Leucocelis (Leucocelis) adspersa adspersa ( Fabricius, 1801 )

Perissinotto, Renzo, 2023, New taxa of Leucocelis Burmeister, 1842 from Namibia, and revision of L. (L.) adspersa s. l. (Fabricius, 1801) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae), Fragmenta entomologica 55 (2), pp. 195-214 : 206-209

Leucocelis (Leucocelis) adspersa adspersa ( Fabricius, 1801)

( Figs 8 , 10 and 11 )

Leucocelis (L.) adspersa adspersa (Fabricius) ; Holm & Marais 1992: 279; Beinhundner 2017: 405.

This is the original taxon described by Fabricius (1881) from the south-western Cape region and, as his LT specimen shows, it exhibits completely black to coppery pronotum and pygidium. However , the two PLTs included in the same Fabricius’series are not accompanied by locality of collection and show a pronotum with marked orange lateral margins. These , therefore belong in the new subspecies described here below and were probably originating from the eastern part of the then “ Cape Colony”, in what is now the Eastern Cape Province or the easternmost region of the Western Cape Province. On the other hand, the entire Gory’s type series of “ Cetonia verreaux ” originating from the Cape of Good Hope represents indeed the nominal subspecies and exhibits a completely dark pronotum .

Distribution. The nominal subspecies occurs mainly in the south-western parts of the Western Cape, but also in some southern areas of the Northern Cape ( Fig. 10 ).

Data Records. Type series. Cetonia adspersa Fabricius : Lectotype ♂, ZAF-WC, Cap: bon: sp:, Paykul, Mus. G. & P., L: ( ZMUC: 00031550; ZMUK Fabricius 002303). Cetonia verreaux Gory & Percheron : Lectotype ♀, ZAF-WC, Cap. b. sp., adspersa F.B., Verreaux GP, Gory Type, Coll. Melly (MHNG-ENTO-0248014); Paralectotypes: 1♀, ZAF-WC, Cap B. E. Dupont ,

Adspersa Fab., Verreaux Gory (MHNG-ENTO-0248016); 1♀, ibidem, Gory Type, Verreaux G. et P., (MHNG-EN- TO-0248015). Cetonia attalica Schönherr : Lectotype, ZAF-WC, Pr. b. Sp., Drg, congener Dg 487 (MLUH).

