Brachyolus viridescens Broun, 1893: 1363
Creators: name: Brown, Samuel D. J.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2018
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Curculionidae
Brachyolus
Brachyolus viridescens

description: Brachyolus viridescens Broun, 1893: 1363
Holotype (Figures 13, 14). Female (BMNH). Glued to card mount; specimen entire. Labelled: ‘2386.’ [handwritten, Broun’s hand; off-white rectangular card], ‘Stratford’ [printed, off-white rectangular card], BCBM label, ‘ Brachyolus / viridescens’ [handwritten, Broun’s hand; off-white rectangular card], ‘ BMNH (E) / 1237380’ [printed, white rectangular label], ‘ HOLOTYPE / Brachyolus / viridescens / Broun 1893 / Confirmed SDJ Brown 2013’ [printed, red rectangular label].
Broun (1893) explicitly states that only one specimen from Stratford made up the type series, thereby implicitly designating a holotype.
19 Other material examined: A total of 303 specimens examined (7 males, 6 females, 290 of undetermined gender).
WO: Mathers Road [-38.3896, 175.07, A], 23 May 1983, Litter (NZAC: 3). BP: Galaxy Road [-38.0401, 176.0448, A], 1 Jan–31 Dec 1982, Butcher CF (NZAC: 2); Ngongotaha [-38.1183, 176.1978, A], 16 Feb 1979, Dugdale JS, To light (NZAC: 1); Reeves Rd, Te Puke [-37.8548, 176.3181, A], 9 Feb 1978, Scott RR, Beaten (LUNZ: 1); Rongomai Trail [-38.0736, 176.4173, R], 19 Jan 2012, Brown SDJ, Beaten from Mahoe Melicytus ramiflorus (LUNZ: 12); Tarukenga [-38.0766, 176.1459, A], 8 Feb 1982, Watt JC (NZAC: 3); Tikitapu/Blue Lake [-38.1957, 176.3318, A], 23 Jan 1960, Townsend JI, Zondag R (NZAC: 7). GB: Hicks Bay [-37.5908, 178.2826, A], 2 Jan 1958, Townsend JI (NZAC: 1); Lake Waikaremoana [-38.7693, 177.0765, A], 19 Nov 1975, Ramsay GW (NZAC: 1); Lake Waikaremoana [-38.7693, 177.0765, A], 27 Feb 1967, May BM, 609 m, Beating at night (NZAC: 8); Ngamoko [-38.7489, 177.2037, A], 16–23 Nov 1958, Watt JC, 2800 feet, Beaten from mahoe (NZAC: 19); Ngamoko [-38.7489, 177.2037, A], 16–23 Nov 1958, Watt JC, 2800 feet, X Schleffera digitata (NZAC: 1); Ngamoko [-38.7489, 177.2037, A], 17 Nov 1958, Watt JC, 2800 feet, X Mahoe (NZAC: 4). TO: Pureora State Forest [-38.5944, 175.5583, A], 13 Feb 1984, Craw RC (NZAC: 3); Waipapa Reserve [-38.2975, 175.671, A], 19 Jan 1984, 570 m, Malaise trap (NZAC: 2); Waipapa Reserve [-38.2975, 175.671, A], 23 Feb 1984, 570 m, Malaise trap (NZAC: 1). HB: Balls Clearing [-39.2689, 176.5061, A], 24 Jan 1985, Charles JG, Litter (NZAC: 1); Little Bush, Puketitiri [-39.3242, 176.5275, A], 16 Jan 1986, Davies TH, Davies JM (NZAC: 2); Little Bush, Puketitiri [- 39.3242, 176.5275, A], 7 Jan 1987, Davies TH, Davies JM (NZAC: 2); Tukituki River Scenic Reserve [-39.9853, 176.5158, A], 26 Dec 1981, Watt JC, Beaten at night (NZAC: 2); White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve [-39.2867, 176.8786, A], 18 Nov 1984, Charles JG, Stream bank litter (NZAC: 1); White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve [-39.2867, 176.8786, A], 24 Dec 1983, Watt JC, Beating (NZAC: 8). RI: Ohakune [-39.4133, 175.4094, A], 1–31 Oct 1921, Harris TR, 2060 feet (NZAC: 4); Totara Reserve, Pohangina Valley [-40.1371, 175.8442, A], 18 Dec 1948, Brookes AE (NZAC: 6); Totara Reserve, Pohangina Valley [-40.1371, 175.8442, A], 29 Dec 1975, Watt JC, Beating (NZAC: 2); Totara Reserve, Pohangina Valley [-40.1371, 175.8442, A], 29 Dec 1975, Watt JC, Sweeping (NZAC: 10). WI: Balance Bridge [-40.3376, 175.8191, A], 19 Dec 1948, Brookes AE (NZAC: 4); Pahiatua [- 40.4571, 175.849, A], 15 Jun 1958, Cumber RA (NZAC: 1); Palmerston North [-40.3574, 175.6164, A], 15 Jan 1962, Townsend JI, Melicytus ramiflorus (NZAC: 