Cassida innotata Boheman, 1854

Borowiec, Lech & Świętojańska, Jolanta, 2022, A monograph of the Afrotropical Cassidinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Part 6. Revision of the tribe Cassidini 3, the genus Cassida L., Zootaxa 5171 (1), pp. 1-250 : 89-92

Cassida innotata Boheman, 1854

( figs. 23 , 97–102 )

Cassida innotata Boheman, 1854: 403, 1856: 131 , 1862: 324; Gemminger & Harold, 1876: 3655; Shaw, 1956: 269, 1961: 30, 1963: 457; Borowiec, 1985: 240, 1999: 258; 2005: 126; Rice, 2003: 81; Heron, 2003: 33.

Cassida (Cassida) innotata: Spaeth, 1914 b: 119 .

Cassida infirma Boheman, 1862: 359 ; Gemminger & Harold, 1876: 3655; Spaeth, 1912 a: 503; Borowiec, 1995: 371, 1999: 258 (as syn. of innotata ).

Cassida (Odontionycha) infirma: Spaeth, 1909: 273 .

Cassida (Cassida) infirma: Spaeth, 1914 b: 118 .

Cassida infirma var. hirsutula Spaeth, 1909: 273, 1912 a: 503 ; Borowiec, 1999: 258 (as syn. of innotata ).

Cassida (Cassida) infirma var. hirsutula: Spaeth, 1914 b: 118 .

Cassida (Odontionycha) pilifera Weise, 1899: 244 ; Borowiec, 1999: 258 (as syn. of innotata ).

Cassida pilifera: Spaeth, 1933 a: 347 .

Cassida infirma pilifera: Spaeth, 1909: 273 .

Cassida (Cassida) infirma var. pilifera: Spaeth, 1914 b: 118, 1924: 337 .

Description. L: 3.85–4.95 mm, W: 2.80–3.95 mm, Lp: 1.30–1.75 mm, Wp: 2.35–3.20 mm, L/W: 1.24–1.42, Wp/ Lp: 1.78–188. Body oval ( figs. 97, 98, 100–102 ).

Variable species. In typically coloured specimens pronotum yellow, scutellum yellow, elytral disc mostly yellow with some punctures in humeral area with dark centre and dark areola, explanate margin with brown humeral and posterolateral spots ( fig. 100 ). Often dark pattern on elytral disc increases and form marble pattern, more distinct on sides of disc than on top ( figs. 98, 99 ), in extreme aberrations the pattern form brown to black bands along sides of disc and on top of disc only elevations are partly yellow, explanate margin of elytra with dark humeral spot ( fig. 101 ). In extreme pale aberration entire dorsum yellow ( fig. 97 ), in extreme dark aberration elytral disc completely black and explanate margin of elytra with black humeral and posterolateral spots ( fig. 102 ), whole spectrum of intermediate forms were observed. Head yellow, prosternum from yellow to partly infuscate, metasternum usually mostly black except partly yellow lateral plates and external basal corners, abdomen mostly brown to black more or less surrounded by yellow, the shade is not correlated with dorsal colour and aberrations with pale dorsum sometimes have abdomen almost completely black and aberrations with black elytral disc have abdomen brown centrally broadly surrounded by yellow. Legs yellow, antennae usually yellow or only three apical segments slightly infuscate.

Pronotum elliptical, with maximum width behind the middle, anterior margin regularly convex, sides narrowly rounded, no basal corners. Disc only slightly convex, indistinctly bordered from explanate margin except short, shallow lateral impressions, area above head shallowly impressed. Surface of disc from slightly alutaceous to slightly shiny, usually with fine and dense punctation and sometimes with fine granulate sculpture. Distance between punctures in some populations distinctly wider than puncture diameter in other punctures almost touching each other thus pronotal surface from completely regular to slightly irregular. Explanate margin broad, impunctate but usually with slightly irregular sculpture, transparent with well visible honeycomb structure its surface from slightly alutaceous to slightly shiny. Entire surface of pronotum covered with sparse, short semierect to erect setae.

