Cyaneolytta Péringuey, 1909

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 : 34-35

Genus Cyaneolytta Péringuey, 1909

Kaszab (1953a) studied the taxonomy of this genus and clarified several synonymies, while Selander (1986) reviewed the distribution of the species. We accept here all groups of species proposed by Kaszab (1953a).

Bologna & Pinto (2001) referred Cyaneolytta to the tribe Epicautini because of its larval morphology, even if their first instar larvae are extremely distinct and specialized to phoresy on carabid beetles and possibly on bees (Bologna et al. 1990; Di Giulio et al. 2003). According to adult morphology, this genus was previously referred to Lyttini , and this tribal assignment seems to be confirmed by recent molecular studies (Pitzalis et al. in preparation).

Cyaneolytta affinis (Haag-Rutenberg, 1880) ( Fig. 2I )

Lytta affinis Haag-Rutenberg, 1880

Distribution. Ethiopia, northeastern Namibia (new species record for this country), Somalia, South Africa, and Tanzania.

Material examined and literature records. [Kavango] Mukwe: Omega , 18.0500°S 22.1833°E ( SMWN) ; Popa Falls, eastern Bank , 18.1167°S 21.5833°E ( SMWN) .

Remarks. Types of this species were not examined but specimens compared with them were studied at HMNH.

The distribution of this species refers to a disjunct model, including separate populations in eastern and southern Africa, and previously discussed (see Lydomorphus bifoveiceps ).

Cyaneolytta depressicornis (Laporte de Castelnau, 1840) ( Fig. 2J )

Lytta depressicornis Laporte de Castelnau, 1840 Cantharis subrugulosa Mäklin, 1875

Distribution. Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, northeastern Namibia , Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Material examined and literature records. [Kavango] Mpungu: Tuguva , 17.4333°S 18.4500°E ( SMWN) . [Caprivi] Kongola: Manywa Valley , 17.8167°S 23.1500°E ( SMWN) . [Kunene] Outjo: Otijwarongo , 20.4611°S 16.6550°E, 1600 m (CK); Outjo, m 1200, road Outjo-Kalkfeld, 16–20 km S Outjo , 20.3333°S 16.1500°E (Di Giulio et al. 2003). [Otjozondjupa] Grootfontein: Halberstadt's farm 212, 19.6833°S 18.2833° ( SMWN) . Tsumkwe: Hereroland-Oos , 20.3333°S 20.8000°E ( SMWN) . Okakarara: Okakarara , 20.5833°S 17.4333°E ( SMWN) . Omatako: 100 km N of Okahandja , 21.0920°S 16.8280°E (CB).

Other records: Damaraland ( Kaszab 1956; Selander 1986) (as ab. subcoriacea, ab. nearei: Kaszab 1956); Ovampoland ( Péringuey 1909) ( ssp. subrugulosa: Selander 1986 ); Namibia ( Bologna 2000a; Pitzalis et al. 2014).

Remarks. Types of this species are lost.

This species is polytypic, but the taxonomy of subspecies still needs additional studies. For this reason, we do not refer the Namibian populations to particular subspecies.

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.