Other records. ZAF-WC. n inds, Swartbergpas, Platberg, 5000 Fuss, Loc. Nr. 120 Schein 1960: 105); 1♂, Gordon’s Bay, ix.1985 ( Sakai & Nagai 1998: Plate 111, Fig. 1281); 60 inds, ibidem, Sep 1985, C.R. Owen (TM- SA-CPH2297); 8 inds., ibidem, 1994/09/04, AP Marais (SAMC-COL-A028357);5 inds, Gamkaberg Nat.Res., Little Karoo 1000 m, 33°43ʹS 21°46ʹE, 8.11.1993, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 2950 Flower, vegetation (TMSA-CPH2301); 1 ind., ibidem 33°42ʹ 21°54ʹ, 8- 9.12.1995, C.L. Bellamy, E-Y: 3175 Beating (TMSA-CPH2300); 1 ind., ibidem Zebra Rug 1000 m, 33°44ʹS 21°57ʹE, 8.11.1993, Tom Berry, E-Y: 3067 Ground traps, 20 days (TMSA-CPH2299); 1 ind., Grootdrif Farm, 32°49ʹS 19°27ʹE, 17.9.1985, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 2248 Grassnetting (TMSA-CPH2303); 1 ind., Reubenheim- er Dam E, Little Karoo, 33°25ʹS 22°19ʹE, 23.10.1993, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 2897 Grassnetting (TMSA-CPH2304); 1 ind., Robinson Pass N, Little Karoo, 33°52ʹS 22°02ʹE, 6.11.1993, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 2943 Flowering meadow netted (TMSA-CPH2305); n inds, Oudtshoorn, 10 km N, Little Karoo, 33°29ʹS 22°15ʹE, 22.10.1993, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 2894 White flowering bushes (TMSA-CPH2307); n inds, Kamanasiberg, Little Karoo, 33°37ʹS 22°33ʹE, 2.11.1993, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 2928 Beating bushes (TMSA-CPH2306); 1♂ + 1♀, Grootvadersbosch, 11 Jan 2009, R Perissinotto & L Clennell (BMCS, RPGS); 5 inds, Leipoldtville, 26 Sep 2010, R. Perissinotto & L. Clennell (BMCS, RPGS); 1♀, Elandsberg, 2 Jan 2013, R. Perissinotto & L. Clennell (RPGS); 2♂ + 1♀, Seweweekspoort, 24 Dec 2017, R. Perissinotto & L. Clennell (RPGS); 2 inds, ibidem, Oct 1954, G. van Son (TMSA-CPH2271); 1 ind., ibidem, 17.11.1940, G. van Son (TMSA-CPH2272); 2 inds, ibidem 33°26ʹS 21°25ʹE, 10.12.1995, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 3178 Beating (TMSA-CPH2295); 1 ind., ibidem 33°24ʹS 21°21ʹE, 18.11.1973, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 267 Grassnetting (TMSA-CPH2296); 2 inds, ibidem, 1100 m Klein Swartberge, 33°24’S 21°24’E, 01/12/1988, Grobbelaar E (SANC-COLS-15738); 6 inds, Rocklands Farm, near Clanwilliam, 900 m Pakhuis Pass, 32°08’S 18°58’E, 25/11/1996, on flowers and foliage of Aspalathus hystrix, Oberprieler RG, Neser OC & Stiller M (SANC- COLS-15741); 1 ind., Ceres, 33°22’S 19°19’E, 11/10/2004, Holm E (SANC-COLS-15743); 1 ind., Warmwaterberg, c. 30 km NE of Barrydale, 33°46’S 20°53’E, Eardley CD & Oberprieler RG (SANC-COLS-15883); 1 ind., ZAF-WC, 80 km W Ladismith, 33°40’S 20°32’E, Holm E. (SANC- COLS-16056); 2 inds, Tierberg Karoo Research Centre 800 m, near Prince Albert, 33°10’S 22°16’E, 25/10/1987, Dean W.R.J. & Dean S.J. (SANC-COLS-17108); 1 ind., Villiers- dorp, 33°59’S 19°17’E, 01/12/1964, Capener A.L. (SANC- COLS-17171); 1♂ + 1♀, Cederberg, Welbedacht, 27 Sep 2010, R. Perissinotto & L. Clennell (RPGS); 1 ind., ibidem, Bushmanskloof, 22.09.1997, R Perissinotto & L Clennell (BMCS); 1 ind., ibidem, Middelberg 5000 ft, Oct 1967 (TM- SA-CPH2275); 2 inds., Bainskloof, 27.10.1975, N.J. Duke (TMSA-CPH2278); 2 inds, Mitchells Pass, 26.10.1975, N.J. Duke (TMSA-CPH2279); 1 ind., ZAF-WC, Du Toits Kloof, 2.11.1975, N.J. Duke (TMSA-CPH2280); 1 ind., Fran- schoek Pass, 30.11.1975, N.J. Duke (TMSA-CPH2281); 1 ind., Clanwilliam Dam, 7.9.1990, E. Holm, K. Stamhuis & S. Gussmann (TMSA-CPH2287); 6 inds, Hawaquas Rad. Tower, 33°41ʹS 19°06ʹE, 8.11.1973, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 225 Single (TMSA-CPH2290); 8 inds, Hawaquas For. St., 33°19ʹS 19°08ʹE, 7.11.1973, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 219 Flowering Prunus (TMSA-CPH2294) ; 2 inds, Hawaquas Mt, 33°34ʹS 19°08ʹE, 6.11.1973, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 207, Beaten from bushes (TMSA-CPH2291); 5 inds, ibidem, 5.11.1973, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 204 Netted and singled, yellow Compositae (TMSA-CPH2292); 1 ind., ibidem, 4.11.1973, Endrody-Younga, E-Y: 197 Singled, on white flowers (TMSA-CPH2293); 1 ind, Yzerfontein, 12.9.1986 (TMSA-CPH2276); 1 ind., Potberg, De Hoop, 25 Sep 1997, R Perissinotto & L Clennell (BMCS); 1 ind., Karoo Nas Prk, 20.12.1996, R Perissinotto & L Clennell (BMCS); 1 ind., Swellendam, - 34.0333S 20.43333E, 1930/11, Lawrence (SAMC-COL-A028227); 1 ind., Bar- rington, 23 km NW Knysna, Nov 1971, L. Schulze (TM- SA-CPH2273); 2 inds, Tradouw Pass, S of Barrydale, Nov 1971, L. Schulze (TMSA-CPH2274); 1 ind., Tulbagh, Dec 1924, Dr. Brauns (TMSA-CPH2270); 1 ind., ibidem, Gt Winterhoek 4500 ft, - 33.1333S 19.1667E, 1916/11, Lightfoot (SAMC-COL-A028228); 1 ind., Ceres Road, 1984/11, de Sozir (SAMC-COL-A028229); 1 ind., idem (SAMC-COL-A028231); 1 ind., Fernkloof Nature Res., Die Mond se Kop, 150 m, Hermanus, - 34.4S 19.3E, 1993/10/24, van Noort (SAMC-COL-A028358); 1 ind., Hex Riv. (River), 1985/07 (SAMC-COL-A028359); 88 inds., Goede Hoop (Farm), Heidelberg District, - 33.9833S 20.85E, 1951/10, South African Museum Expedition (SAMC-COL-A028360); 1 ind., Rust en Vrede, Oudtshoorn Distr., - 33.4S 22.36E, Oct 1951, South African Museum Expedition (SAMC-COL-A028361); 3 inds, Sevenweek- spoort, - 33.4S 21.4E, 1935/11, South African Museum Expedition (SAMC-COL-A028363); 3 inds, Tradouw Pass, Swellendam Dist., 1925/11, South African Museum Expedition (SAMC-COL-A028367); 4 inds, South Africa, Swellendam Distr., 1925/11, South African Museum Expedition (SAMC-COL-A028368); 4 inds, ZAF-WC, Tulbagh, - 33.2833S 19.15E, 1902, Lightfoot (SAMC-COL-A028371); 3 inds, Newlands, 2001/10/12, Hos- ford (SAMC-COL-A045117); 1 ind., Wit River Valley, Bains Kloof, 1949/12, South African Museum Expedition (SAMC-COL-A063032); 2 inds, Harold Porter Nature Reserve, Betties Bay, on Scabiosa incisa , 2009/10/28, Reavell (SAMC-COL-A070084); 1 ind., Riversdale, - 34.125S 21.375E, Phillips (SAMC-COL-A028375); 1 ind., Mitch- ell’s Pass, near Ceres, 33°23’S 19°27’E, 19/11/1982, Eardley C.D. & Oberprieler R.G. (SANC-COLS-15645); 1 ind., Tradouw Pass, near Barrydale, 33°57’S 20°42’E, 17/11/1982 /, Eardley CD (SANC-COLS-15659); 2 inds, Limietberg Nature Reserve, Zachariashoek near Paarl, 33°50’S 19°04’E, 1976/10/07, Geertsema H. (SANC- COLS-15736); 1 ind., Garcia’s Pass, N slope 700 m Langeberg, 33°59’S 21°14’E, 01/12/1988, Grobbelaar E. (SANC-COLS-15737); 13 inds, Ashton, 33°49’S 20°03’E, 19/10/1983,Tribe GD (SANC-COLS-15739); 1 ind., Between Calitzdorp and Ladismith, 26 Nov 2008, Johan Pretorius (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11038122); 1 ind., lower Welbedagt ascent Cedar- berg Wilderness Area, 3 Nov 2018 11:57, Tony Rebelo (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/18410948); 2♂ + 1♀, ibidem, 3 Nov 2018 11:49, Tony Rebelo (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/18411141); 1 ind., Helderberg Rural, Sir Lowry’s Pass, 25 Nov 2018 8:52, Nikola S (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/18622139); 1♀, ibidem, 29 Apr 2019 13:29, Magriet B (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/24026186); 1 ind., Kogelbaai Steenbras NR, 29 Apr 2019 13:38, Linkie (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/24269520); 1 ind., Rietvlei nr 2, Montagu, 29 Oct 2017 18:14, Marion Maclean (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/30299426); 1 ind., South Cape DC, 21 Sep 2019 12:09, Brian du Preez (https:// www.inaturalist.org/observations/33203654); 1 ind., Phillip- skop Mountain Reserve, Stanford, Overberg, 29 May 2021 11:26, Heather & Andrew Hodgson (https://www.inaturalist. org/observations/85317192); 1 ind., ibidem, 19 Oct 2021 9:03, Felix Riegel (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/117323782);

