaly, 1865= Blepharidella rubrosignataBryant, 1945 syn. nov.= Blepharidella variabilisBryant, 1945 syn. nov.;Blepharida ornataBaly, 1881= Blepharida freyiBechyné, 1954 syn. nov.;Podontia reticulataBaly, 1865= Blepharida guttulaBryant, 1944 syn. nov.;Blepharida antinoriiChapuis, 1879 =Blepharida sudanicaBryant, 1944 syn. nov.;Blepharida scriptaWeise, 1904= Blepharida geminataBryant, 1944 syn. nov. In addition:Blepharida plagipennisAchard, 1922, its locality certainly mislabeled, is transferred to the New World genusNotozonaChevrolat, 1837;Calotheca thunbergiis proposed as the new name forBlepharida stolida(Thunberg, 1808). Finally, an updated catalogue of the known species ofCalothecaandBlepharidinais also supplied, including new synonymies, material examined, new faunistic records, distributions and chorotypes.

Allenaltica, a new genus of flea beetles from the Oriental Region (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini)

A new genus of flea beetles (Allenaltica gen. nov.) with a new species, Allenaltica flavicornis, sp. nov. from the Philippine Islands (Mindanao) is described, illustrated and compared with related genera.

Revision of Diphaulacosoma Jacoby, an endemic flea beetle genus from Madagascar, with description of three new species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini)

A taxonomic revision of the flea beetle genus <em>Diphaulacosoma</em> Jacoby, endemic to Madagascar, is provided. This genus includes seven species of which three are new to science: <em>D. elegans</em> sp. n., <em>D. jenisi</em> sp. n., and <em>D. nigroscutis</em> sp. n. An updated catalogue including new material, new faunistic records, distributions, chorotypes, and ecological notes is supplied. Lectotypes for <em>Diphaulacosoma</em> <em>laevipenne</em> Jacoby, <em>D. bicolor</em> (Weise) and <em>D. scutellare</em> (Weise) are designated. Additionally, the revision comprises a key for the identification of all seven species considered, habitus photos, and microscope and scanning electron micrographs of diagnostic characters, including aedeagus and spermatheca.

Possible living fossil in Bolivia: A new genus of flea beetles with modified hind legs (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

A new genus (Chanealtica) with three new species (Chanealtica cuevas, Chanealtica ellimon, and Chanealtica maxi) from Bolivia is described and illustrated. It is compared with Aphthonoides Jacoby, 1885, Argopistes Motschulsky, 1860, Metroserrapha Bechyne, 1958, Psylliodes Berthold, 1827 and Psyllototus Nadein, 2010. Remarkably, based on the available characters, among all the flea beetles, Chanealtica is mostly similar to an extinct genus Psyllototus. A discussion of diversity and function of the hind leg in flea beetles is provided.

Revision of the Afrotropical genus Notomela Jacoby, 1899 with description of N. joliveti sp. n. from Principe Island (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

The Afrotropical flea beetle genus Notomela Jacoby, 1899 is reviewed. Notomela joliveti sp.n. from Principe Island is described. The following new synonymies are established: Notomela cyanipennis Jacoby, 1899 = Notomela viridipennis Bryant, 1941, syn. n. = Notomela cyanipennis macrosoma Bechyné, 1959, syn. n. In addition, the new combination is established: Notomela fulvofasciata Jacoby, 1903 is transfered to Amphimela [Amphimela fulvofasciata (Jacoby, 1903), comb. n.]. Micrographs of male and female genitalia, scanning electron micrographs of some diagnostic morphological characters, a key to identification, and distributional data for all species of Notomela, are provided.

Relationships between the geographic distribution of phytophagous insects and different types of vegetation: A case study of the flea beetle genus Chaetocnema (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the Afrotropical region

This study analyses the geographic distributions of 95 endemic and sub-endemic species of Chaetocnema (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) found in Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, in order to compare and correlate their pattern of the geographic range (chorotype) and the distribution of terrestrial ecosystems in Africa and Madagascar. The data compiled for the species of Chaetocnema are based on records for 1639 collecting localities. Most of the species of Chaetocnema have restricted geographical ranges (67.3%), whereas relatively few species (11.6%) are very widely distributed. The latitudinal and longitudinal gradients in the numbers of species reveal that the highest levels of species richness occur in the Equatorial Belt and Southern Africa. Species of Chaetocnema in Sub-Saharan Africa have a clear preference for grassland and the wide-open environment associated with savannah. However, forest ecosystems are also important for numerous species, particularly in Madagascar. Several endemic species are associated with the Mediterranean vegetation in the southern part of West Africa. Species of Chaetocnema are generally associated with a limited number of vegetation types within the Afrotropical region. A cluster analysis based on calculating the squared Euclidean distance and using the WARD clustering method revealed a significant correlation between the chorotype and the vegetation types associated with each species. Finally, certain species of Chaetocnema that are characteristic of specific types of vegetation and/or indicators of biodiversity hotspots in Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar are highlighted.

Paolaltica eocenica new genus and new species of flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) from Baltic amber.

Paolaltica eocenica new genus and new species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) is described and illustrated from Upper Eocene Baltic amber. The new taxon is compared with fossil and recent flea beetle genera.

