Chrysodema (Chrysodema) eximia subsp. eximia Laporte de Castelnau & Gory 1835
Creators: name: Frank, David
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Buprestidae
Chrysodema
Chrysodema eximia
Chrysodema (chrysodema) eximia eximia laporte de castelnau &amp; gory, 1835

description: Chrysodema (Chrysodema) eximia eximia Laporte de Castelnau & Gory, 1835
(Figs 1–10, 12, 13–17, 63, 64)
Chrysodema eximia Laporte de Castelnau & Gory (1835): 8 (original description, incl. colour Fig. 9, Pl. 2); Deyrolle (1864): 14 (key), 20 (listed); Saunders (1871): 13 (catalogue); Kerremans (1892a): 38 (catalogue); Kerremans (1903): 75 (catalogue); Akiyama & Ohmomo (2000): Pl. 46, Figs 486-1, 486-2 (iconography).
Chalcophora eximia: Lacordaire (1857): 23 (noted); Gemminger & Harold (1869): 1357 (catalogue).
Chrysodema (Chrysodema) eximia: Kerremans (1909): 515 (key), 531 (redescription); Obenberger (1926): 131 (catalogue); Frank & Sekerka (2020): 8 (noted).
Chrysodema (Chrysodema) eximia eximia: Lander (2003): 15 (key), 31 (redescription), 77 (colour Figs 48–51); Bellamy (2008): 530 (catalogue).
Chrysodema intercostata Saunders (1874): 308 (original description); Kerremans (1892a): 38 (catalogue); Kerremans (1903): 76 (catalogue).
Chalcophora intercostata: Kerremans (1885): 126 (catalogue).
Chrysodema (Chrysodema) intercostata: Kerremans (1909): 515 (key), 529 (redescription); Obenberger (1926): 131 (catalogue); Lander (2003): 31 (as synonym of C. (C.) eximia), 77 (colour Fig. 51); Bellamy (2008): 530 (catalogue, in synonymy C. (C.) eximia), 532 (listed as synonym of C. (C.) eximia).
Chrysodema eximia kawamurai Kurosawa (1989): 31 (original description, incl. Figs 3–4).
Chrysodema (Chrysodema) eximia kawamurai: Lander (2003): 31 (as synonym of C. (C.) aurostriata); Bellamy (2008): 530 (catalogue, in synonymy C. (C.) eximia), 532 (listed as synonym of C. (C.) eximia).
Type localities. Chrysodema eximia: ‘Indes-Orientales’ (see ‘Remarks’); C. intercostata: ‘N. Luzon’ [Philippines, Luzon Island (north)]; C. eximia kawamurai: ‘ Camiguin Island, Babuyan Islands, N. Philippines’ [Philippines, Cagayan Province, Camiguin Island].
Type material examined. Chrysodema eximia: SYNTYPES (3 ♀♀): ♀ (25.50 × 9.25 mm; Figs 1–3, 6), ‘ Chrysodema | Eximia Cast et Gory |Amboine [w, h; yellow border] || Coll. | Janson [w, p; black border] || MUSÉUM PARIS | 1935 | Coll. A. THÉRY [w, p]’ (MNHN); in front of row of specimens: ‘Eximia | Gory | Amboine Type [w(c), h; yellow border]’; under specimens: ♀ (28.25 × 10.00 mm; Figs 4, 7), ‘TYPE [r, p] || MUSÉUM PARIS | 1952 | COLL. R. OBERTHUR [y, p] || SYNTYPE [r, p] || SYNTYPE | Chrysodema | eximia Laporte & Gory, 1835 [w, p] || MNHN | EC8630 [w, p]’ (MNHN); ♀ (30.50 × 11.00 mm), ‘TYPE [r, p] || MUSÉUM PARIS | 1952 | COLL. R. OBERTHUR [y, p]’ (MNHN).
All specimens were provided with an additional red printed label: ‘ SYNTYPE ♀ | Chrysodema | eximia | LAPORTE DE CASTELNAU & GORY, 1835 | David Frank labelled IV. 2021 [date handwritten]’.
Chrysodema intercostata: LECTOTYPE (present designation): ♀ (31.75 × 11.50 mm; Figs 16, 25), ‘ N Luzon | 137 [w(c), h; round] || [2x] Type [w, p; round; red border] || Saunders | 74-18. [w(c), p] || intercostata | ES. Type [w(c), h]’ (BMNH).
