Clytra Laicharting, 1871

Sergeev, M. E., 2024, Review of the leaf beetles genera Apterocuris Jacobson, 1901 and Clytra Laicharting, 1871 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from the Russian Far East, Far Eastern Entomologist 511, pp. 13-19 : 15-16

Genus Clytra Laicharting, 1871

Type species: Chrysomela quadripunctata Linnaeus, 1758 , by subsequent designation by

Latrelle, 1810.

REMARKS. Genus Clytra is represented in the Far Eastern fauna by four Palaearctic species. Of them the most widespread species is Clytra arida Weise, 1899 . The localities of С. quadripunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) and C. laeviuscula (Ratzeburg, 1837) delimited the extreme east of their range. The species C. atraphaxidis (Pallas, 1773) is divided into a few subspecies, of them C. a. asiatica Chûjô, 1941 occurs in the Russian Far East but Mongolian C. a. punctata Weise, 1890 may be found here, as a result of further research ( Medvedev, 1961, 1982). The adults of all species are oligophagous and the larvae developing in the nests of various species of ants. Two species, C. arida and C. quadripunctata , occupies humid habitat such as sparse broad-leaved and valley forests, forest edges, and hillsides. On the contrary, C. laeviuscula and C. atraphaxidis prefer more arid habitat conditions (steppes, dry meadows, and cleared mixed forests). A key to the Far Eastern taxa of Clytra is given below.

Key to the Far Eastern subgenera, species and subspecies of Clytra (modified from Medvedev, 1992; Wang & Zhou, 2011)

1(2) Pronotum is red, with five separate black variable spots, or merged into one spot (subgenus Clytraria Sem. ). Tibiae are red in ♂, in ♀ black, less often reddish-brown with black base and apex. Ppronotum is red, at the base with one large black oval spot occupying more than 2/3 of the pronotum, with distinct punctation at the posterior corners ( Fig. 6 ). Head is black. Each elytra has two black bands. Body length 5.3–9.7 mm ..... ..................................................................................... С. (Clytraria) atraphaxidis asiatica

2(1) Pronotum and legs black (subgenus Clytra ). The elytra are yellow or yellow-red with three black spots (1,2), with the rear spots merged into the transverse band or absent. Scutellum is not raised above the surface of the elytra.

3(4) Lateral margin of the pronotum is widely bent, not curved upward, with dense wrinkled punctures; disk in dense distinct points. Pygidium evenly convex. Elytra with a welldeveloped band behind the middle. Aedeagus ( Fig. 8 ). Body length 7.5–11.5 mm ..... ………………………...........………….….… С. (Clytra) quadripunctata quadripunctata

4(3) Lateral margin of the pronotum is narrowly bent and curved upward, equal in width everywhere, smooth. Pygidium is tuberculately swollen.

5(6) Pronotum with fine, rather dense, distinct punctures. The apex of the scutellum is slightly raised above the surface of the elytra. The band on the elytra varies from well developed to reduced, often disappearing altogether. Aedeagus ( Fig. 10 ). Body length 7.7– 11 mm ..……………………………….………………………..…… С. (Clytra) arida

6(5) Pronotum without distinct punctures, highly shiny. The apex of the scutellum is not raised above the surface of the elytra. The band on the elytra is large, wide, and narrowly interrupted at the suture. Aedeagus ( Figs. 12 ). Body length 8.3– 12 mm …...........……… …………………………................................……………..……... C. (Clytra) laeviuscula

List of the species

Figures

Figs 6–12. Imago Clytra spp.: 6 – C atraphaxidis asiatica, male, habitus dorsal view; 7–8 – C. arida, male: 7 – habitus, dorsal view, 8 – aedeagus; 9–10 – C. q. quadripunctata, male: 9 – habitus, dorsal view, 10 – aedeagus; 11–12 – C. laeviuscula, male: 11 – habitus, dorsal view, 12 – aedeagus. 17