Base of elytra slightly to moderately wider than base of pronotum, humeral angles moderately protruding anterad, subrounded to subangulate. Disc regularly convex to slightly depressed in profile ( fig. 99 ), with shallow postscutellar and principal impressions and usually with thin and low H–shaped elevation but in some specimens the elevation is marked only by lateral branches without transverse connection, second interval in 2/3 length with elevated fold, often fourth interval in the middle more or less convex. Punctation coarse and dense, arranged in regular rows, only postscutellar impressions with additional irregular punctures, punctures in rows almost touching each other. Marginal row distinct, its punctures as coarse as or slightly coarser than punctures in central rows. Intervals mostly linear except second interval in posterior half as wide as rows, marginal interval as wide as submarginal interval and submarginal row combined, without humeral but with distinct lateral folds. Explanate margin moderately broad, moderately declivous, in the widest part five times narrower than disc, surface from slightly alutaceous to shiny with irregular sculpture, semitransparent with more or less visible honeycomb structure. Entire surface of elytra covered with short erect setae.

Eyes very large, gena obsolete. Clypeus broad, approximately 1.2 times as wide as long. Clypeal grooves fine but well marked, runs close to margin of eye then converging in triangle with obtuse top, surface of clypeus flat or very shallowly impressed, shiny with several very small, hairy punctures. Labrum narrowly and deeply emarginate to 1/3 length. Antennae moderately stout, segments 9–10 slightly longer than wide. Length ratio of antennal segments: 100:56:63:63:63:44:56:44:47:53:113. Segment 3 approximately 1.1 times as long as segment 2 and approximately as long as segment 4.

Prosternum moderately broad in the middle, strongly expanded apically, area between coxa shallowly impressed, without special sculpture, shiny, along sides with few very small, hairy punctures, expanded apex slightly convex in the middle, its surface usually with thin, longitudinal and oblique wrinkles and few small hairy punctures.

Claws with large basal tooth.

Host plants. Amaranthaceae : Achyranthes aspera var. pubescens (Moq.) Towns. , Achyranthes aspera var. sicula L., Achyropsis avicularis (E. Meyer & Moq.) Hooker f. , Cyathula cylindrica Moq. , Cyathula uncinulata (Schrad.) Schinz , Pupalia lappacea (L.) Juss. ( Heron 2003).

Distribution. East, Central, and South Africa ( fig. 23 ).

Remarks. A member of the Cassida lacrymosa species–group. With C. setosa it forms a complex of unique species with entire surface of the elytra covered with dense, short, white, erect setae ( figs. 97, 99 , 109). Cassida setosa differs in the base of elytra distinctly wider than pronotum (fig. 109), surface of pronotal disc without semierect setae and elytral setae very long, longer than punctures with areolae.

Types examined. Holotype of Cassida innotata Boheman, 1854 : [ SOUTH AFRICA]: Natal, Pt. Natal, Vahlberg (NRS); two syntypes of Cassida infirma Boheman, 1862 : [ SOUTH AFRICA]: Natal, Pt. Natal (BMNH, NRS); syntype of Cassida infirma var. hirsutula Spaeth, 1909 : [ TANZANIA]: Kilimandjaro, Kibonoto, Sjöstedt (MM); lectotype and two paralectotypes of Cassida (Odontionycha) pilifera Weise, 1899 , present designation: [ TANZANIA]: Mombo, III 1899 (ZMHU).

Other specimens examined. BOTSWANA: Maun , Island Safari Lodge. 2–15 I 1994, 1, M. Snižek ( MS) .

