Revision of the African tiger beetle genus Neochila Basilewsky ... - NEV

Revision of the African tiger beetle genus Neochila Basilewsky, 1953 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) Fabio Cassola & Thierry Bouyer The complex Prothymine African genus Neochila is revised. Thirteen species are recognized in all, three of which are described as new: hassoni sp. n., from the Upemba National Park and other localities of Katanga; nitida sp. n., from the Solwezi district in northwestern Zambia; and apicenitens sp. n., also from the Upemba National Park in Katanga. Moreover, the males of three additional species (upangwana, grandis and unicolorata) are described based on male specimens associated with females. Three new synonymies (kigonserana lindemannae Mandl = kigonserana W. Horn; kigonserana viridissima Mandl = congoana Mandl; nigromarginilabris Mandl = congoana Mandl) are proposed, and kigonserana horii Wiesner, 1988 is raised to full specific status. The geographical distribution of the genus Neochila appears to be restricted to central Africa (Katanga, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique), with one species occurring in eastern Uganda. The highest number of species (ten) is known to occur in Katanga. Neochila specimens are usually collected on termitaries or while running on horizontal or vertical tree trunks. An identification key to the species is also provided. Dr. Fabio Cassola*, Via Fulvio Tomassucci 12/20 – I-00144 Roma, Italy (Studies of Tiger Beetles, CLXVII). e-mail: [email protected] Mr. Thierry Bouyer, 57 Rue Genot, B-4032 Chenée, Belgium.

Introduction The genus Neochila was created by Basilewsky (1953) for a weakly known Prothymine black species from Kigonsera, Tanzania, N. kigonserana, that W. Horn described in 1905, mistakenly placing it in the genus Odontocheila Castelnau, 1834 (Horn 1905; Burgeon 1937). Subsequent modern analysis (Rivalier 1969) showed the genus Odontocheila to exclusively occur in the Neotropics. Because of this biogeographical restriction, important differences in elytral sculpturing and other morphological characters, Basilewsky (1953) correctly created for kigonserana a separate genus, Neochila. However, Basilewsky included within Neochila two African species that are more appropriately placed in two different genera, Euryarthron bennigseni (W. Horn, 1897), and Prothyma (Prothyma) erythropyga Putzeys, 1880, This latter species also had been initially listed by Burgeon (1937) under Odontochila. Moreover, Basilewsky

(1953) thought kigonserana to occur in the PNU (Parc National Upemba) and all over Katanga. Given the convoluted history of the genus Neochila (see below), a full generic revision is now justified, a process made extremely difficult because of the puzzlingly marked uniformity of the habitus of the various species, and the resultant difficulty of correctly distinguishing the specimens that have been collected in various African countries. However, with experience one can discriminate the various species, especially if a reasonably long series of specimens is available.

Material and methods The revision of this group has proven to be much more difficult than expected, largely due to the paucity of available specimens. Although the second author (TB) was able to personally collect several

Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 150: 401–420, Figs 1–16. [ISSN 0040–7496]. http://www.nev.nl/tve © 2007 Nederlandse Entomologische Vereniging. Published 1 December 2007. * Corresponding author

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specimens in Katanga, during the recent ICCNNA-SEA Project (2001), presently deposited in first author’s collection (FCC), we were able to gather together, from several museums and private collections, and with considerable difficulties, only 629 specimens (including type specimens of all the described forms). The material studied is deposited in the following collections (whose owners and curators are herein given our sincere gratitude): AKC Arnost Kudrna, Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic AOC Andreas Oesterle, Leutenbach, Germany CMNH Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA (R. Davidson) DEI Deutsche Entomol. Institut, Müncheberg, Germany (L. Zerche) FCC Fabio Cassola, Rome, Italy JMC Jiri Moravec, Adamov u Brno, Czech Republic JWC Jürgen Wiesner, Wolfsburg, Germany KWC Karl Werner, Peiting, Germany MHC Michio Hori, Kyoto, Japan MNHN Muséum National dHistoire Naturelle, Paris, France (Th. Deuve) MRAC Royal Museum of Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium (M. De Meyer) NHMB Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, Switzerland (Eva Sprecher) NHML The Natural History Museum, London, UK (R.G. Booth) NHMW Natuurhistorische Museum, Wien, Austria (H. Schönmann) RBINS Royal Institute of Natural Sciences, Bruxelles, Belgium (A. Drumont) RNC Roger Naviaux, Domérat, France PSC Peter Schüle, Herrenberg, Germany TBC Thierry Bouyer, Chenée, Belgium TMSA Transvaal Museum, Pretoria, South Africa (Ruth Müller) VAC Vincent Allard, Waterloo, Belgium VTC Vladimir Tichy, Trebon, Czech Republic ZMAN Zoological Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (B. Brugge) ZMB Zoologische Museum, Berlin, Germany (B. Jaeger) ZSM Zoologische Sammlung der Bayerische Staat, Munich, Germany (M. Baehr) In the list of species (see below), all localities, wherever possible, are arranged from W to E and N to S. Location of localities was made possible by consulting the International Travel Maps (Vancouver, Canada) of Zambia (1997, no. 839, scale 1: 1,500,000), Malawi (1996, no. 219, scale 1: 900,000) and Uganda (1996,

Fig. 1. A Neochila specimen photographed in Zambia on 2002, while staying on the top of a termitary (Photo by F. Wachtel, Germany).

no. 936, scale 1: 800,000). As to D.R. Congo and Mozambique we usefully consulted the Cartographia (Budapest, Hungary) maps (respectively: 1998, scale 1: 3,300,000 and 1994/95, scale 1: 2,000,000), and for Tanzania the Nelles map (München, Germany, scale 1:1,500,000). A few localities were located by consulting the NIMA Geonet and Falling Rain Genomics websites. All the identifications included in the present paper are either confirmed by red type labels or by pale yellowish determination labels.

The genus Neochila Neochila Basilewsky, 1953: 33 [Type species: Odontochila kigonserana W. H.] Neochila Basilewsky; Mandl 1964: 296. Neochila Basilewsky; Mandl 1981b: 161. Neochila Basilewsky; Wiesner 1992: 59. Neochila Basilewsky; Werner 2000: 80.

