Asthenopholis subfasciata ( Blanchard, 1851 )

Harrison, James G., 2009, A taxonomic revision of the African leaf chafer genus Asthenopholis Brenske, 1898 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae): a SEM study, Zootaxa 2225, pp. 1-48 : 38-39

Asthenopholis subfasciata ( Blanchard, 1851)

(Figs. 8, 21, 38–39, 52–53, 89–93, 108–109, 131–133, 148–149, 171–173, 180)

Ancylonycha subfasciata Blanchard, 1851 : (Length 20 mm, No. 1058) 136–137; Burmeister 1855: 318.

Hoplochelus subfasciatus ( Blanchard, 1851) : Harold 1869: 1165.

Ancylonycha dasypus Burmeister, 1855 : (8–10‘’’ [line] long = 16.9–21.2 mm, female type in MLUH) 318.

Hoplochelus dasypus ( Burmeister, 1855) : Harold 1869: 1165 (as a synonym of A. subfasciatus ).

Asthenopholis subfasciata ( Blanchard, 1851) : Péringuey 1904: 286 –288 (key); Dalla Torre 1912: 182 (catalogue); Arrow 1917: 60; Oberholzer 1959a, b: 44 (larval description); Smith et al. 1995: 161 –162 (larval description).

Asthenopholis subfasciatus ( Blanchard, 1851) . Arrow 1902: 97; Arrow 1917: 60 (key).

Asthenopholis dasypus ( Burmeister, 1855) : Péringuey 1904: 287 (as a synonym of A. subfasciata ); Dalla Torre 1912: 182 (catalogue, as a synonym of A. subfasciata ).

Diagnosis. Medium sized, chestnut brown species with very fine setae on scutellum, pronotum, and elytra (Fig. 8). Distribution centred in the Eastern and Western Cape of South Africa (Fig. 21).

Redescription. Size (n = 5 males; n = 5 females). Length: males, mean 17.8 mm, (range 17.0–19.0 mm), females, 19.0 mm, (18.0–21.0 mm). Width: males, 9.7 mm, (9.5–10.0 mm), females, 10.4 mm, (10.0–11.0 mm). Pronotum ratio 1.53:1 (n = 53); 1.51:1 (n = 5Ƥ). Colour (Fig. 8): Light chestnut brown to dark brown, with tan coloured setae. Head (Figs. 38–39, 52): Head clothed with very fine setae. Clypeus hardly reflexed in the middle, anterior clypeal margin concave and bowl shaped. Pronotum (Figs. 89–93): Pronotum covered with small setae; lateral margins clearly serrated, with irregular sized mostly blunt-ended teeth, stiff setae between teeth. Longer and finer setae along anterior and lateral edges. Scutellum (Figs. 108–109): Scutellum triangular, apex smoothly rounded and covered by fine setae within sculptured punctures. Elytra (Figs. 131– 133): Scales on the elytra are fine; with 4–5 denudate maculae on elytra. Pygidium (Figs. 148–149): Pygidium flat and setiferous. Male genitalia illustrated in Figs. 171–173.

Morphological variability. The specimens examined show little external difference, other than the light brown and darker brown forms. Since both colour forms are found at the same localities, this is regarded as intraspecific variation.

Distribution. Endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape Province, with most collection records being quite close to the coast (Fig. 21).

Old records from Port Natal (= Durban) and student records from Port Shepstone, Ellisras, and Harare (in Zimbabwe) are here interpreted to represent incorrect localities. There are no recent or corroborating records of A. subfasciata from KwaZulu– Natal, or beyond the coast of the Eastern and Western Cape of South Africa.

Conservation status. As an Eastern and Western Cape endemic, with the potential to become a sporadic pest of pineapples pre-plant pesticides are used in agro-ecosystems against this species. However, it remains an endemic species to South Africa requiring conservation.

Natural history and pest status. Refer to natural history under genus section. Asthenopholis subfasciata has been collected from September to May, with the main activity period from November to March (Fig. 180).

