Acythogaster babaulti (Hustache)

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 : 341

Acythogaster babaulti (Hustache)

( Figs. 1 , 17 )

Acythopeus babaulti Hustache 1928: 17 .

Four syntypes from Bajaura, Himachal Pradesh, India ( MNHN, SNSD); one examined. Transferred to Acythogaster by Heller (1940).

Diagnosis. The flat, triangularly projected elytral apices ( Fig. 1 ) are diagnostic for A. babaulti and this was the chief reason why Heller (1940) placed this species in a separate genus. In all other respects, it is a typical member of the diverse, cucurbit-associated Acythopeus Pascoe complex.

Distribution. The species has been known from India, Vietnam and Hong Kong ( Hustache 1928; Heller 1940; Morimoto & Yoshiha 1996). It is reported here for the first time from the Chinese administrative areas of Tibet, Xinjiang and Yunnan ( Fig. 17 ). All collections but one are from the Oriental region.

Biology. Unknown.

Material examined. CHINA. Tibet: Motuo, Xizang, 28.vii.1977 ( IZCAS 1) ; Yayang, Mêdog town, 19.viii.2006 ( IZCAS 4). Yunnan: Jingdong, Pu'er, 25.v.1956 ( ZIN 1) ; Menghun, Xishuangbanna, 31.v.1958, 9.vi.1958 ( IZCAS 2) ; Meng'a, Xishuangbanna, 16.viii.1958 ( IZCAS 1) ; Mengla, Xishuangbanna, 24.v.1959 ( IZCAS 3) ; Xiaomengyang, Xishuangbanna, 25.x.1957 ( IZCAS 2). Xinjiang: Wushi, 15.vi.1957, 25.x.1957 ( IZCAS 2). VIETNAM. Thanh Hoa: Phuc-Son ( DEIC 1, SNSD 1). “ Tonkin ”: 30.iii.1937 ( IZCAS 2), without date ( SNSD 2).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 4. Dorsal and lateral habitus images. 1, Acythogaster babaulti, 4.1 mm, Medog (Tibet). 2, Athesapeuta albisquama, 3.9 mm, Beijing. 3, Baris artemisiae, 3.6 mm, Beijing. 4, Baris pilosa, 3.8 mm, Yalujiang (Heilongjiang).

FIGURES 17 – 18. Map of mainland China and surrounding countries showing distribution of Acythogaster babaulti, Baris artemisiae, Nespilobaris inflatirostris, Athesapeuta albisquama and Pellobaris melancholica.