Subsequent to his description of Odontochila kigonserana, Horn (1910, plate 12) illustrated the species’ habitus, and he also recorded three green specimens that most probably belonged to a different species (Horn 1913, 1914). He later recorded kigonserana (Horn 1926a) also from “DO Africa (Nyassa)” (present-day Tanzania) and “NERhodesia” (present-day Zambia), as well as from Katanga. He referred almost all the Neochila specimens which he examined to kigonserana. In 1926 W. Horn described a “ssp.” prototypica, based on specimens collected by E. Le Moult, in October 1925, near the River Sashila in western Katanga, characterized by the bluish-green body colour and the occurrence of two roundish spots on the elytra (Horn 1926b). This form was later erroneously considered by Basilewsky (1948) to merely be an individual variation,

Cassola & Bouyer: Revision of Neochila (Cicindelidae)

a

b

c

d

e

Fig. 2. Aedeagi of some Neochila species. – a, kigonserana (Kigonsera, Tanzania); b, prototypica (Kyankyale, D.R. Congo); c, katangana (30 km NW of Mwinilunga, Zambia); d, hassoni (Lukobwe, N.P. Upemba, D.R. Congo); e, unicolorata (Kafue, Zambia).

characterized by the presence of small white markings on the elytra. The present placement of the genus Neochila in the cicindeline subtribe Prothymina (between the genera Prothyma and Euryarthron) was proposed by Rivalier (1971). However, the first revision of the genus was published by the Austrian specialist Karl Mandl (1964), who raised N. prototypica to full specific status, added a new subspecies N. kigonserana lindemannae (from Mango on Lake Nyassa), and described five new species (N. congoana, katangana, grandis, glabrilabris and upangwana). Mandl (1964) also established some new “aberrations” (which he erroneously credited to W. Horn), based on N. prototypica specimens either missing one elytral spot (“a. unimaculata”) or both (“a. immaculata”), or showing a rufous edge on the labrum (“a. rufomarginilabris”). Mandl dealt again with Neochila some years later, and he described three additional species, N. baderlei (Mandl 1981a), unicolorata and nigromarginilabris (Mandl 1981b), as well as one more subspecies of N. kigonserana, k. viridissima (Mandl 1981b). Subsequently, one further subspecies: N. kigonserana horii, was described by Wiesner (1986). Wiesner (1992) then summarized the taxonomic situation of the genus Neochila, and in his catalogue he listed a total of 10 species. Biology Little is known about the biology of Neochila. The few field data (reported by M. Hori) were provided by Wiesner (1986), who stated that these insects are diurnal and actively fly in leafy woods, that mating and oviposition can be observed in November and December, and that larval burrows are to be found

near tree roots. Moreover, Wiesner (1986), upon examination of three larval specimens, described the third instar larva of his N. kigonserana horii. Most Neochila species are said to sit on top of termitaries (Fig. 1), from where they are able to search for available prey items (pers. comm. Werner: “I have collected over 90% of my Neochilas on termitaries. Only a few were taken on bark of standing or lying trees”). Apparently small termitaries represent the territory of just one pair of Neochila, while the big termitaries may be inhabited by more individuals. Possibly a defensive mimicry strategy, Neochila specimens in the wild closely resemble chrysidid wasps (pers. comm. Werner). General distribution The genus Neochila appears to have a rather consistent geographical distribution, ranging from Katanga in southern D.R. Congo (ten species: N. horii, prototypica, congoana, upangwana, glabrilabris, hassoni sp. n., unicolorata, katangana, baderlei, apicenitens sp. n.) (Fig. 14) to Zambia (nine species: N. horii, prototypica, congoana, upangwana, grandis, unicolorata, nitida sp. n., katangana, baderlei) (Fig. 15), Tanzania (five species: N. kigonserana, horii, upangwana, grandis, unicolorata) (Fig. 16), Malawi (3 species: kigonserana, prototypica, congoana) (Fig. 15), and Mozambique (two species: N. horii, unicolorata) (Fig. 15), with just one species known to occur also in eastern Uganda (glabrilabris). The occurrence in Uganda of a Neochila species known from Katanga represents an interesting distributional phenomenon which was also observed for Dromica confusa (by Cassola 1986, 2002). Werner (2000) provided colour pictures of all known species, and later (Werner 2003) he recorded five species from Zambia (N. kigonserana viridissima, prototypica, congoana, katangana and grandis). Neochila kigonserana viridissima, however, is not a valid taxon, as the specimen turned out to be congoana. Classification All species of the genus Neochila share a number of characters. They are usually small to medium sized, their mean length (excluding labrum) ranging from small (7.1–9 mm) to medium-sized (9.5–12 mm) and to large (12.5–13 mm). Their body form is elongate, parallel-sided, black or green to blueviolet in colour (usually with some blackish hue on the elytral disc parallel to the suture), and specimens exhibit a prothymoid sculpture on the elytra, consisting of many shallow roundish or polygonal punctures densely placed close together. Palpi are testaceous with the last segment metallic dark, and