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (ZAIRE): Albert Nat. Park , Rumangabo, riv. Bugombwa, 9 IV 1945, 1, G.F. de Witte ( MRAC) ; Bambesa , 10 IX 1933, 1, J.V. Leroy ( MRAC) ; Bas Uele , Buta, 1926, 1, Fr. Joseph ( MRAC) ; Kivu , Lwiro, 16 XI 1960, 1, Dr. Jilly ( SMNS) ; Kivu , Mulungu, V 1935, 1, J. Leroy ( MRAC) ; Nyangwe , V 1918, 1, R. Mayné ( MRAC) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Kanonga, 675 m, 17–22 II 1949, 2, de Witte ( IRSN, MRAC) ; Upemba Nat. Park , Kiamokoto –Kiwakishi, 10170 m, 4–16 X 1948, 1, de Witte ( MRAC) .

KENYA: Amboseli , 11 III 1970, 2, T. Palm ( LU) ; Elsamere , 27 III 1997, 1, 25 V 1999, 1, ABD ( TD) ; Kibwezi , 1, Scheffler ( ZMHU) , 23 V 1980, 1, D. Furth ( PMNH) ; Loboi Gate nr. Bogoria , 9 VII 2002, 1, ABD ( TD) ; Meru, 1, Sjöstedt ( LU) ; Meru, 2 XII 1905, 2, Sjöstedt ( ZMHU) ; Nairobi , 3–4 III 1970, 3, T. Palm ( LU, MNHW) ; Mt Elgon , 2000 m, 30 I 1979, 1, T. Palm ( LU) ; Nyeri, X 1948, 1, van Someren ( BMNH) ; Njorowa Gorge, Hells Gate , 3 IV 1997, 1, ABD ( TD) ; Taveta, 750 m, III 1912, 1, Alluaud & Jeannel ( MNHN) ; E of Thika, W of Mwing , 6 IV 2007, 1, M. Snižek ( MS) .

MALAWI: Dezda env., 85 km SE Lilongwe, 18 XII 2001, 9, F. & L. Kantner & J. Bezdek ( FK, JB, MNHW) ; Dedza env., 7–13 I 2002, 4, J. Bezdek & F. Kantner ( JB, FK, MNHW) ; Lower Shire Vall. , Chikwawa, 27 III 1971, 1, S. Endrödy – Younga ( HNHM) ; Mulanje Mts. , 23–26 XII 2001, 1, F. & L. Kantner ( FK) .

NAMIBIA: Caprivi Zipfel, Katima Mulilo , 3–8 III 1992, 1, U. Göllner ( ZMHU) , 15–24 I 1995, 1, M. Snižek ( MS) ; Kavango, Popa Falls , 26II–3 III 1992, 1, U. Göllner ( ZMHU) ; Mahango Game Res. , 18.17 S / 21.43 E, 1–4 III 1994, 1, U. Göllner ( MNHW) .

NIGERIA: Yankari Game Res., nr. Gaji riv., 15 VIII 1978, 1, Demeter ( MNHW) .

REPUBLIC OF CENTRAL AFRICA: Boda, 1 (MRAC).

RWANDA: Gabiro, 1934, 1, R. Verhulst ( MRAC) ; Kibungo Ranch , Mpanga, 8 XII 1985, 1 ( TW) ; Ruhengeri , sour. Kirii, 1800–1825 m, 31 VIII 1934, 1, de Witte ( MRAC) .

