Ootheca orientalis Weise, 1900

Kortenhaus, Sabine & Wagner, Thomas, 2010, Revision of Ootheca Chevrolat, 1837 from tropical Africa — redescriptions, descriptions of new species and identification key (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae), Zootaxa 2659, pp. 1-52 : 21-24

Ootheca orientalis Weise, 1900

( Figs 29–34 )

Ootheca orientalis Weise, 1900: 453 .

= Ootheca flavipes Laboissière , in litteris.

Total length. 4.20–6.55 mm (mean: 5.08 mm; n = 21; Fig. 29 ).

Head. All variations of brown from pale or nearly red to black. Antennae pale yellow with apical antennomeres brownish, in most specimens yellow basally with six to eight terminal antennomeres brownish to black, or in specimens with black head entirely dark brown; length ratios: second to third antennomere 0.50–0.80 (mean: 0.64); third to fourth antennomere 0.63–0.88 (mean: 0.76; Fig. 30 ). Maximum width of eye to minimal distance between eyes ratio 0.44–0.82 (mean: 0.56).

Thorax. Completely yellowish- to reddish-brown to black. Pronotum very finely punctuated, latero-basal impression often barely visible; width 1.65–2.75 mm (mean: 2.05 mm), length 1.00– 1.60 mm (mean: 1.20 mm), pronotal width to length ratio 1.38–1.90 (mean: 1.72). Elytral colouration very variable: specimens with black head and prothorax have also black elytra, i.e. completely black (20% of material examined); 10 % entirely yellowish or brownish; about 40% of the specimens have yellowish head and prothorax and black elytra, further 3% pale yellow to light reddish-yellow elytra with broad black base where the black colouration extends to the elytral apex along outer margins ( Fig. 31 ) and to a lesser extent along suture; finely and irregularly punctuated, punctuation more distinct than on pronotum; length 3.45–5.30 mm (mean: 4.16 mm); maximal width of elytra together 2.40–4.40 mm (mean: 3.29 mm); maximal width of elytra together to length of elytron 0.67–0.88 (mean: 0.79). Scutellum yellowish- to reddish-brown. Meso-, metathorax and legs yellowish- to reddish-brown, distal two thirds of tibiae usually darker brown. Length ratio of basi-metatarsus to metatibia 0.17–0.33 (mean: 0.24).

Abdomen. Yellowish-brown to brown; dark brown to black in some specimens with black dorsum.

Male genitalia. Basal half of median lobe very broad, with large orifice, apical half more slender, subconical with slightly protrudent tip, not incised apically ( Fig. 32 ). In lateral view slightly curved with apical quarter distinctly flattened. Tectum unobstrusive, consisting of symmetrically arranged pair of slightly curved and apically hooked tectorial spurs. Endophallus very short and broad basally, asymmetrical, two robust spiculae differing in size and position and completely covered by median lobe.

Diagnosis. Ootheca orientalis is highly polychromatic. Only specimens with bicolourus elytra can relatively easily be assigned to this species. This pattern only also occurs in O. mutabilis , but the latter is on average slightly larger and has more coarsely punctuated elytra. Completely black specimens are only known from this species, with a few exceptions. However, specimens with other colour patterns cannot be distinguished from specimens of more abundant species by external characters alone. Ootheca bennigseni (4.75–6.76 mm) and O. mutabilis (4.75–6.30 mm) are on average larger than O. orientalis (4.20–6.55 mm). The humeri of O. orientalis appear to be more distinct and the body shape is more ovate, while O. mutabilis and O. bennigseni are almost parallel sided. However, in many cases only examination of the median lobe allows a reliable identification to species as stated by Weise (1900). The asymmetrical arrangement of the endophallic spiculae is a species specific character and unique in Ootheca . Small specimens resemble O. chapuisi and O. frontalis , which can be both distinguished by their much coarser, seriate elytral punctuation and the darker brown meso- and metasternum contrasting with the reddish-brown abdomen.

Distribution. Most known specimens were collected along the Albertine Rift, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, southern Kenya and Tanzania, but a few single records cover a larger area from Ghana in the West to Zimbabwe in the South ( Fig. 33 ).

Host plants and biology. Some specimens were collected feeding on Fabaceae , like the indigenous Erythrina abyssinica , and “haricots” (green beans).

Type material examined. Ootheca orientalis: Lectotytpe , male “Afr. Or Bennigs. / Type / Ootheca orientalis m. / AfriGa Specimen ID 871, specimen data documented 13.XII. 2006 ” ( MNHU; Fig. 34 ). This designation. Type locality with reference to the original publication “Zansibar, Usambara”. Paralectotypes: 2 females, same first label as lectotype, additional with “ orientalis ” or “ex coll. J. Weise” ( MNHU). A lectotype is herein designated to fix the name to a single specimen.

