Laccophilus taeniolatus Regimbart , 1889

Bistroem, Olof, Nilsson, Anders N. & Bergsten, Johannes, 2015, Taxonomic revision of Afrotropical Laccophilus Leach, 1815 (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae), ZooKeys 542, pp. 1-379 : 64-70

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Dytiscidae

Laccophilus taeniolatus Regimbart, 1889 Figs 56-57, 253, 410-412, 539

Laccophilus taeniolatus Régimbart 1889: 52 (original description, faunistics); Severin 1892: 472 (incorrect type deposition); Régimbart 1894: 237 (description, faunistics); Régimbart 1895: 136, 137 (description, discussion, faunistics); Sharp 1904: 3 (faunistics); Régimbart 1904: 66 (faunistics); Régimbart 1906: 248 (description variation, faunistics); Régimbart 1908: 5 (faunistics); Zimmermann 1919: 122 (faunistics); Zimmermann 1920a: 26 (catalogue, faunistics); Peschet 1920: 250 (discussion, faunistics); Régimbart 1922: 532 (faunistics); Peschet 1922: 374 (faunistics); Zimmermann 1926: 23 (faunistics, description); Gschwendtner 1930: 88 (faunistics); Gschwendtner 1931: 180 (faunistics); Omer-Cooper 1931: 757 (biology, description, faunistics); Gschwendtner 1932b: 260 (discussion); Gschwendtner 1935a: 16, 17, 18 (description, discussion, faunistics); Guignot 1943: 99 (faunistics); Guignot 1946c: 271, 273, 278, 280, 312 (description, discussion, faunistics); Guignot 1951: 215 (faunistics); Guignot 1952a: 533, 535 (discussion, faunistics); Capra 1952: 6-7 (faunistics); Guignot 1954: 29 (faunistics); Guignot 1955d: 67 (discussion); Guignot 1955g: 865 (faunistics); Guignot 1956b: 219 (faunistics); Omer-Cooper 1957 a: 20, 21 (description, discussion, incorretc association); Omer-Cooper 1958b: 43, 45 (description, discussion, incorretct assocation); Guignot 1959a: 570, 573, 574, 575 (description, faunistics, incorrect association); Bruneau de Miré and Legros 1963: 874, 883 (faunistics); Omer-Cooper 1965: 81, 82 (list); Omer-Cooper 1970: 288, 289, 290 (description, discussion); Legros 1972: 466 (faunistics, list.); Medler 1980: 155 (faunistics, list.); Forge 1981: 500, 501 (description, faunistics); Nilsson and Persson 1993: 58, 81, 88, 94 (biology, discussion, faunistics); Nilsson et al. 1995: 506 (discussion, faunistics); Nilsson 2001: 251 (catalogue, faunistics); Bilardo and Rocchi 2002: 174 (faunistics, list); Reintjes 2004: 68 (faunistics); Aistleitner and Jäch 2014: 47, 49 (faunistics, biology); Nilsson 2015: 218 (catalogue, faunistics). [Comment: This species was quite early misinterpreted and accordingly, any information in articles listed above on Laccophilus taeniolatus should be considered carefully before acceptance.]

Laccophilus congener Omer-Cooper 1957 a: 19, 21, 90 (original description, discussion, faunistics); Omer-Cooper 1958a: 59 (faunistics); Omer-Cooper 1958b: 37, 43, 44, 45, 46 (biology, description, discussion, faunistics); Guignot 1959a: 570, 571, 573 (biology, description, discussion, faunistics); Omer-Cooper 1962: 295 (faunistics); Omer-Cooper 1965: 76, 81, 82 (description, discussion, faunistics); Omer-Cooper 1970: 288, 289, 290 (description, discussion); Bilardo and Pederzani 1978: 119 (description, faunistics); Medler 1980: 155 (faunistics, list); Pederzani and Rocchi 1982: 72 (faunistics); Bilardo 1982a: 447 (description, faunistics. Spelled Laccophylus ); Pederzani 1988: 107 (biology, faunistics); Bilardo and Rocchi 1990: 162, 177 (biology, faunistics); Franciscolo and Sanfilippo 1990: 145 (biology, description, faunistics); Curtis 1991: 186 (faunistics); Nilsson et al. 1995: 506 (faunistics); Rocchi 2000: 24 (faunistics); Nilsson 2001: 242 (catalogue, faunistics); Bilardo and Rocchi 2002: 156, 161, 162, 174 (faunistics, list); Reintjes 2004: 67 (faunistics, list); van Vondel 2005: 130 (biology, faunistics); Bilardo and Rocchi 2006: 130 (faunistics); Bilardo and Rocchi 2013: 141 (faunistics, biology); Nilsson 2015: 210 (catalogue, faunistics). New synonym.

