The Curculionoidea of the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean) (Coleoptera)

The Curculionoidea of the families Anthribidae, Rhynchitidae, Apionidae, Nanophyidae, Brachyceridae, Curculionidae, Erirhinidae, Raymondionymidae, Dryophthoridae and Scolytidae from the Maltese islands are reviewed. A total of 182 species are included, of which 51 species represent new records for this archipelago.peer-reviewe

New holarctic species of Ceutorhynchinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Die folgenden neuen Ceutorhynchinen-Arten werden beschrieben: Ceutorhynchus excelsus sp. n. aus China (Sichuan); C. francisci sp. n. aus der Türkei; C. magnisinus sp. n. aus Texas; C. montanus sp. n. aus Bulgarien; C. zonatus sp. n. aus Mexico; Coeliodes caucasius sp. n. aus Armenien; C. jelineki sp. n. aus dem Südwest-Iran; Glocianus superstes sp. n. aus Griechenland; Pericartius flavisquamis sp. n. aus Algerien; Thamiocolus comptus sp. n. aus der Türkei; T. phaleratus sp. n. aus Turkmenien; und T. roessleri sp. n. aus Norditalien. Folgende neue Synonymien werden festgestellt: Hypohypurus Hustache, 1920 (= Orientohypurus Korotyaev, 1981; syn. n., = Hemilioxyonyx Colonnelli, 1984; syn. n.); Hypohypurus testaceirostris Hustache, 1930 (= Lioxyonyx sibitiensis Hoffmann, 1968; syn. n.); Hypurus bertrandi (Perris, 1852) (= Ceutorhynchus oleraceae Marshall, 1935; syn. n.). Neukombinationen sind: Hypohypurus medvedevi (Korotyaev, 1981), H. minor (Korotyaev, 1981), H. ponomarenkoi (Korotyaev, 1981), H. simplicipes (Korotyaev, 1981) (alle comb. n. aus Orientohypurus); Hypurus hovanus (Dalla Torre & Hustache, 1930), H. litoralis (Colonnelli, 1979), H. madagascariensis (Hustache, 1920), H. madecassus (Hustache, 1920) (alle comb. n. aus Hypohypurus), Hypurus portulacae (Marshall, 1916) (comb. n. aus Ceutorhynchus); Pericartius abyssinicus (Hustache, 1934), P. aequatorialis (Hustache, 1934), P. amaranthi (Voss, 1963) (alle comb. n. aus Hypohypurus). Hypohypurus perrieri Hustache, 1920 wird als Typus-Art für die Gattung Hypohypurus Hustache, 1920 designiert. Für den in den Artrang erhobenen Thamiocolus hexatomus (Penecke, 1922), stat. n. wird ein Lectotypus designiert. Der Name der Tribus Lioxyonychini Colonnelli, 1984 wird berichtigt. Für die Gattungen der Hypurini wird ein Bestimmungschlüssel vorgelegt.Nomenklatorische Handlungenexcelsus Colonnelli, 1997 (Ceutorhynchus), spec. n.francisci Colonnelli, 1997 (Ceutorhynchus), spec. n.magnisinus Colonnelli, 1997 (Ceutorhynchus), spec. n.montanus Colonnelli, 1997 (Ceutorhynchus), spec. n.oleraceae Marrshall, 1935 (Ceutorhynchus), syn. n. of Hypurus bertrandi (Perris, 1852)zonatus Colonnelli, 1997 (Ceutorhynchus), spec. n.caucasius Colonnelli, 1997 (Coeliodes), spec. n.jelineki Colonnelli, 1997 (Coeliodes), spec. n.Hemilioxyonyx Colonelli, 1984 (Curculionidae), syn. n. of Hypohypurus Hustache, 1920Orientohypurus Korotyaev, 1981 (Curculionidae), syn. n. of Hypohypurus Hustache, 1920superstes Colonnelli, 1997 (Glocianus), spec. n.litoralis (Colonnelli, 1979) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus litoralismadagascariensis (Hustache, 1920) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus madagascariensismadecassus (Hustache, 1920) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus madecassusmedvedevi (Korotyaev, 1981) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Orientohypurus medvedeviminor (Kortyaev, 1981) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Orientohypurus minorponomarenkoi (Korotyaev, 1981) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Orientohypurus ponomarenkoisimplicipes (Korotyaev, 1981) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Orientohypurus simplicipeshovanus (Dalla Torre & Hustache, 1930) (Hypurus), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus hovanusportulacae (Marshall, 1916) (Hypurus), comb. n. hitherto Ceutorhynchus portulacaesibitiensis Hoffmann, 1968 (Lioxyonyx), syn. n. of Hypohypurus testaceirostris Hustache, 1930abyssinicus (Hustache, 1934) (Pericartius), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus abyssinicusaequatorialis (Hustache, 1934) (Pericartius), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus aequatorialisamaranthi (Voss, 1963) (Pericartius), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus amaranthiflavisquamis Colonnelli, 1997 (Pericartius), spec. n.comptus Colonnelli, 1997 (Thamiocolus), spec. n.phaleratus Colonnelli, 1997 (Thamiocolus), spec. n.roessleri Colonnelli, 1997 (Thamiocolus), spec. n.The following new species of Ceutorhynchinae are described: Ceutorhynchus excelsus sp. n. from China (Sichuan); C. francisci sp. n. from Turkey; C. magnisinus sp. n. from Texas; C. montanus sp. n. from Bulgaria; C. zonatus sp. n. from Mexico; Coeliodes caucasius sp. n. from Armenia and Gruziya; C. jelineki sp. n. from southwestern Iran; Glocianus superstes sp. n. from Greece; Pericartius flavisquamis sp. n. from Algeria; Thamiocolus comptus sp. n. from Turkey; T. phaleratus sp. n. from Turkmenia; and T. roessleri sp. n. from northern Italy. The following new synonymies are proposed: Hypohypurus Hustache, 1920 (= Orientohypurus Korotyaev, 1981; syn. n., = Hemilioxyonyx Colonnelli, 1984; syn. n.); Hypohypurus testaceirostris Hustache, 1930 (= Lioxyonyx sibitiensis Hoffmann, 1968; syn. n.); Hypurus bertrandi (Perris, 1852) (= Ceutorhynchus oleraceae Marshall, 1935; syn. n.). New combination are: Hypohypurus medvedevi (Korotyaev, 1981), H. minor (Korotyaev, 1981), H. ponomarenkoi (Korotyaev, 1981) and H. simplicipes (Korotyaev, 1981) (all comb. n. from Orientohypurus); Hypurus hovanus (Dalla Torre & Hustache, 1930), H. litoralis (Colonnelli, 1979), H. madagascariensis (Hustache, 1920), H. madecassus (Hustache, 1920) (all comb. n. from Hypohypurus), Hypurus portulacae (Marshall, 1916) (comb. n. from Ceutorhynchus); Pericartius abyssinicus (Hustache, 1934), P. aequatorialis (Hustache, 1934), P. amaranthi (Voss, 1963) (all comb. n. from Hypohypurus). Hypohypurus perrieri Hustache, 1920 is selected as the type species of Hypohypurus Hustache, 1920. A Lectotype is designated for Thamiocolus hexatomus (Penecke, 1922), stat. n., which is raised to species rank. The name of the tribe Lioxyonychini Colonnelli, 1984 is emended. A key to the genera of Hypurini is included. Nomenclatural Actsexcelsus Colonnelli, 1997 (Ceutorhynchus), spec. n.francisci Colonnelli, 1997 (Ceutorhynchus), spec. n.magnisinus Colonnelli, 1997 (Ceutorhynchus), spec. n.montanus Colonnelli, 1997 (Ceutorhynchus), spec. n.oleraceae Marrshall, 1935 (Ceutorhynchus), syn. n. of Hypurus bertrandi (Perris, 1852)zonatus Colonnelli, 1997 (Ceutorhynchus), spec. n.caucasius Colonnelli, 1997 (Coeliodes), spec. n.jelineki Colonnelli, 1997 (Coeliodes), spec. n.Hemilioxyonyx Colonelli, 1984 (Curculionidae), syn. n. of Hypohypurus Hustache, 1920Orientohypurus Korotyaev, 1981 (Curculionidae), syn. n. of Hypohypurus Hustache, 1920superstes Colonnelli, 1997 (Glocianus), spec. n.litoralis (Colonnelli, 1979) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus litoralismadagascariensis (Hustache, 1920) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus madagascariensismadecassus (Hustache, 1920) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus madecassusmedvedevi (Korotyaev, 1981) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Orientohypurus medvedeviminor (Kortyaev, 1981) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Orientohypurus minorponomarenkoi (Korotyaev, 1981) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Orientohypurus ponomarenkoisimplicipes (Korotyaev, 1981) (Hypohypurus), comb. n. hitherto Orientohypurus simplicipeshovanus (Dalla Torre & Hustache, 1930) (Hypurus), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus hovanusportulacae (Marshall, 1916) (Hypurus), comb. n. hitherto Ceutorhynchus portulacaesibitiensis Hoffmann, 1968 (Lioxyonyx), syn. n. of Hypohypurus testaceirostris Hustache, 1930abyssinicus (Hustache, 1934) (Pericartius), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus abyssinicusaequatorialis (Hustache, 1934) (Pericartius), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus aequatorialisamaranthi (Voss, 1963) (Pericartius), comb. n. hitherto Hypohypurus amaranthiflavisquamis Colonnelli, 1997 (Pericartius), spec. n.comptus Colonnelli, 1997 (Thamiocolus), spec. n.phaleratus Colonnelli, 1997 (Thamiocolus), spec. n.roessleri Colonnelli, 1997 (Thamiocolus), spec. n

