Candezea atomaria

Candezea atomaria (Fairmaire, 1893)

Monolepta atomaria Fairmaire, 1893, p 146.

Redescription

Total length. 6.3–7.8 mm (mean 7.14 mm).

Head. Palpi, clypeus, and frons yellow, mandibles apically brown, labrum black. Antennomeres yellow to brownish yellow, only tip of last antennomere brown (Figure 15). Ratio length of second: third antennomere 0.50–0.62 (mean 0.56), ratio length of third: fourth antennomere 0.56–0.71 (mean 0.64).

Thorax. Prothorax yellow, meso- and metathorax brownish yellow, rarely black. Pronotal width 1.9–2.4 mm (mean 2.18 mm), ratio pronotal length: width 0.47–0.55 (mean 0.50). Length of elytron 5.1–6.3 mm (mean 5.79 mm), maximal elytral width in the apical third with 3.5–4.2 mm (mean 3.9 mm), elytral width to length 0.62–0.72 (mean 0.66). Elytra yellow to brownish yellow with small, circular, irregularly scattered black spots (Figure 15). Males have a small, heart-shaped elytral protrusion beyond the scutellum (Figure 15A). Scutellum yellow to brownish yellow, legs yellow.

Abdomen. Yellow.

Female genitalia. Spermatheca large, cornu sometimes strongly curved at apex, nodulus comparatively large, strongly curved, middle part narrow and curved, nodulus moderately enlarged (Figure 17). Bursa sclerites usually with seven spines of varying form, sclerites relatively long and slender (Figure 16).

Male genitalia. Median lobe very broad, round in cross-section, slender and parallel-sided in the apical quarter (Figure 18A). Tectum subapically strongly widened, lanceolate, deeply incised at apex, with irregularly, strongly sclerotized spines at margins beyond the lanceolate apex (Figure 18A, B). Endophallic spiculae very strong, ventral pair short and strongly curved outwards (Figure 18A), middle and dorsal pairs much longer, strongly curved dorsally in lateral view (Figure 18B) and slightly curved inwards in dorsal view. Sac structure broad, apically widened in dorsal view. Orifice trapezoidal with two extrusions at base (Figure 18A).

Distribution. Candezea atomaria has similar distribution to C. irregularis, a species of Guineo-Congolian forests from Ghana, Cameroon through the Congo Basin to Rwanda and Tanzania in the East and to northern Angola in the South (Figure 19).

Diagnosis. With an average total length of 7.14 mm, C. atomaria is the largest Candezea species. According to elytral coloration and male sexual dimorphic sculpturation it is most similar to C. occipitalis, but underside and apical antennomeres (Figure 6) of this species are black. Furthermore, C. occipitalis is allopatrically distributed with C. atomaria. Elytral pattern of both species is very similar to C. costatipennis (Figure 20), but this species is smaller, slenderer, and males have carinate elytra and very different genitalic patterns (Figure 20A). Despite C. atomaria being synomized with C. irregularis by Weise (1924; cf. Wilcox 1973), and both species are sympatric, they can be clearly distinguished by body size (C. irregularis is the smallest Candezea species), size of elytral spots (larger and of different size in C. irregularis, cf. Figures 11, 15), the difference in male sexual dimorphism (Figures 11A, 15A) and male genitalic characters (Figures 14, 18).

Type material

Holotype: Monolepta atomaria: ♀, ‘‘Oubanghe Crampel/Ex. Musaeo L. Fairmaire 1893 / Monolepta atomaria Fairm’’ (MNHN). Type locality: Central African Republic, Fort Crampel, 7 ° 009N, 19 ° 109E; examined.

