Chrysomelinae

Reid, Chris A. M., 2024, The chrysomeline leaf beetles of Timor, Wallacea (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae), Zootaxa 5523 (5), pp. 501-518 : 515-516

Other Chrysomelinae in Timor

( Fig. 31 )

Platymela unicolor (Jacoby, 1884) is endemic to Timor, but it was not found during the Australian Museum expedition. The host of two similar northern Australian species of Platymela is the small tree Atalaya ( Sapindaceae ) ( Reid 2006), which occurs in Timor ( Cowie 2006), but was not sampled during the AMS expeditions.

Phyllocharis undulata (Linnaeus, 1763) was recorded from Timor by Mohamedsaid (2009). This species was not collected on the Australian Museum expedition, probably because its host was not sampled. The host of Phyllocharis undulata in Sumatra is the coastal shrub Clerodendrum inerme ( Verbenaceae ) (C. Reid, pers. obs. 2010), which is present on Timor ( Cowie 2006).

Phola octodecimguttata (Fabricius, 1775) , not previously known from Timor ( Mohamedsaid 2009; Lee & Geiser 2023), was collected by the Australian Museum expedition on a coastal shrub, Vitex species ( Verbenaceae ), probably V. trifolia based on its distribution and habitat ( de Kok 2007). Phola octodecimguttata is known to feed on coastal Vitex and is widespread from eastern Indonesia to New Caledonia, including coastal Australia ( Chen 1985; Reid & Smith 2009; Lee & Geiser 2023). Material examined ( Fig. 31 ): 1♀ / Timor Leste, Lautem/Baucau border 8°25.596S 126°41.617E acacia/herbs shingle beach Vitex 1–2m 10.xi.2011 C Reid site 8/ K414869/ (AMS).

Key to Chrysomelinae species of Timor

1. Procoxal cavities externally closed; elytra strongly patterned with permanent colours, with pale spots or blotches against a dark background (at least anterior half of epipleuron visible laterally; feeding on Verbenaceae )............................ 2

- Procoxal cavities externally wide open; dead insect without strongly patterned elytra (feeding on Eucalyptus or Sapindaceae ) ................................................................................................... 3

2(1) Elytra dark brown with creamy-yellow spots (about 8 on each); appendages brown; apical half of epipleura concealed laterally; on Vitex ........................................................................... Phola octodecimguttata

- Elytra dark metallic blue with transverse orange blotches; appendages metallic bluish-black; epipleura entirely visible laterally; on Clerodendrum .................................................................... Phyllocharis undulata

3(1) Epipleura wholly hidden in lateral view; body shape ovate, strongly convex in lateral view; clypeus not laterally ridged (host Eucalyptus ).......................................................................................... 4

- Epipleura wholly visible in lateral view; body partly parallel-sided, almost flat in lateral view; clypeus laterally ridged (host probably Atalaya )....................................................................... Platymela unicolor

4(3) Larger, length> 8 mm; elytra partly dark brown, not striate.................................................... 5

- Smaller, length <7 mm; elytra pale brown, striate............................................................ 6

5(4) Larger, length about 12 mm; body strongly rounded at sides and convex in profile, height at least half length; elytral punctures irregularly linked by small grooves (acervate); prosternum with pair of lateral flanges at base of process.... Paropsis species

- Smaller, length about 10 mm; basal half of elytra almost parallel-sided, profile flatter, height much less than half length; elytral interspaces smooth; prosternum without flanges................................ Paropsisterna tatamailau new species

6(4) Elytral striae strongly punctured, 1 & 2 irregular, not entirely linear; base of stria 5 obliquely grooved; mesoventrite process narrow.............................................................................. Paropsisterna species

- Elytral striae weakly punctured, 1 & 2 regular, linear; base of stria 5 not grooved; mesoventrite process broad.................................................................................................. Paropsisterna tais

Figures

FIGURE 31. Phola octodecimguttata (Fabricius, 1775), collected in Timor Leste.