Epicauta Dejean, 1834

Bologna, Marco A., Amore, Valentina & Pitzalis, Monica, 2018, Meloidae of Namibia (Coleoptera): taxonomy and faunistics with biogeographic and ecological notes, Zootaxa 4373 (1), pp. 1-141 : 36-37

Genus Epicauta Dejean, 1834

The Afrotropical species of this genus, all belonging to the nominate subgenus, were taxonomically revised by Kaszab (1953c), who divided them in phenetic groups of species that we prefer do not consider here, being the phylogenetics of this genus totally unclarified.

Epicauta (Epicauta) designata ( Péringuey, 1892) ( Fig. 2N )

Cantharis designata Péringuey, 1892

Distribution. Angola, Mozambique, northern Namibia , and northern South Africa.

Material examined and literature records. [Caprivi] Katima Mulilo Urban: Katima Mulilo, 17.5000°S 24.2667°E (CB). [Omusati] Anamulenge: (Uutapi) 100 km ESE Ruacana (road C46), 17.5333°S 15.1167°E (CB). Ogongo: C46, Ruacana-Oshakati 5 km E of Ombalantu (=Uutapi), 17.5405°S 15.0403°E (CB). [Oshikoto] Oniipa: (Tsumeb) B1, 20 km SE Ondangwa, 17.9833°S 16.1333°E (CB). [Otjozondjupa] Okahandja: Okahandja, 21.9833°S 16.9167°E (ab. breyeri: Kaszab, 1953c).

Other records: Damaraland ( Kaszab 1956) (ab. breyeri: Kaszab 1956); Ovampoland ( Péringuey 1909); Namibia ( Bologna 2000a; Pitzalis et al. 2014).

Remarks. Types of this species were examined at SAMC.

This species belongs to the group “III. oculata ”, as defined by Kaszab (1953c).

Epicauta (Epicauta) ovampoa ( Péringuey, 1899) ( Fig. 2O )

Lytta ovampoa Péringuey, 1899 Lytta damarina Péringuey, 1904

Distribution. Northern Namibia (endemic).

Material examined and literature records. [Oshikoto] Guinas: Brakpan, Outjo, 18.7833°S 17.8167°E ( SMWN) . [Kunene] Opuwo: C 35, 110 km NW Kamanjabroad , 18.9167°S 14.3833°E (CB). [Otjozondjupa] Grootfontein: Grootfontein, 19.5333°S 18.10°E ( SMWN) ; Grootfontein, 19.5667°S 18.1167°E (SMWN). Otavi: Askavold 316. Kombat, 19.7052°S 17.5923°E (SMWN). Otjiwarongo: D2430, 25 km N Otjiwarongo, 20.2667°S 16.6167°E (CB). Omatako: Okosongomingo 148, 20.6167°S 17.1333°E (SMWN). [Okahandja] Ovita: 21.5228°S 16.2539°E (SMWN).

Other records: Northern Damaraland ( Péringuey 1904, 1909); Ovampoland ( Péringuey 1899, type locality, 1909); Namibia ( Bologna 2000a; Pitzalis et al. 2014).

Remarks. Types of this species were examined at SAMC.

As the previous one, also this species belongs to the group “III. oculata ”, as defined by Kaszab (1953c).

Epicauta (Epicauta) rufifrons (Fåhraeus, 1870) ( Fig. 2P )

Lytta rufifrons Fähraeus, 1870

Distribution. Northeastern Namibia (new species for this country), northeastern South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Material examined. [Kavango] Ndiyona: Kaudom-Camp, 18.5167°S 20.7167°E (CB; MNB). Remarks. Types of this species were not examined but specimens compared with them were studied at HMNH.

This species belongs to the group “I. canescens ”, as defined by Kaszab (1953c).

Figures

FIGURE 2. A. Prionotolytta binotata; B. Prionotolytta eremita; C. Prionotolytta hayekae; D. Prionotolytta melanura; E. Prionotolytta streyi; F. Prolytta coriacea; G. Prolytta namibensis; H. Prolytta pseudolucida; I. Cyaneolytta affinis; J. Cyaneolytta depressicornis; K. Cyaneolytta granulipennis; L. Cyaneolytta maculifrons; M. Cyaneolytta resplendens; N. Epicauta designata; O. Epicauta ovampoa; P. Epicauta rufifrons; Q. Epicauta velata; R. Psalydolytta gessi; S. Psalydolytta lorigera; T. Actenodia chrysomelina; U. Actenodia mirabilis; V. Mimesthes maculicollis; W. Mimesthes nigricollis; X. Paramimesthes namibicus; Y. Namylabris adamantifera.