Remarks. Dr. Hartwig of the Plant Protection Research Institute and South African National Collection of Insects (SANC) identified the adults of the pineapple white grub species submitted by Mr. Graham Petty for identification (G. D. Petty, Agricultural Research Council, Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Bathurst, South Africa; personal communication 2007). Representatives of this species from both those deposited in the SANC, and new material provided by Petty confirms that the species referred to by Petty (1976, 1977b, 1978, 1982, 1990, 1994) as Asthenopholis subfasciata was correctly identified in accordance with the type specimens studied here.

Type material examined ( Asthenopholis dasypus [ Burmeister, 1855]): Lectotype (here designated): SOUTH AFRICA, [no locality data] / [blue paper square with ink cross drawn on front] / “ dasypus Nob. Pr. b. sp. Thor. [written in black onto blue square drawer label] / MLU Halle, WB Zoologie, S.-Nr. 813113, T.-Nr. [label added by Dr. Karla Schneider in 2002 for loan purposes] / 0 2592 [JduGH photo number] / Lectotype Ƥ, Asthenopholis dasypus ( Burmeister, 1855) , des. J. du G. Harrison 2009” (1Ƥ MLUH).

Type material examined ( Asthenopholis subfasciata [ Blanchard, 1851]): Lectotype (here designated): SOUTH AFRICA, “MUSEUM PARIS, CAP DE BONNE, ESPÉRANCE, VERREAUX 1835 [printed] / 179/55. [written on underside of green circle] / Ancylonycha subfasciata Type Blanch. [handwriting similar to that of Arrow’s] / COTYPE [printed in red] / Lectotype 3, Asthenopholis subfasciata ( Blanchard, 1851) , des. J. du G. Harrison 2009 // JH 2009” [specimen condition; pin hole in left elytron; two mesotarsomeres from right hand side missing] (13 MNHN); Paralectotypes: “MUSEUM PARIS, LE CAP, VERREAUX 836–36 / 836/36 [written on underside of green circle] / Ancylonycha subfasciata [illegible], Cap le B. Esp. [written in pencil] / Ancylonycha subfasciata Type Blanch. [handwriting similar to that of Arrow’s] / Paralectotype 3, Asthenopholis subfasciata ( Blanchard, 1851) , des. J. du G. Harrison 2009 // JH 2009” [specimen condition; right hand side antenna and entire metafemora missing] (13 MNHN). “MUSEUM PARIS [printed], Afrique Hottentot Delalande [written]/ afriq. Hottentot Delalande [written onto white circle] / Ancylonycha subfasciata Type Blanch. [handwriting similar to that of Arrow’s] Paralectotype 3, Asthenopholis subfasciata ( Blanchard, 1851) , des. J. du G. Harrison 2009 // JH 2009” [specimen condition; right hand side antennal club missing] (13 MNHN).

