Cryptogonus sp.

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 : 49-52

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5431.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4E009D84-E49A-4544-BAA3-B91E603FB0BC
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03887A7B-D739-FFBC-93CD-45D4FA15FB2C
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Cryptogonus sp.
status

Treatment

Cryptogonus sp. nr. guangdongiensis Pang & Mao

( Fig. 38 View FIGURE 38 )

Cryptogonus guangdongiensis Pang & Mao, 1979: 67 .— Ren et al. 2009: 114, 115. Two specimens collected from the northeastern Indian state of Tripura ( Fig. 38a, b View FIGURE 38 ) are tentatively identified as Cryptogonus sp. nr. guangdongiensis based on the similarity of their male genitalia ( Fig. 38d–f View FIGURE 38 ) to the illustrations given by Ren et al. (2009). However, the dorsal habitus illustration given by Ren et al. (2009) is somewhat different.

Material examined. India: Tripura: I.C. Nagar, 16.04.13, P.P. Bhatt, Host: Calamus erectus . 1 male ; with same data except Coll. JM, 1 male ( NRCB) .

Distribution. India: Northeastern region (Tripura).

Associated habitat. Collected on Calamus erectus (label data).

Genus Pseudaspidimerus Kapur

Pseudaspidimerus Kapur, 1948: 117 . Type species: Coccinella trinotata Thunberg, 1781 [= Platynaspis circumflexa Motschulsky, 1858 ], by original designation.

Diagnosis. Body small, short oval, convex. Antennae with 9 antennomeres, geniculate. Prosternal process short, subrectangular, carinate, at a higher elevation than surrounding areas. Male genitalia with penis very stout, arcuate, anteriorly swollen/broadened, penis guide usually broad and well developed, parameres slender, shorter or only slightly longer than penis guide. Female genitalia having transverse coxites, spermatheca with ramus more distinctly developed than nodulus.

Distribution. South and Southeast Asia ( India; Sri Lanka; Bangladesh; Vietnam; Laos; Thailand; Malaysia; Singapore; Java) ( Poorani 2001, 2002; Huo et al. 2014, 2017).

Immature stages. Eggs of Pseudaspidimerus are dorsoventrally flattened with conspicuous chorionic sculpture and look like eggs of Lepidoptera (see Figs 42a, b View FIGURE 42 , 52a–c View FIGURE 52 ). They are glued to the leaf or other plant substrate in the vicinity of the host aphid colony and are difficult to spot. The larva ( Figs 42c–e View FIGURE 42 , 44a–d View FIGURE 44 , 51a–d View FIGURE 51 , 52g –i View FIGURE 52 ) also has a dorsoventrally flattened body without any marked tubercles or projections and is remarkably similar to scale insects ( Coccidae ). Pupation takes place either singly ( Figs 42g View FIGURE 42 , 44f View FIGURE 44 ) or in small aggregations ( Fig. 52k View FIGURE 52 ).

Prey / associated habitat. Species of Pseudaspidimerus are mostly aphidophagous and also feed on mealybugs, whiteflies and scales ( Poorani 2001).

Included species. Eleven species are known in this genus of which six are from the Indian Subcontinent. Poorani (2001) reviewed the species from this region and provided a key, along with prey and distribution records.