PARALECTOTYPE: ♀ (31.25 × 11.50 mm), ‘ N Luzon | 137 [w(c), h; round] || COTYPE [w(c), p (red letters)] || Saunders | 74-18. [w(c), p] || MUSÉUM PARIS | 1935 | Coll. A. Théry [w(c), p; black border] || intercostata | Saund. | cotype [w(c), h]’ (MNHN).
Both specimens were provided with an additional red printed label: ‘ LECTOTYPE [or PARALECTOTYPE respectively] ♀ | Chrysodema | intercostata | SAUNDERS, 1874 | David Frank des. IV. 2021 [date handwritten]’ and also white printed label ‘ Chrysodema (Chrysodema) | eximia eximia | LAPORTE DE CASTELNAU & GORY, 1835 | David Frank det. IV. 2021 [date handwritten]’.
Chrysodema eximia kawamurai: PARATYPE: ♀ (27.00 × 9.50 mm; Figs 5, 8), ‘ Camiguin Is. | Babuyanes Iss. | Philippines | VI. 1988 [w, h] || PARATYPE [r, p] || ex coll. S. Bílý | National Museum | Prague, Czech Republic [w, p] || Chrysodema | eximia | kawakamii [sic!, see ‘Remarks’] | DET. K. Akiyama. 1993 [w, h/p]’ (NMPC).
The specimen was provided with additional red printed labels ‘ PARATYPE ♀ | Chrysodema | eximia | kawamurai | KUROSAWA, 1989 | David Frank labelled IV. 2021 [date handwritten] || ‘ kawakami ’ is only misinterpretation | by K. Akiyama. Acording to locality | data and measures this specimen | belongs to the type series of | Chrysodema eximia kawamurai | David Frank IV.2021 [r, p; date handwritten]’ (see ‘Remarks’) and white printed label ‘ Chrysodema (Chrysodema) | eximia eximia | LAPORTE DE CASTELNAU & GORY, 1835 | David Frank det. IV. 2021 [date handwritten]’.
Original specimens of unpublished manuscript names (see ‘Remarks’). [dark specimens are marked ‘(d)’] Chrysodema eximia ab. atrocyanea: ♀ (d) (33.75 × 11.50 mm; Figs 9, 13), ‘C.Engano, [Cape Engano, Palaui Is.] | N.Luzon | Whitehead leg. [w(c), p] || 2500 [gray, h] || TYPUS [w(c), p; black border] || Coll. G. Frey | NMB [blue, p] || Chrysodema | eximia C. G. | ab. | atrocyanea m. | Det. Hoscheck 19 34. [w(c), h/p; black border] || Chrysodema | eximia C.& G. | Dét. T. LANDER 1999 [w, h/p]’ (NHMB).
Chrysodema eximia ab. purpureocuprea (2 ♀♀): ♀ (d) (30.25 × 10.25 mm), ‘C.Engano, | N.Luzon | Whitehead leg. [w(c), p] || 2499 [gray, h] || TYPUS [w(c), p; black border] || Chrysodema | eximia C. G. | purpureocuprea | m. n. ab. | Det. Hoscheck 19 41. [w(c), h/p; black border] || Chrysodema | eximia C.G. | det. R. Holynski 1999 [w, h/p]’ (IRSN); ♀ (d) (34.00 × 11.75 mm; Figs 10, 14), ‘C.Engano, | N.Luzon | Whitehead leg. [w(c), p] || 2498 [gray, h] || TYPUS [w(c), p; black border] || Coll. G. Frey | NMB [blue, p] || Chrysodema | eximia C. G. | purpureocuprea | m. n. ab. | Det. Hoscheck 19 41. [w(c), h/p; black border] || Chrysodema | eximia C.& G. | Dét. T. LANDER 1999 [w, h/p]’ (NHMB).
All specimens were provided with additional red printed labels ‘ Chrysodema eximia | ab. atrocyanea [or purpureocuprea respectively] | HOSCHECK | unpublished manuscript name | David Frank IV.2021 [r, p; date handwritten]’ and white printed label ‘ Chrysodema (Chrysodema) | eximia eximia | LAPORTE DE CASTELNAU & GORY, 1835 | David Frank det. IV. 2021 [date handwritten]’.
