Monolepta gobensis Laboissière, 1940

Wagner, Thomas, 2020, Revision of Monolepta Chevrolat, 1836 species from North-East Africa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae), Bonn zoological Bulletin 69 (2), pp. 225-247 : 232-234

Monolepta gobensis Laboissière, 1940

( Figs 11–12 )

Monolepta gobensis Laboissière, 1940b: 8 .

Further material examined. 2 specimens, 2 findings. 1 ex., Ethiopia, Arussi Prov. , Gobe, 10. VIII .1970, S. Persson ( NHRS); 1 ex., Oromia, Mt. Enkuolo, NE slope, 7.24N / 39.22E, XII .2016, J. Schmidt ( NME).

Remarks. A detailed redescription was published in Wagner (2007b). Next to female Holotype “ Ethiopie Goba R. de Meulenaer 1934– 1935 / V. Laboissière dét. 1940: Monolepta gobensis m.” (IRSN) Laboissiere designated 42 paratypes (all IRSN). 62 specimens listed in Wagner 2007b).

Diagnosis. Colour pattern without elytral black cross is most similar to M. deleta , in particular to specimens from the Usambaras with brownish to black prothorax. Both species occur allopatrically and M. deleta particularly in montane regions of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Specimens with elytral cross are very similar to some M. nigrocruciata with black prothorax ( Fig. 9 Ad) that can occur syntopically in Ethiopia. Male genitalia should be dissected in specimens with this coloration to ensure a correct species identification ( Figs 9A , 11A ).

Distribution and ecology. Restricted to the Ethiopian Highlands in Eritrea and Ethiopia up to 3500 m altitude ( Fig. 12 ).

= Monolepta kivuensis Laboissière, 1929: 152 ; Wagner 2007b: 96.

= Monolepta missis Laboissière, 1931a: 405 ; Wagner 2007b: 96.

= Monolepta carmenta Weise , in litteris: Wagner 2007b: 96.

Species with wider distribution in Nort-East Africa

Figures

Fig. 11. Monolepta gobensis Laboissière, 1940b. A. Two different colour patterns. B. Basal antennomeres, males.C. Dto., females. D. Median lobe, a. lateral, b. dorsal, c. ventral, without endophallic structures. E. Spermathecae. F. Bursa-sclerite, dorsal. G. Dto., ventral.

Fig. 12. Distribution of M. ephippiata, M. gobensis, M. vinosa.

Fig. 9. Monolepta nigrocruciata Laboissière, 1940b. A. Four different colour patterns. B. Basal antennomeres, males. C. Dto., females. D. Median lobe, a. lateral, b. dorsal, c. ventral, without endophallic structures. E. Spermathecae. F. Bursa-sclerite, dorsal. G. Dto., ventral.