A study on the genus Chrysolina MOTSCHULSKY, 1860, with a ...

122 ANDRZEJ BIEÑKOWSKI
impression. Ch. fuscicornis is larger (5.5-7.5 mm), more elongate, ovate; pronotal
lateral impression bears longitudinal pit at midlength. Ch. fuscicornis differs
also from Ch. rosti in the following characters: Ch. rosti is moderately convex,
above purplish coppery, with antennae rusty reddish; pronotal lateral callus is
separated anteriorly by a weak impression. Ch. fuscicornis is rather strongly
convex, above coppery violaceous, with antennae pitch-black; pronotal lateral
callus is separated by longitudinal pit at midlength. I have examined specimens
which, on one hand, correspond to the original description and figure of aedeagus
of Ch. rosti kubanensis, and, on the other, wholly correspond to the original
description of Ch. fuscicornis. Therefore, I reduce Ch. rosti kubanensis to a
synonym of Ch. fuscicornis. Contrary to the opinion of WEISE (1892), the lateral
furrows at the base of pronotum do not permit to separate Ch. rosti, Ch. fuscicornis,
and Ch. caspica from each other; shape and length of these furrows are rather
variable. Contrary to the opinion of MEDVEDEV & OKHRIMENKO (1991), the shape
of the last segment of maxillary palpi in male does not permit to distinguish these
three species. According to the original description (ROUBAL 1912), Ch. danieli
differs from Ch. caspica only in dark brown or olive coloration (questionable
distinction), and from Ch. rosti in short body (as in Ch. caspica!). Therefore, I
agree with the opinion of MEDVEDEV & OKHRIMENKO (1991) that Ch. danieli is a
junior synonym of Ch. caspica. WEISE (1892) did not separate Ch. rosti from
Ch. fuscicornis on the basis of elytral punctation. According to LOPATIN (1991),
elytral punctures are entirely confused in Ch. rosti and more or less regular in
Ch. fuscicornis. However, I have several males of Ch. rosti with elytral puctures
partly arranged in rows.
MATERIAL
Ch. apsilaena (fuscicornis): Russia: Krasnodar Krai: Dagomys, foothills,
broad-leaved forest, leaf litter, 25.8.1992: 2 males, 27.8.1992: 1 male, A.
BIEÑKOWSKI leg.; envir. Dagomys, Bzych, forest, leaf litter, 7.7.1996: 1 male, 1
female, I.V. MELNIK leg.; Sochi, 5.1929: 1 female; Maikop, 10.5.1959: 1 female,
D. PANFILOV leg.; Lazarevskoe, 1.7.1985: 2 specimens, A.G. KOVAL leg.
Ch. caspica: Georgia: Gagra: 1 male; Abkhazia, Achandara, 29.5.1961: 1
male, O.N. KABAKOV leg.; Russia: Krasnodar Krai: Bambak, 9.6.1911: 1 male,
VOLNUKHIN leg.; envir. Maikop, Kishi (Chegs) river, 14.5.1911: 1 male, VOLNUKHIN
leg.; Krasnaia Poliana, 7-15.7.: 1 male, KIRITSCHENKO leg.; the same locality,
Achishkho ridge, 1500m, 10-15.5.1996: 1 male, A. BRINEV leg.; envir. Tkhach
Mount., Afonka river: 1 male; Lagonaki upland, 1200m, on Hypericum, 14.6.: 1
male, N.V. OKHRIMENKO leg.; Gelendzhik, Markotkh ridge, under stone, 13.8.1987:
1 male, 1 female, A. BIEÑKOWSKI leg.; envir. Dagomys, Shakhe river near mouth
of Azhu river, 4.7.1996: 1 male, 1 female, I.V. MELNIK leg.; 12 km SE Guzeripl,
Abago plateau, forest, 1650-1750m, 16.6.1991: 1 male, K. MIKHAILOV leg.;
Caucasus, without locality data, 14.10.1884: 1 male.