Laccophilus venustus Chevrolat, 1863

Megna, Yoandri S., Deler-Hernández, Albert & Challet, Gilbert L., 2011, Description Of A New Species Of Laccophilus Leach (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), With Notes On Other Cuban Species, The Coleopterists Bulletin 65 (3), pp. 213-226 : 224-225

Laccophilus venustus Chevrolat, 1863 ( Figs. 6 , 12 , 19 )

Laccophilus venustus Chevrolat 1863: 200 . Gundlach 1891: 35; Young 1953: 34; Spangler 1981: 150; Fernández 2001: 30; Lozada et al. 2004: 104; Peck et al. 1998: 158; Nilsson 2001: 252; Peck 2005: 45; Deler-Hernández et al. 2007: 456.

Diagnosis. Adults of L. venutus are recognized by the subbasal elytral fasciae and the anterior macula on the pronotum ( Fig. 6 ).

Distribution. Laccophilus venustus is widespread in Cuba ( Peck 2005). It is also present in Jamaica ( Young 1953) ( Fig. 19 ).

Ecology. Laccophilus venustus is the second most common species of Dytiscidae in Cuba and can occur in almost every freshwater habitat.

Comments. According to Spangler (1973, 1981) and Peck (2005), L. venustus occurs only in Cuba. However, Young (1953) examined Jamaican specimens which he placed in the group with a short prosternal process and a distinct metacoxal file in the male. The shape of the midlobe of Young’ s specimens is similar to that in the Cuban populations of L. venustus examined by us.

Material Examined. CUBA. Pinar del Río. Viñales , 20-XI-2007, A. Deler-Hernández and F. Cala-Riquelme leg., (26: CZCTR) . La Habana. Santa Cruz del Norte , 12-X-2005, Y. S. Megna

and A. Deler-Hernández leg., (3: CZCTR). Sancti Spíritus. Banao , 08-II-2005, P. López leg., (3: CZCTR) ; Topes de Collantes , 29-VI-2010, Y. S. Megna and A. Deler-Hernández leg., (48: CZCTR) , 30-VI-2010, Y. S. Megna and A. Deler-Hernández leg., (3: CZCTR) , 01-VII-2010, 29-VI-2010, Y. S. Megna and A. Deler-Hernández leg., (48: CZCTR) . Santiago de Cuba. La Pimienta , 15-IX-2003, A. Deler- Hernández and F. Cala-Riquelme leg., (6: CZCTR) , 08-IV-2005, A. Deler-Hernández and Y. S. Megna leg., (16: CZCTR) , 02-V-2005, Y. S. Megna and Y. Alarie leg., (1: CZCTR) ; El Olimpo , 03-VIII-2005, A. Deler-Hernández leg., (3: CZCTR) ; 04-VIII- 2005, A. Deler-Hernández leg., (54: CZCTR) ; Palma Soriano , 01-X-2005, K. Blanco leg., (1: CZCTR) , 16-XI-2005, K. Blanco leg., (3: CZCTR) ; Loma Blanca , 27-VII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg., (50: CZCTR) , 31-VII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg., (51: CZCTR) ; Dos Bocas , 25-IV-2005, A. Deler- Hernández leg., (16: CZCTR) ; Las Coloradas , 16-XI-2005, Y. S. Megna and A. Deler-Hernández leg., (9: CZCTR) ; La Guadalupe, 30-XI-2005, Y. S. Megna leg., (2: CZCTR) ; La Estrella , 01-XII-2005, Y.S. Megna leg., (9: CZCTR) ; La Marsellesa , 02-XII- 2005, Y. S. Megna leg., (3: CZCTR) ; La Cubana , 02-XII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg., (2: CZCTR) ; Campo Rico , 06-XII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg., (1: CZCTR) . Guantánamo. Yacabo Abajo , 24-X-2008, A. Deler- Hernández leg., (10: CZCTR) ; Macambo , 25-X- 2008, A. Deler-Hernández leg., (6: CZCTR) ; El Yunque , 30-I-2010, A. Deler-Hernández and R. Correa col., 1 ; 29-I-2010, A. Deler-Hernández and R. Correa col., 1 ; 2-III-2010, R. Correa leg., (1: CZCTR) ; Nibujón , 03-II-2010, A. Deler-Hernández and R. Correa leg., (11: CZCTR) ; El Manglerito , 04-II-2010, A. Deler-Hernández and R. Correa leg., (3: CZCTR) ; Santa María , 01-II-2010, A. Deler- Hernández and R. Correa leg., (1: CZCTR) ; Jamal , 09-II-2010, R. Correa leg., (4: CZCTR) ; La Alegría , 10-II-2010, R. Correa leg., (5: CZCTR) , 19-II-2010, R. Correa leg., (26: CZCTR) , 13-II-2010, R. Correa leg., (18: CZCTR) , 15-II-2010, R. Correa leg., (3: CZCTR) ; El Güirito , 06-II-2010, R. Correa leg., (75: CZCTR) ; Jobo Dulce , 20-II-2010, R. Correa leg., (2: CZCTR) , 18-II-2010, R. Correa leg., (3: CZCTR) ; San Luis , 10-II-2010, R. Correa leg., (22: CZCTR) ; Cabacú , 16-II-2010, R. Correa leg., (79: CZCTR) .

Figures

Figs. 1–6. Subschematic body shape and color patterns of Laccophilus species from Cuba. 1) L. alariei;

Figs. 10–12. Male genitalia of Cuban species of Laccophilus. 10) L. proximus, A) Medial lobe of aedeagus, right lateral view, B–C) Right and left parameres in lateral view, D) Oval plate; 11) L. vacaensis vacaensis, A) Medial lobe of aedeagus, right lateral view, B–C) Right and left parameres in lateral view, D) Oval plate; 12) L. venustus, A) Medial lobe of aedeagus, right lateral view, B–C) Right and left parameres in lateral view, D) Oval plate.

Figs. 17–19. Known distribution of Laccophilus spp. in Cuba. 17) L. proximus; 18) L. vacaensis vacaensis;