Stegopterus suturalis ( Gory & Percheron, 1833 )

Ricchiardi, Enrico, Perissinotto, Renzo & Strümpher, Werner, 2025, Revision of the Western Cape endemic genus Stegopterus Burmeister & Schaum, 1840 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae, Trichiini), African Invertebrates 66 (1), pp. 151-191 : 151-191

Stegopterus suturalis ( Gory & Percheron, 1833)

Fig. 18

Trichius suturalis Gory & Percheron, 1833: 84 (original description).

Trichius (Tetrophthalmi) suturalis : Kirby 1827: 156 [see comments in Smith 2004: 287 and Smith 2005: 75].

Stegopterus suturalis : Burmeister and Schaum 1840: 405; Burmeister 1842: 745; Harold 1869: 1342; Péringuey 1907: 298; Schenkling 1922: 14; Krajčik 1999: 49; Smith 2004: 288; Smith 2005: 75.

Type material.

Lectotype, here designated. South Africa – WCP • ♂; Cap. B. sp.; Gory Type ; Coll. Melly; MHNG: MHNG ENTO 0119901 .

Other material examined.

South Africa – WCP • 1 ♂; Cape ; TMSA • 5 ♂; Cape Point ; 23 Oct. 1973; N. J. Duke leg.; SANC • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; ERPC • 2 ♂; Claremont ; 1883 (?); H. W. Vakead leg.; SANC • 1 ♂; Hermanus ; Jan. 1938; SANC • 2 ♀; Kirstenbosch C. P. ; 23 Nov. 1964; A. L. Carpenter leg.; SANC • 1 ♂ 1 ♀; Stellenbosch , Nov. 87; L. I. leg.; SANC • 1 ♂; Table Mt. , Cape Town; 27 Nov. 1921; A. L. Bevis leg.; TMSA • 1 ♂; Table Mts ; Hiasterfemch leg.; SANC • 1 ♀; Yzerfontein ; ERPC .

Diagnosis.

Stegopterus suturalis differs from S. paardebergi sp. nov., the closest species, by having the anterior corner of its clypeus rounded (about 40–55 % of clypeal length) and the lateral margins strongly reborded and slightly narrowing towards base. Its antennal clubs are as long as the clypeus.

Distribution.

Together with S. vittatus , this is the species that exhibits the largest distribution range and is the most numerous in collections, among all the species of the genus. Its range spans from Hermanus in the south-east to Yzerfontein in the north-west and includes the entire lowland region of the Cape Peninsula and parts of the adjacent Overberg and Swartland regions (Fig. 21 ).

Remarks.

The Gory Type is preserved in Geneva in the Melly Collection (MHNG). The male is here designated as the lectotype. A male in ERPC differs from the lectotype by having the elytra of a brick-red background colour with the black sutural band lacking the green hue. The female from Yzerfontein, in addition to being stouter than the others and having tridentate protibiae and short clubs, also has identical metallic green reflection. However, its elytra are dark testaceous, and the clypeus is similar to that of the male, but more hollowed anteriorly with a humped, convex forehead.

Figures

Figure 18. Stegopterus suturalis (Gory & Percheron, 1833), lectotype (herein designated) ♂ MHNG A dorsal habitus B labels C parameres, lateral view D parameres, frontal view. Photographs by Giulio Cuccodoro and Guido Sabatinelli. ♀ ERPC E dorsal habitus F clypeus. Paralectotype ♂ ERPC G clypeus. Photographs: E. R. Scale bars: 2.5 mm (A); 1 mm (C, D); 2 mm (E, F).

Figure 21. Distribution map of Stegopterus species occurring in the Western Cape, South Africa.