Type localities.

Laccophilus taeniolatus : Angola: Humpata.

Laccophilus congener : South Africa: Transvaal, Belfast.

Type material studied

(12 exs.). Laccophilus taeniolatus : Holotype: male: "P.J. vd Kellen Humpata Afr. trop. / Laccophilus taeniolatus sp. n. type Régb. / taeniolatus sp. n. Régimb.” (RMNH; habitus in Fig. 410). [Comment: type material contains only one specimen.]

Laccophilus congener : Holotype: male: "Type / Transvaal Belfast pond 23. N. 1948 Omer-Cooper / Brit. Mus. 1957-660 / Laccophilus congener O-C." (BMNH). - Paratype: female: Same information as holotype but labelled as “Allotype” (1 ex. BMNH); additional paratypes: same information as holotype but labelled as “Paratype” (4 exs. AMGS); "Paratype / Transvaal Belfast 30 Dec. 1948 J. Omer-Cooper" (1 ex. AMGS); "Paratype / Transvaal Standerton 8.12. 1948 J.O-C. / Laccophilus congener O-C. det. J. Omer-Cooper" (1 ex. AMGS); "Paratype / Transvaal R. Nyl at Num Num 23 Aug. 1948 J.O-C. (1 ex. AMGS); Paratype / Transvaal Misselburg 29 N. 1948" (2 exs. AMGS).

Specimens with type status uncertain

(not given in original description) (2 exs.): "Paratype / Transvaal Deel Kraal 20.8. 1948 J. O-C." (1 ex, AMGS); "Paratype / Transvaal Poerzya R., Waterberg Distr. 19.8. 1948" (1 ex. AMGS).

