Aspidimerus dissimilis, POORANI, 2024

POORANI, J., 2024, An illustrated guide to lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Indian Subcontinent. Part 3. Tribe Aspidimerini, Zootaxa 5431 (1), pp. 1-89 : 16

Aspidimerus dissimilis sp. n.

( Fig. 65 )

Diagnosis. Aspidimerus dissimilis sp. n. is similar to Aspidimerus chapaensis Hoang, 1982 (from Vietnam) and Aspidimerus esakii Sasaji, 1968 (from China / Taiwan) among the known species of Aspidimerus in having four elytral maculae. However, Aspidimerus dissimilis sp. n. appears to be much larger in size (4.50–5.00mm long) as against A. chapaensis (3.60–3.90mm long) and A. esakii (3.70 mm long), has distinctly transverse elytral maculae with the first pair longer and broader at both ends, placed just above midline and the other pair near the elytral apices, with the first reaching up to and the second just short of touching the lateral margin ( Fig. 65a–c ) unlike the other two species, in which the elytral maculae are in the form of smaller, more rounded spots. The pronotum in A. dissimilis sp. n. is also largely orange-yellow except for the median black macula ( Fig. 65c ), but in A. esakii , it is mainly black with only the anterolateral corners yellowish. The spermatheca in Aspidimerus dissimilis sp. n. ( Fig. 65f, g ) appears to be different from that of the other two (as illustrated by Sasaji (1968) and Hoang (1982)).

Description. Female. Length: 4.50–5.00 mm; width: 3.50–4.00 mm. Form elongate oval, dorsum strongly convex and densely pubescent ( Fig. 65a–c ). Head yellow, clypeal margin distinctly darker brownish ( Fig. 65c ). Pronotum reddish-yellowish, with a median subtrapezoidal black macula on posterior margin ( Fig. 65b ). Elytra dark brown to black, with a pair of transverse yellow maculae on each elytron, the first one positioned just above midline, the second one in the apical one-third of elytra, not touching the apices ( Fig. 65a, b ). Ventral side with the mouthparts and legs yellowish-orange except all coxae slightly darker reddish brown to brownish, inner portions of epipleura yellowish-orange; prosternal process, meso- and metasternites black; abdomen yellow except ventrite 1 medially darker brown. Abdominal postcoxal line ( Fig. 65d ) incomplete, apically merged with posterior margin of ventrite 1. Genitalia ( Fig. 65e ) as illustrated, coxites transverse; spermatheca ( Fig. 65f, g ) with nodulus and ramus demarcated, cornu distally not curved, apex somewhat narrowed.

Material examined. Holotype, female: Arunachal Pradesh: Monigong , 09–10.vi.2023, Coll. Ajaykumar ( NBAIR); One paratype female, with the same data ( NBAIR).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latin adjective in reference to its distinctive elytral pattern that separates it from its congeners.

Distribution. India (Arunachal Pradesh).

Genus Cryptogonus Mulsant

Cryptogonus Mulsant, 1850: 945 .— Kapur, 1948: 86. Type species: Coccinella orbicula Gyllenhal , in Schönherr, 1808, by monotypy.

Diagnosis. Form broadly to distinctly elongate oval or subrounded; dorsum moderately to distinctly convex and densely pubescent. Antennae with 9 antennomeres and geniculate. Exposed part of prosternum with a triangular fold, prosternal process with distinct carinae, anteriorly narrowly separated or convergent, and lying almost on same level as rest of prosternum. Penis of male genitalia with a distinct capsule.

This is the largest genus of Aspidimerini with ca. 50 species and 20 species have been recorded so far from the Indian subcontinent. Kapur (1948) reviewed the species and provided a key. Huo et al. (2015c) listed the known species of Cryptogonus .

Figures

FIGURE 65. Aspidimerus dissimilis sp. n.: a. dorsal view; b. lateral view; c. frontal view; d. abdomen, female; e. female genitalia; f, g. spermatheca.