Ootheca flavipes : 1 ex., Type: female, “Kapiri, XII.1912, Miss. Agric., Musée du Congo, R. Det. 4420, V. Laboissière det. Ootheca flavipes ” ( MRAC); 1 ex., Type: male, “Kapiri, XII.1912, Miss. Agric., Musée du Congo, R. Det. FF 4426, V. Laboissière det. Ootheca flavipes ” ( MRAC). Type locality: Democratic Republic of the Congo (= Congo ( Zaire)), Kapiri, 9°42’S / 27°13’E. The male has an identification label in Laboissière’s hand-writing. To our knowledge this species has not been described.

Additional material examined. Burundi: 1 ex., Mahembe, 1400 m, Terr. Nyanza, 4°13’S / 29°43’E, I.1953, P. Basilewsky ( MRAC). Congo (Democratic Republic): 1 ex., Kundelungus, 9°20’S / 27°40’E, Mme. Tinant ( MRAC); 1 ex., Masisi, Kivu, 1°24’S / 28°49’E, ( IRSN); 1 ex., Elisabethville, 11°40’S / 27°28’E, XI.1911, Miss. Agric. ( MRAC); 1 ex., Kapanga, Lulua, 6°48’S / 22°32’E, XI.1932, F. G. Overlaet ( MRAC); 4 ex., Kapiri, 9°42’S / 27°13’E, XII.1912, Miss. Agric. ( MRAC); 2 ex., Katolo, 8°24’S / 27°54’E, XI.1912, Dr. Bequaert ( MRAC); 1 ex., Albertville, 5°56’S / 29°12’E, XII.1918, R. Mayné ( MRAC); 14 ex., Watsa, Haut- Uele, 3°03’N / 29°32’E, 1922, L. Burdeon ( MRAC); 1 ex., Abimva, Haut-Uele, 2°46’N / 27°37’E, VII.1925, L. Burgeon ( MRAC); 3 ex., 18 m SW of Elisabethville, XI.1927, Dr. H. S. Evans ( BMNH); 1 ex., Kibali-Ituri, Beni, 1°34N/ 30°15’E, XI.1931, Mme. L. Lebrun ( MRAC); 1 ex., Mulungu, Kivu, 2°20’S / 28°47’E, XI.1932, L. Burgeon ( MRAC); 1 ex., Elisabethville, 1935, Dr. Richard ( MRAC); 1 ex., Mahagi-Niarembe, 2°15’N / 3107’E, V.1935, Ch. Scops ( MRAC); 2 ex., Mulungu, Kivu, XII.1938, Hendrichx ( MRAC); 1 ex., P. N. A., Mutsora, 9°19’N / 29°45’E, 1939, Hackars ( IRSN); 6 ex., Lusinga, P. N. A., 8°56’S / 27°12’E, XII.1947, G. F. de Witte ( IRSN); 1 ex., Mbuye Bala, 1°07’S / 18°10’E, III.1948, G. F. de Witte ( IRSN); 103 ex., Rwankwi, Kivu, 2°30’S / 28°00’E, IV./ V.1946, XI./ XII.1947, I./ III.1948, VII./ XII.1951, J. V. Leroy ( MRAC); 1 ex., Ibanda, Kivu, 0°08’S / 30°29’E, 1952, M. Vandelannoite ( MRAC); 1 ex., Kyandolire, Massif Ruwenzori, 0°23’N / 29°54’E, X.1952, P. Vanschuytbroeck & J. Kekenbosch ( IRSN); 1 ex., Ndama (Mahagi), 2°11’N / 30°53’E, V.1952, J. Hecq ( MRAC); 6 ex., Kibali-Ituri, Nioka, 2°10’S / 30°39’E, IV.1953, J. Hecq ( MRAC); 1 ex., Migeri, Massif Ruwenzori, 0°23’N / 29°54’E, IV.1953, P. Vanschuytbroeck & J. Kekenbosch ( IRSN); 3 ex., Butambo, Kivu, 0°55’N / 29°33’E, X.1955, Rev. P. Celis ( MRAC); 1 ex., Kikura, Massif Ruwenzori, 0°35’N / 29°57’E, X.1955, P. Vanschuytbroeck ( IRSN); 1 ex., Tshiaberimu, 4°31’S / 26°54’E, IV.1955, P. Vanschuytbroeck & R. Fonteyn ( IRSN); 1 ex., Tshibinda, Kivu, 2°19’S / 28°46’E, XI.1955, J. Hecq ( MRAC); 1 ex., Kitemba, ex village près Katimbombo, 0°42’N / 29°51’E, X.1957, P. Vanschuytbroeck ( IRSN); 4 ex., Forest Kasapa, Shaba, 11°34’S / 27°25’E, XII.1978, F. Malaisse ( MRAC). Ghana: 2 ex., Takoradi, 4°53’N / 1°45’W, Besnard ( MRAC); 2 ex., Bondaye, 5°25’N / 2°09’E, V.1914 ( BMNH). Kenya: 4 ex., Yala, Kakumba