Additional material studied

(457 exs.): Gambia: "Stream N of Selety 19.2.1976 Holmen leg." (2 exs. ZMUC, 1 ex. MZH); "Bathurst Jan. 1968 Leiler T." (1 ex. NHRS); "Outside Abuko Nature Reserve at water works, at light 18.30-21.00, 4.11. 1977 / Cederholm-Danielsson-Hammarstedt-Hedquist-Samuelsson" (1 ex. MZLU); same data but ”19.00– 22.00, 26.11. 1977" (1 ex. NHMB); same data but "in and at Lamin stream 25-26.11. 1977" (1 ex. NHMB); "Abuko Nature Reserve, at light at the bamboo-pool 18.30-20.30, 18.11. 1977 / Cederholm-Danielsson-Hammarstedt-Hedquist-Samuelsson" (1 ex. MZLU, 1 ex. NHMB); "2 km S Kitty, 7 km SSW Brikama rd., junction in and at fresh water stream 13.2. 1977 / Cederholm-Danielsson-Hammerstedt-Hedquist-Samuelsson" (1 ex. MZLU). - Senegal: "Swamps ca. 3 km SW of Ziguinchor 8.3. 1977 / Cederholm-Danielsson-Larsson-Mireström-Norling-Samuelsson” (1 ex. MZLU); "In forest 1,5 km NE Djibélor, ca 6.5 km SW Ziguinchor, 8.3. 1977, at light 19.00-21.30 / Cederholm-Danielsson-Larsson-Norling-Samuelsson" (1 ex. MZLU); "Village Saré Sara 21 km ESE Kolda, in and at the junction of Rivers Koring and Tiángol, Dianguina 6.3. 1977 6.3. 1977 / Cederholm-Danielsson-Larsson-Norling-Samuelsson" (1 ex. MZLU). - Guinea Bissau: "Cacheu, 12 km E Varela, earth pit pond 9.4. 1993 S. Persson leg." (8 exs. MZLU); "Cacheu, Bula, temporary pools 16.7. 1992 S. Persson leg." (2 exs. MZLU); "Cacheu, 5 km W Bula, ponds 25.7. 1992 S. Persson leg." (3 exs. MZLU). - Guinea: "Seredoux, lux 7-8.4. 1975 Zott" (14 exs. ZMHB, 1 ex. MZH); same data but "4.5. 1975" (5 exs. ZMHB); same data but "5.4. 1975" (2 exs. ZMHB); same data but "4.4. 1975" (4 exs. ZMHB, 3 exs. MZH); same data but "16.4. 1975" (1 ex. ZMHB); same data but "18.4. 1975" (1 ex. ZMHB). - Burkina Faso: “Karfiguéla 29.10. 1973 Linnavuori leg." (1 ex. MZH); "Niangoloko 26.10. 1973 Linnavuori leg." (1 ex. MZH); "Ouagadougou 7.10-11. 1926" (1 ex. NHMB); "Nadiagow MV August 2005 Moretto" (1 ex. NHMB). - Chad: "Bebedja 28-31.5. 1973 Linnavuori leg." (7 exs. MZH); "Nr Bongor 27.5. 1973 Linnavuori leg." (1 ex. MZH). - Central African Republic: "Bambari UV 2. 1964 Pierrard" (1 ex. MRAC). - Sudan: "Equatoria, Yambio 18-25.4. 1963 Linnavuori leg." (1 ex. MZH); "Dahr el Ghazal, Wau 19.2. 1963 Linnavuori leg." (1 ex. MZH); "Dahr el Ghazal R. Malmul 21.2. 1963 Linnavuori leg." (1 ex. MZH); "Aluoklua Riv. 30.5E- 6.30N, 15.4. 1954 Reid T." (1 ex. AMGS); "L. Shambe 21.1. 1954 Omer-Cooper" (1 ex. AMGS); "Alel R. Lau 14 mi.NE of Yirol 17.1. 1954 Omer-Cooper" (1 ex. AMGS); "L. Nyibor 23.1. 1954" (1 ex. AMGS); "Rain ponds S of Rumbek nr Wulu 19.1. 1954"(3 exs. ZMHB); "R. Maila 30.57E, 4.39N, 29.1. 1954" (5 exs. AMGS); "Minkammon 31.31E- 6.2N, 16-17.1.1954 O-C." (1 ex. AMGS). - Sierra Leone: "Makeni 28.11. 1993 light trap/Cederhalm-Danielsson-Hall" (4 exs. MZLU); same data but "27.11. 