Ulobaris loricata (Boheman)

Prena, Jens, Yang, Jiani, Ren, Li, Wang, Zhiliang, Liu, Ning & Zhang, Runzhi, 2014, Nomenclatural changes, new country records and range extensions of Baridinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) from China, Zootaxa 3841 (3), pp. 339-363 : 358

Ulobaris loricata (Boheman)

( Figs. 16 , 19 )

Baridius loricatus Boheman [in Schönherr] 1836: 716.

Two syntypes from Caucasus ( NHRS, UUZM); one examined. Transferred from Baris to Ulobaris by Reitter (1895).

Baridius crinipes H. Brisout 1870: 45 .

Syntypes from Sarepta and Caucasus (probably MNHN and ZSM); not examined. Synonymy with B. loricatus by Heyden et al. (1883).

Diagnosis. Ulobaris loricata ( Fig. 16 ) can be recognized by flat, fringed fore legs and a small third tarsite.

Distribution. The species has been known from Central Asia, SE Europe and Mongolia ( Prena 2011) and is reported here for the first time from China (Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang) ( Fig. 19 ).

Biology. Larva and adult are oligophagous on a range of Amaranthaceae , including Amaranthus albus , A. blithoides , A. retroflexus , Atriplex sibirica , Bassia hyssopifolia , B. scoparia , Beta vulgaris , Ceratocarpus arenarius and Kali turgidus ( Kabakhchi 1938; Aleeva 1953; Brunner 1957; Korotyaev et al. 2005; unpubl. label data). Aleeva (1953) considered U. loricata as one of the three main pests of sugar beet in Kazakhstan, particularly on dry, sandy soil. The latter habitat is needed because the weevil digs more than 20 cm deep into the ground, vertically along the root, to avoid high daytime temperatures. It feeds mostly on the root during the day and mostly on the stalk at night. Eggs are laid in the root between late May and early September. Even though some beet roots may have over 100 larvae, infestations are not obvious at least in the beginning. Larvae and already eclosed adults overwinter in the root and the new generation starts to emerge in late April. Pteromalid wasps of the genera Anisopteromalus Ruschka and Stenoselma Delucchi parasitize the larva (M. N. Nikolskaja in Aleeva 1953; Dzhanokmen & Ertevtsyan 1990).

Material examined. CHINA. Gansu: Heihemiaopu, Minqin, Wuwei, vii.2008 ( HBU 1) ; Jiuquan, 16.viii.1959 ( IZCAS 1). Inner Mongolia: Little Wutai Mountain, Wulateqianqi, 7.vii.1978 ( IZCAS 1) ; Little Wutai Mountain, Erlian, 16.vii.1971 ( IZCAS 3) ; Song Mountain, Halawu Valley, 1.viii.2010 ( IZCAS 2) ; Wulu Village, Huhehaote, 1960 ( IZCAS 1). Ningxia: Helan Mts., Ningxia Agricultural College, 1963 ( IZCAS 1) ; Langpiliang, 18.vii.1989 ( IZCAS 1) ; Little Wutai Mountain, Xinglong, Haiyuan, 1987 ( IZCAS 1) ; Yinchuang, 28.vi.1985 ( IZCAS 2). Xinjiang: Awati, Pi Mountain, 5.viii.2006 ( IZCAS 1) ; Fukang, Beishawo, 18.v.–13.vii.2007 ( IZCAS 1) ; Fukang Observatory, 4.vi.2007, 10.vi.2007 (2x), 1.vii.2007 ( IZCAS 4) ; Luotuoquanzi, Yandun, 24.vii.2006 ( IZCAS 9). KAZAKHSTAN. Akmola: Astana ( HNHM 1, SNSD 2). Almaty: Masak ( HNHM 14). Jambyl: Taraz ( HNHM 2, SNSD 10). Kyzylorda: Zhilek ( NHMB 2 ). MONGOLIA. Ömnögovi: Flaming Cliffs, 3.vii.1994 ( CWOB 1). TURKMENISTAN. Ahal: Tejen ( NHMB 2 , SNSD 27 ). Mary : Dzhu-Dzhu-klu ( NHMB 4 ) ; Krasnoe Znamja ( NHMB 2 ) ; Mary ( HNHM 1 , NHMB 4 ). UZBEKISTAN. Bukhara: Bukhara ( NHMB 5 , SNSD 12 ).

Figures

FIGURES 13 – 16. Dorsal and lateral habitus images. 13, Pteridobaris maritima, 4.3 mm, Hong Kong. 14, Nespilobaris inflatirostris, 4.5 mm, West Qianqintang (Zhejiang). 15, Ulobaris kuchenbeisseri, 3.7 mm, Beijing. 16, Ulobaris loricata, 5.1 mm, Azuoqi Helanshan (Inner Mongolia).

FIGURES 19 – 20. Map of mainland China and surrounding countries showing distribution of Baris pilosa, Ulobaris loricata, Cosmobaris scolopacea and Pteridobaris maritima.