Additional material examined (Σ310, 2423, 68Ƥ). SOUTH AFRICA, Eastern Cape, Albany Dist. [Albany], P. Graham, SN 3925 / Acs 1166 / Com. Inst. Ent. Coll. No. 12048 / Asthenopholis subfasciata [sic] Blanch. det. R.D. Pope 1951 / JduGH181 (1Ƥ SANC); B[rak]. Kloof [Farm], Mrs G. White, Jan. 1901 / L. 70 / 70, Asthenopholis subfasciatus Bl. / JduGH159 [“Brakkloof, the coordinates are 33.14S 26.23E. This locality is a little to the south of the road heading out of Grahamstown to Bedford. It is NW of Grahamstown at a distance of 15 km (as the crow flies). At the turn of the century (circa 1900) the wife of the then owner, Mrs George White, collected many insects on the farm, these insects being donated to the Albany Museum. Incidentally, driving past the farm I notice that the signboard has been anglicized by the present owner Geoff Selwyn Brown to Brack Kloof” (F. W. Gess, AMGS; personal communication 2007)] (1Ƥ AMGS); C. Bon Spei, 39499 [black ink on red paper] / Fry Coll. 1905–100 / JduGH447 (13 BMNH); C. Bon Spei, Murray, 5846 E91 + (Ƥ); 5845 E91+ (3) A. subfasciata Blanch. / JduGH443 (13 1Ƥ NHRS); Cap. B. Esp. J. Coll. Thomson, A. subfasciata Bl., C.B. Sp. [black ink on red circle] / vid. L. Burgeon Asthenopholis subfasciatus Blanch. / JduGH445 (1Ƥ ISNB); Cap. b. spec. Coll. Brenske / Asthenopholis subfasciata Bl. [Brenske's homeotype] / JduGH174 (13 1Ƥ ZMHB); Cap. B. Spei. Åkerbg. 5848 E91 + (Ƥ) / subfasciata Blanch. , 5847 E91 + (3) / JduGH442 (13 1Ƥ NHRS); Cap[e], E. Coll. Candeze, Dasypus B. Cap. [white drawer label with blue rim] / vid. L. Burgeon Asthenopholis subfasciata Blanch. / see Dalla Torre Col. Cat. Junk, XX, 45, 1912, p. 182: Asthenopholis subfasciata Blanch. JduGH444 (23 1Ƥ ISNB); Cape, J. Ingall, Ent. Club. 44–12. / subfasciata Blanch. [Arrow's handwriting] // So named in Reiche’s Collection. C.W. / JduGH446 (13 BMNH); Cape Colony, leg. J.A. (1Ƥ); Ancylonycha adspersa Boh. ?Omm. Type [Péringuey’s handwriting] / JduGH452 (13 1Ƥ SAMC); Capland / JduGH173 (23 ZMHB); LeCap., Coll. [Charles] Oberthür [handwritten] / subfasciata, Cap Bl / (13 MNHN); George, K.H. Barnard, Jan. 1931 / SAM-COL-A035878 / A. subfasciatus det. R.D. Pope, 1951 / JduGH184 (43 SAMC); George, Dr. Brauns, Jan. 1915 / JduGH183 (113 1Ƥ TMSA); George, Dr. Brauns, Jan. 1915 / JduGH146 (13 USSA); George, 17.1.1989, R. Jocqué / JduGH136 (83 MRAC); George, 7.1.1989, K.J. Language, light trap / JduGH552 (13 TMSA); George, 11.1.1989, K.J. Language, ex. UPSA / JduGH553 (13 TMSA); George, 25.12.1996, R. Stals, light trap, [dark brown] / JduGH182 (63 2Ƥ SANC); George, 26.12.1990, A.J. Urban, light trap / Adults attracted to light at the onset of darkness (c. 20:15) / JduGH133 (193 1Ƥ SANC); George, S.J. van Tonder, light trap / JduGH180 (23 6Ƥ SANC); George, Glentana Caravan Park, 28.12.1987, V. Strydom, NMBH 21321, SE 3322 Cd / JduGH141 (13 BMSA); Gou[-gh]kama, Knysna, H. Brauns, Jan. 1924 / JduGH428 (13 TMSA); G. Town, xi.