1993" (7 exs. MZLU; habitus in Fig. 412); "Kalangba 8.11. 1980 Jump leg." (1 ex. USNM, 1 ex. MZH); same data but "9.11. 1980" (1 ex. USNM); same data but "25.10. 1980" (4 exs. USNM). - Liberia: "Suakoko 26.4. 1952 light trap Blickenstaff" (1 ex. USNM); "Suakoko 8.4. 1953 Blickenstaff" (1 ex. USNM). - Ivory Coast: "Nord CI, Ferkessedougou 10-20.5. 1964 Decelle leg." (1 ex. MRAC). - Ghana: "Upper East Pr. Navrongo Env. 11-13.6. 2006 Pokorny S. leg." (3 exs. NMPC, 1 ex. MZH). - Togo: "Reg. Plateaux, Pref. Kloto, nr. Kpimé, 1 km NW Seva village 10.2.2006 Komarek & Hounguè leg. / 300 asl, agricultural irrigation ditch" (1 ex. NMW); “Sokodé- Kmpamgalam, FL HQ (niedere vegetat.) N-22.132 S, 4. 1980/Krell leg." (1 ex. NHMB). - Benin: “Dép. Zou, commune de Zogbodomè 29.1. 2006 Goergen leg. / Lokoli forest 17 m asl, light trap" (1 ex. NMW); "Penessoulou, pond, forest area Oct. 2003 Goergen leg." (1 ex. NMW, 1 ex. MZH); "SE Benin, 15 km SE Save 8-11.4.2000 Halada leg." (1 ex. NMW). - Nigeria: "NW St. Badeggi rice fields 8-9.8.1973 Linnavuori leg." (70 exs. MZH); "Ilorin Prov., Ilorin15-18.2 1949 Malkin / small clear pond" (3 exs. BMNH, 1 ex. MZH); "NW St. Yelwa 23.7. 1973 Linnavuori leg." (5 exs. MZH); "W St. Igboho-Kishi 19.7.1973 Linnavuori leg." (1 ex. MZH); "R St. nr Mbiama 4-5.7. 1973 Linnavuori leg." (1 ex. MZH); "MW St. Sapoba forest 1.9.1973 Linnavuori leg." (1 ex. MZH); "NE St. Gombe-Bauchi 27.8.1973 Linnavuori leg." (1 ex. MZH); "Ibadan ca. Jan.-Juni 1954 Stenholt-Clausen leg. / Laccophilus congener O-C. J. Balfour-Browne det. 1961" (2 exs. ZMUC); "R. Kaduna at Kadoura? 1964" (1 ex. AMGS); "Little stream Oyo-Ibadan 28.3. 1963 JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Pools in dry stream bed Kontagora 5.4. 1963" (1 ex. AMGS); "Pools in river bed Kontagora 3.4. 1963 JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Stream at Assob 36 miles from Jos 13.4. 1963" (2 exs. AMGS); "Stream reservoir Jos 10.4. 1963" (1 ex. AMGS); "Pond in stream bed Kontagora-Kaduna rd 5.4. 1963 JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Stream 86 miles from Makurdi at Jos road 24.4. 1963 JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Detritus pond, Jos-Bauchi rd 9.4. 1968" (3 exs. AMGS); "Stream, escarpment, rd Jos-Wambe 13.10. 1963 JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Stream 64 miles from Bida on Jebba rd 15.IV. 1963 JOC." (9 exs. AMGS); "Stream Zaria rd about 3 miles from Kaduna 4.4. 1963 JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Stream nr Zaria 4.4. 1963 JOC." (3 exs. AMGS); "Stream 3,5 miles from Oyo 28.3. 1963 JOC." (10 exs. AMGS); "Trib. of R. Gagere (?) Zaria-Katsina 5.4. 1963 JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Zaria 1969" (1 ex. NHMB); "Rivercrossing rd about 49 miles from Makurdi in Enyogo direction 24.4. 1963 JOC." (4 exs. AMGS); "New Calabar River nr Port Harcourt 13.1. 