Acoloba lanceolata (Fabricius, 1803)

(Fig. 6)

Aelia lanceolata Fabricius, 1803: 189 (description, faunistics). Syntypes: ‘Habitat in Guinea. Dom. Hesse. Mus. Dom. Lund.’ (2 syntypes in ZMUC—see Zimsen 1961).

AElia lanceolata: Latreille (1804): 186 (key, diagnosis); Latreille (1807): 116 (key); Thunberg (1823): 5 (list).

Cimex (Aelia) lanceolata: Burmeister (1835): 367 (list).

Megarhynchus lanceolatus: Westwood (1837): 6 (catalog).

AElia ? gracilis White, 1842: 91 . Syntype (s): Congo (BMNH). Synonymised by Stål (1865: 131).

Aelia lanceolata: Spinola (1850): 76 (type species of the genus Acoloba Spinola, 1850).

Megarhynchus ? gracilis: Dallas (1851): 362 (taxonomy, catalog, faunistics).

Aelia gracilis: Herrich-Schäffer (1853): Index: p. 6 (list).

Aelia lanceolata: Herrich-Schäffer (1853): Index: p. 6. (list).

Dichelocephala virescens Stål, 1854: 226−227. Syntype (s): South Africa: ‘Habitat ad Boschjesmans Rand’ (NHRS). Synonymised by Stål (1865: 132).

Aelia gracilis: Dohrn (1859): 14 (catalog).

Aelia lanceolata: Dohrn (1859): 15 (catalog).

Dichelocephala gracilis: Dohrn (1859): 23 (catalog).

Dichelocephala virescens: Dohrn (1859): 23 (catalog).

Dichelocephala lanceolata: Stål (1865): 131 −132 (redescription, new synonyms, faunistics); Stål (1868): 22 (type material, catalog).

Diploxys lanceolata: Walker (1868): 541 (new combination, catalog).

Dichelocephala lanceolata: Gerstaecker (1873): 399 (faunistics); Stål (1876): 58, 79 (key to genera, catalog); Lethierry (1881): 281 (faunistics); Distant (1892): 246 (faunistics); Montandon (1899): 216 (faunistics).

Acoloba lanceolata: Bergroth (1887): 151 (taxonomy, nomenclature); Lethierry & Severin (1893): 134 (catalog); Distant (1898): 296 (faunistics); Distant (1900a): 2 (differential diagnosis); Distant (1901): 26 (faunistics); Bergroth & Schouteden (1905): 379 (ecology, faunistics); Kirkaldy (1909): 75 (catalog); Schouteden (1909a): 52 (faunistics); Jeannel (1913): 41 (faunistics); Bergroth (1927): 5 (faunistics); Cachan (1952): 381, 383−385, Figs 369−372, pl. XI: Fig. 5 (key to genera; redescription; figures of habitus, head, pronotum, metapleuron, pygophore, female terminalia; host plant; faunistics); Leston (1952): 515 (faunistics); Le Pelley (1959): 53, 206 (host plant, faunistics); Scudder (1959): 414 −415 (morphology of female genitalia); Schouteden (1963): 398 (list).

Aelia lanceolata: Zimsen (1964): 320 (type material).

Acoloba lanceolata: Gillon (1972): 288, 294, 332−333, 348, Figs 45B, 65 (key to adults and larvae, diagnosis, description of larva, figures of head and larva, faunistics); Gillon (1974): 218 (ecology, faunistics); Medler (1980): 123 (list); Linnavuori (1982): 9, 86, Figs 118d,e, 119a,b (variability, figures of metapleuron, pygophore and spermatheca, faunistics); Linnavuori (1989): 8 (faunistics); Poutouli (1992): 629 (host plant, faunistics); Rider (2006): 293 (catalog); Robertson (2009): 179 −180 (catalog); Göllner-Scheiding (2012): 97 (faunistics).