[18]91 / A. subfasciata Bl. [Péringuey's handwriting] / JduGH178 (1Ƥ SANC); Graham. Town, Dr. C. LeDoux, SAM-COL-A035875 / Ƥ in cop[ula]. JduGH204 (1Ƥ SAMC); Grahamstown [hereafter abbreviated to Ght.], Jan. [19]91 / A. subfasciata [sic] Blanch. [Péringuey's handwriting] / Rhyzotrogus [= Rhizotrogus Latreille ] spec. / Ancilonycha [= Ancylonycha Blanchard , a synonym of Phyllophaga Harris ] sub-fasciata gen. Ennecta [= Empecta Erichson , a genus endemic to Madagascar]? Melolonthinae [Péringuey's handwriting] / JduGH438 (23 AMGS); Ght., Nov. [18]91 / A.M. 7784, 7784 / JduGH441 (23 AMGS); Ght., det. Cisthenopholis [sic] subfasciata Bla. JduGH435 (13 DMSA); Ght., Feb. [19]02, M. & M. / Ght. Museum, 1911–258 / JduGH436 (13 BMNH); Ght., 10.3.1965, J.L. Bissett [ RUDZ] / JduGH165 (13 AMGS); Ght., Sept. 1965, J.S. Carrett [? Garrett] [ RUDZ] / JduGH164 (13 AMGS); Ght., May [19]97 [this single record from the month of May represents an outlier record], Dr. Cheio, A.M. 7784, 7784 / JduGH439 (13 AMGS); Ght., E. Coll. Candeze, drawer det. label “ subfasciatus Bl. Cap. ” / JduGH431 (1Ƥ ISNB); Ght., 16.12.1902, P. Coll. de Moffarts / JduGH432 (1Ƥ ISNB); Ght., Dec. [19]03, J. Gaue / JduGH440 (13 AMGS); Ght., 1969/ 01/05, F.W. Gess / JduGH197 (43 AMGS); Ght., 8.1.1969, F.W. Gess / JduGH198 (63 3Ƥ AMGS); Ght., 4.3.1956, F.W. Gess, SAM-COL-A035872 / JduGH433 (13 SAMC); Ght., Jan. 1965, C. Jacot-Guillarmod / JduGH199 (33 AMGS); Ght., Jan. 1966, C. Jacot-Guillarmod / JduGH453 (1Ƥ AMGS); Ght., 16.1.1989, R. Jocqué / JduGH137 (1Ƥ MRAC); Ght., 1989/02/28, J. Knouer [ RUDZ] / JduGH153 (1Ƥ AMGS); Ght., Dr. C. LeDoux, 3 in cop[ula]. / A. subfasciatus Bl. [Péringuey’s handwriting] / SAM-COL-A035876 / JduGH434 (13 SAMC); Ght., Dr. C. LeDoux, [pair on one pin] / 10.12[19]00 / A. subfasciata Bl. [Péringuey’s handwriting] / JduGH179 (13 1Ƥ SANC); Ght., 10.3.1965, J.G.H. Londt [ RUDZ] / JduGH148 (13 AMGS); Ght., Jan. 1911, C.W. Mally, SN. 2836 / Imp. Inst. Ent. Coll. No. 10690 / Asthenopholis subfascitus Bl. , det. D.J. Atkinson, 1947 [1] / JduGH176 (43 SANC); Ght., 12.1.1911, C.W. Mally, Agrl. Dept. G407 / JduGH177 (23 1Ƥ SANC); Ght., Jan. 1954, Feb. 1954, Feb. 1955, Dr. Martin / JduGH200 (33 AMGS); Ght., 10.12.1941, J. Omer-Cooper, det. A. subfasciatus Blanch. [no name] / JduGH201 (13 AMGS); Ght., 19.01.1936, 26.12.1940, J. Omer-Cooper [ RUDZ] / JduGH156 (23 AMGS); Ght., 