Observations on the biology of the South African checkered beetle Aphelochroa sanguinalis (Westwood) (Coleoptera: Cleridae)

The checkered beetle Aphelochroa sanguinalis (Westwood) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) is found in savanna and woodland ecosystems of southern and eastern Africa. During surveys for insect floral visitors in the Skukuza Ranger District of Kruger National Park, South Africa, we encountered adults of Aphelochroa sanguinalis on flowers of two tree species, Acacia grandicornuta Gerstner and Acacia tortilis (Forsskal) Hayne (Fabaceae). These two tree species flower in the early rainy season (November-December) and have small white flowers in small round ball-shaped clusters. Adults of phelochroa sanguinalis were not found on flowers of 14 other tree species with different floral structures which were flowering at the same time as Acacia grandicornuta and Acacia tortilis. Predatory, reproductive, and defensive behaviors (including the presence of a chemical defense) are described for Aphelochroa sanguinalis based on field and laboratory observations

Peaceful giant ground beetles: The genus Tefflus Latreille (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Republic of South Africa

Two species of the genus Tefflus Latreille (Coleoptera: Carabidae), commonly known as “peaceful giant ground beetles,” are recorded from the Republic of South Africa: T. carinatus carinatus Klug and T. meyerlei delagorguei Guérin-Méneville. Distribution records from the Republic of South Africa are summarized and mapped for both species. Tefflus c. carinatus has been collected in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Provinces, while T. m. delagorguei has been recorded from Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga Provinces. Adults of both species are illustrated. Seasonal and temporal activity patterns and defensive and foraging behaviors are characterized for T. m. delagorguei based on recent field studies in the Kruger National Park, Republic of South Africa

Ants as Indicators of Terrestrial Ecosystem Rehabilitation Processes

Habitat transformation is one of the main drivers of the ecosystem degradation on earth that is ameliorated by restoring some of the degraded ecosystems by regaining their natural ecological functions with all their biotic and abiotic components. The biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem under restoration can be used to assess the response of the ecosystem to the restoration. Ideal variable to use as the indicator should be able respond positively to the diminishing elements that we causing the degradation and interact positively to some of the biotic and abiotic components expected to prevail when the ecosystem is fully restored. One of such variable is ants. We here provide the information about the eligibility of using ants as indicators of terrestrial ecosystems undergoing restoration and sampling and basic analytical methods to apply when implanting ants at assessing ecosystem undergoing restoration

Pollution impacts on the aquatic ecosystems of the Kruger National Park, South Africa

The Kruger National Park (KNP) is a savanna ecosystem situated in the middle reaches of five large, dynamic and biologically diverse transboundary river systems. The KNP has been at the forefront of applied river ecosystems research for over 30 years. Meanwhile each of its rivers has a unique set of challenges from both a river flow and water quality manage- ment perspective. These have often arisen from anthropogenic changes in the catchments of the park. The resultant challenges give rise to an array of effects that bear upon the parks’ ability to maintain the viability of aquatic ecosystems in a large and bio-diverse landscape. This paper sets the scene through a synopsis of the investments made by the KNP to improve river management practices and the present status-quo of these aquatic systems. Moreover, it details through particular case studies where emergent impacts of diffuse pol- lution sources have affected the aquatic biotic processes within the park and downstream. Issues are framed within a conservation management context with respect to broad ecosystem health and species of conservation concern. Comparisons are also made to other aquatic ecosystems within the KNP where the impacts of diffuse pollution effects are as yet unapparent.The Land-Use and Water Quality Task Group of the International Water Association is acknowledged for constructive inputs to the development of this manuscript and providing sponsorship to present it at the 3rd Regional Conference on Diffuse Pollution, Chiang Mai, Thailand, November 2018.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/sciafam2019Paraclinical Science

Observations on the biology of the South African checkered beetle \u3ci\u3eAphelochroa sanguinalis\u3c/i\u3e (Westwood) (Coleoptera: Cleridae)

The checkered beetle Aphelochroa sanguinalis (Westwood) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) is found in savanna and woodland ecosystems of southern and eastern Africa. During surveys for insect floral visitors in the Skukuza Ranger District of Kruger National Park, South Africa, we encountered adults of Aphelochroa sanguinalis on flowers of two tree species, Acacia grandicornuta Gerstner and Acacia tortilis (Forsskal) Hayne (Fabaceae). These two tree species flower in the early rainy season (November-December) and have small white flowers in small round ball-shaped clusters. Adults of Aphelochroa sanguinalis were not found on flowers of 14 other tree species with different floral structures which were flowering at the same time as Acacia grandicornuta and Acacia tortilis. Predatory, reproductive, and defensive behaviors (including the presence of a chemical defense) are described for Aphelochroa sanguinalis based on field and laboratory observations

Observations on the biology of the South African checkered beetle Aphelochroa sanguinalis (Westwood) (Coleoptera: Cleridae)

Mawdsley, Jonathan R., Sithole, Hendrik (2010): Observations on the biology of the South African checkered beetle Aphelochroa sanguinalis (Westwood) (Coleoptera: Cleridae). Insecta Mundi 2010 (111): 1-6, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.516433