Material examined. ANGOLA: Lunda Norte: Dundo, Lunda, vi.1949, 14 ♂♂ 12 ♀♀, A. B. Machado lgt. (NMPC). Cabinda: Kabinda, Bas.- Congo, no date, 4 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀, Škulina lgt. (NMPC). — CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: SW, 50 km Boda, 500 m a.s.l., 04°03′N 17°20′E, 7. xii.2008, 1 ♀, J. Halada lgt. (ZJPC); Bossangoa, 30. viii.1921, 1 ♂, H. H. Curtiss lgt. (USNM).— DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: Haut-Uele: Niangara, 28°0′E 3°40′N, no date, 1 ♀, Lang & Chapin lgt. (USNM). Sud-Kivu: Congo Belge, Rég. Lac Kivu, Kadjudju [= Kadjedje], 1930, 1 ♂, G. Babault lgt. (NHMW); Kivou, Kitembo, 1920, 1 ♀, G. Babault lgt. (MNHN). — ETHIOPIA: Sasa Baneh, 29. v.1928, 1 ♀, A. D. T. Tasso lgt. (USNM); Scioa [= Shewa], ix.–xi.1879, 1 spec., L. & M. Antinori lgt. (BMNH).— IVORY COAST: Lamto (Toumodi), Pandanus Bg., 3. xi.1962, 5 ♂♂ 1 ♀ 1 spec., LaMotte & Collab. Lgt. (MNHN).— KENYA: Nairobi, B.E.A., vi.–vii.1912, 1 ♂, A. D. Milne lgt. (BMNH); Nairobi, vii.1937, 1 ♂, V. G. L. van Someren Coll. (BMNH); Afrique orient. angl., Nairobi (forêt [= forest]) (Wa Kikouyou et Masai), Aout.1904, 3 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀, Ch. Alluaud lgt., R. Jeannel det. (MNHN); Guasso Nyiro (sud), Sotik (B.E.A.), 1913, 1 ♂ 1 ♀, G. Babault lgt. (MNHN); Brit. E. Africa, Yala R., S. edge Kakumga Forest, 4,800–5,300 ft [= 1463−1615 m a.s.l.], 21.–28. v.1911, 1 ♀ 1 spec., S. A. Neave lgt. (BMNH); Brit. E. Africa, Valley of Upper Nzoia R., N. Kavirondo, 5,100–5,400 ft [= 1555−1646 m a.s.l.], 5.–7. vi.1911, 1 ♀, S. A. Neave lgt. (BMNH); Brit. E. Africa, Nasisi Hills, 20 m. N of. Mumias, 4,800 ft [= 1463 m a.s.l.], 14.–15. vi.1911, 1 ♀, S. A. Neave lgt. (BMNH); Brit. E. Africa, S. foot & slopes of Mt. Elgon, 5,100–5,800 ft [= 1555−1768 m a.s.l.], 8.–13. vi.1911, 1 ♀, S. A. Neave lgt. (BMNH); B. E. Africa, Lake Victoria, Is. Kome, at light, 12. xii.1918, 1 ♀, G. D. H. Carpenter lgt. (BMNH); Kitosh, viii.1925, 1 ♂, V. G. L. van Someren Coll. (BMNH); Ngong, vi.1936, 1 ♂, i.1943, 1 ♂, v.1945, 1 ♂, V. G. L. van Someren Coll. (BMNH); Wanga, 1 ♂, V. G. L. van Someren Coll. (BMNH).— MADAGASCAR: Bekily, reg. Sud de Ile, iii.1932, 1 ♀, A. Seyrig lgt. (MNHN); Mt. d’Ambre, xii.1948, 1 ♂, Inst. Scient. Madagascar, RP (BMNH); SW Madagascar, Isalo N.P., Zahavola forest, ca. 850 m a.s.l., 21. i.2013, 8 ♂♂ 9 ♀♀, M. Trýzna lgt. (MMBC, NMPC).— MALAWI: Nyasaland, Dadza, 5,300 ft [= 1615 m a.s.l.], on Dracaena, viii.1929, 2 ♂♂ 1 ♀, G. O. K. Marshall lgt. (BMNH).— NIGERIA: N. Nigeria, Baro, x.1910, 1 ♀, Ingram lgt. (BMNH); N. Nigeria, Offa, no date, 1 ♂, R. C. Hiscock lgt. (BMNH); Ibadan, ca. i.−vi.1954, 1 ♂ 1 ♀, H. Stenholt Clausen lgt. (ZMUC); U. C. Ibadan, on Dioscorea bulbifera, 30. xii.1954, 1 ♂, G. H. Caswell lgt., N. C. E. Miller det. (BMNH).— SOUTH AFRICA: Gauteng: Bedford Ridge, Johannesburg, 28. xi.1956, 1 ♂, A. L. Capener lgt. (USNM); Transvaal, Johannesburg, v.[no year], 1 ♀, F. Zumpt lgt. (USNM); Pretoria, 16. v.1915, 1 ♂, no collector (BMNH); Pretoria, no date, 2 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀, W.L.D., Distant Coll. (BMNH); Pretoria, Fountains, 19. iv.1950, 1 ♀, A. L. Capener lgt. (USNM); Transvaal, Pretoria env., Roodeplaat Dam (25.35S / 28.21E), xi.1978, 1 ♀, C. Moolman lgt. (TMSA); Transvaal, ca. 15 miles NE of Pretoria, v.