Biodiversity and biogeography in Madagascar: revision of the endemic flea beetle genus NeoderaDuvivier, 1891 with description of 19 new species (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini)

AbstractA revision of the Malagasy flea beetle genus Neodera Duvivier is provided. This genus includes 31 species of which 19 are new to science: Neodera amplicollis sp.n., N. breviantennata sp.n., N. didiensis sp.n., N. diversitarsis sp.n., N. jenisi sp.n., N. kraussi sp.n., N. longicollis sp.n., N. marojejyensis sp.n., N. nigrotibialis sp.n., N. opaca sp.n., N. pauliani sp.n., N. perroti sp.n., N. peyrierasi sp.n., N. reducta sp.n., N. similvadoni sp.n., N. sogai sp.n., N. speronata sp.n., N. straminoides sp.n. and N. vadoni sp.n.. The following two synonymies are proposed: N. fraterna Duvivier = N. amarella Bechyné and N. fulva Jacoby = N. hilari Bechyné. In addition, neotypes for N. emarginata Duvivier and N. fraterna Duvivier, and lectotypes for N. fulva Jacoby, N. imitatrix Duvivier, N. madagassa (Harold), N. picticornis (Harold), N. transversicollis Jacoby and N. varicornis (Harold) are designated. Additionally, the revision comprises a key for the identification of all 31 species considered, some habitus photos, microscope and scanning electron micrographs of many diagnostic characters, including median lobe of aedeagus and spermatheca. A first phylogenetic analysis based on parsimony is also provided. It is used with distributional data to put forward hypotheses about the natural history of the taxon in the light of the species differentiation models proposed thus far for Madagascar.This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CABEB580-7591-4F49-A838-280C6DE0B0F9.

Moss-inhabiting flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) with description of a new genus from Cangshan, China

The world diversity of moss cushion-inhabiting and moss-feeding flea beetles is documented and discussed. A new genus (Cangshanaltica) with a single new species (Cangshanaltica nigra sp. nov.) from Yunnan Province in China is described and illustrated. It is similar to Benedictus Scherer, Ivalia Jacoby, Minota Weise, Paraminota Scherer, and Phaelota Jacoby. An identification key for all flea beetle genera known to occur in mosses in the eastern hemisphere is provided.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6341724E-BA3F-4979-B226-108D0CA64B92

The genus Chabria Jacoby: First records in the Afrotropical region with description of three new species from Madagascar and annotated worldwide species catalogue (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini)

The Oriental flea beetle genus Chabria Jacoby, 1887 for the first time is reported from the Afrotropical region. Three new species, Chabria betsilea sp. n., C. betsimisaraka sp. n., C. bezanozana sp. n., are described from Madagascar, while C. angulicollis (Clark, 1865), probably accidentally introduced in Sub-Saharan Africa, is reported from Cameroon and Republic of South Africa. A key to the Afrotropical Chabria species, scanning electron micrographs of some diagnostic morphological characters, micrographs of male and female genitalia are provided. In addition, an annotated catalogue of all worldwide known species of Chabria Jacoby based both on literature and new examined material is also provided. Finally, the presence of Chabria in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Madagascar is discussed.

Revision of the genus Stegnaspea Baly with descriptions of five new species from southern Africa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini)

A revision of the Afrotropical flea beetle genus Stegnaspea Baly, 1877 is presented. In addition to the type species S. trimeni Baly, 1877, five new species are ascribed to this genus, S. audisiana sp.n., S. danielssoni sp.n., S. debiasei sp.n., S. endroedyi sp.n. and S. penrithae sp.n., all from the Republic of South Africa. A key to the species, micrographs of male and female genitalia, scanning electron micrographs of peculiar morphological characters, and distributional and ecological data are supplied.

New genus and species of flea beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini) from Puerto Rico, with comments on flea beetle diversity in the West Indies and a key to the West Indian Monoplatini genera.

A new genus (Borinken) and five new species (Borinken elyunque, Distigmoptera chamorrae, Kiskeya elyunque, Ulrica eltoro, and Ulrica iviei) from Puerto Rico are described and illustrated. A keyto all West Indian Monoplatini genera is provided, as are keys to all speciesof Kiskeya and to the speciesof Ulrica from Puerto Rico. A list of the flea beetle genera, along with the number of species and some of the faunal features is presented and discussed for the West Indies.

A New Species-Group inAphthonaChevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with a Description of a New Species from Southern India

ABSTRACT A new species-group in the flea beetle genus Aphthona Chevrolat is defined and Aphthona yercaudensis Prathapan and Konstantinov, new species, from southern India is described. A key to Aphthona species-groups in the Oriental Region is provided. Herbaceous species of Phyllanthus L. (Euphorbiaceae) are recorded as the host plants of Aphthona bombayensis Scherer.

Revision of the genus Aeschrocnemis Weise, 1888 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

A taxonomic treatment of the flea beetle genus Aeschrocnemis Weise is provided. Redescriptions of the genus and species, and a key to species are given. Distribution maps are provided and biogeographical aspects are discussed. A neotype is designated for Aeschrocnemis serbica (Kutschera). Lectotypes are designated for the following species: Aeschrocnemis graeca (Allard), A. pubipennis (Reitter), A. caucasica (Weise) and A. laterufa (Pic). The new subgenera Hirticnemis subgen. n. and Nudicnemis subgen. n. are established. Seven new species: Aeschrocnemis osmanica sp. n., Aeschrocnemis byzantica sp. n., Aeschrocnemis curda sp. n., Aeschrocnemis caria sp. n., Aeschrocnemis antiocha sp. n., and Aeschrocnemis iconiensis sp. n. from Turkey, and Aeschrocnemis shirvana sp. n. from Azerbaijan are described. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Jacobyana Maulik, an Indo-Malayan flea beetle genus new for the Afrotropical region with description of three new species from Central and Southern Africa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Alticinae)

An Orientalflea beetle genus Jacobyana Maulik, 1926 including 7 species from India, Nepal, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, is reported in the Afrotropical Region for the first time. It is represented there by three new species, Jacobyana bezdeki sp. n., Jacobyana centrafricana sp. n., and Jacobyana sudafricana sp. n. Micrographs of male and female genitalia, scanning electron micrographs of some diagnostic morphological characters, a key to identification and distributional data for the new species, are provided.