AddiTiOnal maTerial examined (6 ♂♂, 85 ♀♀). [dark specimens are marked ‘(d)’] PHILIPPINES: ‘ Philipp [w, h] || TYPE [r, p] || MUSÉUM PARIS | 1952 | COLL. R. OBERTHUR [y, p]’ ♀ (28.00 × 10.00 mm) (MNHN, ex coll. Oberthür) (labelled as type, see ‘ Remarks’); Philippines, Eydoux 118–38, 1 ♀ (MNHN, ex coll. Oberthür); Philippines, Ch. Semper, 1 ♀ (MNHN, ex coll. Oberthür); Philippines, Stauding [er], 1 ♀ (MNHN, ex coll. Kerremans); Ins. Philipp., Coll. Janson, 1 ♀ (MNHN, ex coll. Théry); Philip, 1 ♀ (BMNH, ex coll. Saunders); Phillipine Islands, H. Cuming Esq. [determined as C. intercostata], 1 ♀ (BMNH, ex coll. Saunders); Phillipine Islands, H. Cuming Esq., Bowring 63–47, 1 ♀ (d) (BMNH); Philippinen, 2 ♀♀ (MFNB, ex coll. Moser); Philippinen, 1 ♀ (MFNB); Philippines, 1 ♀ (d) (MHNG, ex coll. Lander). LUZON ISLAND: Philippines, Luçon, Marche 1880, 1 ♀ (MNHN); Phil, Luzon 56/93, 1 ♀ (BMNH, ex coll. Saunders); Luzon /139, 1 ♀ (RHMP); Luzon /139, 1 ♀ (d) (BMNH, ex coll. Saunders); Philippines, S Luzon, vi.92, 1 ♀ (NMPC, ex coll. Bílý); Ins. Luzon, 1 ♀ (MFNB, ex coll. Moser); Philippines, Luzon [determined as C. intercostata], 1 ♀ (RHMP); Insel Luzon, v.2007, 1 ♀ (WBWA). Manila (see ‘ Remarks’): Manille, Ex Musaeo J. Thomson, 1 ♀ (MNHN, ex coll. Théry); Manille, Ex Musaeo Mniszech [determined as subviolacea (Laferté)], 1 ♀ (d) (MNHN, ex coll. Oberthür); Manilla, Parry, 1 ♀ (BMNH, ex coll. Saunders); Manila, 1 ♀ (MFNB, ex coll. Hauser). Abra Prov.: Tineg, May 2018, 1 ♀ (d) (DFPC). Apayao Prov.: Conner, Sept [ember] 2014, 1 ♀ (d) (WBWA). Aurora Prov.: Dingalan, vi.2012, 1 ♂ (EJBS; Figs 15, 63); Sierra Madre, Dingalan, October 2018, 1 ♀ (d) (DFPC); Sierra Madre, Casiguran, November 2018, 1 ♀ (DFPC); Didin, June 2019, 1 ♀ (DFPC); Dingalan, January 2020, 1 ♀ (DFPC); Dingalan, June 2020, 1 ♀ (DFPC); Dingalan, April 2021, 1 ♀ (DFPC). Bulacan Prov.: Philippinen, Luzon, Sibul, 16- 19.6.1986, 1 ♀ (MFNB, ex coll. Moser). Cagayan Prov.: C. Engano, [Cape Engano, Palaui Is.], N. Luzon, Whitehead leg., 1 ♀ (red-bronze) (MFNB, ex coll. Moser); Sta. Ana, May 2018, 1 ♂ (d) (DFPC); Sta. Ana, August 2018, 1 ♀ (d) (DFPC). Ilocos Norte Prov.: Luzon P. I., Ilocos Norte, W. Jark leg., 1 ♀ (IRSN); N. Luzon, Bangui, 1 ♂ (NMPC). Isabela Prov.: San-Pablo, Sept [ember] 2014, 1 ♀ (d) (WBWA); Sierra Madre, Cabagan, October 2018, 1 ♀ (d) (DFPC). Laguna Prov.: P.I., Los Banos, Baker, 2 ♀♀ (MNHN (1 ♀, ex coll. Kerremans)); P.I., Laguna, Los Banos, 1 ♀ (NMPC); P.I., Laguna, Mt. Makiling, 16.vii.[19]30, collected by F.C.Hadden, 1 ♀ (NMPC); P.I., Luzon, Laguna, Mt. Makiling, 24.vi.[19]31, collected by F.C.Hadden, 1 ♀ (NMPC); P.I., Los Baños, 15-vii-1923, E. Mangapit, 1 ♀ (NHMB, ex coll. Frey). Laguna / Batangas Prov. (see ‘ Remarks’): Philippines, Mt. Maquiling, Elev. 50 met, 24.vi.