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the penultimate segment of the labial palpi widened distally, rounded below, flattened above, with many long setae around the upper margin. The labrum is strongly sexually dimorphic and shows several distinct characters. It normally has five teeth, the three central ones reduced in males and, in contrast, protruding in front in females, and it has only 2 to 4 setae near the anterior and lateral edges. Furthermore, the labrum is shorter in the male (usually with a straight front edge, black to bluish-green in colour, with or without a wide testaceous side border often forming a subtriangular, arrow-shaped, rear facing indentation in the front middle of the disc) and longer in the female (with the three central teeth more markedly produced in front, unicolorous black to bluish-green and narrowly either blackened or rufescent on the front and side edges). The body underside is usually greenish-blue to violet, glabrous, with some white pubescence confined to the coxae. No distinctive female coupling sulci are evident in Neochila species, but both sexes exhibit a marked dorso-ventral furrow on the rim between mesepisternon and mesepimeron. This furrow may act as a coupling sulcus in females. Consequently, the coupling sulci, which can be instrumental for identifying the females in other tiger beetle groups, cannot be used for distinguishing among species of Neochila. Lacking alternative distinguishing characters among the females, identification may depend primarily on their association with the more distinctive males. Among males, the male aedeagus of different species appears to be very similar (bulky, tapered, inflated in the middle, ending in a marked dorsal hook) (Fig. 2). According to Mandl (1964) taxonomically important distinguishing features appear to be confined to the inner sac only, leaving the male aedeagus with little diagnostic value for Neochila species. Species groups Based just on the colour of the male labrum, two groups can be easily distinguished: the “kigonserana group” (with a widely yellowish-testaceous border, usually prolonged into a subtriangular indentation in front, of the male labrum) (Fig. 3), and the “katangana group” (with the male labrum fully metallic bluish-green to violet, without any yellowishwhite border) (Fig. 5). In contrast, the labrum of females is mostly bluish-green without any yellowish border at sides (Fig. 4). Females of both groups have a unicolorous labrum, but they can be placed in the first or the second group based on the colour of their mandibles (see below). Characters used in classification Apart from the colour and shape of labrum (see

above), the other main distinguishing characters used in this revision were: 1) Colour of mandibles. Mandibles of both sexes have a narrow testaceous-yellowish areole on the basal outer margin in the first group (kigonserana group) (Fig. 6), while they are unicolourous black to metallic green, without any lighter area near the base, in the katangana group (Fig. 7). Thus, this character helps separate the species into one or the other of the two groups. Moreover, while N. congoana and a few other species have the apical half of the mandibles testaceous-rufescent, some species (such as N. kigonserana, horii and prototypica) exhibit a blackish spot on the lateral outer margin of the mandibles, following the yellowish basal side margin and preceding the rufescent apex (Fig. 6). The blackish spot on the mandibles, and the 4 setae (instead of the 2 setae) on the labrum, are the primary characters used for separating the immaculate N. prototypica specimens (4 setae) from congoana (2 setae), both species having yellowish-testaceous lateral sides in the male labrum. 2) Setation of labrum. As stated above, the Neochila species may have a 2 setae or a 4 setae on the labrum. Sometimes one or both the lateral setae may be broken off, but in such a case usually there is a setigerous puncture left near the side edge of the labrum where the setae had been. Thus the setation of labrum, although occasionally an ambiguous character, can be important in separating species within the genus Neochila. It is basically the only way for separating the immaculate N. prototypica specimens (4 setae) from horii (2 setae), both species having a blackish spot on the lateral outer margin of the mandibles. 3) Body colour. Most species are generally bluishgreen, which makes them superficially similar to each other. However, within the first group of species, as defined above, N. kigonserana is distinctive because of its dull black instead of bluish-green body colour. Moreover, the disc of the elytra can have a varying extent of black hue longitudinally parallel to the suture. Different hues of green are occasionally useful, as, for instance in N. unicolorata (that is uniformly bluish-green) and N. upangwana (that is predominantly olive green). 4) Interocular excavation. Although often subtle, this character helps to separate N. katangana and baderlei, which both belong to the katangana group (with fully metallic labrum in both sexes): N. baderlei has a “normal” excavation on the vertex between the eyes (Fig. 8), while N. katangana has an obviously raised or swollen vertex, sometimes even approaching the level of the eyes (Fig. 9). 5) Elytral pattern. All Neochila have unmaculated


elytra except for N. prototypica, which normally has two small round yellow dots on each elytron (one on the middle of the hind disc, one close to the subapical angle) (Fig. 10). With the two dots N. prototypica is an easily recognizable species, but sometimes one dot can be lacking (usually the subapical one) or be so small it can escape superficial examination. To complicate the identification, some specimens (apparently among the populations of North-western Zambia especially) are immaculate. The proper identification of these immaculate individuals of N. prototypica must be based on body size and the blackish areole in the middle of the lateral margins of the mandibles. 6) Elytral apex. One species (N. apicenitens, see below) is remarkable in having the extreme apical part of the elytra shiny metallic blue-violet (Fig. 11). In all the other species, the elytral apex is coloured similar to the rest of the elytra. 7) Elytral metallic lustre. Another species (N. nitida, see below) differs from all other species by its obvious, remarkable and uniform metallic lustre of the green to blue-violet upper body. Because most diagnostic characters are to be found on the head (labrum, mandibles, striation, vertex), most of the Neochila specimens missing their heads are unfortunately unidentifiable. Moreover, all specimens should be prepared with open mandibles (in order to make them easily observable) and they should be handled carefully in order to avoid damaging the labral setae. Also, female specimens, as is the rule in tiger beetles, should be prepared in such a way that the middle legs do not obstruct the examination of the mesepisterna and mesepimera.

Taxonomy Checklist The thirteen species of the genus Neochila recognized are listed here starting with the type species, immediately followed by its closest relative, and ending with those which are considered to be more distant. Neochila Basilewsky, 1953 1. k igonserana W. Horn, 1905 [syn.: lindemannae Mandl, 1964] – Distribution: Tanzania (Ruvuma), Malawi (North). 2. h orii Wiesner, 1986 – Tanzania (Kigoma). D.R. Congo (Katanga). Zambia (Northern, Northwestern, Copperbelt). Mozambique (Niassa). 3. p rototypica W. Horn, 1926 [syn.: unipunctata Mandl, 1964; immaculata Mandl, 1964; rufomarginilabris Mandl, 1964] – Distribution: D.R. Congo (Katanga); Zambia (Northwestern, Copperbelt, Lusaka, Prov.?); Malawi (South).