+ vi.1955, 1 ♂ 3 ♀♀, G. Rudebeck lgt. (MZLU). KwaZulu- Natal: Durban, no date, 1 ♂, Bell-Marley lgt. (BMNH); Natal, Ithala Game Reserve, Louwsburg, 10.−23. xii.1992, 1 ♂, F. Koch lgt. (ZMHB); Natal, Utrecht env., 28. xi.2002, 1 ♀, M. Snížek lgt. (NHMW); 25 km NE Ladysmith, 26°27′S 29°52′E, 1100 m a.s.l., 23. xii.2009, 1 ♂ 1 ♀, J. Halada lgt. (ZJPC). North West: Transvaal, Rustenburg, 12.–15. iii.1947, 1 ♂, A. L. Capener lgt. (BMNH); Transvaal, Rustenburg Nature Reserve (25.40S 27.12E), 17.–20. iii.1980, 1 ♂, C. G. E. Moolman lgt. (TMSA); Linokana, no date and collector, 1 ♀ (NMPC); North West Prov., Klerksdorp, 11. i.2001, 1 ♂ 1 ♀, M. Snížek lgt. (NHMW). Limpopo: Transvaal, on Schoemansdal Road (23.03S 29.49E), 11. iii.1990, 1 ♂, M. Stiller lgt. (TMSA). Limpopo/North West: Plat-riv.[er], ii.1903, 1 ♀, Distant Coll. (BMNH). Mpumalanga: Transvaal, Loskop Dam Nature Reserve (25.25S 29.20E), 12.−13. xii.1985, 1 ♂, collected at light, I. M. Millar lgt. (TMSA); Transvaal, De Kuilen, Lydenburg (25.10S 30.32E), 12. ii.1981, 1 ♀, C. G. Moolman lgt. (TMSA); Transvaal, Molatse Canyon Provincial Nature Park, Bourke’s Luck Pot Holes (24.40S 30.48E), 27. ii.1991, 1 ♂, M. Stiller lgt. (TMSA).— TANZANIA: Tanganyika: Mahali Peninsula, Mugambazi Camp, by river, 4.viii.1959, 2,650 ft [= 808 m a.s.l.], 1 ♂, 2nd. Oxford U. Exped. (BMNH); Old Shinyanga, Boma, 13. ii.1935, 1 ♀, E. Burtt lgt. (BMNH).— UGANDA: Bukoba, 10. vi.1912, 1 ♀, C. C. Gowdey lgt. (BMNH); Elephant Camp, Tor, 3. xi.1912, 1 ♀, R. E. McConnell lgt. (BMNH); Entebbe, 18. v.1912, 1 ♀, 24.–25. v.1913, 1 ♂, 20.–28. v.1914, 1 ♀, C. C. Gowdey lgt. (BMNH); Kampala, 29. vi.1921, 3 ♀♀ 1 spec., H. Hargreaves lgt., Uvarov det. (BMNH); Kampala, Tank Hill, 1300 m a.s.l., 1. viii.1971, 1 ♂, H. Gonget lgt. (ZMUC); Kigezi District, Mabungo Camp, 6,000 ft [= 1829 m a.s.l.], 18. xi.1934, 2 ♀♀, 21. xi.1934, 3 ♀♀, B.M.E. Afr. Exp., J. Ford lgt. (BMNH); Semliki, 21. viii.1971, 1 ♀, H. Gønget lgt. (ZMUC); Serere Teso, no date, 1 ♀, J. Ford lgt. (BMNH); Uganda, Bamboo Forest, 1 ♀, v.1911, 1 ♀, C. H. Marshall lgt. (BMNH).— YEMEN: Wadi Sabir, N. face of Jebel Sabir, 6,000–6,500 ft [= 1829−1981 m a.s.l.], 19. xii.1937, 1 ♀ 2 larvae, B.M. Exp. to S.W. Arabia, H. Scott & E. B. Britton lgt., R. Linnavuori det. (BMNH).— ZAMBIA: Kapiri, 25. v.1944, 1 ♀, no collector (BMNH); NE, 240 km SE Mansa, 25 km SE Mukuku, 29. xi.2004, 8 ♂♂ 9 ♀♀, Snížek & Tichý lgt. (NHMW); Mansa env., Lake Bangweulu, 28. xi.2004, 1 ♂, Snížek & Tichý lgt. (NHMW); 50 km W Kasama, 26. xi.2004, 2 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀, Snížek & Tichý lgt. (NHMW, ZJPC).— ZIMBABWE: Matabeleland, Lake Mutirikwi near Masvingo, Kyle National Park (20°13′S, 31°00′E), ca. 1100 m a.s.l., 1.−4. xii.1993, 1 ♂ 1 ♀, at light, J. Deckert lgt. (ZMHB); S. Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, 3,500 ft [= 1067 m a.s.l.], 20.–21. iv.1941, 2 ♀♀, N. C. E. Miller lgt. (BMNH); NE, 20−30 km E and NE of Shamva, Nyagui river, 15.−16. xii.1998, 1 ♂, S. Bečvář lgt. (MMBC).— ???: Walerb. Distr., 1st Trim. 1899, 1 ♂, R. v. Julryencka lgt. (BMNH).

