Asthenopholis ugandensis Moser 1913
Creators: name: Harrison, James G.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2009
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Melolonthidae
Asthenopholis
Asthenopholis ugandensis

description: Asthenopholis ugandensis Moser, 1913
(Figs. 4, 23, 30–31, 45, 69–73, 100–101, 119–121, 140–141, 159–161, 177).
Asthenopholis ugandensis Moser, 1913: (Length 20–22 mm, Uganda, Entebbe, lectotype and paralectotypes in ZMHB) 341–342. Kolbe 1914: 352.
Diagnosis. The smallest (18–20 mm) known north-eastern African Asthenopholis species. Brown to black, scutellum bare. Cuticular setae and scales finer and whiter (Fig. 4) than A. crassa (Fig. 3).
Redescription. Size (n = 5 males; n = 2 females). Length: males, mean 18.9 mm, (range 18.0– 19.5 mm), females, 19.5 mm, (19.0–20.0 mm). Width: males, mean 10.6 mm, (range 10.0–11.0 mm), females, 11.0 mm, (11.0 mm). Colour (Fig. 4): Brown to black cuticle covered by white scales and tan setae. Head (Figs. 30–31): Entire head covered with off-white setae. Clypeus with anterior margin slightly reflexed, corners rounded inward near eye; clypeal margin weakly elevated; clypeal suture present but indistinct. Raised protuberance situated laterally near eye; surrounded by clump of stiff, finer setae intermixed with scales; setae double the scale length. Pronotum (Figs. 69–73): Pronotum ratio 1.56:1 (n = 53); 1.55:1 (n = 2Ƥ). Row of short, lanceolate scales along anterior medial margin of pronotum; disc covered by off-white scales, directed posteriorly. 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. Scutellum (Figs. 100–101): Triangular, posterior apex rounded, surface smooth and almost without setae, punctation or prominent sculpture under light microscope, imbricate under SEM and with one or two fine setae along the margins. Elytra (Figs. 119–121): Elytral striae very weak, almost absent, about three per elytron. Elytra covered with fine off-white scales, uniformly dispersed, except scale-less circular patches situated posterior-laterally (ranging from 0–4 per elytron). Pygidium (Figs. 140–141): Covered with straight, almost parallel sided fine setae; bare area medially on anterior edge; setiferous puncture rims not contiguous, with setae inserted almost on edge. Male genitalia illustrated in Figs. 159–161.
Distribution. Known from two localities in Uganda and one in Tanzania (Fig. 23).
Natural history, pest status, and conservation. Unknown. Phenology indicated in Fig. 177.
Remarks. Four specimens in the ZMHB collection with the exact label data as Moser’s two syntypes have been labelled as paralectotypes.
Type material examined (Asthenopholis ugandensis Moser, 1913): Lectotype (here designated): UGANDA, “Entebbe, Uganda, Centr. Afr. [same data on reverse of label] / Asthenopholis ugandensis Mos., Type 3 [symbol, written on faded white card by Moser] / Type [printed on reddish brown card] / Zool. Mus. Berlin / 0 2602 [JduGH photo number] / Lectotype 3, Asthenopholis ugandensis Moser, 1913, des. J. du G. Harrison 2009” [specimen condition: Dermestidae damage as follows: pinhole enlarged in right elytron; holes in abdominal sternites; left hand side tarsomere chewed] (13 ZMHB). Paralectotypes (5). One paratype labelled “Entebbe, Uganda, Centr. Afr. [same data on reverse of label] / Asthenopholis ugandensis Mos., Type Ƥ [symbol, written on faded white card by Moser] / Type [printed on reddish brown card] / Zool. Mus. Berlin / Paralectotype Ƥ, Asthenopholis ugandensis Moser, 1913, des. J. du G. Harrison 2009” (1Ƥ ZMHB). Four paratypes labelled “Entebbe, Uganda, Centr. Afr.” [same data on reverse of label], [identical locality labels and pins as the lectotype and the other paralectotype but without any written type labels] (33 1Ƥ SEM ZMHB).
Additional material examined (13). TANZANIA. Manyara See [Lake], 12.[19]61, H. u. B. Frey / Asthenopholis ugandensis Moser, female, J. Decelle det., 1969 / Comp. Typ. ugandensis (13 MRAC).