[19]46, Q. Tagorota, 1 ♀ (NMPC); Philippines, Mt. Maquiling, Elev. 50 met, 10.xii.[19]46, S. Cabañgisan, 1 ♀ (NMPC); Mt. Maquiling, Elev. 50 met, 22-ii-1947, M.Sandoval, 1 ♀ (NMPC); Philippines, Mt. Maquiling, Elev. 600 met, 18.ix.[19]48, R.P. Rivera, 1 ♀ (NMPC). Mountain Prov.: N Luzon, Mountain Prov., vi.[19]91, 2 ♀♀ (NMPC, ex coll. Bílý); Nord Luzon, Mt. Provinz, June 1991, 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (ATMR, ex coll. Novak); Mountain Prov., Aug [ust] 1991, coll. Schulz, 2 ♀♀ (ATMR, ex coll. Novak); North Luzon, Mountain Province, June 1996, 1 ♀ (SGBG). Nueva Ecija Prov.: Caranglan, July 2019, 1 ♀ (DFPC). Nueva Vizcaya Prov.: Belance, Bambang, June 2012, (1 ♀ TTOC; 1 ♀, 1 ♀ (d) DFPC); Belance, Jul [y] 2013, 1 ♀ (d) (TTOC); Belance, Aug [ust] 2013, 1 ♀ (DFPC); Kayapa, Sept [ember] 2014, 1 ♀ (WBWA). Pangasinan Prov.: Umigan, Elev. 250 m., 18-vi-1949, F. Badua, 1 ♀ (NMPC, ex coll. Bílý). Quezon Prov.: Mt.Banabao, Luzon, 1 ♂ (RHMP); Luzon, Novaliches, nördl. v. Manila. ii.[19]18, 1 ♀ (RHMP). Quirino Prov.: Sierra Madre, Madela, Disimungal, October 2017, 1 ♂ (Figs 17, 64), 1 ♀ (DFPC); Sierra Madre, Madela, San Martin, April 2018, 1 ♀ (d) (DFPC). Rizal Prov.: Montalban, Coll. Dr. A. Frh. v.Hoscheck, 1 ♀ (IRSN); Luzon, Montalban, 1914, leg. G. Boettcher, 2 ♀♀ (MFNB, ex coll. Moser); Sierra Madre, Rodriguez, December 2017, 1 ♀ (DFPC). BABUYAN ISLANDS: Babuyan Island: N-Luzon, Babuyan Isl., Sept [ember] [20]'04, (4 ♀♀ SGBG; 1 ♀ DFPC); Babuyan Isl., 1 ♀ (d) (MHNG, ex coll. Lander). Camiguin Island: Cagayan Prov., Camiguin Isl., 4.[20]'00, 1 ♀ (SGBG); N-Luzon, Camiguin Isl., Sept [ember] [20]'04, (9 ♀♀ SGBG; 1 ♀ DFPC).
Redescription of syntype. Well preserved ♀ specimen, right antenna missing from antennomere VII and slightly open elytra. Length 25.50 mm, width 9.25 mm, length/width ratio: 2.76.
Body navicular, elytra and pronotum bright metallic green with golden and copper reflections; elytra towards apex gradually from more intensive copper to dark. Head, ventral side and legs brown with red-coppery reflections.
Head brown, densely pubescent in lower half. Eyes large, oval, area around eyes finely macropunctate and pubescent in lower half. Frons with coppery-red reflections, 2× as wide as diameter of eye, impressed with medial sulcus, macropunctate, sparsely pubescent. Labrum brown, pubescent. Antennae brown, serrate from antennomere IV. Antennomeres I (scape) and II (pedicel) dark brown, sparsely macropunctate and pubescent; radicula (base of scape) and antennomeres from III pale brown, sparsely pubescent. Antennomere II ca. 3× shorter than I and III. Antennomere IV triangular, V–X more trapezoidal than triangular, XI oval. Maxillae, labium, maxillary palpi and labial palpi pale brown, densely pubescent.