1 ind., Waterval Nature Reserve, Tulbagh , 27 Oct 2021 11:45, Ismail Ebrahim (https://www.inaturalist. org/observations/99986598) ; 1 ind., Mount Hope, Dor- ingrivier west, South Cape DC, 20 Nov 2021 11:39, Nicola van Berkel (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/106759609) ; 5 inds, Saint Blaize Hiking Trail, Mossel Bay , 20 Aug 2023 14:17, Josh Durie (https:// www.inaturalist.org/observations/179388407) ; 1♂ + 1♀, Overberg District Municipality, 17 Oct 2023 14:44, Andrew Morton (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/187995081) . ZAF-NC. 4 inds, Gr. Tafelberg, 2 Jan 2006, R. Perissinotto & L. Clennell ( RPGS, BMCS); 1 ind., ZAF-NC, Pixley ka Seme District Municipality, 31 Dec 2013 8:12, Johan Heyns (https://www.inaturalist.org/ observations/145870558) .

Remarks. Specimen size range between 8.9-11.7 mm in total length and 4.2-6.1 mm in maximum width. The dorsal habitus exhibits a rather constant pattern of white maculation, with spots being generally very small in size and rath- er shallow. On the pronotum, in particular, all specimens examined show the presence of two symmetric longitudinal lines of often oblong white spots on the disc and also a few, less regular spots along the lateral margins. The elytral background colour is most often of an emerald green, but ferruginous to brown and even dark purplish specimens have been recorded on numerous occasions ( Fig. 11 ).

Females differ from males in having the usual shorter protarsi and slightly more enlarged protibiae, as well as an absence of concavity at the centre of their admominal sternites. Adults are active from late winter till late autumn, with a peak in late spring and early summer. They have been found feeding on several flowering plants, notably Protea spp. , Prunus sp. , Aspalathus hystrix and Scabiosa incisa . The larval stages are yet unknown.

Figures

Fig. 8 – Left: Leucocelis (L.) adspersa orientalis subsp. nov., Klein- poort, Cacadu, Eastern Cape, South Africa, Oct 27, 2021 15:18 (Photo: Felix Riegel). Right: Leucocelis (L.) adspersa. Pixley ka Seme District Municipality, Northern Cape, South Africa, Dec 31, 2013 8:12 (Photo: Johan Heyns).

Fig. 10 – Leucocelis (Leucocelis) adspersa orientalis subsp. nov.: A, HT♂ dorsal habitus; B, HT♂ ventral habitus; C, HT♂ lateral habitus; D, HT♂ clypeus; E, HT♂ pygidium; F, HT♂ parameres, dorsal view; G, HT♂ parameres, lateral view. Photos: Lynette Clennell.

Fig. 11 – Examples of dorsal habitus variability among the different subspecies of Leucocelis (Leucocelis) adspersa s.l. Leucocelis (L.) a. adspersa: 1, Cetonia adspersa, Fabricius LT (“Cap: bon: sp:”); 2, Cetonia verreaux Gory LT (“Cap. b. sp.”); 3, ♂, ZAF-WC, Cederberg; 4, ♀, ZAF-WC, Elandsberg. Leucocelis (L.) a. giannatellii: 5, ♀, ZAF-NC, Steinkopf-Springbok; 6, ♀, ZAF-NC, Near Kamieskroon; 7, ♂, ZAF-NC, Kamieskroon; 8, ♂, ZAF-NC, Nieuwoudtsville.Leucocelis (L.) a. orientalis: 9, ♂, ZAF-ZN, Mt Currie; 10, ZAF-EC, Fort Brown; 11, ♂, ZAF-EC, Willowmore; 12, ♀, ZAF-EC, East London. Leucocelis (L.) a. umtalina: 13, ♂, ZIM Kwekwe; 14, ♀, ZIM Masvingo; 15, TAN Lindi-Masasi; 16, MAL Cape Maclear. (Photos:1, Michael Kuhlmann; 2, Giulio Cuccodoro; 3,4, 7-12, Lynette Clennell; 5,6, 13-16, Gerhard Beinhundner).