4. c ongoana Mandl, 1964 [syn.: viridissima Mandl, 1981; nigromarginilabris Mandl, 1981] – Distribution: D.R. Congo (Katanga), Zambia (Northern, Northwestern, Copperbelt, Central, Eastern), Malawi (North). 5. u pangwana Mandl, 1964 – Distribution: Tanzania (Ruvuma). D.R. Congo (Katanga). Zambia (Northern, Northwestern, Central). 6. g labrilabris Mandl, 1964 – Distribution: D.R. Congo (Katanga); Uganda (East). 7. h assoni sp. n. – Distribution: D.R. Congo (Katanga). 8. g randis Mandl, 1964 – Distribution: Tanzania (Mtwara); Zambia (Central). 9. u nicolorata Mandl, 1981 – Distribution: D.R. Congo (Katanga); Zambia (Central, Lusaka, Eastern); Tanzania (Iringa, Dodoma, Pwani); Mozambique (Zambesia). 10. n itida sp. n. – Distribution: Zambia (Northwestern). 11. k atangana Mandl, 1964 – Distribution: D.R. Congo (Katanga); Zambia (Northwestern). 12. b aderlei Mandl, 1981 – Distribution: D.R. Congo (Katanga); Zambia (North-western). 13. a picenitens sp. n. – Distribution: D.R. Congo (Katanga). Key to species 1. Labrum of male with a wide yellowish border and a yellowish subtriangular indentation in front; basal outer margin of mandibles more or less yellowish-testaceous in both sexes (kigonserana group) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 – Labrum entirely metallic bluish-green and base of mandibles fully black in both sexes (katangana group) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 = Labrum not as above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2. Labrum of male with a narrow rufescent border, without subtriangular indentation in front; mandibles shiny black on upper base, narrowly rufescent on basal outer margin, then fully rufescent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hassoni – Labrum of male also narrowly rufescent, but elytra with an obvious metallic green to violet shiny lustre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nitida 3. Upperside dull black or dominantly black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . kigonserana – Elytra bluish-green to violet, with just a blackish longitudinal hue on the elytral disc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 4. Usually two yellowish round spots on elytra, sometimes small, poorly visible or even lacking; labrum with 4 setae . . . . . . . . . . . prototypica – Elytra without markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

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Fig. 3. Neochila congoana: male labrum with yellowishtestaceous lateral sides in the kigonserana-group. Note the subtriangular indentation in front.

Fig. 5. Neochila katangana: male labrum fully metallic, without any yellowish-white border in the katangana group.

5. Labrum with 4 setae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 – Labrum with 2 setae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 6. Upperside dominantly bluish-green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . prototypica – Upperside dominantly violet; large species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . grandis = Upperside unicolourous green to bluishgreen; large species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . unicolorata 7. Mandibles black basally with a testaceousyellowish lineole on the lateral rim, then with a blackish spot around the middle, then rufescent apically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 – Mandibles black basally, narrowly yellowish laterally, then rufescent-testaceous. . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Fig. 4. Neochila congoana: female monochromatic labrum in the kigonserana group.

8. Upperside bluish-green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . horii – Upperside dominantly olive-green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . upangwana = Upperside unicolorous bluish-green; large species (12–13 mm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . unicolorata 9. Labrum (male) distinctly longer than wide, with the bluish-green area prolonged up to the front edge; mandibles shiny black above at the base, yellowish on basal lateral rim, blackish again around the middle, then rufescent on front and inner teeth . . glabrilabris – Labrum of male as long as or shorter than wide, with a yellowish-testaceous border in front too (usually with a rear-facing indentation in the middle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . congoana 10. Elytral apex, unlike the rest of the elytra, shiny violet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . apicenitens – Elytra bluish-green to violet, but not particularly shining apically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 11. Sculpture of head rough, uneven; interocular depression indistinct, vertex a bit raised in the middle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . katangana – Sculpture of head fine; interocular space normally excavated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . baderlei

The N. kigonserana group Neochila kigonserana (W. Horn) Figs 2A, 15, 16 Odontochila kigonserana W. Horn, 1905: 277 [“Kigonsera (Africae Germanicae Orientalis partes interiores) “] Neochila kigonserana; Basilewsky, 1953: 33 [as type species of Neochila]


Fig. 6. Mandibles of a male Neochila prototypica, showing the testaceous-yellowish areole on the outer basal margin (kigonserana group) and the blackish area around the middle.

Fig. 7. Mandibles of a female Neochila baderlei, unicolourously metallic at the outer base (katangana group).

Neochila kigonserana lindemannae Mandl, 1964: 301 [“Tanganjika, Nassa-See, Mango”] syn. n.

minor differences in the body colour, by having a slight bluish-green metallic hue. Mango lies near Tumbi Point, on the eastern coast of Lake Malawi (=Nyassa), 45 km WSW of Kigonsera. Considering such a short distance from the type locality, the weak morphological differences emphasized by Mandl, as well as the occurrence of kigonserana in northern Malawi (Misuku Hills), we consider lindemannae to be a junior synonym of kigonserana. Another invalid name is viridissima, described by Mandl (1981b) as a subspecies of kigonserana, based on just one male specimen that, upon further examination, we have determined to be, instead, N. congoana (see there). A second specimen in MRAC, erroneously labelled as a paratype, turned in contrast out to be an immaculate specimen of N. prototypica. Werner (2000, Figs 33, 33.1 and 33.a) reproduced Horn’s 1910 illustration of kigonserana and pictured a male specimen from Misuku Hills, Malawi (in VAC), and a female specimen from Mango, Tanzania.

Diagnosis Small to medium-sized (9–10.5 mm, excluding labrum), elongate, paralled-sided, not robust. Sculpture of head fine and regular, interocular depression noticeable, vertex flattened between the eyes. Colour dull black or dominantly black, at most narrowly bordered with greenish-blue on the elytral lateral sides. Mandibles black above at base, with a yellowish lineole on the lateral margin, followed by a blackish track in the middle of the mandible length, then becoming rufescent apically. Labrum with 2 fine setae or (when broken off ) setigerous punctures near anterior edge. Male labrum shiny black (with some metallic hue), with a broad testaceous border making a short triangular indentation in front middle of disc; front edge almost straight, without protruding teeth in the middle. Female labrum longer, wholly black (especially shiny near anterior edge and on the lateral sides), with three rufescent teeth prominent anteriorly; lateral teeth weakly marked, reduced. Underside bluish-green to violet, glabrous, coxae with some dense white pubescence on coxae and some green reflections on the ventral part of hind pronotal collar, coxae, epimeron and sides of sternum. Male aedeagus bulky, apically hooked dorsally (Fig. 2A); inner sac with a large, wide, U-shaped sclerite (Mandl 1964). Remarks Based on seven specimens from Mango, Mandl (1964) described a ssp. lindemannae, which shows

Material examined. 11 specimens (including the holotype and one paratype). Malawi. North: Misuku Hills, ca. 09°40S33°30E, 1600–2500m, xii.1989, Mr.Chiwa, 1 (FCC) [one male specimen from the very same locality, from VAC, was figured by Werner (2000, Fig. 33.1)]. Tanzania Ruvuma: Kigonsera, 1904, J.N. Ertl, 1 (ZSM) (holotypus); 1 (DEI) (labelled “syntypus”) (Döbler 1973). Kigonsera, 1905, Ertl, 1 (DEI) (Döbler 1973). Mango, 600 m, 21–22.xi.1958, C. Lindemann, 3 1 (ZSM), 1 1 (NHMB), 1 (MRAC).