1989 Umeozor leg." (1 ex. USNM). - Cameroon: "SW Kumba-Mamfe 23.6. 1973 Linnavuori leg." (2 exs. MZH); "Maroua 10/11.1965 ( lumière) Schmitz leg." (1 ex. MZH); "Boura, partially parched small stream with riverine forest in savannah, at light 13.1. 1978/ Gärdenfors-Hall-Samuelsson” (1 ex. MZLU); "Obala Juin 1969" (2 exs. NHMB); "Tsang Monatiele 5.1. 1970" (1 ex. NHMB). - Gabon: "Lagune Iguelá, Fortét à Est. Tassi Gen. 97 Bilardo / Laccophilus congener O-C. det. Rocchi S. 1998" (1 ex. OLML). - Congo: "Brazzaville P.K. Rouge G. Onore 4. 1979 G. Onore / Laccophilus congener O-C. det. Rocchi S. 1998" (1 ex. OLML); "Djili P.K. Rouge 3. 1979 Onore" (2 exs. NHMB); "Loudima, sur la route en savane 20.3. 1980 Onore" (3 exs. NHMB). - Zaire: "Parc National Garamba 1.9.1952 De Saeger leg." (1 ex. MRAC); PNG II/fc/13, 7.3. 1952 De Saeger 3257" (1 ex. IRSNB); "PNG 30.1. 1950 G. Demoulin 240" (1 ex. NHMB); same data but "8.5. 1950, 494" (1 ex. NHMB); "PNG II/fd/12, 10.3. 1952 De Saeger 3180" (1 ex. NHMB); "Tshuapa-Mbandaka 1964, A.B. Stam leg." (3 exs. RMNH); "Dilolo 8-9. 1931 de Witte" (2 exs. NHMB); "Haut Uele Moto 1920 L. Burgeon / Laccophilus congener O-C. det. Wewalka 1981"(1 ex. OLML); "Lusindoi 15.7. 1911 L. Burgeon/ Laccophilus congener O-C. det. Wewalka 1981" (1 ex. OLML); "Elisabethville 1.1956-1.1957 à la lumière Seydel leg." (1 ex. MRAC, 1 ex. MZH, 1 ex. NHMB); same but ”1957-1958” (1 ex. NHMB); "Katanga Kansenia 6. 1925 G.F. de Witte / Laccophilus congener O-C. det. Wewalka 1981" (1 ex. OLML). - Kenya: "Mariakani Dam, Kilifi distr. 16.9.1976 Holmen leg." (1 ex. ZMUC); "Machakos district, Athi River 14.9.1976 Holmen leg." (1 ex. ZMUC); "Djili P.K. Rouge 3. 1979 G. Onore" (2 exs., NHMB). - Tanzania: "Petukiza, ponds, Tanga Distr. 23.9. 1976 Holmen leg." (1 ex. ZMUC); "Deforested place nr Mangula, 297 m, N-07°52'20", E36°55'06", 18.7. 2004, 297 m at light, Sprecher" (4 exs. AMGS, 1 ex. MZH). - Angola: "Pediva ca. 30 mi. E of Porto Alexandre 400 ft. 26-27.6. 1954 / Pools in warm, saline river, thick weed" (1 ex. BMNH); Mossamedes Distr. Rio Coroca 23.6. 1954 / Small clear pool in sand with Chara "(1 ex. BMNH); "Rio Coroca 8 m N of Porto Alexandre 22-23.6. 1954 / Pond with Algae & Lemna , fringing Juncus " (6 exs. BMNH, 1 ex. MZH); "Ca. 10 mls. W of Cainde, ca 3500 ft 15.6. 1954 / Stagnant water hole, nitellid algae and muddy silt" (2 exs. BMNH). - Zambia: "Central Prov., Lusaka 8.1. 1982 Selander leg. / rain pond" (2 exs. MZH); "Lusaka 8.5. 1974 Lange" (3 exs. CGC); same data but "23.4. 1974" (1 ex. CGC); "Kafue NP Chunga Camp, 15.02.35S-26.00.09E, 29.3. 1993 lux Uhlig leg." (2 exs. ZMHB, 1 ex. MZH); "Kackhalola 820 m, 14.45.43S-30.35.46E, 19.3. 1993 lux Uhlig leg." (1 ex. ZMHB); "Copperbelt Pr. Mwekera 23.1. 1982 Selander leg. / rain pond" (2 exs. MZH); "Abercorn 13.4. 1951 H.O. Backlund leg. / Laccophilus propinquus O.