Asthenopholis minor Brenske, 1898: (Length 16, width 8 mill., Transvaal, male lectotype in ZMHB) 390; Arrow 1902: 97; Péringuey 1904: 287 (as a synonym of A. subfasciata); Dalla Torre 1912: 182 (catalogue); Arrow 1917: 60 (key).
Asthenopholis bechuana Brenske, in litt.: Péringuey 1904: 287 (no description).
Diagnosis. The external morphology of this species is the most variable within the genus. The head, thorax, and scutellum are black; or with elytra reddish brown; medium sized species (14.0–19.0 mm). Teneral adults appear more brown than black, probably due to incomplete melanisation of the head, thorax, and scutellum. Scales on the thorax, scutellum, and elytra are fine, white, and of equal diameter.
Redescription. Size (n = 15 males; n = 10 females). Length: males, mean 16.6 mm, (range 14.5–18.0 mm), females, mean 16.2 mm, (range 14.0–19.00 mm). Width: males, mean 8.8 mm, (range 8.0–10.0 mm), females, mean 8.4 mm, (range 7.0–10.00 mm). Colour (Figs. 5, 7): Cuticle of completely sclerotised specimens is black and covered by small, blunt ended white scales. However, populations with black head, thorax, and scutellum and reddish brown elytra exist, and there are other populations with glossy brown individuals with tan coloured setae. The various colour forms are listed separately in the material examined section. Head (Figs. 32–33, 36–37, 46–47, 50–51): Head uniformly covered with fine, white setae; longer setae on eye protuberance. Clypeus slightly reflexed in the middle. Pronotum (Figs. 74–78, 84–88): Pronotum ratio 1.55:1 (n = 153); 1.56:1 (n = 10Ƥ). Pronotum covered with small lanceolate scales; lateral margin finely serrated almost straight posteriad, with basolateral angles not protruding; longer setae inserted within serrations. Row of longer and finer setae along the anterior edge. Scutellum (Figs. 102–103, 106–107): Scutellum triangular, apex blunt and covered with two types of setae; i.e., long and fine, shorter and lanceolate; unsetose area anteriomedially and along lateral edges. Elytra (Figs. 122–124, 128–130): Scales on the elytra are fine, white, and spatulate; suture and costae only indistinct; with or without denudate maculae on elytra. Pygidium (Figs. 142–143, 146–147): Pygidium flat and uniformly covered by fine, white setae. Male genitalia illustrated in Figs. 162–164 (black form) and 168–170 (black and russet form).
Morphological variability. Resolution of specimens to be included and excluded from A. minor has been complicated. The external morphology allows one to readily sort the specimens into four main morphospecies, but when one looks for consistent morphological characters to differentiate these into species the boundaries between all specimens included here become obscure. Consequently, all these specimens have been identified as A. minor, but for practical purposes the phenotypes mentioned are listed separately in the material examined to facilitate their study at the molecular level by others, which may provide the evidence to recognize further species from A. minor. The four main morphospecies are labelled as follows: A. minor (narrow black and red form); A. minor (broad black and red form); A. minor (black form); A. minor (brown and glossy form).
An explanation for the cuticular colour range observed within this species is pigment polyphenism, where the concentration of developmental hormones varies depending on environmental and physiological conditions during the beetles’ ecdysis. This in turn has an effect upon the degree of melanisation of the adult beetle, allowing for both melanic and non-melanic individuals within the same population, or different populations, of the same species (see reviews by Emlen & Nijhout 2000, Hartfelder & Emlen 2005, and Verma 2007 for details).
A detailed examination of the external morphology, male genitalia, and their inclusion within the SEM study phase of the revision, did however reveal the existence of two species within A. minor, i.e. (i) A. minor and (ii) A. crypsis. Thus, this is a situation where specimens that appear to be different based on their external morphology represent a morphologically variable species, and another that appears to be the same species includes a cryptic species. Additional sampling of A. minor across the geographic range and molecular analyses are recommended to further resolve the species limits and within-species-variation.