Other material examined

Angola: 2 ex., Huilla, 15 ° 049S, 13 ° 339E, G. Babault (IRSNB); 1 ex., Monteiro, 8 ° 439S, 16 ° 509E, (BMNH); 2 ex., Bembe, 7 ° 039S, 14 ° 259E, 1901 (MNHN); 4 ex., Songo, 7 ° 309S, 14 ° 569E, 1901 (MNHN); 1 ex., Quimbele, 6 ° 309S, 16 ° 259E, 1908 (MNHN); 1 ex., Capelongo, 14 ° 529S, 15 ° 079E, 1914 (MNHN); 2 ex., Catumbela, 12 ° 279S, 13 ° 319E, August 1928 (IRSNB); 2 ex., Ebanga, 12 ° 449S, 14 ° 449E, December 1928 (IRSNB); 7 ex., Ponte Macusso, 15 ° 039S, 20 ° 579E, December 1928 (IRSNB); 4 ex., Lunda, Chabo, 9 ° 589S, 20 ° 269E, March 1972 (BMNH). Cameroon: 1 ex., Bafia, 4 ° 399N, 11 ° 149E, 1947, J. Carayon (MNHN); 17 ex., 1949–1950, R. F. Njong (ZMUC). Central African Republic: 2 ex., Fort Crampel, 7 ° 009N, 19 ° 109E, Laméy (MNHN). Congo-Brazzaville: 1 ex., Fort Rousset, 0 ° 279S, 15 ° 449E (ZMUH); 1 ex., N’Gombe, 0 ° 129N, 17 ° 069E, 1913, R. Ellenberger (MNHN). Congo (Zaire): 2, Kingoyi, Walder (NHRS); 1 ex., Kivu, September–October 1925 (IRSNB); 1 ex., Maniéma, Dupuis (MRAC); 3 ex., Maniéma, Kasongo, 4 ° 279S, 26 ° 409E, Pons (IRSNB); 2 ex., Bas Congo, Thysville, 5 ° 169S, 14 ° 539E (MNHN); 6 ex., Kibali, Dungu, 3 ° 409N, 28 ° 329E (MMUE); 8 ex., Stanleyville, Lomami, 0 ° 469N, 24 ° 169E (IRSNB); 1 ex., Bas Congo, Kisantu, 5 ° 079S, 15 ° 059E, P. Goossens (MRAC); 4 ex., Kwango, Leverville, 4 ° 509S, 18 ° 449 E, P. Vanderijst (MRAC); 1 ex., Bas Congo, Loango, 5 ° 109S, 12 ° 589E, coll. Tordier (IRSNB); 7 ex., Stanleyville, 0 ° 309N, 25 ° 129E, coll. J. Muller (IRSNB); 1 ex., Kasai, Luebo, 5 ° 219S, 21 ° 259 E, G. Babault (MRAC); 1 ex., Equateur, Maringa, 1 ° 139N, 19 ° 499E, 1894–1896, L. Mairresse (IRSNB); 4 ex., Uele´, Sassa, 1895–1896, Colmant (MRAC); 6 ex., Stanley Falls, 1900, coll. Veth (RMNH); 2 ex., Kivu, Beni, 0 ° 309N, 29 ° 289E, January 1905, L. Cloetens (IRSNB); 1 ex., Stanleyville, Ponthierville, 0 ° 219S, 25 ° 299E, October 1910, Bequeart (MRAC); 1 ex., Maniéma, Kindu, 2 ° 579S, 25 ° 569E, October 1911, L. Burgeon (MRAC); 1 ex., Kibali, Djombo, 2 ° 259N, 27 ° 189E, October 1912, R. Mayné (MRAC); 9 ex., Bas Congo, Congo da Lemba, 5 ° 429S, 13 ° 429’E, December 1912, R. Mayné (MRAC / IRSNB); 105 ex., Uele´, Amadi, 3 ° 359N, 26 ° 479E, March–June 1913, P. v. den Plas (MRAC / IRSNB); 3 ex., Wombali, 3 ° 169S, 17 ° 209E, July–September 1913, P. Vanderijst (MRAC); 21 ex., Equateur, Eala, 0 ° 049N, 18 ° 179E, September 1914 –1915, R. Mayné (MRAC); 1 ex., Bokoro, 2 ° 509S, 18 ° 239E, March 1915, R. Mayné (MRAC); 4 ex., Bumbuli, 3 ° 249S, 20 ° 319E, April 1915, R. Mayné (MRAC); 3 ex., Kinsele, 5 ° 049S, 15 ° 309E, 1917, L. Burgeon (MNHN); 2 ex., Maniéma, Kindu, 2 ° 579S, 25 ° 569E, 1917, L. Burgeon (MNHN); 216 ex., Maniéma, Nyangwe, 4 ° 139S, 26 ° 119E, March–May 1918, R. Mayné (MRAC); 3 ex., Kwango, Kikwit, 5 ° 029S, 18 ° 499E, November 1920, P. Vanderijst (MRAC); 1 ex., Kwango, Luisa, 6 ° 079S, 19 ° 269E, 1921, L. Achten (MRAC); 16 ex., Kasai, Luebo, 5 ° 219S, 21 ° 259E, August 1921, J. Ghesquière (MRAC); 4 ex., Kasai, Luebo, 5 ° 219S, 21 ° 259E, September 1921, H. Schouteden (MRAC); 1 ex., Stanleyville, Barumbu, 1 ° 149N, 23 ° 319E, 1922, J. Ghesquière (MRAC); 1 ex., Kasai, Luebo, 5 ° 219S, 21 ° 259E, November 1922, G. Babault (MRAC); 1 ex., Maniéma, Kindu, 2 ° 579S, 25 ° 569E, January 1924, H. Lebeau (MRAC); 1 ex., Maniéma, Kindu, July 