Xyloctonus scolytoides Eichhoff, 1872

Jordal, Bjarte H., 2024, Integrated taxonomy, biology and biogeography of the Afrotropical genus Xyloctonus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae), Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 71 (1), pp. 67-84 : 67

Xyloctonus scolytoides Eichhoff, 1872

Figs 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 14

Xyloctonus scolytoides Eichhoff 1872: 134.

Xyloctonus emarginatus Eggers, 1939: 16, synonymy by Menier, 1974.

Xyloctonus latus Eggers, 1939: 14, syn. nov.

Type material.

Syntypes of X. scolytoides : [South Africa] Port Natal [-29.87, 30.97], Dej. [RBINS]. Paratype of X. emarginatus : [Democratic Republic of the] Congo, Ituri, Djugu, 13.VIII.1931, leg. J. Lebrune [RMCA]. Lectotype of X. latus : [Ethiopia] Abyssinia, 8000 feet alt. IX-X 1926, Dr. H. Scott [NHMUK]; and paralectotype, same data [NHMW].

Diagnosis.

Length 2.1-2.6 mm, 1.9-2.1 × as long as wide, colour light to very dark brown; antennal club with two visible procurved sutures; frons with fine setae; anterior margin of pronotum with two raised teeth (Figs 7 , 10 ); all elytral interstriae carinate, reaching posterior elytral margin; strial and interstrial punctures moderately deep; scutellar shield impressed in middle, appearing bilobed; elytral suture with bulgy locking mechanism behind scutellar shield; setae on lateral metaventrite mainly bifid or trifid, anteriorly more plumose.

Distribution.

Burkina Faso (new country record), Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa.

New records.

Burkina Faso, Bale, Boromo [11.755, -2.929], 250 m alt. F. Genier, leg., 10.8.2006, light trap; Comoe, Foret de Boulon [10.343, -4.510], 270 m alt., F. Genier leg., 9.7.2006, flight intercept trap, light trap and Malaise trap; Kompienga, 15 km E Nadiagou [11.113, 0.909], 155 m alt., F. Genier leg., 25.8.2005, flight intercept trap, light trap and Malaise trap; Loroum, Toulfe [13.873, -1.950], 300 m alt., F. Genier leg., 16.7.2006, light trap; Nahouri, Foret de Nazinga [11.045, -1.420], 310 m alt., F. Genier leg., 27.7.2006, light trap and Malaise trap; Passore, 8 km SE Yako [12.928, -2.216], 320 m alt., F. Genier leg., 7. 8. 2006, light trap; Sanguie, Foret de Sorobouli [11.893, -2.799], 270 m alt., F. Genier leg., 13.7.2005 and 28.7.2006, light trap; Ouagadougou, 03.11.1973, R. Linnavouri [MZH]; Bobo Dioulasso, 03.11.1973, R. Linnavouri [MZH]; Nigeria, Kano-Wudil, 17.05.1973, R. Linnavouri [MZH]; Serti [7.51, 11.36], 29. March 1970, coll. J.T. Medler; Cameroon, 35 km S Garoua [9.01, 13.34], 30 March 1972, at black light, JA Gruwell; Tanzania, W. Usambara, Kwai, 1600 m, P. Weiss [ZMHB]; South Africa, Mpumalanga, Telperion Reserve, 1450 m alt. [-25.735, 28.985], 08.12.2019, beating, M. Wanat leg. [1, UWCP]; Gauteng, Pretoria, Wapadrand, 1540 m alt. [-25.847, 28.384], 09.12.2019, beating, M. Wanat leg. [1, UWCP].

Biology.

This species is the only species in the genus that is frequently and broadly collected. It is found feeding and breeding in many host plants, such as Butyrospermum parkii , Madhuca latifolia , Mimusops caffra (all in Sapotaceae ), Olea capensis ( Oleaceae ), Garcinia ( Clusiaceae ) and Acacia ( Fabaceae ) (see Schedl (1961b)). It is notable that the majority of records are from Sapotaceae which is by far the most typical host plant family for the genus.

Comments.

The lectotype of X. latus is identical, except for some of the setae on upper lateral part of the metaventrite which tend to be trifid or pentafid over a larger area rather than the typical trifid setae in the X. scolytoides types.

Figures

Figures 7 - 15. Dorsal, lateral and front view of X. scolytoides (7, 10, 13); paralectotype of X. latus (synonym of X. scolytoides) (8, 11, 14); holotype of X. niger (9, 12, 15).