Forest, 0°04’N / 34°09’E, S. A. Neave ( BMNH); 1 ex., Nairobi, 1°18’S / 36°49’E, XI.1904, Ch. Alluaud ( ZMUH); 1 ex. Lac Rudolphe, 3°30’N / 36°00’E, 1905, M. de Rothschild, Jacoby Coll. ( MNHN); 4 ex., Kyangori, N. Kavirondo, 0°04’N / 34°48’E, V.1911, V.1912, S. A. Neave ( BMNH); 91 ex., Kaimosi, 0°11’N / 34°57’E, 1932, A. Turner ( NMK); 1 ex., Nairobi, VI.1933, McArthur ( NMK); 1 ex., Muhorqni, KC, II.1936, A. Turner ( NMK); 1 ex., Kisumu KC, 0°06’S / 34°45’E, III. 1936, A,Turner ( NMK); 1 ex., Makuyu, 0°54’S / 37°11’E, X.1937, C. D. Knight ( BMNH); 1 ex., Nairobi, IV.1943, Meneghetti ( NMK); 2 ex., Kacheleba, Suk, VI.1949, T. H. E. Jackson ( NMK); 3 ex., Diani Beach, 4°18’S / 39°35’E, V., VII.1957, N. L. H. Krauss ( BMNH); 3 ex., Kavura Forest, V.1972, P. Mureshi & M. Clifton ( NMK). Nigeria: 1 ex., Ban. Carfa, le Moult vend. via Reinbek 1957 ( ZMUH). Rwanda: 1 ex., Gitarama, terr. Nyanza, 2°04’S / 29°45’E, I.1953, P. Basilewsky ( BMNH); 15 ex., Muhavura, 1°23’S / 29°41’E, I.1953, P. Basilewsky (12 ex. MRAC, 3 ex. BMNH); 1 ex., Kirengeri, terr. Nyanza, 2°09’S / 29°46’E, II.1953, P. Basilewsky ( MRAC); 95 ex., Rubona, 2°11’S / 29°52’E, 1966, I. S. A. R. ( MRAC). Tanzania: 1 ex., Plantage Magritto bei Tanga, 5°07’S / 38°45’E, G. Pfanneberg ( MNHU); 1 ex., Kigonsera, Nyassa-See, 12°00’S / 34°30’E, ex. Staudinger ( MRAC); 2 ex., Litema-Berge, Kilimandjaro, 3°04’S / 37°2’E, ( MNHU); 1 ex., Moshi, 3°21’S / 37°20’E, ( MNHU); 2 ex., Kwasigi, 5°08’S / 38°24’E, V.1904, ( MNHU); 1 ex. Lewa-State, Bondei, V.1910, ( MNHU); 1 ex. Kilimandjaro, Moshi, 800 m, IV. 1912, Alluaud & Jeannel ( ZMUH); 5 ex., N. W. Usagara, 1300–1900 m, 2°41’S / 33°0’E, XII.1912 ( MNHU); 1 ex., Mkindu, Tanganyika, 6°15’S / 37°30’E, VI.1953 ( NMK). Uganda: 6 ex., Busso Busoga, 0°45’N / 33°30’E, 1909, Dr. E. Bayon ( ZMUH); 1 ex., Mbarara, Southern Toro, 0°37’S / 30°39’E, X.1911, S. A. Neave ( BMNH); 1 ex., Ankole, Toro Border, 0°15’S / 30°15’E, X.1911, S. A. Neave ( BMNH); 1 ex., N. Ruwenzori, 0°48’N / 30°12’E, XI.1911, S. A. Neave ( BMNH); 5 ex., Mpanga Forest, Toro, 7°50’S / 38°02’E, XI.1911, S. A. Neave ( BMNH); 2 ex., Ebinamba, X.1926, H. Hargreaves (1 ex. BMNH, 1 ex. ZMUH); 11 ex., Bugomola, 0°55’S / 31°23’E, IV.1927, H. Hargreaves (8 ex. BMNH, 3 ex. ZMUH); 2 ex., Dwoli, IV. 1927, H. Hargreaves ( BMNH); 1 ex., Kiryanga, 1°12’N / 31°04’E, IV.1927, H. Hargreaves ( ZMUH). Zambia: 1 ex., N’Changa, C. T. Macnamara ( BMNH)1 ex., Kabwe, 9°07’S / 30°40’E, II.1944, H. J. Bredo ( IRSN). Zimbabwe: 3 ex., Salisbury, 17°50’S / 31°03’E, XII.1898, G. A. K. Marshall ( BMNH).

Figures

FIGURE 33. Distribution of Ootheca orientalis.

FIGURE 34. Lectotype of Ootheca orientalis Weise, 1900, a. specimen with labels, b. close-up detail of specimen.

FIGURES 29 – 32. Ootheca orientalis Weise, 1900. 29. Habitus, a. dorsal view, b. lateral view; 30. Antennomeres 1 – 4 of two different males and two different females; 31. Colour pattern of some specimens; 32. Median lobe: dorsal (left), lateral (right).