Afidentula Kapur

Wang, Xingmin, Tomaszewska, Wioletta & Ren, Shunxiang, 2015, A contribution to Asian Afidentula Kapur (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae, Epilachnini), ZooKeys 516, pp. 35-48 : 38

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Coccinellidae

Genus Afidentula Kapur

Afidentula Kapur, 1958: 324. Type species: Epilachna manderstjernae Mulsant, 1853 (by original designation). - Jadwiszczak and Węgrzynowicz 2003; Kovár 2007; Ren et al. 2009; Tomaszewska and Szawaryn 2013; Szawaryn et al. 2015. part of Afidenta Dieke, 1947; Szawaryn et al. 2015. part of Epilachna Chevrolat in Dejean, 1837; Szawaryn et al. 2015. part of Henosepilachna Li in Li & Cook, 1961; Szawaryn et al. 2015.

Diagnosis and comments.

Species of Afidentula are most similar to Afidenta by the general body shape and colouration (Figs 1 a–d, 2 a–c, 3 a–d, 4 a–c), bifid tarsal claws with a large basal tooth (Figs 1k, 2k), abdominal sternite VIII in female not divided longitudinally and female genitalia with oval coxites lacking styli (Figs 1h, o, 2d, o, 3e, j, 4d). Afidentula in the present sense ( Szawaryn et al. 2015) constitutes morphological pretty diverse group, especially after inclusion of some species of former Epilachna and Henosepilachna from Madagascar. The Asian species of Afidentula , however, can be easily distinguished from Afidenta (and other Epilachnini genera) by the following combination of characters: mandibular incisor edge smooth (incisor edge microdenticulate in Afidenta , Fig. 1e), ventral surface of incisor edge without tubercles, terminal labial palpomere narrower and shorter than penultimate one (narrower but as long as penultimate one in Afidenta ), metaventral postcoxal lines joined on metaventral process in form of straight line (forming somewhat w-shaped line along discrimen in Afidenta ), tibial spurs absent (present in Afidenta , Figs 1i-j), abdominal postcoxal lines complete or almost so (distinctly incomplete in Afidenta , Fig. 1h), tegminal strut triangularly expanded apically (simple in Afidenta , Fig. 1 m–n), parameres shorter than penis guide and very narrow (in Afidenta , parameres as long as penis guide and much broader than in Afidentula , Fig. 1 m–n).

Afidentula is also similar to Afissa Dieke (= Afissula Kapur) in general appearance, but it can be separated by having antennae distinctly shorter than width of the head and with at least antennomeres 7 and 8 subquadrate (in Afissa antennae are longer than width of head and have antennomeres 3-8 elongate) and tibiae without apical spurs (tibial spurs present in Afissa ).

Monographic revision of all Epilachnini genera based on the results of phylogenetic analysis is in preparation (Tomaszewska and Szawaryn, in prep.) and richly illustrated; detailed descriptions of all genera will be provided there.

Distribution.

Asia and Africa.

Key to the Asian species of Afidentula

(based on Tomaszewska and Szawaryn 2013)