Two new records of weevils from Malta, with a new synonymy (Coleoptera : Curculionoidea)

The weevils Hemitrichapion andalusiacum and Pachyrhinus lethierryi are for the first time reported from the island of Malta, the latter being an invasive species. The new synonymy: Pachyrhinus lethierryi (Desbrochers des Loges, 1875) [= P. lostiae (Desbrochers des Loges, 1903), syn. nov.] is also established.peer-reviewe

Chiloneus hoffmanni (Gonzalez, 1970) (Coleoptera Curculionidae) new to Italy, with a checklist of the species of the genus and ecological notes

Chiloneus hoffmanni (González, 1970) (Coleoptera Curculionidae) thus far considered a Maltese endemic, is here recorded for the first time from Lampedusa island (Italy). Several adults of this species and of C. solarii Pesarini, 1970 were found feeding on leaves of Charybdis pancration (Asparagaceae). These observations constitute the first data on the ecology of these species. An updated checklist of Chiloneus Schoenherr, 1842 is also provided.peer-reviewe

First Record of Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Italy

Summary Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was observed for the first time in Italy and the Mediterranean Region attacking sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.; Solanaceae) in greenhouses and in fields in the coastal area of the Lazio Region of Italy. The incursion, detected in Oct 2013, was a heavy infestation of sweet pepper buds and not fully developed fruits, and causing their premature abscission. The outbreak area was delineated by the coast on the west, and hills on the south and east

Endemic Curculionoidea to the islands within the Strait of Sicily

Twenty-one species of endemic weevils are found on the islands of the Strait of Sicily, including the Egadi Islands. These weevils are classified under the Superfamily Curculionoidea, 18 of which fall under the Family Curculionidae whereas the remaining species belong to the Family Raymondiomymidae. Of these, two species namely Echinodera sp. n. (?) near capbonensis and Amaurorhinus sp. near paganettii both from Malta are still undescribed. All 21 species are flightless and most likely polyphagous.peer-reviewe

A NEW SPECIES OF PARASCYTHOPUS DESBROCHERS FROM SYRIA (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Parascythopus saltinii n. sp. from Syria is described and illustrated. The new species cannot be confused with any other by its apical part of rostrum reddish and its lack of pronotal keel in combination with the elongate funicular and tarsal segments. A key to species of Parascythopus Desbrochers is included. New combination is: Parascythopus intrusus (Kôno, 1948), comb. nov. from Phyllobius to Parascythopus

Mesoxenomorphus rugipennis Colonnelli 2014, sp. nov.