Pronotum trapezoidal, narrowing anteriad with almost equal sides, widest at base, green, 1.6× as wide as long. Anterior margin arcuate with moderately protruding lobe, densely pubescent. Pronotum densely coarsely macropunctate, without larger impunctate areas except for medial line. Pronotal surface except for medial line appears quite rugose due to deeply impressed macropunctures. Macropunctation gradually coarser and denser toward sides. Medial line well visible, flat, slightly elevated, sparsely micropunctate, with several macropunctures. Medial impressions weak, barely impressed. Principal impressions small, elongate, shallow. Lateral impressions moderately deep, with several macropunctures and numerous very distinct micropunctures. Lateral margin brownbronze. Basal margin bisinuate.
Scutellum small, trapezoidal, green with gold-red reflections.
Elytra slightly wider than pronotum at base; parallel at basal half, narrowing from mid-length to apex; moderately convex in lateral view. Lateral margins arcuate below humeral calli, serrate at apical third. Serrations and apical quarter of suture coppery-red, apex of elytra black. Four distinctly elevated sharp costae on each elytron less distinct at basal third. 1 st costa reaches to apex of elytra where it is joined to suture, 2 nd joined to 1 st at apical fifth. 3 rd costa separated, shortened, reaching to 3/4 length of elytra. 4 th costa also separated but reaching to apex where it is almost joined to 1 st and suture. Basal third irregularly furrowed, more deeply toward base. Furrows and intercostal intervals very irregularly macropunctate and with short pubescence. Epipleura horizontal, broad at basal quarter, coppery-red, sparsely macropunctate and pubescent.
Legs brown-violet; femora less, tibiae more macropunctate and pubescent. Tibiae with two apical ventral spurs. Tarsi metallic coppery-red, tarsal claws divergent and simple.
Ventral side brown with red-coppery reflections. Hypomeron irregularly macropunctate more coarsely than prosternum.Anterior margin of prosternum densely pubescent.Prosternal process parallel-sided triangularly narrowed at apex, approximately 2.3× as long as wide, sparsely macropunctate and pubescent at central part, macropunctures bigger than macropunctures on prosternum, apex and sides smooth. Metasternum shiny, sparsely macropunctate at central part; not shiny, densely, coarsely macropunctate and pubescent on sides. Abdominal ventrites I–IV centrally sparsely macropunctate, laterally densely macropunctate in entire width, with short pubescence.Abdominal ventrites V densely macropunctate, with short pubescence, with shallow impression at apical part.
Variation. Body ♂♂ (n = 6) length: 21.25–27.25 (average 25.21) mm, width: 7.25–9.25 (average 8.54) mm, length/width ratio: 2.89–2.95(3.15) (average 2.95); ♀♀ (n = 75): length: 23.50–34.50 (average 28.86) mm, width: 8.00–12.25 (average 10.12) mm, length/width ratio: 2.69–3.05 (average 2.85). Chrysodema (C.) eximia eximia is variable in colour from light green with golden reflections through dark green, green-red to bronze or brown. Some specimens can have well developed or slightly indicated intercostae. Well developed intercostae in all intercostal intervals are very rare and always thinner than main costae. Aedeagus (n = 4) length: 7.32–7.45 mm, width: 1.55– 1.59 mm, length/width ratio: 4.63–4.75. Parameres broadly regularly navicular widest at mid-length, narrowly open at apical third, apice of parameres rounded. Penis moderately impressed with densely arranged striate laminae at entire width, apex of penis narrowly triangular (Figs 63, 64).
Differential diagnosis. Specimens of C. (C.) eximia eximia with well developed intercostae can be similar to C. (C.) eximia berliozi but they have entire head concolourous with ventral side. Dark specimens can be distinguished from C. (C.) fuscitarsis by the 1 st costa parallel with suture and narrower body. Green specimens can be distinguished from C. (C.) dohrnii by dark ventral side. For additional characters see Key to species.
Distribution. Philippines: Luzon, Palaui, Babuyan and Camiguin islands (Fig. 12).