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Neochila horii Wiesner stat. rev. Figs 14, 15, 16

Neochila kigonserana horii Wiesner, 1986: 111 [“Myako, Mahale, Kigoma, Tanzania”] Diagnosis Small to medium-sized (8.4–10.2 mm, excluding labrum). Similar to kigonserana (especially in regard to the body size, the colour pattern of mandibles and the 2 setae labrum), but with a more robust overall appearance. N. horii is raised here to full specific status, also because of the different body colour (bluishgreen to bluish-violet) which makes it to be almost identical to immaculate specimens of prototypica (see below). As in the latter species, the mandibles of horii are black above basally, with a yellowish-testaceous lineole on the basal outer margin, then briefly blackish again in the outer middle, then finally rufescent apically. However, the labrum with 2 setae (instead of 4) helps to separate horii from prototypica. Moreover, the punctuation of the elytra, contrary to Wiesner’s (1986) indication, is more or less the same as that of kigonserana. The apical hook of aedeagus is rather long, but not strongly bent. Remarks Although paler and more green in colour than the type specimens, some individuals from northern Zambia (Abercorn), six from D.R. Congo (Upemba National Park and Kibomboma) and two from Mozambique are also here considered to belong to N. horii. Wiesner (1986) described the species’ third instar larva. Werner (2000, Fig. 33.b) illustrated the holotype male specimen. Material examined. 41 specimens (including the holotype and twenty-seven paratypes). D.R. Congo, Katanga: Upemba National Park: River Lufira (PNU 058), 6–10.x.2002, Miss. Hasson & Bouyer, 1 (FCC). Upemba National Park: Mizi (PNU 066), 25.x-5.xi.2002, Miss. Hasson & Bouyer, 1 1 (FCC), 1 (NHML). Kibomboma, xi-xii.2002, coll. Th. Bouyer, 2 (FCC). Zambia, Northwestern: 90 km Solwezi, E of Chisasa, 9.xi.2005, M. Snizek, 1 (FCC), 1 (RBINS). SW Solwezi, Ntambu env., 10.xi.2005, M. Snizek, 1 (VTC). Copperbelt: 40 km W Chingola, 21.xi.2005, K. Werner, 1 (KWC). Northern: near Mpika, 4–5.xii.2005, K. Werner, 1 (KWC). Tanzania, Kigoma: Myako, Mahale, 29.x.1983, M. Hori, 1 (JWC) (holotypus), 1 (JWC) (paratypus); 19.x.1983, M. Hori, 1 1 (DEI) (paratypi). 1 1 (FCC) (paratypi), 1 1 (JMC) (paratypi); 22.x.1983, M. Hori, 6 (MHC) (paratypi); 26.x.1983, M. Hori, 4 1 (MHC) (paratypi); 28.x.1983, M. Hori, 1 4 (MHC) (paratypi); 2.xi.1983, M. Hori, 4 (MHC)

(paratypi). Mozambique, Niassa: Reserva de Niassa, 29.xi-4.xii.2003, O. Aschenborn, 1 1 (KWC).

Neochila prototypica (W. Horn) Figs 2B, 3, 6, 10, 14, 15, 16 Odontochila kigonserana prototypica W. Horn, 1926b: 165 [“Nord-Rhodesia”]. Neochila kigonserana: Basilewsky, 1953: 33. Neochila prototypica: Mandl, 1964: 303.

Diagnosis Small to medium-sized (8.8–11.5 mm, excluding labrum). Elongate, parallel-sided, more robustly built than kigonserana. Sculpture of head stronger and more waved than in kigonserana, interocular depression distinct. Upperside dominantly bluish-green, with some black hue on the elytral disc. Two small round white elytral spots (one discal, one subapical) in most specimens, but sometimes indistinct. Mandibles black above basally, with a testaceous lineole on the lateral rim, followed by a blackish spot around the middle, then becoming rufescent apically. Male labrum relatively short (often wider than long), with 4 fine setae, placed close to the edge (2 near the front edge, 2 in the middle of the lateral sides, the latter ones sometimes missing or broken off ); colour bluish-green with a wide testaceous border at sides in the male (the bluish-green area nearly reaching the anterior margin, with some narrow rufescent area in between or sometimes with a testaceous, triangular, rear-facing indentation anteromedially), the front edge almost straight, without protruding teeth in the middle. Female labrum longer and completely bluish-green, with side margins blackened and three long rufescent teeth prominent in front. Underside greenish-blue to violet, coxae with some dense white pubescence. No female coupling sulcus apparent. Male aedeagus bulky, apically hooked dorsally and somewhat straighter and flattened on the ventral side, the hook usually being longer and more bent than in kigonserana (Fig. 2B); inner sac with a simple, straight sclerite, instead of the wide, U-shaped sclerite of kigonserana (Mandl 1964). Remarks Described from the Sashila River in Katanga (where it was first collected by Le Moult in 1925), and later recorded by Burgeon (1937) from a few other localities of Katanga, prototypica was raised to full specific status by Mandl (1964), based on the longer and narrower shape of penis, whose inner sac contains distinctly different sclerites. However, Mandl stated that the male labrum is missing the triangular arrow in the middle, which is not consistent with most


