Ceroctis aurantiaca (Fairmaire, 1885)

Bologna, Marco A., Amore, Valentina & Pitzalis, Monica, 2018, Meloidae of Namibia (Coleoptera): taxonomy and faunistics with biogeographic and ecological notes, Zootaxa 4373 (1), pp. 1-141 : 49-50

Ceroctis aurantiaca species group

Two Namibian species, namely C. bohemani (Fähraeus, 1870) and C. ovamboana Kaszab, 1981 , belong to this group, easily distinguishable by the extended black elytral ground colouration with dense silver setae and a series of large yellow spots sometimes confluent. This group, partially studied by Pardo Alcaide (1958b), includes also the following three eastern African species: C. aurantiaca (Fairmaire, 1885) ; C. paolii (Pardo Alcaide, 1958) ; C. rufimembris (Thomas, 1897) . This lineage represents another example of the disjunct eastern/southern African distribution model, previously described (see Lydomorphus bifoveiceps ).

Ceroctis bohemanii (Fåhraeus, 1870) ( Fig. 3C )

Mylabris bohemanii Fåhraeus, 1870

Mylabris (Ceroctis) bohemani, Marseul 1872 Distribution. Angola, northern and central Namibia , northern South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Material examined and literature records. [Kavango] Ndiyona: Kaudom-Cwiba Juction, Kaukom Game Reserve, 18.4667°S 20.8167°E ( SMWN) . [Oshikoto] Guinas: Oshivelo, Etosha N.P., 18.6167°S 17.1667°E ( SMWN) . [Otjozondjupa] Otavi: Algamas 471, 19.4667°S 17.2833°E ( SMWN) . Otjiwarongo: 20 km S Otjiwarongo , 20.6365°S 16.6414°E ( RMCA) ; Otjiku, 20.2667°S 16.8167°E (SMWN). Omatako: Waterberg Plateau Park, 20.3167°S 17.3167°E ( SMWN) ; Waterberg N.P., 20.4167°S 17.2500°E (CB); Waterberg Plateau Park, 20.4167°S 17.3333°E ( SMWN) ; Waterberg Plateau Park, 20.4833°S 17.2500°E ( SMWN) ; Hamakari 285, 20.5833°S 17.3333°E (SMWN); Okosomingo 149, 20.6167°S 17.1333°E (SMWN); Kalidona, 21.2833°S 18.0667°E (SMWN). Okakarara: Hereroland West, 20.5500°S 17.4667°E ( SMWN) . Okahandja: Okahandja, 21.9833°S 16.9167°E (SMWN). [Khomas] Windhoek Rural: Excelsior 286, 22.4500°S 17.6333°E ( SMWN) ; Richthofen 126. 22.5667°S 17.7500°E (SMWN); Doabib Ost 57, Rehoboth, 23.2059°S 17.6535°E (SMWN).

Other records: Namib Sand Sea desert ( Seely 2012); Namibia ( Bologna 2000a) .

Remarks. Types of this species were not examined but specimens compared with them were studied at HMNH.

Ceroctis ovamboana Kaszab, 1981

Distribution. Southern Angola and northern Namibia (new species record for Namibia ).

Material examined and literature records. [Kunene] Epupa: Ondorusu Falls , 17.4000°S 13.9167°E ( SMWN).

[Omusati] Ruacana: Ruacana Falls, 17.4333°S 14.35°E ( SMWN; Kaszab 1981, Holotype. Actually this locality refers to the Angolan side of the River Kunene, on the boundary with Namibia ).

Other records: Namibia ( Bologna 2000a) .

Remarks. The holotype of this species was examined at SMWN.

The Namibian record represents the second known locality of this species.

Figures

FIGURE 3. A. Ceroctis angolensis; B. Ceroctis exclamationis; C. Ceroctis bohemani; D. Ceroctis aliena; E. Ceroctis peringueyi; F. Ceroctis trifasciata; G. Ceroctis blanda; H. Ceroctis amphibia; I. Ceroctis karroensis; J. Ceroctis korana; K. Ceroctis braunsiana; L. Ceroctis capensis; M. Ceroctis cfr. seabrai; N. Ceroctis spuria; O. Hycleus dentatus; P. Hycleus tripunctatus; Q. Hycleus jucundus; R. Hycleus peringueyi; S. Hycleus surcoufi; T. Hycleus brincki; U. Hycleus congoensis; V. Hycleus lunatus; W. Hycleus ertli; X. Hycleus arlecchinus; Y. Hycleus basibicinctus.