Syriolytta Kaszab, 1962

Bologna, M. A. & Pinto, J. D., 2002, The Old World genera of Meloidae (Coleoptera): a key and synopsis, Journal of Natural History 36 (17), pp. 2013-2102 : 2054-2055

30. Syriolytta Kaszab, 1962 new status

Lytta (Syriolytta) Kaszab, 1962 .

Type species. Lydus vulneratus Fairmaire, 1892 (= Lytta fairmairei Borchmann,

1917; = Lytta suturifera Pic, 1899 ) (erroneously given as Lytta vulnerata Fairmaireby

Kaszab, see Notes), by original designation. 1 sp. Geographic distribution. SE Turkey, Syria , N Iraq.

References Taxonomy. Kaszab (1962b); Bologna (1991a).

Notes

Bologna (1991a) previously suggested that this taxon was distinct from Lytta . The elevation of Syriolytta to genus is justi ed by several traits. Unlike Lytta , in Syriolytta the mesepisterna do not broadly contact each other medially, the mandibles are acuminate apically, the labrum is distinctly narrowed apically, the frons is depressed and the occiput is furrowed medially. Kaszab (1962b) also placed Lydus impressicollis Fairmaire, 1892 , in Syriolytta . However, an examination of its type (PMHN) suggests that it belongs in Lydus .

Old World genera of Meloidae 2055

The transfer of the type species Lydus vulneratus Fairmaire, 1892 , to Lytta by

Borchmann (1917) resulted in its replacement name, Lytta fairmairei Borchmann,

1917, because of preoccupation by Lytta vulnerata Le Conte, 1851 . Borchmann

(1917) considered this species a synonym of Lytta suturifera , which Kaszab (1962b)

also considered to be the valid name. We follow these authors here although we have not con rmed this synonymy.