SOUTH AFRICA: Durban , 1902, 1, F. Muir ( BMNH) ; Free State, Adullam Farm, near Clarens , 28°22’S, 28°28’E, 1 ( ARC) ; Gauteng Prov., Roodeplaat Experimental Farm , 25°35’S, 28°22’E, 1 ( HH) ; KwaZulu– Natal, Vryheid , 29–31 XII 2008, 1, P. Schüle leg. ( SMNS) ; Limpopo Prov., Ben Alberts Nat. Res., Thabazimbi , 24°37’S, 27°23’E, 1 ( ARC) ; Limpopo Prov., Wyllies Poort, near Thabazimbi , 22°54’S, 26°56’E, 1 ( ARC) ; Maputoland , SE of Ndumo, 24 I 2003. 3, M. Snižek ( MS) ; Mpumalanga Prov., Loskop Dam , 25°25’S, 29°23’E, 1 ( ARC) ; Natal , 1, Gorham ( NMP) ; Natal, „Bethel” Farm, Waterfall Valley Estates , Paddock , 30°44’S, 30°12’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Blydepoort , 20 XI 1981, 1, J. Klapperich ( MZSNV) ; Natal, Burman Bush Nat. Res. , Morningside, Durban, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Crowned Eagle Conservancy , Gillitts, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Delville Wood Station , near Shongweni, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Dlinza Forest, Eshowe , Zululand , 28°54’S, 31°30’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Dragon Peaks Park , NE of Champagne Castle, 29°01’S, 29°26’E, 1 ( ARC) ; Natal, Drakensberg, Monks Cowl , 29.03 S / 29.24 E, 1400 m, 1, F. Koch ( MNHW) ; Natal, Durban , 20 X 1906, 1, G.E. Leigh ( TM) ; Natal, 17 km NE Empangeni, Niseleni River , 24 X 1994, 1, R. Danielsson ( LU) ; Natal, Entumeni Nat. Res., 16 km of Eshowe on Nkanda Road , Zululand , 28°53’05’’S, 31°22’48’’E, 1 ( ARC) ; Natal, Escombe, Queensburgh , 16 II 2000, 1 on Achyranthes aspera, H. Heron (MNHW) ; Natal, Ferncliffe Forest Res., Pietermaritzburg, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Fort Nottingham Nat. Res. , 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Hawaan Forest Nat. Res., Umhlanga Rocks , 29°42’S, 31°05’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Indaleni , 1, W. Hunt ( MRAC) ; Natal, Illanda Wilds Reserve, Amanimtoti , 30°03’S, 30°53’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Ixopo , 30°10’S, 30°05’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Kenneth Stainbank Nat. Res., Yellowwood Park , Durban , 29°54’S, 30°56’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Insuzi River bridge, Nkandla District , Zululand , 28°49’17’’S, 31°04’13’’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Krantzkloof Reserve, Kloof , 29°45’S, 30°50’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Kenneth Stainbank Nat. Res., Yellowwood Park , Durban , 29°54’S, 30°56’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Mbozambo Wetland , SAPPI mill, Stanger, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, New Germany Nat. Res., Pinetown , 29°48’S, 30°53’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Ngeli Forest , 23 km NW of Harding, 30°31’31’’S, 29°40’23’’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, North Park Nat. Res., Northdene , Quennsburgh , 29°22’S, 30°52’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Palmiet Nat. Res., Westville , 29°49’S, 30°56’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Paradise Valley Nat. Res., Pinetown , 29°49’54’’S, 30°53’30’’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, S. Lucia , 29 X 1981, 3, J. Klapperich ( MZSNV, MNHW) ; Natal, Shongweni Resorces Resreve, Umlaas valley , 29°51’S, 30°43’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Springside Nat. Res., Hillcrest , 29°46’S, 30°46’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Tanglewood Farm Nat. Res. , Pinetown, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Umbilo, Durban , 29°36’S, 30°23’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Umhlanga Lagoon Reserve, Umhlanga Rocks , 29°42’S, 31°05’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Umkomaas , 17–19 II 1953, 1, A.L. Capener ( MM) ; Natal, Vernon Crookes Nat. Res., 8 km N of Umzinto, South Coast , 30°35’S, 30°16’E, 1 ( HH) ; Natal, Weza, Loma Doone Forest , 1100 m, 6 XII 1995, 1, M. Biondi ( DS) ; Northern Prov., Abel Erasmus Pass , 750 m, 17 XII 1995, 2, M. Biondi & P. Audisio ( DS) ; North West Prov., Soutpan, Tswaing Crater , 25 km NW of Pretoria, 25°24’S, 28°00’E, 1 ( ARC) ; Oranje F. State, Boshof, Voorspoed , 21–28 III 1977, 2, A. Strydom ( BM) ; Rivonia , 26 XII 1968, 1, M. I. Russell ( BMNH) ; Tongaland, Iozini–Ndumo area , 14 I 1976, 2, P.E. Reavell ( TM) ; Transvaal, Kruger Nat. Park, Skukuza , 12–14 XII 1985, 1, H. and A. Howden ( CMN) ; Transvaal, Malta Forest , 21 km W Trichardtsdal, 23 XII 1985, 1, H. and A. Howden ( CMN) ; Transvaal, vic. Melodie , 29–31 XII 1985, 2, C.L. Bellamy ( ER) ; Transvaal, Mp’hôme , 1, M. Knothe ( ZMHU) ; Transvaal, Nylsvley, Farm „Sericea”, 12–13 XII 1985, 1, Bellamy and Evans ( ER) ; Transvaal, Platrivier , I–II 1903, 1, v. Jutrzencka ( TM) ; Transvaal, Soutpansberg, Pretoria , 8 II 1973, 1, S. Endrödy – Younga ( TM) ; Transvaal , 30 km W Trichardtsdal, 30 XII 1985, 1, M. Sanborne ( MZSNV) ; Transvaal , Van Riebesck N.P., 25.53S / 28.18E, 1, 11 XII 1978, L. Schulze ( MNHW) ; Transvaal, Waterberg , 1898–1899, 1, v. Jutrzencka ( TM) ; Transvaal, Zoutpansberg , 1 ( ZMHU) ; Western Cape Prov., Agulhas , 34°50’S, 20°05’E, 1 ( ARC) .