male specimens we have examined (for instance among those from Kyankyale), as they have a triangular, rear-facing indentation anteromedially on the labrum. Mandl (1964) also established some new “aberrations”, to which he gave a name, based on specimens either missing one elytral spot (“a. unimaculata”) or both (“a. immaculata”), or showing a rufous edge of labrum (“a. rufomarginilabris”). All these forms appear to fall within the range of individual phenotypic variation of this species and thus have no taxonomic value. We thus consider these “aberrant” form names, which are also nomenclatorially unavailable, as junior synonyms of prototypica. A specimen of ‘viridissima Mandl’ in MRAC, erroneously labelled as being a paratype, is here reidentified as N. prototypica. Identification of specimens of N. prototypica that have one or two elytral spots is straight forward (even when these are sometimes tiny), but some populations (for instance those of north-western Zambia) may include immaculate specimens as well, which are extremely difficult to identify. In particular, proper separation from N. congoana (see below) is a problem. However, the average body size (larger), the labrum with 4 setae labrum (instead of 2), and especially the black spot in the middle of the lateral margin of the mandibles, separating the testaceous basal lineole from the rufescent apex, can be diagnostic. In dubious cases, examination of the inner sac of aedeagus becomes instrumental, but identification of females may still stay dubious. Werner (2000, Figs 34, 34.1 and 34.2) figured three prototypica specimens, respectively from Kafue River, Zambia (KWC), Kafakumba, D.R. Congo (MRAC), and Elisabethville, D.R. Congo (MRAC). Material examined. 126 specimens (including six paratypes). D.R. Congo, Prov.? Congo, 1 (MNHN). Katanga: 1911, 1 (DEI) (syntypus). River Sashila, x.1925, Le Moult, 1 (DEI) (syntypus) (Döbler 1973), 1 (DEI), 1 (MRAC) (syntypus). Kafakumba, x-xi.1930, 2 (ZMAN); xii.1932, F.G. Overlaet, 1 (MRAC); xi.1933, F.G. Overlaet, 1 (NHMB) (cotypus), 3 (MRAC); xii.1933, F.G. Overlaet, 1 1 (MRAC); i.1934, F.G. Overlaet, 2 (MRAC); xi.1937, 1 (RBINS); x.1938, 1 (ZMAN); ix.1939, F.G. Overlaet, 1 (MRAC). Sandoa, 7.xi.1920, F.G. Overlaet 1 (NHMB) (syntypus); xi.1930, 1 (ZMAN). Luashi, xii.1933, Freyne, 1 (MRAC). Mukunkoto, xi.1937, 1 (FCC). Kyankwale, 26°11E-10°23S, 1600 m, 10/28.xi.2003, Th. Bouyer, 1 (FCC); xi-xii.2004, 7 11# (FCC). Lukafu, 6–22.xii.1930, G.F. de Witte, 1 (MRAC); 18.x/15.xi.2003, coll. Th. Bouyer, 2 4 (FCC). Lubumbashi, 1.iii.1975, W. Beun, 1 (MRAC) (“paratype” of viridissima); J. Thiry, 2 (FCC). Elisabethville (=Lubumbashi), 5.xi.1923, Ch. Seydel, 1 (MRAC); 1935,

Dr. Richard, 1 (NHMB); xii.1939, M. Bequaert, 1 (MRAC) (Werner 2000, Fig. 34.2). 18 m. S of Elisabethville, 1928, H.S. Evans, 1 (NHML). Kipopo (Elisabethville), 20.xi.1944, R. Maréchal, 1 (MRAC) (paratype of nigromarginilabris Mandl); 15.xi.1961, R. Maréchal, 1 (MRAC). Kamwale, rd to Sakania, 25.xi.1955, M. Lips, 1 (NHMB) (paratype). Zambia, prov.?: N. Rhodesia, 1 (DEI) (syntypus) (Döbler 1973), 1 (JMC). Northwestern: Nchila, Ikelenge, 13–16.xi.2003, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 1 (KWC). Nchila GR, Ikelenge, 25–27.xi.2005, K. Werner, 1 (KWC). Mwinilunga-Ikelenge, 5.xi.2002, K. Werner, 1 3 (KWC). 20 km NW Mwinilunga, 17–18.xi.2003, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 3 4 (KWC); 28–29.xi.2005, K.Werner, 1 (KWC). Solwezi District, Kashova, 26°20E-12°10S, 17.xi.1916, 2 1 (NHML), 2 (NHMW). 100 km W Solwezi, 12°13S-25°39E, 1400 m, 10.xi.2006, M. Halada, 4 1 (PSC). 50–100 km W Solwezi, 4.xi.2002, K. Werner, 2 (KWC); 11.x.2003, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 1 1 (KWC). Near Solwezi, 30.xi.2005, K. Werner, 1 (KWC). 60 km E Solwezi, 1–2 & 10–11.xii.2002, A. Kudrna, 1 (AKC). 90 km Solwezi E of Chisasa, 9.xi.2005, M. Snizek, 4 7 (FCC), 1 (PSC), 3 (VTC); 18.xi.2005, M. Snizek, 1 (AOC). E Mutumbwe (NW Kasempa), 15.xi.2005, M. Snizek, 2 (FCC), 1 (PSC), 1 (AOC). MutumbweKasempa, 22.xi.2003, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 1 (KWC). Near Kasempa, 10.xi.2002, K. Werner, 1 1 (KWC). 60 km NE Kasempa, 3.xii.2003, A. Kudrna, 1 (AKC). Copperbelt: 30 km SE Kitwe, 12.xii.2002, A. Brantlovâ, 1 (AKC). 130 km W Kalalushi, 3–4.xii.2002, A. Kudrna, 1 (AKC). Central: 40 km NW Kapiri Mposhi, 8–9.xii.2002, A. Kudrna, 1 (AKC). Mkushi env. E, 16–18.xii.2004, M. Snizek & V. Tichy, 1 (FCC). Lusaka: Lusaka, 27.i.1999, R. Minetti, 1 (KWC). Kafue, xii.1989, R. Minetti, 1 (KWC), 1 (FCC). Eastern: Nakonde-Nteke, 5.xii.2004, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 2 1 (KWC). Malawi, South: Malasa, 1100 m, Zomba Mt., xii.1991, M. Chiawa, 1 (KWC). Cholo, R.C. Wood, 1 (NHML).