-C. det. A.N. Nilsson 1996" (1 ex. MZLU); "Kasanka Nat. Res. N-12.30, E30.15, rain-filles dams Reavell" (4 exs. NHMB). - Malawi: "Fort Hill 8.10. 1945 JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Mulanje Mts.,env. 22.-26.12. 2001 Kantner" (1 ex. NHMB); "Dambo below Livingstonia, lakeshuve 21.9. 1945" (1 ex. IRSNB). - Zimbabwe: "Wankie Res. waterhole 3.9. 1948" (5 exs. AMGS); "Wankie Game Res. 9. 1948 waterhole JOC: / Laccophilus congener det. J. Omer-Cooper" (10 exs. AMGS); "Wankie Game Res. Shapi Pan 5.9. 1948 / Laccophilus congener det. J. Omer-Cooper" (2 exs. AMGS); "Wankie Game Res. Shapi Pond 5.9. 1948" (1 ex. AMS); "Wankie Game Res. 4.9. 1948" (3 exs. AMGS); "Wankie Res., Masumu Dam 4.9. 1948" (3 exs. AMGS); "Wankie Res., Masumu Dam 9. 1948" (2 exs. AMGS); "Wankie Res., Masumu Dam 9. 1948, waterhole" (2 exs. AMGS); "5 mi. SE Wankie 7.4. 1968 Spangler" (2 exs. USNM, 1 ex. MZH); "Marandellas 2.9. 1948 JOC. / Laccophilus congener det. J. Omer-Cooper" (1 ex. AMGS); "Sinkukwe 30.12. 1948 JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Small stream, Halfway Hotel Salisbury-Gatooma 14.9. 1948" (3 exs. AMGS); "Gwaai River 1.9. 1948 JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Gwai R. 3.4. 1968 Spangler" (4 exs. USNM). - Mozambique: "Niassa Prov. S12°17'28.8", E34°46'31.4", Mandambuzi Marsh Watson 6.4. 2009" (1 ex. CGF); "Jangamo Block N-24.3212, E35.280, 7.6. 2008 De Moor" (1 ex. AMGS). - Namibia: "Windhoek, New Dam 7.7. 34 JOC:" (3 exs. AMGS); "Windhoek Town Dam 7.7. 1939" (1 ex. AMGS); "SW Prot. Windhuk Parch 1919" (1 ex. SAMC); "E Capriwi, Katima Mulilo lux, 17.29S- 24.17E, 3-8.3. 1992 Uhlig leg." (3 exs. ZMHB, 1 ex. NMNW); "Kavango: Kaudom-Camp, Wasserloch, Schilf + Gras-Gesiebe, 18.31S- 20.43E, 22-25.2. 1992 Uhlig leg." (1 ex. ZMHB); "E Capriwi Mudumu NP: Nakatwa 18.10S- 23.26E, 8-13.3. 1992 lux Uhlig leg." (1 ex. ZMHB); "E Capriwi Mudumu NP: Buffalo Trails Camp, lux, ca. 18.10S- 23.26E, 12.3. 1992 Uhlig leg." (1 ex. ZMHB, 1 ex. MZH); "Kavango Mahango Game Reserve, piknik site, lux 24.11. 1993, 18.13S- 21.45E Uhlig leg." (1 ex. ZMHB); "Kavango: Popa Falls 18.07S- 21.35E, 26.2.-3.3. 1992 Uhlig leg." (2 exs. ZMHB, 1 ex. MZH; habitus in Fig. 411); "Okarupa ca. 17 mi E of Okahandja 4900 ft, 22.5. 1954/pools in overflow stream from dam, much weed and algae " (2 exs. BMNH); "Namib Mt. Naukluft river 24.16 S- 16.15 E 10.8. 1989 shorewashing, river Endrödy & Klimaszew" (1 ex. TMSA); "Damaral. Okahandja 21.59S- 16.52E / 12.9. 1974 shore washing Endrödy-Younga leg." (1 ex. TMSA); "Kro, ca.15 mi. SE of Namutoni 30.5. 1954 / Shallow and muddy, with algae " (2 exs. BMNH, 1 ex. MZH); "Ca. 7 mi NE of Grootfontein 29.5. 1954 / Waterhole in dolomits" (2 exs. BMNH, 1 ex. MZH); "Ovamboland Namutoni 31.5. 1954 / Weedy water-hole and stream" (1 ex. TMSA). - Botswana: "Tsotsorogo Pan 17.6.