4); Pori [-40.6015, 175.9388, A], 24–28 Feb 1956, Gourlay ES (NZAC: 2); Waewaepa Range [-40.4509, 176.0434, A], 29 Mar 1957, Cumber RA (NZAC: 5). WN: Five Mile Track [-41.3434, 174.9365, A], 25 Jan 1961, Holloway BA, Mixed broadleaf leafmould (NZAC: 4); Kimberley Reserve [-40.6668, 175.3116, A], 6 Nov 1980, Butcher CF, Litter (NZAC: 1); Orongorongo Field Station [- 41.3464, 174.9698, A], 15–17 Sep 1969, Watt JC, Beating at night (NZAC: 6); Orongorongo Field Station [- 41.3464, 174.9698, A], 22–26 Sep 1969, Dugdale JS, To light (NZAC: 9); Otari-Wiltons Bush [-41.2639, 174.751, A], 30 Dec 1937, Lindsay S (NZAC: 18); Stellin Memorial Park [-41.2772, 174.7682, R], 8 Apr 2013, Brown SDJ, Beaten from mahoe (LUNZ: 1); Tokomaru Gorge [-40.4966, 175.5312, A], 10 Jan 1959, Bull RM (NZAC: 1); Tokomaru Gorge [-40.4966, 175.5312, A], 7 Jan 1959, Bull RM (NZAC: 1); Wadestown Town Belt [-41.275, 174.771, R], 6 Apr 2013, Brown SDJ, Leaf litter (LUNZ: 2); Waiohine Gorge [-40.996, 175.3902, A], 2 Sep 1965, Townsend JI, 650 feet, Moss on rocks (NZAC: 2); Wright’s Hill Reserve [-41.298, 174.7249, R], 27 Jan 2012, Brown SDJ, Beaten from Mahoe Melicytus ramiflorus (LUNZ: 1). WA: Mahaki [-41.2305, 175.4199, A], 14 Sep 1982, Watt JC, Beating (NZAC: 10). SD: Bay of Many Coves [-41.1979, 174.1624, A], 23 Dec 1991, Marris JWM, Swept from scrub/undergrowth in kanuka forest (LUNZ: 2); Bay of Many Coves [-41.1979, 174.1624, A], 2 Jan 1993, Marris JWM, Beaten from shrubs at night (LUNZ: 1); Bay of Many Coves [-41.1979, 174.1624, A], 4 Jan 1993, Marris JWM, Beaten from dead vegetation (LUNZ: 1); Bay of Many Coves [-41.1979, 174.1624, A], 6 Jan 1993, Marris JWM, Ex dead Pittosporum branch (LUNZ: 2); Chetwode Islands [-40.8908, 174.0919, A], 15–16 Jan 1964, Gourlay ES (NZAC: 2); Cullen Point [-41.268, 173.785, R], 11 Nov 2013, Brown SDJ, Brown DS, Beaten from Mahoe Melicytus ramiflorus (LUNZ: 2); D’Urville Island [-40.8237, 173.8478, A], 3 Jan 1959, Gourlay ES (NZAC: 2); Iwirua Point [-41.2601, 173.9978, A], 1 Jan 1971, Smith DN (LUNZ: 3); Iwirua Point [- 41.2601, 173.9978, A], 2 Jan 1971, Smith SL, Smith DN (LUNZ: 2); Iwirua Point [-41.2601, 173.9978, A], 3 Jan 1971, McPherson MG (LUNZ: 3); Kapowai [-40.9035, 173.8361, A], 17 Feb 1971, Kuschel G (NZAC: 2); Marlborough Sounds, Marris JWM, Beating in kanuka bush and scrub (LUNZ: 1); Maud Island [-41.0249, 173.8918, A], 1–6 Mar 1953, Gourlay ES (NZAC: 2); Mid Trios Islands [-40.8381, 173.9995, A], 13 Jan 1952, Holloway BA (NZAC: 3); Motuara Island [-41.095, 174.275, R], 12 Nov 2013, Brown SDJ, Beaten from Melicytus ramiflorus (LUNZ: 4); Ship Cove [-41.0967, 174.2388, A], 15 Jan 1973, Watt JC (NZAC: 22); Ship Cove [- 41.0967, 174.2388, A], 27–30 Nov 1972, McBurney J (NZAC: 18); Stephens Island [-40.6728, 173.9935, A], 1–28 Feb 1971, Kuschel G, Melicytus ramiflorus (NZAC: 2); Stephens Island [-40.6728, 173.9935, A], 1–28 Feb 1971, Ramsay GW (NZAC: 2); Te Kakaho [-40.888, 174.1036, A], 11–16 Feb 1988, Muir CA, Yellow pan trap in shoreline vegetation (LUNZ: 3); Te Kakaho [-40.888, 174.1036, A], 14 Feb 1988, Bowie MH, At night (LUNZ: 1). NN: Bark Bay [-40.9182, 173.0535, A], 5 Feb 1981, Penman DR (LUNZ: 4); Bark Bay [-40.9182, 173.0535, A], 5 Feb 1981, Scott RR (LUNZ: 4); Botanical Hill [-41.2729, 173.2997, A], 23 Feb 1967, Townsend JI, Melicytus ramiflorus (NZAC: 7); Botanical Hill [-41.2729, 173.2997, A], 26 Oct 1968, Townsend JI (NZAC: 1); Botanical Hill [-41.2729, 173.2997, A], 26 Sep 1967, Watt JC, Beating Pseudopanax arboreum (NZAC: 1); Botanical Hill [- 41.2729, 173.2997, A], 26 Sep 1967, Watt JC, Macropiper excelsum (NZAC: 1); Botanical Hill [-41.2729, 173.2997, A], 26 