Asthenopholis adspersa Boheman 1857
Creators: name: Harrison, James G.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2009
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Melolonthidae
Asthenopholis
Asthenopholis adspersa

description: Asthenopholis adspersa (Boheman, 1857)
(Figs. 1, 10–11, 13–21, 24–25, 40–41, 54–58, 94–95, 110–112, 134–135, 150–152, 174)
Ancylonycha adspersa Boheman, 1857: 94 (21.5 long, 11.5 wide mm, Limpopo, lectotype in NHRS). Arrow 1902: 97 – 98.
Hoplochelus adspersus (Boheman, 1857): Harold 1869: 1165.
Asthenopholis adspersus (Boheman, 1857): Péringuey 1904: 287 (as a synonym of A. subfasciata); Arrow 1917: 60 (key).
Asthenopholis adspersa (Boheman, 1857): Dalla Torre 1912: 182 (catalogue, as a synonym of A. subfasciata).
Asthenopholis transvaalensis Brenske, 1898: (Length 25, width 13 mm, Transvaal, lectotype female [no male] in ZMHB) 389–390; Arrow 1902: 97 –98; Péringuey 1904: 287; Dalla Torre 1912: 182 (catalogue, as a valid species); Arrow 1917: 60 (as a synonym of A. adspersus).
Diagnosis. Large (20–25 mm long) brown to black species, cuticle covered by white scales (Fig. 1). Scutellum smooth and lacking any punctation or setae. Within Asthenopholis this species is easily identified by its large size and distribution in coastal KwaZulu– Natal, which together make the species unmistakable (Figs. 1, 21).
Redescription. Size. Length: males (n = 6), mean 22.5 mm, (range 20.0–25.0 mm), females (n = 6) 22.5 mm, (range 21.0–24.0 mm). Width: males (n = 6), 12.3 mm, (range 11.0–14.0 mm), females (n = 6) 12.5 mm, (range 11.0–14.0 mm). Colour. Black to brown species with white cuticular scales (Fig. 1). Head (Figs. 24– 25, 40–41): Head uniformly covered with white scales, scaliferous punctures coarse, with scales directed posteriorly. Clypeal suture distinct and medially reflexed posteriorly. Raised protuberance situated laterally near eye. Pronotum (Figs. 25, 54–58): Pronotum ratio 1.67:1 (n = 53); 1.67:1 (n = 5Ƥ); lateral edges with an obtuse rounded angle in the middle; anterior and posterior margins smooth, lateral margins incised by setiferous punctures (setae finer than on disc), forming an irregularly, flattened serrated edge. Disc covered by white scales, directed posteriorly and sometimes absent on lateral parts of disc in females. Median and posterior pronotal edges with only lanceolate scales. Scutellum (Figs. 94–95): Triangular, sides equilateral, posterior apex rounded, surface smooth and generally without (rarely one or more irregularly inserted scales) scaliferous punctation or prominent sculpture (X400) to light microscope, substrigulate with micropunctures along margins under SEM. Elytra (Figs. 110–112): Elytral striae very weak, almost absent, about three per elytron. Elytra covered with fine white scales, uniformly dispersed, except scale-less circular patches situated posterior-laterally (ranging from 0–4 per elytron). Pygidium (Figs. 134–135): Covered with fine scales, puncture rims almost contiguous; medial and vertically orientated raised area in females. Male genitalia illustrated in Figs. 150–152.
Morphological variability. Individuals vary slightly in size and colour, with some individuals dark brown rather than black. The lectotype of A. adspersa is a particularly small (21 mm long) brown specimen, but in all other aspects matches well with larger individuals of A. adspersa.
PLATE 1. Figs. 1–4: Asthenopholis species habitus. 1. A. adspersa; 2. A. rex sp. nov.; 3. A. crassa; 4. A. ugandensis. Not to scale.
PLATE 2. Figs. 5–8: Asthenopholis species habitus. 5. A. minor (black form); 6. A. crypsis sp. nov.; 7. A. minor (black and russet form); 8. A. subfasciata. Not to scale.
Distribution. Asthenopholis adspersa is restricted to coastal KwaZulu– Natal, from Hluhluwe and St Lucia Lake south to Durban and Umhlanga Rocks (Fig. 21). The lectotype of A. transvaalensis is recorded from the “Transvaal”, but it was most likely recorded there in error.
Conservation status. Unknown, but as a localised South African coastal endemic it requires conservation. Dated specimens from the Umhlanga Rocks (1951) and Durban (1894, 1897, 1900, 1905, 1941 and 1945) populations, indicate that no specimens have been collected from these sites in 54 and 60 years respectively. Fortunately, specimens from further north were collected between 1970–2001. This suggests that only the southernmost populations mentioned above may have become locally extinct.
Natural history and pest status. This species is not known to be a pest of agricultural crops. The mouthpart morphology (see Figs. 13–20) indicates the ability to be a successful phytophage. Phenology indicated in Fig. 174.
Remarks. The lectotypes of A. adspersus and A. transvaalensis are a small female (21 mm long; 11 mm wide) and an average size male (25 mm long; 13 mm wide), respectively. However, these two specimens represent only one species, i.e. A. adspersa.