Remarks. Laporte de Castelnau & Gory (1835) did not specify explicitly how many specimens they had at their disposal when describing Chrysodema eximia. They mentioned only depository in ‘Du cabinet des auteurs’, a single length and width measurement ‘Long. 11 lig. ½. Larg. 4 lig. (25.99 × 9.04 mm)’ and a locality ‘Indes Orientales’. I found three female specimens labelled as types in MNHN but none of them have the measurements indicated in the description. These specimens are from Oberthür’s collection where there is an old handwritten yellow bordered label ‘ Eximia, Gory, Amboine, Type’ in front of row of specimens and newer red printed labels ‘TYPE’ under each specimen. Two of them have no locality labels and the third is localised from Philippines (‘Philipp’). According to locality mentioned in the description Laporte de Castelnau & Gory probably did not know that the specimens are from Philippines because they mentioned ‘Philippines’ only for Chrysodema philippinensis Laporte de Castelnau & Gory, 1835 and C. rouxi Laporte de Castelnau & Gory, 1835. Therefore the specimen with locality label ‘Philipp’ is not included in the type series. I found also a specimen labelled ‘ Chrysodema | Eximia Cast et Gory | Amboine [w, h; yellow border; the label was originally in front of the specimen judging by holes after pins] || Coll. | Janson [w, p; black border] || MUSÉUM PARIS | 1935 | Coll. A. THÉRY [w, p]’ with measures 25.5 × 9.25 mm (Figs 1–3, 6). According to Horn & Kahle (1935) and Cambefort (2006) Mniszech bought (probably major) part of Buprestidae from Gory’s collection but Janson also got part of this collection. Therefore, it is possible that Théry had some specimens (including type(s)) from Gory’s collection via Janson. Because this specimen from Théry’s collection has almost identical measurements as in the description, the same old pin as the other two specimens labelled as syntypes, and it is also incorrectly localised ‘Amboine’ (Fig. 6), I also considered it a type specimen. Since all three specimens morphologically belong to a single species and have the same (incorrect) locality and pins there is no need of lectotype designation and I treat them as syntypes.
Saunders (1874) did not specify explicitly how many specimens he had at his disposal when describing Chrysodema intercostata (Fig. 16, 25) nor mentioned any depository. He mentioned only measurements ‘Length 15 lines; breadth 5 lines. (31.80 × 10.6 mm)’ and locality ‘N[orth]. Luzon’. In case of other species Saunders mentioned in his article if he had only one specimen for description (e.g. ‘Unique in the collection’ for Iridotaenia sulcifera or Chrysodema flavicornis; ‘One specimen only’ for Chrysodema dohrnii) therefore he probably had more specimens of C. intercostata. I found two female specimens with the same round locality labels ‘N Luzon, 137’ from Saunders’ collection and almost identical measurements in BMNH (31.75 × 11.50 mm) and MNHN (31.25 × 11.50 mm). The specimen from BMNH has very distinct ‘intermediate costae’ and a determination label ‘ intercostata ES., Type’ therefore it is designated as lectotype to conserve the status and type locality of this taxon and avoid any further misinterpretation. The specimen from MNHN does not have distinct ‘intermediate costae’ and has a determination label ‘ intercostata Saund., cotype’ therefore it is included to the type series as paralectotype.
According to Kurosawa (1989) a type series of Chrysodema eximia kawamurai includes ‘ Holotype (♂), allotype (♀) and paratypes: 1 ♂ 8 ♀♀, Camiguin Island, Babuyan Islands, N. Philippines, vi. 1988, S. KAWAMURA lgt.’ in range of measures ‘ Length: 21.5–31.8 mm; width: 7.0–10.8 mm’. There is a female specimen (27.00 × 9.50 mm; Figs 5, 8) in NMPC from Bílý’s collection with the same locality data, labelled as paratype but not by Kurosawa. It has determination label ‘ Chrysodema eximia kawakamii, det. K. Akiyama 1993’ (Fig. 8). Although there is the name ‘ kawakamii ’ and not ‘ kawamurai ’ it is probably Akiyama’s misinterpretation and the specimen can be considered one of the paratypes.
I studied three dark specimens from Cape Engano, Palaui Is. (ca 650 m north of Luzon) labelled as ‘types’ of two aberations of C. eximia by Hoscheck, one specimen of ‘ab. atrocyanea, det. 1934’ (Fig. 9, 13) and two specimens of ‘ab. purpureocuprea, det. 1941’ (Fig. 10, 14). Both are unpublished manuscript names and belong to the dark northern form, therefore there is no need to validate these names.