Neochila congoana (Mandl) Figs 4, 14, 15 Neochila congoana: Mandl, 1964: 304 [“Lualaba, Kakanda (Mutaka)”] Neochila kigonserana viridissima Mandl, 1981b: 161 [“Mura”] syn. n. Neochila nigromarginilabris Mandl, 1981b: 164 [“Lubumbashi”] syn. n.

Diagnosis A small to medium-sized species (8.8–11.8 mm) of the kigonserana group. Sculpture of head finer than in N. prototypica, interocular depression distinct, vertex more clearly flattened between the eyes. Upperside green to bluish-green, with some black along the suture; no elytral spots present. Mandibles of both sexes blackish above basally, with a yellowish lateral margin, the remainder rufescent. Labrum of male with 2 fine setae near the anterior edge

409

410


Fig. 8. Neochila baderlei:”normal” vertex.

Fig. 9. Neochila katangana: “raised” or “swollen” vertex.

(lateral of middle), anterior edge almost straight without protruding teeth in the middle (in contrast, the lateral teeth are rather sharp), bluish-green with a wide testaceous lateral border in male (sometimes the bluish-green area nearly touching the front border, with some narrow yellowish-rufescent area in between, or more often with a testaceous, triangular, hind-facing indentation anteromedially); labrum of female longer, also with 2 setae, raised and carinated in the middle, bluish-green on disc and on lateral sides, briefly shining black near the hind corners, the lateral margin and before the front teeth; three blunt rufescent teeth anteromedially (the central one being especially prominent), lateral teeth reduced, sometimes blackened. Two setae (one or both occasionally broken-off ) on tip of scape, usually the upper one longer and darker, the lower one shorter and white. Pronotum subsquare or slightly wider than long, with lateral sides slightly convergent behind, wavely striated on disc. No female coupling sulcus. Upperside bluish-green, with some black hue near the suture (especially in front half of elytra). No elytral spots present. Underside greenish-blue to violet, coxae with some white pubescence. Male aedeagus bulky, apically hooked dorsally, the hook being longer and more bent than that of kigonserana; inner sac with a bilobed, U-shaped sclerite, similar to that of kigonserana but much narrower (Mandl 1964).

Fig. 10. A maculated male specimen of Neochila prototypica from Kyankwale, Katanga (FCC).

Remarks Mandl (1964) stated that this species is difficult to separate from the immaculate form of N. prototypica, which can be done with certainty only upon examination of the genitalic morphology. We found that N. congoana is difficult to separate from both prototypica and horii. However, N. prototypica is on


Fig. 11. Neochila apicenitens, female holotype (MRAC) (elytral apex).

Fig. 12. Neochila glabrilabris, male from Mbale, Uganda (FCC) (labrum).

Fig. 13. Neochila hassoni, male paratype (FCC) (labrum).

another female specimen from a nearby locality, Kipopo as a paratype (this specimen was eventually identified to be N. prototypica instead). We consider here N. nigromarginilabris to be a junior synonym of congoana, because of the lack of distinguishing characters. Werner (2000, Fig. 35) illustrated a supposed female specimen from the Jembya Nature Reserve in northern Malawi (in KWC). As stated above, Mandl (1981b) described viridissima, based on only one male specimen, as a subspecies of N. kigonserana. However, upon further examination, the type specimen of this taxon was identified as being N. congoana. Werner (2000, Figs 37 and 37.1) illustrated a paratype male specimen (NHMB!) and the holotype specimen (MRAC) of congoana.

average larger in size, has a labrum with 4 setae, often has one or two tiny dots on each elytron, and also has a longer, strongly hooked, apex of aedeagus; the interocular excavation is distinct, the body colour is more bluish (with blackish inner half of elytra, except at the suture), with dark purple areas on the hind part of vertex from eye to eye and on the disc of pronotum. As for N. horii, the outer margins of mandibles of both male and female are narrowly blackened in front of the basal light spot, and the labrum of females has blackened side margins, with the three central teeth clearly protruding outwards (the outer teeth mostly blunt), briefly rufescent (sometimes blackened) anteriorly. In addition, Mandl (1981b) described N. nigromarginilabris from Lubumbashi (=Elizabethville) in Katanga. However he based his description on only three female specimens, and erroneously associated

Material examined. 6 Type specimens (holotype and five paratypes) and 220 other specimens. D.R. Congo, Katanga: Kapiri, ix.1912, Miss. Agric., 1 (FCC) (paratype). Kyankwale, 26°11E-10°23S, 1600 m, 22/24. x.2003, Th. Bouyer, 1 1 (FCC); 10/28.xi.2003, Th. Bouyer, 5 2 (FCC); xi-xii.2004, Th. Bouyer, 9 8 (FCC), 1 1 (NHML), 1 (RBINS). Lualaba, (Mutaka), xiiI.1953, R.P.Th. de Caters, 1 (MRAC) (holotype). Lubudi, x.1931, Ch. Seydel, C1818 [handwritten], 1 (MRAC) (paratype). Lovoi, Kikondja, 18.xi.1911, M. Bequaert, 1 (NHMB) (paratype). Luabo, xi.1985, 1. PNU, Kankunda (1300 m), 19–24.xi.1947, G.F. de Witte, 1 (MRAC). Zilo, 15.xi.1968, 1 (MRAC). Silo, Cuelele, 1 ♀ (JWC). Mura xi.1949, 1 (MRAC) (holotype of viridissima). 150–200 mi. W Kambove, 3,500–4.500 ft, 1.xi.1907, Sh. Neave, 1 (DEI). Kambove, L. Libois, 1(MRAC). Elisabethville, 16.XI.1948, Ch. Seydel, 1 PT (NHMB). Lubumbashi, x.1971-iv.1972, W. Beun, 1 NHMW (paratype of nigromarginilabris Mandl), (MRAC) (holotype of nigromarginilabris Mandl), 1 (mhmw); xi.1976, V. Allard, 1 (JWC). Elisabethville, 16.xi.1948, Ch. Seydel, 1 (NHMB). Kipushi, xi.1931,