PLATE 3. Figs. 9–12: 9. Asthenopholis crassa, male antenna; 10. A. adspersa, female anterior protarsal claw; 11. A. adspersa, female protibia; 12. A. crassa, male propygidial groove. Scale bars (9, 10) = 100 µm; (11, 12) = 1 mm.
Type material examined (Asthenopholis adspersa [Boheman, 1857]): Lectotype (here designated): SOUTH AFRICA, “Caffra-ria [typed, black on white card] / J. Wahlb[erg] [typed, black on white card] / Type. [typed, black on white card] / 5844, E91 + [printed, light blue paper] / Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet Stockholm Loan no 460/02 [printed blue label added for loan purposes] / 0 2594 [JduGH photo number] / Lectotype Ƥ, Asthenopholis adspersa (Boheman, 1857), des. J. du G. Harrison 2009” [specimen condition; left hand side metatarsi card mounted] (1Ƥ NHRS).
Type material examined (Asthenopholis transvaalensis Brenske, 1898): Lectotype (here designated): SOUTH AFRICA, “Transvaal, D. Heyne [handwritten] / Asthenopholis transvaalensis, Type Ƥ Brsk. [handwritten by Brenske in black ink on white paper, sex determination incorrect] / esith miglich dass dist A. adspersa Boh. Ith. / Coll. Brenske / Type [printed in black onto red card] / Zool. Mus. Berlin / Lectotype 3, Asthenopholis transvaalensis Brenske, 1898, des. J. du G. Harrison 2009 [red] / [=] Asthenopholis adspersa (Boheman, 1857), det. J. du G. Harrison 2009” [white] [specimen condition; left protibia lacking tarsal claw and distal three tarsomeres; some ventral sternite setae eaten by Dermestidae] (13 ZMHB).
Additional material examined (Σ86, 593, 27Ƥ). SOUTH AFRICA, KwaZulu– Natal, Dukuduku [Railway Siding], 6.12.1985, A. Nel / JduGH28 (13 LACM); Dukuduku Forest [Reserve], 20– 21.11.1956, G. van Son / JduGH26 (33 3Ƥ TMSA); Durban, Nevinson Coll. 1918–14 / JduGH41 (23 1Ƥ BMNH); Durban / JduGH12 (13 DMSA); Durban, Nov. [18]97 / JduGH13 (13 DMSA); Durban, Oct. 1900 / JduGH36 (1Ƥ DMSA); Durban, 25.02.[19]05, Casey / JduGH10 (13 DMSA); Durban, 11.284 / 11.277 284, Asthenopholis crassus Arrow [misidentification JduGH] / McGregor Museum Kimberley / JduGH40 (13 MMKZ); Durban, Museum Paris, 1906, Coll. Leon Fairmaire / JduGH45 (13 MNHN); Durban, // 1894, C.N. Barker, [mouth parts and genitalia dissected by Péringuey], SAMC-COL: A035870; A. subfasciata [misidentification in Péringuey’s handwriting: JduGH] / JduGH11 (13 SAMC); Durban, F. Ehrmann / JduGH47 (13 MNHN); Durban, Nov. 1945, M. de Wet / JduGH21 (1Ƥ TMSA); Durban, July [19]41, S. Wills / JduGH14 (13 TMSA); Emapangeni, Oct. 1984, P.E. Reavell, light trap, 0 3360 / JduGH25 (43 1Ƥ SANC); Enseleni, 14.10.2000, R. Perissinotto & L. Clennell / JduGH56 (1Ƥ SEM TMSA); Enseleni, R.G. Oberprieler, Dec. 1979 / JduGH555 (13 TMSA); Gingindlovu, Feb. 1980, R.G. Oberprieler / JduGH15 (1Ƥ TMSA); Hluhluwe, Oct. 1935, R.F. Lawrence / JduGH59 (1Ƥ TMSA); Hluhluwe, Dec. 1979, R.G. Oberprieler / JduGH549 (13 TMSA); Inyalazi [= Nyalazi River], 25.11.[19]26, H.W. Bell-Marley / JduGH49 (13 TMSA); Lake Nhlabane, Dec. 1979, R.G. Oberprieler / JduGH5 (13 1Ƥ TMSA); Mapelane, nr [near] Cape St. Lucia, 40 km NE of Richards Bay, 11.11.1992, M. Vogt / JduGH20 (1Ƥ SANC); Mtubatuba, 7.10.1979, Potgieter, female photo 0 2596 / JduGH23 (13 1Ƥ TMSA); Mtubatuba, 10.10.1979, Potgieter & Mol / JduGH24 (3Ƥ TMSA); Mtunzini, 28.09.2001, N. Sheik / JduGH55 (13 TMSA); Mtunzini, Dec. 1979, ex SASEX light trap / JduGH8 (13 DMSA); nr Lake Nhlbane, 25 km NE of Richards Bay, 5.11.1991 –1992, M. Vogt, RBM dune forest rehabilitation survey // 6 BHC / JduGH35a (13 2Ƥ MKCP); nr Lake Nhlbane, 25 km NE of Richards Bay, 1992, M. Vogt, RBM dune forest rehabilitation survey / JduGH35b (33 1 SEM SANC); nr Lake Nhlbane, 25 km NE of Richards Bay, 15.i–05.ii.1992, M. Vogt, RBM dune survey / JduGH1 (13 SANC); nr Lake Nhlbane, 25 km NE of Richards Bay, 20.xi.