Distribution. The known distribution of A. minor is centred within and around KwaZulu– Natal (Fig. 22). Locality data indicate that this species has the widest distribution of any South African Asthenopholis species with records from the following provinces and countries: South Africa: Western Cape (1 record) [viz, Vlottenburg (J. A. Nagle)]; Eastern Cape (1) [Stutterheim (J. A. Nagle)]; Free State (2); Limpopo (2) [Nylstroom (ex student collection)]; Mpumalanga (7); KwaZulu– Natal (25); Lesotho (1) and Swaziland (5). However, the validity of the localities included within square brackets above require confirmation, as they appear to be outliers, but without further collecting this cannot be determined here.
The specimen labelled “Greyton” is mapped to “Greytown” in KwaZulu– Natal and not Greyton in the Western Cape, as it originates from the Pietermaritzburg collection and this locality is more likely than the Western Cape one. However, with A. minor (broad black and red form) records from Vlottenburg and Stutterheim future collecting may prove the Greyton (Western Cape) locality correct. The Vlottenburg and Stutterheim localities originate from three specimens collected by J. A. Nagle, an amateur entomologist who evidently worked alone, and whose collection of insects was donated to the Transvaal Museum (B. Dombrowsky, TMSA; personal communication 2007). Nagle’s collection is characterised by series of all insect orders, with varying dates but from the same locality, thus the Nagle Western and East Cape Asthenopholis specimens may actually have been collected at Winkelspruit (30°06’S 30°51’E) or Pietermaritzburg (29°34’S 30°21’E) both in KwaZulu– Natal, where J. A. Nagle often collected other insects.
Three specimens of this species were found in the Berlin collection, i.e. the lectotype, paralectotype, and one non-type. Both types are labelled as coming from the “Transvaal”, while the third specimen is labelled as coming from Port Natal (= Durban). Based on the species known distribution, the Transvaal specimens are regarded here as incorrectly labelled. Based on the known distribution of A. minor, the specimen records from “Betchuanen Land” would be incorrectly labelled specimens, because to date no Asthenopholis species have been positively recorded from Botswana (previously Bechuanaland Protectorate [Broadley & Minshull 1986]).
PLATE 4. Figs. 13–20: Asthenopholis adspersa (adult male). 13. labium in ventral view; 14. labium in ventral view showing sutural line; 15. lateral view of left mandible; 16. lateral view of right mandible; 17. epipharynx in dorsal view; 18. surface of right mandible’s molar lobe; 19. ventral view of left maxillae; 20. dorsal view of right maxillae. Scale bars = 100 µm.
PLATE 5. Figs. 21–22: Known distribution of South African Asthenopholis species. 21. A. adspersa (); A. rex sp. nov. (); and A. subfasciata (ˑ). 22. A. crypsis sp. nov. (); A. minor (); and Asthenopholis species near to crypsis (Ο). Questioned localities or determinations indicated by (?).
PLATE 6. Fig. 23: All locality records of Asthenopholis species plotted for South Africa (); and known distribution of East African Asthenopholis species; A. crassa (); and A. ugandensis ().
Conservation status. The species appears to be endemic to grassland in South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland, and occurs in some of the Drakensberg National Parks.
Populations occurring within areas of intensive agriculture, e.g. sugarcane in KwaZulu– Natal and Swaziland, could be threatened by the repeated use of pre-plant anti-white grub chemicals.
Natural history. Martin Krüger collected eight males and a single female of A. minor (brown and glossy form) swarming over a lawn at 12: 30 p. m., indicating that this species is active during the day, but perhaps only while mating. Twice, Mike Way recorded swarming during the day in two forms of A. minor (black form and the broad black and red form). While a series of A. minor (narrow black and red form) were taken during the Maluti Drakensberg Transfronteir Survey where sampling was undertaken during the day. An A. minor (broad black and red form) (E-Y: 765) was collected from a species of Protea at Cathedral Peak. Phenology indicated in Fig. 178.
PLATE 7. Figs. 24–31: Front view of head. 24–25 A. adspersa; 26–27 A. rex sp. nov.; 28–29 A. crassa; 30–31 A. ugandensis. Scale bars on left = 1 mm; right = 100 µm.