1924, J. Ghesquière (MRAC); 1 ex., Stanleyville, 0 ° 309N, 25 ° 129’E, February 1925, J. Ghesquière (MRAC); 1 ex., Equateur, Panga, 0 ° 439S, 19 ° 379E, 1926, E. Bock (MRAC); 1 ex., Kwango, Leverville, 4 ° 509S, 18 ° 449E, 1928, J. Tinant (MRAC); 13 ex., Stanleyville, 0 ° 309N, 25 ° 129E, June– July 1932, J. Vrydagh (MRAC); 1 ex., Lulua, Kapanga, 8 ° 219S, 22 ° 359E, November 1932, G. F. Overlaet (MRAC); 1 ex., Kivu, Bitale, 2 ° 119S, 28 ° 379E, September 1934, G. F. de Witte (IRSNB); 20 ex., Kiri, 1 ° 299S, 19 ° 009E, September–October 1934, G. F. de Witte (IRSNB); 3 ex., Uele´, Monga, 4 ° 129N, 22 ° 499E, April–May 1935, G. F. de Witte (MRAC / IRSNB); 2 ex., Lomami, Kasenji, 7 ° 269S, 24 ° 109E, May 1935 – April 1936, H. J. Brédo (MRAC); 3 ex., Maniéma, Lokandu, 2 ° 319S, 25 ° 479E, 1937, Marée (MRAC); 1 ex., Kabinda, Lukolela, 5 ° 239S, 24 ° 329E, 1937, R. Massart (IRSNB); 15 ex., Lualaba, Bukama, 9 ° 129S, 25 ° 519E, July 1937 – July 1938, Marée (MRAC); 9 ex., Bas Congo, Ngowa, 5 ° 429S, 16 ° 359E, November 1937 – July 1938, J. Mertens (IRSNB); 1 ex., Kunungu, 2 ° 069S, 16 ° 269E, 1938, coll. H. Schouteden (MRAC); 6 ex., Maniéma, Lokandu, 2 ° 319S, 25 ° 479E, March 1939, Marée (MRAC); 11 ex., Bas Congo, Mayidi, 5 ° 119S, 15 ° 099E, 1942–1945, P. v. Eyen (MRAC / IRSNB); 1 ex., Kabongo, 7 ° 209S, 25 ° 349E, July 1947, M. Poll (MRAC); 1 ex., Kabalo, 6 ° 029S, 26 ° 559’E, July 1947, M. Poll (MRAC); 6 ex., Bolobo, 2 ° 109S, 16 ° 179E, 1950, R. Viccars (MRAC); 8 ex., Sankuru, Gandajika, 6 ° 469S, 23 ° 589E, September 1950, P. de Francquen (MRAC); 1 ex., P.N.G., Garamba, 3 ° 409N, 29 ° 009E, October 1951, H. de Saeger (MRAC); 21 ex., Sankuru, Gandajika, 1953, P. de Francquen (MRAC); 2 ex., Sankuru, Gandajika, August 1958, R. Maréchal (MRAC); 2 ex., Maniéma, Kasongo, 4 ° 279S, 26 ° 409’E, August 1959, L. G. Benoit (MRAC); 1 ex., Stanleyville, Lomami, 0 ° 469N, 24 ° 169E, October–December 1959, L. G. Benoit (IRSNB); 1 ex., Thysville, 5 ° 159S, 14 ° 529E, 1963, A. Allaer (MRAC). Gabon: 2 ex. (MNHU); 1 ex. (IRSNB); 2 ex. (SMTK); 1 ex., coll. Fry (BMNH); 1 ex., coll. Baly (BMNH); 1 ex., Staudinger (BMNH); 9 ex., Lolemba, Ngomo, 0 ° 499S, 9 ° 579E, coll. Clavareau (MRAC / MNHN); 3 ex., R. Ogooue´, Lastoursville, 0 ° 509S, 12 ° 039E (IRSNB); 2 ex., L. Onangue´, 1 ° 089S, 10 ° 069 E, J. de Muizon (MNHN); 3 ex., R. Ogooue´, Lambaréne´, 0 ° 419’S, 10 ° 139E (BMNH); 5 ex., Mouila, 1 ° 509S, 11 ° 029E, 1883, L. Fairmaire (MNHN); 2 ex., Malinga, 2 ° 309S, 12 ° 149E, 1885, H. Pierron (MNHN); 2 ex., R. Ogooue´, Lambaréne, 1894, D. Gerstaecker (IRSNB); 5 ex., R. Ogooue´, Lambaréne´, 0 ° 419S, 10 ° 139E, January 1898 –1901, E. Haug (MNHN); 1 ex., R. Ogooue´, Lastoursville, 0 ° 509S, 12 ° 039E, August–September 1898, J. Bouyssou (MNHN); 11 ex., R. Ogooue´, Lambaréne, December 1902, L. Fea (4 ex. IRSNB, 7 ex. MSNG); 6 ex., Franceville, 1 ° 409S, 13 ° 319E, 1909, H. Pierron (MNHN); 6 ex., R. Ogooue´, Lambaréne´, 1910–1913, R. Ellenberger (MNHN); 3 ex., R. Ogooue´, Lambaréne´, 1917, Favarel (ZMUH). Ghana: 2 ex., Takoradi, 4 ° 559N, 1 ° 459W, November 1967, Besnard (MRAC). Rwanda: 3 ex., Kivu, Mukungwa, 1 ° 449S, 29 ° 409E, August 1934, G. F. de Witte (IRSNB). Tanzania: 2 ex., Kigonsera, 10 ° 499S, 35 ° 059E, coll. Breuning (MRAC); 1 ex., Kigoma, 4 ° 529S, 29 ° 069E, September 1918, R. Mayné (MRAC).