Sep 1967, Watt JC, Melicytus ramiflorus (NZAC: 9); Collingwood [-40.68, 172.681, R], 1 Jun 2014, Brown SDJ, Beaten from Melicytus ramiflorus (LUNZ: 1); Gibbs Hill [-40.8153, 172.9774, R], 26 Sep 2008, Emberson RM, Syrett P, 345 m, Beaten from Mahoe Melicytus ramiflorus (LUNZ: 1); Kaiteriteri [-41.0393, 173.0186, A], 9 Jan 2008, Howe P, Beaten in numbers on scrub foliage (LUNZ: 4); Marahau [-41.0052, 173.0087, A], 15 Aug 1970, Dugdale JS, Litter under Melicytus, Geniostoma and ferns (NZAC: 1); Nelson [-41.2702, 173.2974, A], 5 Oct 1929, Gourlay ES (NZAC: 1); Pigeon Saddle [-40.8322, 172.9687, A], 1 Feb 1949, Brookes AE (NZAC: 2); Pigeon Saddle [-40.8322, 172.9687, A], 21 May 1982, Peck S, Peck J, 300 m, Mixed forest litter (NZAC: 1); Riwaka Valley [-41.0542, 172.9595, A], 28–31 Jan 1949, Brookes AE (NZAC: 1). KA: Puhi Puhi Scenic Reserve [-42.2747, 173.7353, A], 13 Oct 1966, Walker AK, Forest litter (NZAC: 1); Puhi Puhi Scenic Reserve [-42.2747, 173.7353, A], 3–6 Dec 1957, Gourlay ES (NZAC: 2); Puhi Puhi Valley [-42.2683, 173.74, A], 2 Jan 1982, Early JW, 180 m, Sweeping young Macropiper and ground cover in podocarp-broadleaf forest (LUNZ: 1).
Distribution. North Island, South Island: WO, BP, GB, TO, HB, RI, WI, WN, WA / SD, NN, KA / — (Figure 23).
WO: Te Kuiti. BP: Lake Okataina; Rotorua; Tarukenga; Te Puke. GB: Hicks Bay; Lake Waikaremoana. TO: Pureora State Forest; Waipapa Reserve. HB: Puketitiri; Tangoio; Waipukurau. RI: Ohakune; Pohangina Valley. WI: Eketahuna; Pahiatua; Palmerston North; Woodville. WN: Karori; Kimberley Reserve; Masterton; Orongorongo Valley; Shannon; Wadestown. WA: Martinborough. SD: Chetwode Islands; D’Urville Island; Havelock; Marlborough Sounds; Maud Island; Mid Trios Islands; Motuara Island; Picton; Stephens Island; Te Kakaho. NN: Abel Tasman National Park; Collingwood; Kaiteriteri; Motueka; Nelson; Totaranui. KA: Puhi Puhi.
Elevational range. Label data: 180 m to 853 m (X = ̄ 700 m, s = 202, n = 44). Georeferenced data: 7 m to 966 m (X = ̄ 296 m, s = 279, n = 241).
Biology. Mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus J. R. et G. Forst, 1776, Violaceae) is a favoured host, with adults frequently found feeding on the foliage, sometimes in large numbers. Martin (2010) provides a description and photographs of the adult feeding damage. Specimens have also been taken in light traps, Malaise traps and litter samples. The larvae, and the host specificity thereof, are not known, but are predicted to also be associated with Melicytus ramiflorus.
Note on synonymy. Broun had only the original description of B. punctatus when he described his species (Broun, 1893). The type specimens of B. elegans and B. albescens are a male and female respectively, and Broun appears to have used sexually dimorphic characters for differentiating the two. Both type specimens agree closely with the type series of B. punctatus. The type specimen of I. breviusculus is abraded and at a cursory glance appears very different from fully clothed specimens of B. punctatus. Upon inspection of structural features, however, it can be confidently placed in the same species. The type specimen of B. viridescens is a darker specimen than most other individuals of B. punctatus, but not sufficiently as to warrant being considered a separate species.
description: Published as part of Brown, Samuel D. J., 2018, Redescription of Brachyolus punctatus White, 1846 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae), with synonyms and lectotype designations, pp. 432-442 in Zootaxa 4369 (3) on pages 437-441, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.3.8, http://zenodo.org/record/1135852