Mesoxenomorphus rugipennis sp. nov. (Figs 40, 42) Type material. HOLOTYPE: J (NMPC), ‘ Yemen, Socotra Island // Bizidig // Avicennia marina mangrove, // 13.vi.2012 // 12°18.6′N, 53°48.2′E, 6 m’, ‘Socotra expedition 2012 // J. Bezděk, J. Hájek, V. Hula, // P. Kment, I. Malenovský, // J. Niedobová & L. Purchart leg. ’. PARATYPES: 13 JJ 28 ♀♀, same label data as holotype (29 NMPC, 2 BMNH, 10 ECRI). Additional material examined. 1 J in very bad condition and with broken elytra, ‘Homaq, 11.x.2007, R. Sindaco leg.’ (MCCI). Description. Male holotype. Body length 2.7 mm. Cuticle bare, shining, pitchy brown, legs and antennae dark ferruginous. Ventral side somewhat alutaceous, mesoventrite and ventrites I, II and V with not so dense moderately large punctures (Fig. 40). Head. Rostrum 0.6× as long as pronotum, moderately curved, rather finely punctured, sides slightly concave. Antennae inserted shortly apicad of middle of rostrum; scape thin, slightly curved forward and moderately clubbed; funicular antennomere I slightly longer than wide, thicker than remaining ones which are all from moderately to strongly transverse; club quite small, suboval and about as long as preceding three antennomeres. Head subconical, convex, continuing curve of rostrum; space between eyes same as that of base of rostrum and with elongate pit. Eyes small and barely protruding from head convexity, temples convex and little more than twice eye diameter. Pronotum about as long as wide, with rounded sides up to apical third, then rapidly narrowing towards base, strongly constricted and collar-shaped at apex, apical margin slightly convex, maximum width of pronotum about at basal third; disc moderately convex, with quite sparse and rather fine punctures. Scutellum almost invisible. Elytra 1.80 times longer than wide, disc moderately convex, maximum width at middle; sides subparallel and almost straight up to apical fifth, then jointly rounded towards apex; humeri and preapical calli wanting. Striae catenulate. Interstriae wider than striae, almost flat, with irregular transverse sulci forming somewhat undulate surface. Legs moderately robust; femora quite strongly clubbed and slightly compressed, sparsely setose like short almost straight tibiae; tarsi rather narrow, third tarsomere only slightly wider than preceding one and almost not bilobate, claws simple. Ventral side. Metaventrite and abdominal ventrite I with large common depression in middle, ventrite I slightly longer than II, this about as long as ventrites III+IV, ventrite V crescent-shaped and about as long as ventrite I. Variability. Apart from the colour which is more or less dark, other specimens are very similar to the holotype. Females have rostrum hardly thinner and longer, and lack abdominal depression. Male genitalia. Aedeagus as depicted in Fig. 42. Body length 2.3–2.7 mm. Differential diagnosis. This new species is at once distinguished from M. africanus Wollaston, 1873 (Fig. 41) and M. luridus Hesse, 1928, both from southern Africa, by its elytra with deep and sulciform instead of finely and shallowly punctured striae, and unevenly subrugulose instead of flat smooth intervals. The third species of the genus, the central African M. pilifer Voss, 1934 is very different from M. rugipennis sp. nov. especially by its raised claviform setae and elongate rostrum. Etymology. The sulcate, subrugulose elytra suggested the species name, Latin adjective rugipennis (- is, - e), meaning ‘with rugulose wings’. Collection circumstances. Specimens from Bizidig were sifted from decaying leaves in sand under an isolated stand of mangrove Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. (Acanthaceae) (J. Hájek, pers. comm.).Published as part of Colonnelli, Enzo, 2014, Apionidae, Nanophyidae, Brachyceridae and Curculionidae except Scolytinae (Coleoptera) from Socotra Island, pp. 295-422 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 54 on pages 332-333, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.531312