Cryptogonus trioblitus (Gorham)

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

Cryptogonus trioblitus (Gorham)

( Figs 36, 37 )

Aspidimerus trioblitus Gorham, 1895: 690 .— Korschefsky 1931: 173.

Cryptogonus trioblitus : Kapur 1948: 101.— Pang et Mao 1979; Ren et al. 2009: 122, 123; Poorani 2002: 346.

Diagnosis. Length: 2.50 mm; width: 2.10 mm. Form broad oval, moderately convex; dorsum densely pubescent. Head yellow (male) or black (female), pronotum black except anterolateral angles and anterior margin yellowish ( Fig. 37c ); elytral pattern variable as follows: with two small lateral spots and one much larger oval sutural spot around middle, occasionally with an apical transverse macula besides these spots and lateral margins black ( Figs 36, 37a, b ). Abdominal postcoxal line incomplete ( Fig. 37d ). Male genitalia ( Fig. 37e–g ) as illustrated.

Material examined. “ Burma /697/Andrewes Bequest B.M. 1922-221/ Aspidimerus trioblitus Gorh. ‘S. (with Sicard’s label) ( BMNH); Assam, Patkai Mts. (with A.P. Kapur’s labels); Ex. Tate, 12.vi.52/British Nepal Expedition 1952, T.D. Bourdillon/Brit.Mus. 1956-677/ Cryptogonus trioblitus (Gorham) , A.P. Kapur 1954” ( BMNH).

Distribution. India (Assam; Uttarakhand; Tripura); Nepal; Myanmar; China; Thailand. Mostly at higher altitudes, in the eastern and central Himalayas ( Kapur 1948).

Notes. Kapur (1948) mentioned it as a close relative of C. quadriguttatus and the form illustrated in Fig. 37a–c bears a close resemblance to C. quadriguttatus ab. confluens. The male genitalia of both species are quite similar but the penis guide is laterally distinctly curved and apically narrowly pointed in C. trioblitus . See Kapur (1948) and Ren et al. (2009) for description and more illustrations.

Figures

FIGURE 37. Cryptogonus trioblitus (Gorham): a. dorsal view; b. lateral view; c. frontal view; d. abdomen; e–g. male genitalia: e. tegmen, lateral view; f. tegmen, ventral view; g. penis.