Monolepta militaris Jacoby, 1896

Hazmi, Izfa Riza & Wagner, Thomas, 2022, Revision of Monolepta Chevrolat, 1836 from the Sundaland area (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae), Bonn zoological Bulletin 71 (2), pp. 139-176 : 158-159

Monolepta militaris Jacoby, 1896

Figs 31–33

Monolepta militaris Jacoby, 1896: 484 .

Type material. Syntypes: “ Sumatra Si-Rambe , XII.90– III.91, E. Modigliani / Monolepta militaris Jac. / Jacoby Coll. 1909-28a / Type” ( BMNH; Fig. 31 ). Further 5 syntypes (3 ex. BMNH, at least 1 ex. MCGD, 1 ex. MCZH) with the same data. Type locality: 5º24′ S / 105º17′ E .

Further material examined. – India. 1 ex., India , occ. Centr. GOA prov, 15º47›N/74º02›E, 12.–14.VIII.2002 ,

ratio length to width 0.65–0.67 (mean 0.66). Scutellum, meso- and metathorax black. Elytron pale brownish-red, black transverse band in the basal third. Elytral length 3.00– 4.10 mm (mean 3.56 mm), maximal width of both elytra together 2.30–2.75 mm (mean 2.66 mm), ratio of maximal width of both elytra together to length of elytron 0.73–0.77 (mean 0.75; Figs 31b , 32A ). Legs yellow, often hindfemur, rarely additionally mid femur blackish without the distal tip.

P. Sipek & M. Fikacek ( CJB). – Indonesia. 4 ex., Sumatra, Singalang, Sibajakvulkan, 0º25′ S / 100º20′ E, Mjoberg ( NHRS); 4 ex., N. Sumatra, Bivouac two Mt. Bandahara, 3º45′ N / 97º45′ E, 5.–10. VII .1972 , J. Krikken ( RMNH). – Malaysia. 1 ex., N. Sembilan, Gemencheh, 2º35′ N / 102º24′ E, 5. VIII .1990 , Mahbob, Fog Perigen ( UKM).

Redescription

Total length. 3.70–5.40 mm (mean 4.55 mm; n = 10).

Head. Very finely punctuated, entirely yellow- ish-brown to black. Labrum and mandible black. Antenna slender, extending to the middle of the elytra, yellowish and usually two terminal antennomeres brownish ( Fig. 32A ), sometimes also middle of antenna brownish. Third antennomere slightly longer than second; ratio length of second to third antennomere 0.75–1.00 (mean 0.88); ratio length of third to fourth antennomere 0.33– 0.50 (mean 0.41; Fig. 32B ).

Thorax. Pronotum finely punctuated, entirely yel- low. Pronotal width 1.20–1.60 mm (mean 1.34 mm),

Abdomen. Yellowish-brown, strongly contrasting to the dark metathorax.

Male genitalia. Median lobe long and slender. Parallel-sided and slightly conical towards apex, twisted before apex ( Figs 32 Ca, Cc). Median spiculae short and brush-like structures at base and one pair of long, broad spines, lateral spiculae long, strong with c-shaped apical part, ventral spiculae jagged-liked with three spines ( Figs 32 Ca, Cb).

Female genitalia. Spermatheca with comparatively small nodulus and strong ridge, cornu long slender and strongly curved ( Fig. 32D ). Two pairs of bursa sclerites strongly serrate and roughly of same size ( Fig. 32E ).

Diagnosis. Monolepta militaris is a medium-sized species of Monolepta that can be easily distinguished by dorsal colouration. Elytra are brown-reddish, with black transverse band at base, contrasting to a pale yellow pronotum ( Fig. 32A ). Monolepta rufipennis has also reddish elytra, but can be differentiated from M. militaris by a transverse band stretch across the basal elytral third ( Fig. 37 ). The median lobe of this species is very different from M. rufipennis ( Figs 32C , 37C ).

Distribution. Known from southern India, Sumatra and Java ( Fig. 33 ).

Figures

Fig. 31. Type material of Monolepta militaris Jacoby, 1896, syntype (BMNH).

Fig. 32. Monolepta militaris Jacoby, 1896. A. Colour pattern. B. Basal antennomeres. C. Median lobe, a. dorsal, b. lateral, c. ventral, without endophallic structures. D. Spermathecae. E. Bursa-sclerites, a. dorsal, b. ventral.

Fig. 33. Distribution of Monolepta militaris Jacoby, 1896, and Monolepta rufipennis Jacoby, 1899.

Fig. 37. Monolepta rufipennis Jacoby, 1899. A. Colour pattern. B. Basal antennomeres. C. Median lobe, a. dorsal, b. lateral, c. ventral, without endophallic structures. D. Spermathecae. E. Bursa-sclerites, a. dorsal, b. ventral.