PLATE 8. Figs. 32–39: Front view of head. 32–33 A. minor (black form); 34–35 A. crypsis sp. nov.; 36–37 A. minor (black and russet form); 38–39 A. subfasciata. Scale bars on left = 1 mm; right = 100 µm.
PLATE 9. Figs. 40–45: Dorsal view of head and pronotal apex of: 40 A. adspersa; 42 A. rex sp. nov.; 44 A. crassa; 45 A. ugandensis. 41, 43 area to left of right hand eye enlarged: 41. A. adspersa; 43. A. rex sp. nov.; Scale bars = 100 µm.
Pest status. A long series of laboratory reared and field collected specimens from SASRI (South African Sugar Research Institute) (previously SASEX, South African Sugar Experiment Station) were examined. SASRI accession numbers for material of A. minor include 41, 828, 833 and 1853. The SASRI pair labelled only “1996 lab reared” SASEX 828 are considerably larger than the mean size for A. minor, but it is quite probable that this is due to being well fed under laboratory conditions rather than having emerged naturally. See material examined for localities from where specimens were collected during the SASRI white grub survey undertaken over 1996–1997.
Remarks. Péringuey (1904) was unable to differentiate between the morphological variability at intra and interspecific levels in Asthenopholis and thus placed A. minor as conspecific with A. subfasciata. However, both the distribution (Fig. 22) and external morphology of these two species differ (see species key and respective diagnoses).
The types series examined comprises two incompletely sclerotised males. However, they match well with recently collected specimens of A. minor, which include both completely (black cuticle) and incompletely (reddish black cuticle) sclerotised specimens. Brenske’s specimen of “ A. bechuana ” is a female, while Péringuey’s specimen of “ A. bechuana ” is a male. Although Péringuey (1904) attributed this species to Brenske (in litt.), it was never actually described by Brenske, who died in 1904.
Asthenopholis minor - narrow black and russet form
Type material examined (Asthenopholis minor Brenske, 1898): Lectotype (here designated): SOUTH AFRICA, “Transvaal / [male genitalia card, but genitalia missing] / Asthenopholis minor type. 3 Brsk. [written by Brenske] / Coll. Brenske / Type [printed on reddish brown card] / Zool. Mus. Berlin / 0 2602 [JduGH photograph number] / Lecotype 3 Asthenopholis minor Brenske, 1898. des. J. du G. Harrison, 2009” [specimen condition; right hand side antennal club missing, left hand side protarsi and mesotibia missing, dermestid perforation in abdominal sternites] (13 ZMHB); One paralectotype: “Transvaal, D. Heyne [written] / [male genitalia card mounted] / Asthenopholis minor cotype. Brsk [written by Brenske] / Coll. Brenske / Co- [written in black] Type [printed on reddish brown card] / Zool. Mus. Berlin / Paralecotype 3 Asthenopholis minor Brenske, 1898. des. J. du G. Harrison, 2009 / JduGH128” (13 ZMHB).