Bionomics. Cachan (1952) reported Acoloba lanceolata in great numbers in axiles of leaves of Pandanus (Pandanaceae) in Madagascar. Le Pelley (1959) and Poutouli (1992) listed it on sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) in Kenya and Togo, respectively. Here the species is recorded on Pandanus in Ivory Coast, Dracaena (Asparagaceae) in Malawi, and Dioscorea bulbifera (Dioscoreaceae) in Nigeria. All the mentioned plants are monocots.

Distribution. Angola (new record), Central African Republic (new record), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Distant 1901, Bergroth & Schouteden 1905, Schouteden 1909a, Bergroth 1927), Ethiopia (Lethierry 1881), Guinea (Fabricius 1803, Thunberg 1823, Stål 1865; Kirkaldy 1909, no detail), Ivory Coast (Schouteden 1963; Gillon 1972, 1974), Kenya (Gerstäcker 1873, Jeannel 1913, Linnavuori 1982), Madagascar (Jeannel 1913, Cachan 1952), Mozambique (Montandon 1899), Nigeria (Medler 1980, Linnavuori 1982), Republic of the Congo (Göllner- Scheiding 2012), South Africa (Stål 1865, Distant 1892, 1898; Jeannel 1913; Leston 1952), Togo (Poutouli 1992), Zambia (new record), Zimbabwe (new record); Yemen (Linnavuori 1982, 1989).