-9.7. 1930 / Laccophilus taeniolatus Régimbart det. Gschwendtner" (14 exs. TMSA); same data but " Laccophilus congener O-C. det. Wewalka 1981" (3 exs. OLML); “N´Kate Makarikari 6-23.8. 1930 / Laccophilus taeniolatus Régimbart det. Gschwendtner" (2 exs. TMSA); "Chobe NP, Savuti-Camp 18.33.55S-24.03.53E, 11.3. 1993 lux Uhlig leg." (1 ex. ZMHB). - South Africa: "Trsvl., 5 mi W Warmbad 24-25.2. 1968 Spangler" (33 exs. USNM, 5 exs. MZH); "Tvl Nylstroom Donkerpoort dam 24.8. 1948" (1 ex. AMGS, possibly belongs to the type serie of Laccophilus congener but lacks paratype label); "Tvl Dam wall 28.11. JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Tvl Potgietersrust 23.4. 1933 Taylor" (1 ex. AMGS); "OLF 101D 21.3. 55" (TVL Olifantsvlei) (1 ex. AMGS); "Transvaal Bronkhorstspruit Rinosterpoort b. Franz leg." (1 ex. NMW); "C. Transvaal Roodeplaat Dam 28.37S- 28.23E / 14.8.1974 shore washing leg. A. Strydom" (1 ex. TMSA, 1 ex. MZH); "Transvl Pretoria distr., Roodeplaat / UV light trap 30.10.-10.11. 1960 Dr. Neubecker" (1 ex. TMSA); "Roodeplaat Pretoria Distr. 10. 1960 Neubecker" (2 exs. TMSA); "Tv Nelshoogte Forest Station 25.50- 30.50E / 2.12.1986 UV light collection Endrödy-Younga leg." (1 ex.TMSA); "Tv Nelshoogte galery for. below St. 25.51S- 30.53E / 4.12. 1987 UV light collection leg. Endrödy-Younga” (1 ex. TMSA); "Tvl Naboomspr. Torino Ranche 24.37S- 28.38E / 15.1. 1989 UV light, vlei edge Endrödy-Younga leg." (1 ex. TMSA); "Tvl Rhenosterpoort N.R. 25,45S- 28.55E / 15.11. 1975 at light Endrödy-Younga leg." (1 ex. TMSA, 1 ex. MZH); "Nelspruit Pond 27.4. 2010, S25°32'13,83", E30°59'50,35" Hidalgo-Galiano & Kleynhans leg." (1 ex. CIR); "Transvaal April 1946" (1 ex. AMS); "Fountains 26.8. 05" (1 ex. TMSA); "Fountains 26.8. 1895(?)" (1 ex. TMSA); "Plat River 6-18.4. 05 / Waterberg Distr. Swierstra / Laccophilus taeniolatus Régimbart Gschwendtner det." (7 exs. TMSA); "W Cape Arniston 7. 1946" (1 ex. BMNH); "ECPr. Matatiele 4-5.5. 1956 JOC." (3 exs. AMGS); "ECPr. Matatiele 5.5. 1956 JOC." (1 ex. AMGS);" "ECPr. Matatiele 5.5. 1956 JOC. / Laccophilus congener O-C. det. J. Omer-Cooper" (5 exs. AMGS); "ECPr. Mt Currie 6.5. 1956 JOC." (2 exs. AMGS); "EC., Hwy 352, 3 km S Tsomo, in river 22.5. 2005 Challet" (1 ex. CGC); "ECPr., Qumbu 2.5. 1956 J.O-C." (1 ex. AMGS); "Transkei Port St Jones Silaka 31.33S- 29.30E /2.12. 1987 UV light collection leg. Endrödy-Younga” (1 ex. TMSA); Nat. -Drakensbg. Cathedral Peak 28.57S- 29.12E / 15.3.1976 at light leg. Endrödy-Younga” (3 exs. TMSA); "Natal, TUG 77 Q38 (Tugela River system, Colenso 25.7. 1954" (1 ex. AMGS); "Natal Zululand Mtuba-tuba 23.9. 1947 JOC." (1 ex, AMGS); "Natal 1942" (1 ex. AMGS); "Caffraria / Wahlb." (1 ex. NHRS). - Swaziland: "9 mi. from Mbabane 6.12. 1948 JOC" (1 ex. AMGS). - Lesotho: “Hensley’s Dam 8 mi. SW Leribe 30.3. 1951 / Brinck-Rudebeck" (6 exs. MZLU).

