Phrynocaria funebris ( Crotch, 1874 )

Poorani, J., Sankararaman, H. & Anusree, S. S., 2021, A review of Indian species of Phrynocaria Timberlake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) with notes on synonymy and a new species from South India, hitherto misidentified as Coelophora circumusta (Mulsant), Zootaxa 4926 (1), pp. 117-133 : 124

Phrynocaria funebris ( Crotch, 1874)

( Fig. 4 )

Coelophora funebris Crotch, 1874: 154 .— Korschefsky 1932: 292.

Phrynocaria funebris: Poorani 2002: 338 .

Diagnosis: Phrynocaria funebris ( Figs. 4a, b ) is superficially similar to the fully melanic form of P. perrotetti in having black elytra, but the pronotum is yellowish-ochreous with a pair of black maculae on basal margin and a pair of much smaller, obliquely transverse discal markings and the lateral margins of elytra are narrowly ochreous and the male genitalia are diagnostic. It also resembles Synona spp. in having fully black elytra, but the latter can be distinguished by the semicircularly emarginate clypeal margin and the more convex and broader body outline with a distinct marginal bead. The male genitalia ( Figs. 4 c–e) are, however, diagnostic.

Brief redescription: Form ( Figs. 4a, b ) broadly rounded, dorsum strongly convex and glabrous. Head and pronotum ochreous, pronotum with a pair of characteristic black maculae on basal margin, not connected, together forming a semicircular median trough, above these a pair of much smaller, obliquely transverse markings; scutellar shield black; elytra dark brown to black, lateral margins narrowly yellowish-ochreous for up to ¾ of elytral length, apically darker. Ventral side yellowish. Head with eyes posteriorly strongly divergent, interocular distance subequal to eye width. Punctures on head irregular, closer and denser next to ocular margins than in middle, interspaces between punctures reticulately sculptured. Pronotum finely punctate, punctures shallowly impressed, separated by 2–4 diameters, interspaces with weak, reticulate sculpture. Elytral disc finely punctate, punctures slightly finer than those on pronotum, separated by 4–6 diameters, interspaces apparently smooth; lateral borders with many coarser punctures mixed with smaller ones. Prothoracic hypomera with prominent foveae on anterolateral corners. Prosternal carinae present. Legs without tibial spurs, tarsal claws appendiculate. Abdominal postcoxal line incomplete. Male genitalia ( Figs. 4 c–e) as illustrated, penis guide ( Figs. 4c, d ) shorter than parameres, broadest at 2/4 th length, narrower at 3/4 th length, apical 1/4 th still narrower, apex broadly arcuate with a short blunt projection, outer and apical margins of parameres densely setose. Penis capsule ( Fig. 4e ) well developed, outer process wider and longer than inner one, robust in the middle, penis apex as illustrated.

Material examined: “ Type (red bordered circular label) / Bengalore / Bowring 63.47* / Coelophora funebris, Crotch , type / NHMUK014016390 ” ( BMNH) .

Distribution: India (Karnataka). This species was originally described from Bangalore and appears to be rare as it is known only from the type specimen. We have not seen any corresponding examples in any of the major Indian collections.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Phrynocaria funebris (Crotch), type material (BMNH): a, b) adult male, dorsal view; c–e: male genitalia, c) tegmen, lateral view; d) tegmen, ventral view; e) penis.