Aproida monteithi Samuelson, 1989

Monteith, Caroline S. Chaboo Vivian E. Sandoval-Gómez Mariana Hopper Geoff B., 2024, Biology of Aproida balyi Pascoe, 1863 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Aproidini) on its host plant, Eustrephus latifolius R. Br. ex Ker-Gawl (Asparagaceae) in Australia, Insecta Mundi 2024 (74), pp. 1-28 : 30

Notes on Aproida monteithi Samuelson, 1989 ( Fig. 4–11 , 17 )

Known from only the male holotype ( Fig. 4–8 ) and female paratype ( Fig. 9–11 ), in QMBA, collected together and with data as on pictured labels. The type and only known locality ( Fig. 14 , 17 ) is Thornton Peak which is the highest point of the Thornton Uplands sector of the Wet Tropics Biogeographic Region of Australia ( Bryant and Krosch 2016; Yeates and Monteith 2008), The Thornton Uplands is bordered by the Bloomfield River valley to the north and the Daintree River valley to the south. Thornton Peak has many other insect endemics and a summary of them and history of collecting there, with additional photographs, are given by Theischinger (2019).

Samuelson (1989) described mouthparts and genitalia ( Fig. 6–7 ) from the dissected holotype. The male does not have modifications of the protibia and profemora as seen in A. cribrata and A. balyi . The female allotype was not dissected but he inferred it was female based on differences in the abdominal apex. The antennae have two apical antennomeres cream, contrasting with the dark brown basal articles.

Figures

Figures 4–11. Types of Aproida monteithi Samuelson, 1989 (QM; Photos: Geoff Thompson). 4) Holotype, dorsal view. 5) Lateral view. 6) Aedeagus, dorsal view. 7) Lateral view. 8) Type labels. 9) Allotype (QM), dorsal view. 10) Ventral view. 11) Type labels. Note fully developed wings and profemur and protibia unmodified.

Figures 15–17. Distribution maps of beetle and host plant based on Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) records, museum collections and iNaturalist records (see Methods). 15) Eustrephus latifolius R. Br. Ex Ker-Gawl (Asparagaceae) (prepared by M. Campos). 16) Aproida balyi, 17) Aproida cribrata and A. monteithi (prepared by G. Monteith).

Figures 13–14. Type localities of Aproida species (Photos: G. Thompson). 13) Lamington National Park. 14) Thornton Peak from ocean view.