Paratrichius elegantulus (Moser, 1902)

Ricchiardi, Enrico, Lu, Yuanyuan, Li, Sha & Ming, Bai, 2022, Notes on Paratrichius Janson, 1881 inhabiting Hainan Island, with description of a new species and the definition of two new junior synonyms (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae), Fragmenta entomologica 54 (1), pp. 133-142 : 135-136

Paratrichius elegantulus (Moser, 1902)

Studied material

Type series of Paratrichius elegantulus (Moser, 1902) : LT ♂ (here designated) MNHUB Tonkin, Vietnam: Lang Son, Montes Mauson, 2-3000”, Apr-May, H. Fruhstorfer legit. 2 PLT ♂, 3PLT ♀ (here designated) MNHUB, same data as LT .

Other Paratrichius elegantulus material: 1♂ 2♀ ERPC, China: Guangxi, Mt. Dayaoshan, Jinxiu , 1100 m, May 2017 , local collectors. 2♂ ERPC, China: Guangxi, Mt. Dayaoshan, Pingban, Jinxiu , 1200 m, 1/ 15 Jun 2014 ,

Zhaoijingshen legit. 1♂ ERPC, China: Guangxi, same data but 23 Apr-7 May 2014 . 2♂ ERPC, China: Guangxi, Mt. Dayaoshan, Pingzhao, Jinxiu , 100 m, 5/ 13 Apr 2015 , local collectors. 2♂ 1♀ NHMB, Laos: Hua Phan, Ban Saleui, Phou Pan Mt. (20°12’N, 104°01’E) 1340-1870 m, 10 May-16 Jun 2009 , M. Brancucci & local collectors. 1♂ ZFMK, Same data but 1300-1900 m, 7 Apr-25 May 2010 , C. Holzschuh legit. 14♂ 8♀ ZFMK, same data but 1/ 31 May 2011 . 22♂ 6♀ ZFMK, same data but 11 Apr-15 May 2012 . 2♂ 3♀ ERPC, same data but 1/ 31 May 2011 . 8♂ ERPC, Vietnam: Ha Tinh, Huong Son Phou Pan , Jun 2017 , Dang Ngoc Van legit. 1♂ SJPC, Vietnam: Ha Tinh, Jun 2017 , local collectors. Vietnam: Vinh Phuc, Tam Dao , Jul 1995 . 1♂ ERPC, same data but Jun 1990 , Kuban legit. 1♀ ERPC, Vietnam: Lao Cai, Sa Pa (22°20’N, 103°50’E), 25 May-10 Jun 1991 , E. Jendek legit.

Paratrichius elegantulus from Hainan: 1♂ IZAS, China: Hainan, Wuzhishan road to peak (18°89’N, 109°69’E), 1147 m, 10 Apr 2010, IOZ(E)1945732, Lin Meiying

legit. 1♂ ERPC (ex IOZ (E)1945741), same data as IOZ(E)1945732. 2♂ IZAS, 1♀ IZAS ( IOZ 1945728 /29/33) 1♀ ERPC (ex IZAS IOZ 1945730 ), China, Hainan, Mt. Wuzhishan, Diyifeng , 9/ 11 Jun 2010, Zhou Wenyi legit .

Paratrichius brevifolius Kobayashi & Fujioka, 2013. 2PT ♂ HKPC, Vietnam: Vinh Phuc, Tam Dao, Local Collectors, June 1996 .

Diagnosis

The specimens collected in Hainan show a difference from the P. elegantulus inhabiting the continent in the elytral striae shape: on continent P. elegantulus have scarcely noticeable striae composed of horseshoe points, sometimes joining to form rows; conversely, males inhanbiting Hain- an show more noticeable striae, composed of horseshoe points often joined to form rows but the parameres shape of the hainan’s males are identical to those of the HT, therefore it is the same species.

Carefully studying P. elegantulus and the morphologically closed species, we found that Paratrichius brevifolius Kobayashi and Fujioka, 2013 , described from northern Vietnam is a junior synonym of Paratrichius elegantulus (Moser, 1902) (n. syn.).

Distribution. P. elegantulus is now known from the highlands of the following Countries: Laos (Huaphan), Vietnam (Lao Cai, Vinh Phuc, Lang Son (locus typicus), Ha Tinh), China: Guangxi and Hainan (new record).

Remarks. Moser published several new species now belonging to the genus Paratrichius ( Trichius cruentus , Trichius elegantulus , Trichius flavipes , Trichius saucius , Trichius marmoreus , Trichius versicolor and Trichius bicolor ) in the Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift, Sechsundvierzigster Band (1901), and this has misled many entomologists regarding the date of publication of the species. However, on the cover of the issue it is clearly printed: «Ausgeben Mitte Februar 1902 » - issued in mid-February 1902, so the correct description year of those species is 1902.