26.12.1946, J. Omer- Cooper, SAM-COL-A035874 / JduGH202 (1Ƥ SAMC); Ght., Dec. 1946, J. Omer-Cooper / SAM-COL- A035873 / JduGH203 (13 SAMC); Ght., J. O'Neil, / G.A.K. Marshall 1901–179 / JduGH437 (13 BMNH); Ght., Jan. 1978, G.L. Prinsloo, light trap / JduGH163 (53 SANC); Ght., 5.10.1990, A.J. Booth [ RUDZ] / JduGH521 (13 AMGS); Ght., 27.3.1990, S. Oosthuizen [ RUDZ] / JduGH522 (13 AMGS); Ght., 1.2.2004, [ RUDZ] / JduGH523 (1Ƥ AMGS); Ght., 25.2.1987, I. Rencken [ RUDZ] / JduGH454 (13 AMGS); Ght., 14.2.2004, K. van Zuydam [ RUDZ], altitude 629 m / JduGH524 (13 AMGS); Ght., 23.2.1982 [1Ƥ]; 4.3.1982 [13], K. Sheppey [ RUDZ] / JduGH149 (13 1Ƥ AMGS); Ght., 2.3.1968, P.H. Skelton [ RUDZ] / JduGH155 (1Ƥ AMGS); Ght., 2.3.1969, A.J. Urban [ RUDZ] / JduGH150 (13 AMGS); Ght., 7.3.1973, H.C. von Maltzahn [ RUDZ] / JduGH154 (1Ƥ AMGS); Ght., 9.1.1994, C. Youthed [ RUDZ] / attracted to light / JduGH147 (13 AMGS); Ght., 7 km SW Faraway, Jan. 1980, D.J. Brothers / JduGH168 (13 TMSA); Ght., Botanical Gardens, 15.3.2004, Konrad Czypionka [ RUDZ] / JduGH526 (13 AMGS); Ght., Caravan Park, 14.2.1998, K. Burgess [ RUDZ] / JduGH166 (13 AMGS); Ght., Fairview, 3.3.1983, S.I. Whitehead [ RUDZ] / JduGH525 (13 AMGS); Ght., R.U. Campus, 9.3.1991, W. Ford [ RUDZ] / JduGH151 (23 AMGS); Ght., Rhodes Univ. 1.2.1945 – 26.2.1945, Art's Block, [ RUDZ], R.U.C. [= Rhodes University Campus, this series covers the period from 1.ii.1945 to 26.ii.1945 and these specimens died as indicated here: 1 Feb. (1 male), 9 Feb. (7 males), 12 Feb. (9 males, 1 female), 19 Feb. (2 males, 1 female) and 26 Feb. (1 male, 1 female)] / JduGH450 (203 3Ƥ AMGS); Ght., Rhodes Univ. 25.2.1979, G.H. Walter [ RUDZ] / JduGH152 (1Ƥ AMGS); GT [Grahamstown], Asthenopholis subfasciata Blanch. / SAfrica, CleDoux, acc 67769 / 600/12 and 900/12 / JduGH167 (43 2Ƥ USNM); Howieson's Poort, near Grahamstown, 9.1.1991, P.E. Reavell / JduGH161 (13 SANC); Humansdorp, 18.1.2001, T.W. Drinkwater / JduGH185 (183 1 SEM 2Ƥ TMSA); Keurboom[s] R[iver]., Jan. 1922, leg. Chas. K. Brain / Pres. By Imp. Bur. Ent. Brit. Mus. 1922–171 / A. subfasciatus Bl. , det. G.E. Bryant / JduGH196 (13 BMNH); Keurbooms River, Knysna, Jan. 1931, K.H. Barnard / SAM-COL- A035879 / JduGH195 (53 SAMC); Keurboomstrand, 11.12.1978, S. Endrődy-Younga, E-Y: 1530, singled / JduGH194 (23 TMSA); Kleinemond, Jan.1944, J. Omer-Cooper [ RUDZ] / JduGH157 (13 AMGS); Knysna, 1885 / 453 / SAM-COL-A035879 / JduGH192 (1Ƥ SAMC); Knysna, 1893, leg. R.T. / SAM-COL-A035877 / JduGH193 (1Ƥ SAMC); Knysna, 20.1.1989, UPSA: L.G. le Roux / JduGH139 (23 1Ƥ TMSA); Knysna, J.H. Power / JduGH144 (13 MMKZ); Knysna, 30.12.1979, C.D. Quickelberge, / DMSA COL 12557–58 / / JduGH169 (23 DMSA); Knysna, Jan. 1979, S.J. van Tonder, light trap JduGH190 (13 3Ƥ SANC); Mbotje Forest, 29.11.2003, R. Müller & M. Burger, light trap, E-Y: 3579 / JduGH498 (23 1Ƥ TMSA); Mbotje Forest, 1.12.2003, R. Müller & M. Burger, light trap, E-Y: 3583 / JduGH520 (23 1Ƥ TMSA); Plett[enberg Bay], Dec. 1989, E. Smith / JduGH145 (13 USSA); Plettenberg Bay, 15.1.1979, S.J. van Tonder / JduGH186 (33 4Ƥ SANC); Port St. Johns, Silaka, 23.11.1987, S. Endrődy-Younga, UV light, E-Y: 2532 JduGH170 (1Ƥ TMSA); Pt. St. Johns, Nov. 1952, J.H. Power / JduGH143 (13 1Ƥ MMKZ); Queenstown, [This locality record is based on a single specimen from the MRAC collection, where the original data labels are re-transcribed onto “Coll. Mus. Tervuren” labels, and in this particular instance there is no original label to act as corroboration that this is not a labelling error. Thus although this location has been mapped, it requires confirmation], 2.2.1963, Comp. Typ. subfasciata / Asthenopholis subfasciata Blanch. , det. J. Decelle, 1968 / JduGH138 (13 MRAC); Robbeng, Dec. 1950, Niemeyer / JduGH429 (13 TMSA); Silversdale Farm, Dec. 1976, G. Petty / AcCol 224 / AcP 7852, 7852 / JduGH187 (33 1Ƥ SANC); Thomas Baine’s Nature Reserve, 27.2.1988, A.D. Wood [ RUDZ] / JduGH451 (13 AMGS); Tzitzikama [Tsitsikama Park], 16.12.1954, Ac. P.E. 405, 405 / JduGH191 (73 2Ƥ SANC); Uitzicht Annex, Knysna District, 7.12.1991 – 11.12.1991, L. Lotz, NMBH 36223 / JduGH142 (33 BMSA); US Africa [?], [19]49, McGough & Skinner, No. 9 / JduGH135 (63 4Ƥ USNM); Waterloo [Bay], Jan. 1944, J.O.C. [= J. Omer-Cooper] [ RUDZ] / JduGH158 (33 AMGS); Wilderness, Dec. 1950, K.M. Dickson / JduGH140 (23 LACM); Wilderness, Dec. 1950, K.M. Dickson / JduGH189 (33 TMSA); Wilderness, 9.3.1999, D. Erber / JduGH160 (23 TMSA); Wilderness, 9.3.1999, D. Erber, light trap / JduGH188 (13 1Ƥ TMSA); Wilderness, 12.3.1968 – 13.3.1968, Paul J. Spangler / JduGH134 (93 USNM). Dubious localities. Port Natal [= Durban] / JduGH502 (13 DEIG); Natal, [? incorrect locality] / JduGH449 (13 BMNH); Natal, Laferte 2887 / JduGH499 (1Ƥ MNHN); Krugersdorp, [? incorrect locality], Dec. 1959, USSA, Ac. Ca. 13.1 JduGH430 (13 TMSA); Leufontein [? illegible], Feb.[18]65 / A.M. 7784 / / JduGH171 (13 AMGS); Lydenburg [? incorrect locality], Feb. 1965, leg. Rademeyer [ RUDZ] / JduGH457 (1Ƥ AMGS). No locality data. S.Afr., Dr. Smith 44–6 / JduGH448 (13 BMNH); 11379, subfasciata Blanch. dasyphus Burm. Pr.b.sp. Krebs [ ZMHB green drawer label] / JduGH172 (13 ZMHB); no data / JduGH503 (23 DEIG); no data, Coll. Brenske / Schwan H. Coll.? / Asthenopholis subfasciatus No. 72 [male genitalia point mounted] / JduGH175 (13 1Ƥ ZMHB).