Heptodonta Hope, 1838

Aston, Paul, 2016, Catalogue and Bibliography of the Hong Kong Carabidae Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera: Adephaga), with notes on the historic boundaries of Hong Kong as related to zoological collections, Zootaxa 4121 (3), pp. 201-257 : 212

Genus Heptodonta Hope, 1838

Heptodonta posticalis (White, 1844)

White (1844) described this species from specimens collected by John Charles Bowring on Hong Kong Island. Also listed for Hong Kong by Chaudoir (1865), Gemminger & Harold (1868), Fleutiaux (1893), Schilder (1911) with a question mark, Horn (1930), Mell (1931), Mandl (1981), Wiesner (1992) Hua (2002) and Puchkov & Matalin (2003). Westwood (1853) quoted a letter from John Charles Bowring in Hong Kong about this species "A fine species, forwarded by me to England in 1844, and described by Mr. White under the name of C. (Heptodonta) posticalis , is very common in Hong Kong during the summer months. In its great length of legs and cylindrical form it resembles Tricondyla , and its custom of constantly resorting to trees and shrubs, when disturbed, likewise brings that genus to our minds." Redtenbacher (1867) incorrectly records this species from Hong Kong under Cicindela analis Fabricius 1801 , being the type species for the genus Heptodonta . Hill 1982 incorrectly identifies this species as Cicindela camprestris Linnaeus 1758 , a European species, in the text and as Cicindela nivicincta on the plate caption. Material 1 ex. Hong Kong, Lantau, Mui Wo, 9.v.08; Ƌ W.T., 11.v.15, at least 20 others seen; Sight record Hong Kong, Lantau, Ngong Ping, 13.v.03; Sight record W.T., 19.v.07; Sight record W.T., 19.v.07; 1 ex. Hong Kong, Lantau, Sunset Peak, altitude 400 m, 20.v.06; 3 exx. Hong Kong, Lantau, Mui Wo, 24.v.07; 1 ex. Hong Kong, Lantau, Mui Wo, 24.v.15, several others seen; Sight record Hong Kong, Lantau, Ngong Ping, 25.v.03; 1 ex. Hong Kong, Lantau, Shek Pik, 1.vi.13; 1 ex. Hong Kong, Lantau, Ngong Ping, 3.vi.14. Biology: Imago found May to June. Common, almost always close to near-vertical earthen banks, especially those at the edge of footpaths, in more open hillsides, open bushy areas and more rarely in enclosed areas. Fully winged and readily flies.