Monolepta nigrocruciata Laboissière, 1940

Wagner, Thomas, 2020, Revision of Monolepta Chevrolat, 1836 species from North-East Africa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae), Bonn zoological Bulletin 69 (2), pp. 225-247 : 232

Monolepta nigrocruciata Laboissière, 1940

( Figs 9–10 )

Monolepta nigrocruciata Laboissière, 1940b: 7 .

= Monolepta varians Weise , in litteris; Wagner 2007b: 141.

Further material examined. 6 specimens, 2 findings.

Eritrea. 3 ex., Eritrea, Umg. Asmara , VII.2001 , L. & M. Stalmans ( IRSN) . – Ethiopia. 3 ex., Addis Abeba, Entono Hill , 9.05N / 38.45E, 2840 m, V.2011 , Hula & Niedobova (CBz).

Remarks. A detailed redescription was published in Wagner (2007b). Next to holo-, and 21 paratypes from “Ethiopi Goba R. de Meulenaere 1934– 1935 / V. Laboissière det., 1940: Monolepta nigrocruciata m. Type / Mus. Hist. Nat. Belg. I.G. 10.738 / cf. Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. Belg. XVI. 1940 n° 23, p. 7-8, fig. 1 d“ (IRSN), 468 specimens have been studied in Wagner (2007b).

Diagnosis. Specimens without elytral cross are most similar to the sympatric M. gobensis . The latter has a black pronotum, while specimens of M. nigrocruciata without elytral cross and black pronotum are very rare. Further- more, M. nigrocruciata has a broader pronotum (pronotal length to width 0.57–0.63; M. gobensis 0.62–0.67) and more slender elytra (width of both elytra to length of elytron 0.62–0.69; M. gobensis 0.66–0.71). In any doubtful cases dissection of median lobes and bursa sclerites allow a clear identification of these species in both sexes ( Figs 9D–G , 11D–G ). Most similar to M. nigrocruciata are some specimens of M. cruciata which is also widely distributed in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Monolepta nigrocruciata is significantly more slender than M. cruciata , but all measured parameters show a more or less wide overlap. Specimens with complete elytral cross ( Fig. 9 Ac, Ad) should be checked by genital dissection ( Figs 9D , 13D–E ).

Distribution and ecology. An obviously abundant and widely distributed species of the Ethiopian Highlands and surrounding areas in Eritrea and Ethiopia up to 3300 m ( Fig. 10 ).

Figures

Fig. 9. Monolepta nigrocruciata Laboissière, 1940b. 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.

Fig. 10. Distribution of M. citrinella, M. nigrocruciata.

Fig. 11. Monolepta gobensis Laboissière, 1940b. A. Two 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.

Fig. 13. Monolepta cruciata Guérin de Méneville, 1847. A. Four different colour patterns. B. Basal antennomeres, males. C. Dto., females. D. Median lobe, a. lateral, b. dorsal. E. Dto., variation a. lateral, b. dorsal, c. ventral, without endophallic structures. F. Spermathecae. G. Bursa-sclerite, dorsal. H. Dto., ventral.