TANZANIA: Arusha, IV 1906, 1, Katona ( HNHM) ; Kilimandjaro, 1, Sjöstedt ( LU) ; Kilimandjaro, 1905–1906, 1, Sjoestedt ( NRS) ; SO Kilimandjaro, 20–21 I 1906, 1, Schröder ( ZMHU) ; Kilimandjaro, Papyrus Sumpt , 20–21 I 1906, 1, Schröder ( ZMHU) ; Kilimandjaro, Kibonoto , 10 X 1905, 1000–1300 m, 1, Sjöstedt ( ZMHU) ; Langenburg , 15 III–23 IV 1898, 1, Fülleborn ( ZMHU) ; Litema Gbg. , 2, Büttcher ( ZMHU) ; Mombo , 3, Paul ( ZMHU) ; Ngambo , IX 1902, 1 ( ZMHU) ; Ngorongoro , 11–12 II 1994, 1, J. Borowski ( MNHW) ; Rowuma , IV 1892, 1 ( ZMHU) ; Usambara, Derema , 1, Conradt ( ZMHU) .

UGANDA: Ankole distr. , L Nakavali, 1931, 1, E.B. Worthington ( BMNH); Bussu Busoga, V 1909, 1, E. Bayon ( MZSNG) .

ZAMBIA: Barotse Prov. , Machili, II 1945, 1, W. Eichler ( IZPAS) ; Livingstone , 22 I 1942, 1, 3 III 1944, 2, W. Eichler ( IZPAS, MNHW) ; Livingstone , Victoria Falls, 26–31 XII 1993, 1, M. Snižek ( MS) ; South Luangwa Nat. Park , 8 II 1984, 1, L. Saltini ( MZSNV) .

ZIMBABWE: 120 km W Chipinge, Kiledo Lodge , 20o6’44’’S 32o45’22”E, 28 XI 1998, 1, M. Rice ( MR) .

Figures

FIGURE 23. Distribution of Cassida innotata (black circles) and Cassida oromiaensis (black diamond).

FIGURES 97–102. Cassida innotata. 97–98, 100–102. Dorsal; 99. Lateral.