Additional material examined (with similar morphology to the lectotype and paralectotype) (Σ16, 153, 1Ƥ). SOUTH AFRICA,? Empangeni, 1916, W.J. Haygarth / DMSA COL 11994 /? Coniopholis sp. nova [incorrect genus] / JduGH101 (13 DMSA); nr [near] Eshowe, W.J. Haygarth, Ac. No. 1980 / DMSA COL 11860 / JduGH100 (13 DMSA); Qachas Nek, Basutoland [Lesotho], 8–13 Jan. 1939, L. Bevis / DMSA COL 11995 / JduGH78 (13 DMSA); Qachas Nek, 2 Dec. 2005, 1716 m, grassland, Site No. 35, active flying, MDTP 2705 / JduGH556 (13 TMSA); Qachas Nek, 2 Dec. 2005, 1716 m, grassland, Site No. 35, active flying, MDTP 3967 / JduGH557 (13 TMSA); Qachas Nek, 2 Dec. 2005, 1716 m, grassland, Site No. 35, active flying, MDTP 5003 / JduGH558 (13 TMSA); Qachas Nek, 2 Dec. 2005, 1716 m, grassland, Site No. 35, active flying, MDTP 59051 / JduGH559 (13 TMSA); Qachas Nek, 2 Dec. 2005, 1692 m, grassland, Site No. 36, active flying, MDTP 6254 / JduGH560 (13 TMSA); Qachas Nek, 2 Dec. 2005, 1692 m, grassland, Site No. 36, active flying, MDTP 6784 / JduGH561 (13 TMSA); Qachas Nek, 2 Dec. 2005, 1692 m, grassland, Site No. 36, active flying, MDTP 7092 / JduGH562 (13 TMSA); Qachas Nek, 2 Dec. 2005, 1692 m, grassland, Site No. 36, general, MDTP 6546 / JduGH563 (13 TMSA); Qachas Nek, 2 Dec. 2005, 1692 m, grassland, Site No. 36, general, MDTP 58585 / JduGH564 (13 TMSA); St. Lucia Lake, H.W. Bell-Marley, Oct. 1922 / Coniopholis sp. nov. [incorrect genus] / DMSA COL 11990 / JduGH98 (1Ƥ DMSA); Umfolozi, Oct. 1956, Zumpt / Asthenopholis minor Brenske Det. J. Decelle, 1969 / JduGH460 (13 MRAC), (13 ZSMG); Zululand, W.J. Haygarth, Ac. No. 1881–1916 / DMSA COL 11861 / JduGH97 (13 DMSA).
Asthenopholis minor - black and russet form
Material examined (Σ148, 593, 9Ƥ, 80 unsexed). SOUTH AFRICA, Betchuanen, Land. / Asthenopholis betschuanana [sic] Type Brsk. / Coll. Brenske / Type / Zool. Mus. Berlin / 0 2610 [JduGH photograph number] / JduGH108 (1Ƥ ZMHB). NATAL., Frere. // A. Marshall., 1892. / 227 [written in black ink] / [mouthparts, card mounted by Péringuey] / [aedeagus, point mounted by Péringuey] / Asthenopholis beschuanus Brsk. in litt., = A. minor Brsk. the “…” [illegible] elytra [written in black ink by Péringuey] / SAM-COL-A035867 / JduGH109 (13 SAMC). Bethel, Beste, illegible, Asthenopholis minor Brsk. [handwritten in black ink by Brenske] / JduGH102 (13 1Ƥ ZMHB); Botha's H.[ill], Feb. 1897 / Cisthenopholis subfasciata Blanch. [incorrect genus and species] / JduGH81 (13 DMSA); Botha's Hill, G.A.K. Marshall, B.M. 1912–95 / JduGH82 (13 BMNH); Carolina, 19.12.1931, J.L. Swierstra / A. minor det. A.V. Evans / JduGH88 (13 TMSA); Cathedral Peak, 25.11.2003, E-Y: 3571, grassland, M. Burger & R.
Müller / JduGH519 (23 TMSA); Cathedral Peak, 20.11.1974, E-Y: 765, singled on Protea, L. Schulze / Asthenopholis minor Brenske det. A.V. Evans / JduGH64 (13 TMSA); Drakensberg, Cathedral Peak Hotel, 4,800 ft., 12.xii.1951 / E.A.C.L.E. Schelpe B.M. 1952–336 / Swarming & mating on lawn. / JduGH75 (63 1Ƥ BMNH), ditto but (unsexed 65 [of these 58 are typical form with black head, thorax and scutellum, while 11 are a lighter brown, but these may be teneral individuals, i.e. not completely