‘ Aradus africanus Hoberlandt n. sp. ’

= A. gracilipes Linnavuori, 1978

(Figs 1, 2)

Material examined. ‘ Aradus africanus n. sp. ’: CHAD: 2♁ 3♀, ‘ COLL. MUS. CONGO / Tchad: Iles du lac Tchad / VII-1958 / P. Renaud [p] // Paratypus [p] ♁ [hw] / Aradus / africanus n.sp. [hw] / Det. L. Hoberlandt 19[p]67[hw, red label] // A r a d u s / gracilipes / Linnavuori / det. E. HEISS 2022’ (MRAC, NMPC) (Fig. 1); 1♀, ‘ COLL. MUS. CONGO / Tchad: Iles du lac Tchad / VII-1958 / P. Renaud [p] // Allotypus [p] ♀ [hw] / Aradus / africanus n.sp. [hw] / Det. L. Hoberlandt 19[p]67[hw, pink label] // A r a d u s / gracilipes / Linnavuori / det. E. HEISS 2022’ (MRAC) .

Aradus gracilipes: CHAD: Tschadsee, Ile / (illegible) AEF. / lg. H.Franz [p] // 1970 [hw] (on back side) (Fig. 2) (CEHI).

Comment. All the examined specimens lack antennal segments II–IV, their colouration being essential for distinguishing African species of Aradus . A male from the author’s collection (Fig. 2), also from Chad, matches well the intended types of ‘ A. africanus ’, but its complete antennal segments allow its identification as Aradus gracilipes Linnavouri, 1978, described from Equatoria Province in South Sudan. The examined specimens of A. gracilipes corresponds in size, slender habitus, colouration and male genitalic structures to the available specimens of ‘ A. africanus ’, and accordingly the latter are recognized as conspecific with A. gracilipes Linnavuori, 1978 .

Distribution. South Sudan (Linnavuori 1978), Chad (new record).