Chrysodema (C.) eximia eximia can be very variable in colour. Generally, on Luzon Is., green to red-bronze form (34 specimens - only specimens localised at least on the level of province) is southern and dark form (14 specimens) is northern. Specimens known from the Babuyan Islands (C. eximia kawamurai) are green to brown-bronze (Fig. 12). I studied only five specimens of green form from north part of Luzon: two females are from Mountain Province (without accurate locality), two old females are from Ilocos Norte Province (without accurate locality) and one female from Palaui Is., Cape Engano which has identical labels as dark specimens of Hoscheck’s unpublished names atrocyanea and purpureocuprea. All the other studied specimens from northern provinces are dark. There are specimens of both colour forms also from localities Nueva Vizcaya Prov., Belance; and Aurora Prov., Dingalan. Further to the south there are only green specimens as far as Quezon Prov. (I have studied no specimen southwards of this province). From Camiguin Island (Babuyan Islands) ca 40 km north of Luzon Kurosawa (1989) described C. eximia kawamurai based on ‘Entirely coppery to greenish coppery and always tinged with green in some aspects, instead of being bright green or golden green in the nominotypical race from other islands of the Philippines.’. I studied twelve specimens from Camiguin Is. and they are very variable in colour. The paratype and six specimens were green, two green-bronze and three red-brown (but more light-coloured than specimens from north of Luzon Is.). Five specimens from Babuyan Is. are uniformly green-gold but there is also one light brown specimen in MHNG localised ‘ Philippines, Babuyan Isl.’ Specimens from Babuyan Islands in general look more shiny than those from Luzon Is. but many very shiny specimens with sparser macropunctation are also known from Luzon Is., therefore the determination of those two ‘subspecies’ by colour and shine is not reliably possible. Saunders (1874) described C. intercostata from North Luzon based on ‘(Elytra) each with the suture and four lines raised; between these more elevated lines are somewhat irregular intermediate costae.’ and he also wrote ‘Closely allied to eximia, L. & G., but I can find no intermediate forms, so I describe it as distinct; the intermediate costae at once distinguish them.’. The paralectotype (MNHN) has intermediate costa only between the 1st and the 2nd costa and I found several other specimens with intermediate costae only between some main costae or with intermediate costae only hinted and very small. On the contrary all studied specimens of C. (C.) berliozi Descarpentries, 1948 (from Taiwan) have all intermediate costae although they are mostly smaller than main costae and sometimes only hinted. The green specimen of C. (C.) berliozi is almost similar to C. (C.) intercostata. Therefore Chrysodema (C.) eximia complex is the same concept as that of Lander (2003) when he synonymised C. (C.) intercostata and C. (C.) eximia kawamurai with C. (C.) eximia and downgraded C. (C.) berliozi to subspecies of C. (C.) eximia and this concept is also accepted by Bellamy (2008) and Kubáň (2016). It would be desirable to use molecular methods within C. (C.) eximia complex to definitively evaluate the status of all taxa and colour forms.
Chrysodema (C.) eximia complex (Fig. 12) is also distributed around sea current as well as subspecies of Chrysodema (Gelaeus) walkeri (Waterhouse, 1892) on southern Moluccas islands (Frank & Sekerka 2016) or C. (C.) aeneoviolacea Deyrolle, 1864 on Kai and Larat islands (Frank & Sekerka 2020). There is the strong Kuroshio Current (e.g. Gallagher et al. 2015) from Philippines over Taiwan to Japan. Also Chrysodema (Pseudochrysodema) dalmanni (Eschscholtz, 1837) has similar but larger distribution from Philippines to Taiwan and farther to Ryukyu Islands (Japan).
Manila is a capital city of Philippines at Metro Manila Province but Manila (or Manilla, Manille etc.) can mean the whole Luzon Island or Philippines on old labels.
There is Mount Makiling at the border between Laguna and Batangas Provinces. Therefore, specimens localised only Mt. Makiling without specification of Province cannot be assigned to a province.
Specimens with locality data Palawan (2 ♀♀), Mindanao (4 ♀♀) and Fidji (1 ♀) are probably erroneously localised and therefore they are not listed in examined material.
Lander (2003) also mentioned distribution on Batan and Romblon islands but I have never studied specimens from these islands.
description: Published as part of Frank, David, 2022, Studies on the genus Chrysodema (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Chrysochroinae) part II., pp. 507-543 in Zootaxa 5214 (4) on pages 509-518, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5214.4.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7397816