sclerotised] BMNH); Drakensberg, Cathedral Peak Hotel, 4,800 ft., 12.xii.1951 / E.A.C.L.E. Schelpe B.M. 1952–336 / Swarming & mating on lawn. / Coll. Mus. Tervuren [repeat locality data label] / JduGH76 (13 MRAC); Durban, illegible, 1891 / A. subfasciata Bl. [misidentification] / SAM-COL-A035869 / JduGH105 (13 SAMC); East Griqualand, [New] Amalfi, W.J. Haygarth, Ac. No. 1981 / JduGH65 (23 DMSA); Eshowe, 15.11.1996, T. Prince, “The bugs were found in a cane field previously infected with white grub.” / JduGH69 (43 SASR); Eshowe, Sunrise Farm, 4.12.1996, M.J. Way, Govender, Zuma, in [sugar]cane / JduGH66 (5 SANC; 5 SASR; 5 TMSA); Eshowe, Sunrise Farm, 12.12.1996, Way & Zuma / JduGH67 (13 SASR); Eshowe, Sunrise Farm, 18.03.1997, M.J. Way, lab reared, brown form, [date of emergence] 18.03.1997 / JduGH70 (1Ƥ SASR); Ezulwini [near Mbabane], M.J. Way, No. 3 [white grub type]; 97 white grub survey, lab reared / 3rd instar exuvia / JduGH68 (13 SASR); Greyton [Greytown],?, illegible, /? demouoler Decelle [pencil note] / dissected male / JduGH71 (13 MNHN); Inchanga, K.H. Barnard, // K.H. Barnard Nov. 1917 / Asthenopholis minor Brenske var. det. R.D. Pope 1951 / SAM-COL-A035866 / JduGH84 (13 SAMC); Kastrol Nek [Kastrolnek Pass], Jan. 1922, A. Roberts & G. van Dam / A. minor det. A.V. Evans / JduGH92 (13 TMSA); Kestell Dist.[rict], Qua–Qua N.[ational] P.[ark], Honingkloof, 23.xi.1993, D. de Swardt / NMBH-38713 / JduGH527 (13 BMSA). Nagana Res. Lab. H.H. Curson, 1922, Pres. By Imp. Bur. Ent. Brit. Mus. 1923–234 / Ant. 9-jtd. [jointed] [Arrow's hand] / JduGH80 (13 BMNH); Nylstroom, 13.04.1987, UPSA: S. Gothe / JduGH96 (1Ƥ LACM); Ostafrika, Coll. Kraatz / Moser det. / Asthenopholis subfasciatus [misidentification] / JduGH104 (13 1Ƥ DEIG); Oliviershoek Pass, 2.12.1989, V-V: 382, [T.] van Viegen & [P.] Stobbia / JduGH551 (43 TMSA) Olivier[s]hoek Pass / 1800–2000 m, 2.12.1989, T. van Viegen / JduGH63 (103 13 SEM TMSA); Port Natal [= Durban] / 36369, Fry Coll. 1905–100, Fry Coll. 1905–100 / JduGH99 (13 BMNH); Scottburgh [near Port Shepstone], 14.03.1926, R.H.R. Stevenson, Brit. Mus. 1955–734 / JduGH77 (13 BMNH); Stutterheim, 2.01.1959, J.A. Nagle, [1 dark, 1 light spec.] / JduGH74 (23 TMSA); Ulundi [near Nkandla], G.A.K. Marshall, B.M. 1912–95 / 31/1 [date] / JduGH83 (13 BMNH); Umzimkulu [near Kokstad], 28.12.1979, leg. A.E.B. / JduGH79 (13 LACM); Vlottenburg [Station, Cape Town], 6.11.1958, J.A. Nagle / JduGH73 (23 TMSA); Wakkerstroom, 13.01.1987, L. Pretorius, SE 2730 Ac / JduGH95 (1Ƥ LACM); Wakkerstroom, Jan. 1922, A. Roberts & G. van Dam / JduGH86 (13 1Ƥ LACM); Wakkerstroom, Jan. 1922, A. Roberts & G. van Dam / JduGH85 (23 TMSA); Wakkerstroom, 12.01.1987, B.L. Veenemans, SE 2730 Ac / JduGH94 (1Ƥ LACM); Wakkerstroom, Martins Dam, 31.12.1995, R. Stals, 27.20S 30.10E MPU / JduGH93 (13 SANC); White River, H.L.L.F. E. Tvl. Dec. 1906 / A. minor det. A.V. Evans / JduGH87 (1Ƥ TMSA). No locality data. Natal / JduGH103 (13 ZMHB); no data / JduGH107 (13 DMSA); Not legible, 1.01.1897, Marshall Coll. 1912–95 / JduGH106 (13 BMNH).
