Ceraeochrysa placita ( Banks, 1908 )

Tauber, Catherine A. & Flint, Oliver S., 2010, Resolution of some taxonomic and nomenclatural issues in a recent revision of Ceraeochrysa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Zootaxa 2565, pp. 55-67 : 60-61

Ceraeochrysa placita ( Banks, 1908) , genus incertae sedis

Chrysopa placita Banks, 1908: 259 [MCZ, Lectotype].

Ceraeochrysa placita (Banks) . First combination in Ceraeochrysa by Adams (1982: 73). Removed from Ceraeochrysa by Tauber (2003: 484). Combination reinstated by Freitas et al. (2009: 568). We consider the generic placement uncertain and refer to the species as Ceraeochrysa placita (Banks) , genus incertae sedis.

Chrysopa forreri Navás, 1913 –14 [1914]: 97 [Syntype, The Natural History Museum, London (BMNH)]. Junior subjective synonym of Cer. placita by Adams (1982: 73). Here, recognized as a junior subjective synonym of Ceraeochrysa intacta (Navás) (see below).

Chrysopa intacta Navás, 1912: 199 [Neotype, Canadian National Collection, Ottawa, (CNC)]. Junior subjective synonym of Cer. placita by Garland (1985a: 137). Here, recognized as a valid species currently included in Ceraeochrysa (see below).

Chrysopodes (Neosuarius) placitus (= placita ) (Banks). First combination in Chrysopodes (Neosuarius) by Tauber (2003: 484). Removed from Chrysopodes by Freitas et al. (2009: 568). Generic and subgeneric association with Chrysopodes (Neosuarius) considered uncertain by Tauber (2010: 12).

The species was also referred to as Oviedus placitus (Banks) in an unpublished thesis ( Garland 1982; see Garland & Kevan 2007: 59).

Background: Freitas et al. (2009: 568) recognized that the species name " placita " had commonly been used in the literature and on museum specimens to refer to two species. Thus, they redescribed Ceraeochrysa placita (Banks) and restricted the usage of the name. Also, they described the new species Ceraeochrysa chiricahuae Freitas and Penny to refer to the species that had not previously been differentiated from Cer. placita ( Freitas et al. 2009: 594). There are significant differences between the Chrysopa placita Banks syntypes and the majority of specimens that previously had been identified as C. placita or Cer. placita ; thus we concur that the two should be treated as separate species [see C e raeochrysa intacta (Navás) , genus incertae sedis below]. We also agree with Freitas et al. (2009) that the name Cer. placita refers to the less common species that currently is known only from western USA. However, several taxonomic problems presently surround the two species. As a first step in stabilizing the situation, it is important to designate a lectotype for Chrysopa placita .

Types: In his original description of C. placita, Banks (1908: 259) mentioned specimens from two localities (Clear Creek, and Chimney Gulch, Golden, Colorado); he did not designate a holotype or indicate the number of specimens in the type series. Five specimens that appear to be syntypes are in the MCZ (examined, CAT); one of these (a male) has a Banks “ type ” label, is recognized as the primary type on the MCZ database, and was referred to as the lectotype by Freitas et al. (2009: 569). We concur with this lectotype assignment, and we consider it important for stabilization of the nomenclature concerned with Cer. placita and the species with which it has been confused.

The labels on the lectotype read: (1) “Oslar / Chimney Gulch / Golden, Colo. / 7-20-07 ”; (2) “Collection / N. Banks”; (3) “ type ” [red (faded), Banks’ hand]; (4) “ Type / 11337” [red, printed & Banks’ hand]; (4) “ Chrysopa / placita / Bks type [white, red border, Banks’ hand]; (6) “Jan-July 2003 / MCZ Image / Database”; (7) LECTOTYPE / Chrysopa placita / Banks 1908; det. / C. Tauber & O. Flint ’10” [red].

We have labeled the other four specimens (one male, three females) as paralectotypes. The three female specimens bear labels (1) and (2) identical to those above; each also has a third label reading “ placita ” [Banks’ hand]; one has a fourth label with “ Chrysopa placita B” [Banks’ hand]. The male paralectotype has labels reading: (1) “Oslar / Clear Creek / Colo.”; (2) “Collection / N. Banks”; (3) “ placita ” [probably P. A. Adams’ hand]; (4) “MCZ / Museum of / Comparative / Zoology”. Each has a label that reads: PARALECTOTYPE / Chrysopa placita / Banks 1908; det. / C. Tauber & O. Flint ’10” [red]. We confirmed that all of the paralectotypes are conspecific with the lectotype.

Conclusion: The “express statement of the taxonomic purpose” above, now fulfills the requirements for designating the C. placita lectotype (Article 74.7 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature).

Also, it should be noted for Cer. placita that the branches of the Radial sector (especially the basal branches) of both the fore and hind wings are sinuate; in Freitas et al. (2009) this condition is described and illustrated only for Cer. chiricahuae (= intacta here).