–12.xii.1992, M. Vogt, RBM dune survey / JduGH2 (13 SANC); nr Richards Bay, Nov. 1981, P.E. Reavell / JduGH37 (1Ƥ SANC); nr Richards Bay, Dec. 1981, P.E. Reavell, Light trap / JduGH30 (13 SANC); nr Richards Bay, Jan. 1982, P.E. Reavell, Light trap / JduGH31 (13 SANC); nr Richards Bay, Dec. 1982, P.E. Reavell / JduGH32 (13 SANC); nr Richards Bay, Mar. 1984, P.E. Reavell, Light trap / JduGH33 (13 SANC); nr Richards Bay, 26.01.2000; Scarab Research, dung-baited pitfall trap / JduGH34 (23 SANC); Nyalazi Forest [Plantation], 25– 28.03.1968, Potgieter & Goode / JduGH27 (1Ƥ TMSA); Port Natal [= Durban], Fry Coll. 1905–100 / JduGH39 (23 BMNH); Richards Bay Minerals, Nhlabane Lake, Dec. 1979, ex SASEX light trap / JduGH6 (13 DMSA); Richards Bay Minerals, Nhlabane Lake, Feb. 1980, ex SASEX light trap / JduGH16 (2Ƥ DMSA); Richards Bay, 27.01.2000, Davis & Delport, Dung-baited pitfall trap, CP13 (cattle composite) Natural Forest, Site 1, Trap 3 / JduGH60 (13 SANC); Richards Bay Minerals, Oct. 1985, P. Atkinson, at light / JduGH29 (43 SANC); Richards Bay Minerals, R.G. Oberprieler, Dec. 1979 – Jan. 1980 / JduGH550 (13 TMSA); St. Lucia, 1.12.1991, J. Klimaszewski, light trap / JduGH18 (13 TMSA); St. Lucia Bay, Oct. 1919, H.W. Bell-Marley // Ac. No. 2451 / JduGH3 (13 DMSA); St. Lucia Lake, Oct. 1932, H.W. Bell-Marley // Asthenopholis crassus Guer. [misidentification and incorrect author: JduGH] / JduGH4 (13 DMSA); Twin Streams [Farm], Mtunzini, 11.12.1963, Lawson & Bourquin / JduGH9 (13 DMSA); Twin Streams [Farm], Mtunzini, 26.09.2001, W.M. Botes / JduGH57 [completely disarticulated] (13 TMSA); Ukulu properties, N. Empangeni, Feb. 1980, ex SASEX light trap / JduGH7, [completely disarticulated] (13 TMSA); Umhlanga Rocks, 27.10.1951, A.J.T. Janse / JduGH22 (1Ƥ TMSA). General locality data. Natal, R. Ley coll. et det. Le Moult vendit. / A. adspersus (Boh.), det. J. Decelle 1987 / JduGH48 (13 ISNB); Natal, Martin, [on loan as Coniopholis lepidiota] / JduGH52 (1Ƥ MNCN); Natal, Museum Paris, 1906, Coll. Leon Fairmaire. JduGH46 (13 MNHN); Natal, Dr Martin / Museum Paris, 1932, Coll. Sainte-Claire Deville / JduGH51 (1Ƥ MNHN); Natal, Dr Martin 41 [black ink on white paper] / JduGH19 (13 SANC); Natal, H. Deyrolle 1866 / 926:66 [blue circle] / 34 / Asthenopholis crassus Arr., female [= male] / det. L. Burgeon / JduGH44 (13 MNHN); Natal, H.W. Bates, Ex. Musaeo H.W. Bates, 1892 / Type [not type, JH 2007] / Hoplochelus n. sp. / A. crassus Arrow, det. J. Decelle, 1966 [misidentification: JduGH] / JduGH50 (1Ƥ MNHN); Natal, Coniopholis spec. / JduGH53 (1Ƥ EMAU). Natal, A.R. Distant Coll. 1911–383, Asthenopholis transvaalensis Brenske,? a dspersa Boh. // Determined from description. G.J.A. [Arrow's hand] / = transvaalensis mit Type verglichen [compared to type], Nov. 1901 Brenske [Brenske's hand] / JduGH42 (1Ƥ BMNH); Pt Natal [= Durban], // 60.97 / Asthenopholis transvaalensis Brenske? adspersa Boh. // Determined from description. G.J.A[rrow]. / agrees exactly with spec. compared with type by Brenske, G.J.A. / JduGH38 (13 BMNH). No locality data. SASEX / JduGH17 (23 SASR).
description: Published as part of Harrison, James G., 2009, A taxonomic revision of the African leaf chafer genus Asthenopholis Brenske, 1898 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae): a SEM study, pp. 1-48 in Zootaxa 2225 on pages 7-10, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.190197