Asthenopholis minor - black form
Material examined (Σ89, 773, 12Ƥ). SOUTH AFRICA, KwaZulu– Natal, Bennett Farm, 18.03.1997, K., Naidoe, SASR Asthenopholis larval species No. 3 / JduGH126 (13 SASR); Emoyeni, Oct. 1994, S.ex 4300 [4 of series only probably from this locality] / JduGH127 (63 1 SEM SASR); Emoyeni, 26.11.1987, A. Carnegie, Ac.S.ex 833 / JduGH124 (13 LACM); Emoyeni, 26.11.1987, A. Carnegie, Ac.S.ex 833 / JduGH125 (43 SASR); Emoyeni, 7.11.1996, Way & Govender, field collected adults, in [sugar]cane / JduGH129 (103 SASR), (83 TMSA); Emoyeni, 17.04.1996, M.J. Way, laboratory reared larvae No. 3 [white grub morphospecies 3], emergence dates vary / JduGH130 (103 1 SEM 5Ƥ SASR); Emoyeni, M.J. Way, larvae collected 8.05.1996 emerged dates vary / JduGH131 (63 2Ƥ SASR); Emoyeni, M.J. Way / JduGH132 (43 2Ƥ SASR); Emoyeni, 15 km WSW of Mtunzini, 26.11.1987, A. Carnegie, AcSex 833 / JduGH123 (13 1Ƥ SANC); Malvern, illegible, Dec. 1899 / JduGH494 (13 MNHN); Malvern, G.A.K. Marshall, Comp. Typ. Minor [Decelle label] / JduGH493 (13 MRAC); Malvern, G.A.K. Marshall, Oct. 1897, 700 ft. / Asthenopholis minor Brenske, comp. with type G.J.A. [handwritten by Arrow, and refer to Arrow (1917: 60)] / 1901–179 / JduGH489 (23 BMNH); Malvern, G.A.K. Marshall, Sept. 1897, 1901–179 / JduGH490 (13 BMNH); Malvern, G.A.K. Marshall, Oct. 1897, 700– 800 ft., 1912–95 / JduGH491 (13 BMNH); Malvern, G.A.K. Marshall, Asthenopholis minor Br. / male genitalia [dissected by Péringuey] / SAMC-COL-A035871 / JduGH492 (13 SAMC); Mtunzini, 2.11.1983, R. Heathcote, antennae dimorphic in this series / JduGH122 (173 13 1Ƥ SANC); Port Natal [= Durban], D. Schulze / JduGH495 (13 ZMHB). No locality data. SASEX, “1996 lab reared” / Dc SEX 828 [this pair are very large for A. minor, but perhaps this is as a result of being lab reared rather than field emerged] / JduGH497 (13 1Ƥ SASR).
Asthenopholis minor - brown and glossy form
Material examined (Σ52, 473, 5Ƥ). SOUTH AFRICA, Kopees Kraal, Lydenburg, 5.12.1996, S. Endrődy-Younga, UV light, E-Y: 3252 / JduGH456 (153 1 SEM 2Ƥ TMSA); Nqutu, 1960, A.H. Newton, C.I.E. Coll. 17034 / JduGH461 (73 1 SEM BMNH); Pietersburg University, 7.11.1976, P.E. Reavell / JduGH458 (23 TMSA); Vryheid, 12.11.1995, M. Krüger, swarming over lawn at 12: 30 p. m. [important data as it indicates diurnal activity]; JduGH455 (83 1Ƥ TMSA), (53 MKSA); Zukobene, Natal, [19]03 / JduGH459 (13 TMSA). SWAZILAND. Mhlume, 25.11.1986, A. Carnegie, SASEX 828 / Asthenopholis minor Det. A.V. Evans, 1987 / JduGH463 (13 1Ƥ SANC); Mhlume, 25.11.1986, A. Carnegie, SASEX 828 / JduGH462 (23 1 SEM SASR); Mhlume, S. Date, Nov. 1964, SASEX 41 / JduGH464 (13 1Ƥ SANC); Mhlume, S. Date, SASEX 41 / JduGH465 (23 SASR); Swaziland, 6.06.1996– 15.11.1996 [dates are of larval collection to adult emergence], SASEX / JduGH496 (13 SASR); Tabankulu (Field B), 23.11.2006, D.E. Conlong, light trap near [sugar]cane, white grub adult, SEX 1853 / JduGH554 (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 14-25, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.190197