Comments on synonymy.

The holotypes of Laccophilus taeniolatus and Laccophilus congener have been examined and compared with each other. No diagnostic differences can be discerned in shape of male genitalia. Externally both species are similar and accordingly they both belong to the same species, and Laccophilus congener is hence a junior subjective synonym of Laccophilus taeniolatus .

Diagnosis.

Laccophilus taeniolatus is a widely distributed, but still reasonably uniform species. It resembles externally most of Laccophilus propinquus , Laccophilus simplicistriatus and Laccophilus complicatus . From the two latter species Laccophilus taeniolatus can in most cases be separated by study of the elytral colour pattern: dark irrorations are clearly reduced frontally on each side of the suture and an irregular, pale area is formed on base of each elytron. Laccophilus propinquus and Laccophilus taeniolatus requires dissection of male genitalia for correct identification; apex of penis exhibits a small difference in location of the small, frontal process. Additionally penis is distinctly shorter in Laccophilus propinquus .

Description.

Body length 3.8-4.2 mm, width 1.9-2.3 mm. Colour pattern of dorsal aspect of body distinct; exhibits limited variation (Figs 410-412).

Head: Pale ferrugineous, posteriorly darker, ferrugineous to dark ferrugineous. Sometimes posteriorly with darker area; however vague and hardly discernible. Slightly mat; rather finely microsculptured; double reticulation indistinct; weakly developed medially on head. At eyes finely and irregularly punctate; between eyes with a few scattered, fine punctures.

Pronotum: Pale ferrugineous, frontally and posteriorly in middle with a dark brownish to dark ferrugineous marking. Posterior margin narrowly dark. Frontal and basal dark areas sometimes connected by a vague, ferrugineous area. Finely microsculptured, submat. Reticulation indistinctly double; large meshes (when distinguishable) contain 2-4 small meshes. At margins with very fine, sparse and irregularly distributed punctures.

Elytra: Pale ferrugineous, with dense, dark ferrugineous to blackish irrorations, which are somewhat unevenly distributed on elytra. Frontally, along dark suture, dark irrorations sparser, in part absent. Longitudinal, dark irrorations can in part (especially laterally) simply be “hollow” and consist only of dark outlines (Figs 410-412). Submat, finely microsculptured; reticulation indistinctly double. Kind of meshes, in general, difficult to classify according to size. Weakly developed rudiments of large meshes can be discerned. Each elytron with three (discal, dorsolateral and lateral), longitudinal areas with fine and sparse punctures.

Ventral aspect: Pale ferrugineous to ferrugineous. No distinct colour pattern. Rather shiny, very finely microsculptured; in part microsculpture indistinct. Abdomen basally very finely and sparsely striated. Metacoxal plates with fine, shallow, transversely located furrows. Apex of prosternal process slender, pointed. Apical sternite lacks asymmetric knob; provided with curved, sublateral impressions (of variable kind; one more pronounced) (Fig. 56).

Legs: Pro- and mesotarsus somewhat enlarged, rather long. Provided with suckers.

Male genitalia: Penis in lateral aspect quite long and evenly curved; minor frontal process protuding (Fig. 253).

Female: Apical sternite (Fig. 57).

Distribution.

Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad, Central African Republic, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Zaire, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho (Fig. 539). Because of extensive taxonomic confusion we have only accepted personally verified records.

Collecting circumstances.

A tolerant species, which occurs in a great variety of water bodies, both in stagnant and running waters. It is also collected from temporary pools. Laccophilus taeniolatus is a good flier and has often been captured at light collection. It also occurs in water bodies created or highly influenced by man, as in agricultural irrigation ditches. It dwells in forests as well as in open habitats as steppes and savannas (e.g. Guignot 1959a). Regarding collecting localities, see also Bilardo and Rocchi (2013).