Tefflus Latreille 1822

Genus Tefflus Latreille (1822: 87) Type species. Carabus meyerlei Fabricius (1801:169). Diagnosis. From sympatric species in the tribe Panagaeini, the species of Tefflus can be immediately recognized by the large body size (length 24-55 mm), hexagonal pronotal shape, planate pronotal disc, elytral punctures in double rows separated by large elevated carinae, lack of functional flight wings, and lack of orange or yellow elytral markings (Basilewsky 1946). Males in this genus have the first and second tarsomeres of the protarsi enlarged (Figures 3, 5). Distribution. The genus Tefflus is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with 14 species and 41 subspecies (Basilewsky 1946). For the Republic of South Africa, Basilewsky (1946) published several collection records for T. meyerlei delagorguei Guérin-Méneville, and a doubtful record for T. carinatus carinatus Klug. In this paper we confirm the presence of both taxa in the Republic of South Africa and add new records. Taxonomic note. The specific epithet of the type species of this genus has often been written “megerlei” (e.g. Basilewsky 1946) but the original published spelling for this name is “meyerlei” (Fabricius 1801:169).Published as part of Mawdsley, Jonathan R., Sithole, Hendrik & Mawdsley, Alice S., 2011, Peaceful giant ground beetles: The genus Tefflus Latreille (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Republic of South Africa, pp. 1-7 in Insecta Mundi 2011 (181) on page 3, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.516104

Tefflus meyerlei subsp. delagorguei Guerin-Meneville 1845

Tefflus meyerlei delagorguei Guérin-Méneville (1845: 285) Figures 1, 5, 6. Diagnosis. The larger of the two species of Tefflus in the Republic of South Africa (length 39-54 mm); vertex of head smooth with transverse rugae adjacent to eyes; pronotal punctures less distinct and often confluent; femora and tibiae with few if any stout suberect setae; elytral disc convex; elytral carinae as broad or broader than adjacent rows of punctures, top of each carina smooth and shining; integument black and shining. This is the species whose adult and larval forms were illustrated by Picker et al. (2004). Historical records from South Africa. Free State Province, Vrede. Gauteng Province, Monts Zoutpans, Pretoria. KwaZulu-Natal Province, Durban, Nagana, “Tongaland,” “Zululand.” Limpopo Province: Nylstroom (Basilewsky 1946). Tefflus meyerlei is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa (Basilewsky 1946) and the subspecies T. m. delagorguei has also been recorded from present-day Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe (Basilewsky 1946; Magagula 2003, 2006). Specimens examined. REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal Province, Dukuduku, 10.I.1903 (1 male, TMSA), Empangeni, XII.1976 (1 female, TMSA), Eshowe, 16.XI.1967 (1 male, NMNH), “E. Zululand” (1 male, TMSA), Frieschgewaag, II.1903 (1 female, TMSA), Mkuzi, IV.1950 (1 male, TMSA), Umfolozi, X.1924 (1 female, TMSA), Umfolozi River, 1.XI.1922 (1 male, TMSA). Limpopo Province, Koedoes River, XII.1902 (1 female, TMSA), Marieps Mountain, IX.1925 (1 male, TMSA), 25 miles N of Punda Milia, Kruger National Park, II.1960 (1 male, TMSA), Tzaneen, X-XI.1974 (1 male, NMNH), Tzaneen, Glen Allen, IV.1974 (2 males, NMNH), 12 miles N Tzaneen, 15.XII.1964 (3 males, 2 females, NMNH). Mpumalanga Province, Barberton, 8.I.1911 (1 male, TMSA), 7.II.1957 (1 male, TMSA), Loskop, XII.1959 (1 male, TMSA), Nelspruit, XII.1967 (1 female, TMSA), N’waswitshaka Research Camp, 19.XII.2009 (1 female, NMNH), Pretoriuskop, 19.XI.2010 (1 female, TMSA), Skukuza, Kruger National Park (1 male, 1 female, KNPC).Published as part of Mawdsley, Jonathan R., Sithole, Hendrik & Mawdsley, Alice S., 2011, Peaceful giant ground beetles: The genus Tefflus Latreille (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Republic of South Africa, pp. 1-7 in Insecta Mundi 2011 (181) on page 4, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.516104

Peaceful giant ground beetles: The genus Tefflus Latreille (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Republic of South Africa

Mawdsley, Jonathan R., Sithole, Hendrik, Mawdsley, Alice S. (2011): Peaceful giant ground beetles: The genus Tefflus Latreille (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Republic of South Africa. Insecta Mundi 2011 (181): 1-7, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.516104

A synopsis of the genus Cypholoba Chaudoir (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Anthiini) known to occur in the Republic of South Africa

Nearly one third of the described species of Cypholoba Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae) are known to inhabit the Republic of South Africa. A key and diagnostic notes are provided for their identification, as well as notes about way of life for some of the species based on observations in the Kruger National Park. Fifteen species and subspecies of the genus are recorded from the Republic of South Africa; adult specimens of each species and subspecies are illustrated and information about the distribution of each species in the Republic of South Africa is summarized and mapped: C. alstoni (Péringuey), C. alveolata (Brême), C. amatonga Péringuey, C. fritschi (Chaudoir), C. gracilis gracilis (Dejean), C. gracilis scrobiculata (Bertoloni), C. gracilis zuluana Basilewsky, C. graphipteroides graphipteroides (Guérin-Méneville), C. leucospilota semilaevis (Chaudoir), C. macilenta (Olivier), C. notata (Perroud), C. oberthueri seruana Strohmeyer, C. opulenta (Boheman), C. rutata (Péringuey), and C. tenuicollis aenigma (Dohrn)