Monolepta ephippiata Gerstaecker, 1871

Wagner, Thomas, 2020, Revision of Monolepta Chevrolat, 1836 species from North-East Africa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae), Bonn zoological Bulletin 69 (2), pp. 225-247 : 239-241

Monolepta ephippiata Gerstaecker, 1871

( Figs 12 , 17 )

Monolepta ephippiata Gerstaecker, 1871: 84 .

= Monolepta sordida Chapuis, 1879: 23 ; Wagner 2007: 112.

= Monolepta ephippiata var. keniaensis Laboissiere, 1920: 52 ; Wagner 2007: 112.

= Monolepta leakeyi Bryant, 1953: 866 ; Wagner 2007: 112.

= Monolepta turneri Bryant, 1953: 867 ; Wagner 2007: 112.

Further material examined. 22 specimens, 10 find- ings. Ethiopia . 1 ex., Oromia reg., Lava fields, nr. Feto, 8.40N / 39.29E, 1367 m, V .2011, V. Hula & Niedobova (CBz); 1 ex., Afar, Metahara , 9.10N / 39.51E, 1052 m, V .2011, Hula & Niedobova (CBz). – Kenya . 1 ex., Mt. Elgon, Salt Lake Estate , 1.08N / 34.40E, 2100 m, 17. XII .1937, A. Holm ( NHRS) ; 1 ex., Nantuki , 0.01N / 37.04E, II.1968, K. V . Krombeim ( USNM) ; 2 ex., Umg. Nairobi, XII .1970, Lichtfang, D. Erber ( MNHB) ; 1 ex., Naro Moru , 0.10S / 37.01E, VIII .1978, G. Scudder ( BMNH) ; 5 ex., Lake Naivasha , 0.45S / 36.35E, shrub margin, X.2005 ( BMNH). – Tanzania . 1 ex., Lake Manyara NP, 3.23S / 35.52E, XI.2011, Smith & Takano ( BMNH) ; 8 ex., Orekeryan, Mt. Longido , 2.43S / 36.43E, VIII .2012, light trap, Smith et al. ( BMNH). – Uganda . 1 ex., Kakamega Forest , 0.21N / 34.52E, VII .2002 ( MNHB).

Remarks. A detailed redescription on base of 94 specimens out of 45 findings was published in Wagner (2007b). Type locality of the valid name is Lac Jipe in Northern Tanzania. One synonym from Ethiopia is M. sordida , Holotype, #, “Abyss. Raffray / 770 / Monolepta sordida Chp / Typus Monolepta sordida , 1879 / Regione degli Agaos XI 1873 Dal fiume Méri Taccazé” (MCGD), col- oration similar to Fig. 17 Ad.

Diagnosis. A small and slender body with peculiar elytral pattern ( Fig. 17A ) characterizes M. ephippiata and allow a clear differentiation from all other Afrotropical Monolepta species. The apical half of the elytra is usually completely yellow with exception of the elytral tip. Most similar in coloration is the allopatrically distributed M. ephippiatoides Wagner, 2001 , which is restricted to southern Africa. It has a more extended black apical el- ytral coloration, and a reddish head which is contrasting to the yellow pronotum. It is not closely related since the genitalic characters of both sexes are very different from that of M. ephippiata .

Distribution and ecology. Restricted to montane areas in East and North-East Africa from Ethiopia through Kenya towards northern Tanzania and Rwanda ( Fig. 12 ). Very abundant in the Rift Valley and the Central Province of Kenya.

Figures

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

Fig. 17. Monolepta ephippiata Gerstaecker, 1871. 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.