411

412


Ch. Seydel, 1 (NHMB). Mandl), 1 (NHMW). Zambia, Northwestern: E of Chisasa, 90 km Solwezi, 9.xi.2005, M. Snizek, 3 3 (FCC); 18.xi.2005, M. Snizek, 2 1 (FCC). 50–100 km W Solwezi, 4.xi.2002, K. Werner, 1 1 (FCC), 4 1 (KWC); 9.xi.2002, K. Werner, 1 (KWC); 11.xi.2003, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 4 (KWC). 100 km W Solwezi, 12°13S-25°39E, 1400 m, 10.xi.2006, M. Halada, 1 1 (PSC), 1 (FCC). near Solwezi, 10.xi.2003, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 1 1 (KWC). 27 km E Solwezi, 8.xi.2005, M. Snizek, 1 (AOC). 150 km W Solwezi, Ntambu, 12°18S-25°10E, 1350 m, 11.xi.2006, M. Halada, 1 (PSC). 150 km SW Solwezi, 13°02S-25°45E, 1300 m, 15.xi.2006, M. Halada, 1 (PSC). E Mutumbwe (NW Kasempa), 15.xi.2005, M. Snizek, 1 1 (AOC), 1 1 (PSC), 9 3 (FCC). Mutumbwe-Kasempa, 22.xi.2003, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 7 6 (KWC). Near Kasempa, 23.xi.2003, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 1 1 (KWC). 50–150 km S Kasempa, 11.xi.2002, K. Werner, 3 (KWC), 1 (FCC). Copperbelt: Solwezi-Chingola, 10.xii.2001, K. Werner & R. Lizler, 3 1 (KWC). 40 km W Chingola, 21.xi.2005, K. Werner, 1 (KWC). Chingola, 50–100 km to Solwezi, 3.xi.2002, K. Werner, 1 (KWC). 30 km E Mpongwe, 13–14.xii.2002, A. Kudrna, 1 (AKC). 45 km SE Kitwe, 12–13.xii.2002, A. Kudrna, 2 (AKC). Central: near Kapiri Mposhi, 9.xii.2005, K. Werner, 1 2 (KWC). 140 km NE Kapiri Mposhi, 40 km SW Serenje, 30.xi.2004, M. Snizek & V. Tichy, 15 5 (FCC), 3 3 (VTC). Northern: near Mpika, 4–5.xii.2005, K. Werner, 1 (KWC). 25 km SW Chinsali, Chipoma Falls, 5–6.xii.2002, A. Kudrna, 1 (AKC). Eastern: Chipata, 30.xi.2004, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 1 (KWC). Malawi, North: Chitipa dist., Jembya Nature Reserve, 18 km SSE Chisenga, 10°08S-33°27E, 1870 m, 21–31.xii.1988, J. Rawlins & S. Thompson, 31 38 (CMNH), 3 1 (KWC), 1 (JWC), 1 1 (FCC).

Neochila upangwana Mandl Figs 14, 15, 16 Neochila upangwana: Mandl, 1964: 306 [“Upangwa, Dtsch. O. Afr.”]

Diagnosis A medium-sized species (9.5–11.5 mm), apparently of the kigonserana group. Sculpture of head and pronotum much finer than in N. congoana and prototypica, made up by regular, longitudinal, waved striae; interocular depression conspicuous, excavated behind the frons; vertex wide and flattened between the ocular declivities. Upperside predominantly olive-green, slightly bluish-green on pronotum, elytra narrowly blackened along the suture. No elytral spots present. Mandibles yellowish laterally near base, then rufescent, slightly blackened on the middle outer margin. Female labrum approximately as long as wide, with just 2 setae near anterior edge on sides of middle, raised and slightly carinated on disc, olive- to bluish-green, shiny black on lateral

basal edges and anteriorly (with a black indentation in the middle); three blunt blackish teeth protruding in front, lateral teeth blunt and reduced. Pronotum slightly wider than long, with a fine, uneven, transversal, waved striation; lateral sides rounded, obviously convergent behind. Underside violetblack, coxae with some white pubescence. Remarks This species was described based on two female specimens from “Upangwa”, Tanzania (Mandl 1964), both of which had been mentioned by Horn (1926b) in his description of N. prototypica. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate the type locality of Upangwa on any map. Nevertheless, although only a few specimens appear to be appropriately ascribed to N. upangwana, we consider that this species to be a distinct species because of its unusual body colour. During the present study eleven additional specimens were found. Four of these were found among the type series of congoana. The two males from this group had labrums with a wide yellow border, thus confirming upangwana to be a member of the kigonserana group. Consequently, the male is described here below. However, it is strange that so few specimens have been collected to this point. Werner (2000, Figs 40 and 40.1) illustrated both the holotype and the paratype specimens from “Upangwa, D.O. Afrika”. Description of male Labrum approximately as long as wide or slightly shorter than wide, with 2 fine setae near the anterior edge (placed lateral of the middle); colour metallic golden green with some bluish hue, the greenbluish area surrounded by a wide testaceous border both anteriorly and laterally; central teeth weakly defined (anterior edge almost straight), the lateral teeth more marked and slightly protruding in front. Mandibles blackened on upper base, with a yellowish side margin basally, then rufescent, slightly blackened on the middle outer margin. Aedeagus usually bulky and tapered, inflated in the middle, with a strong dorsal hook apically. Material examined. 13 specimens (including the holotype and one paratype). D.R. Congo, Katanga: Lualaba, Kakanda (Mutaka), xii.1953, R.P.Th. de Caters, 1 (MRAC). Elisabethville env., 25.xi.48, sur prones, 1 (NHMB). Zambia, Northwestern: Solwezi, x.1986, ex Allard, 1 (FCC). Northern: Abercorn (=Mbala), xi.1943, H.-J. Brédo, 1 (MRAC), 2 (RBINS), 2 1 (ZMAN); x-xi.1946, R. Casters, 1 1 (MRAC). Tanzania, Ruvuma?: Upangwa, 1958, 1 (DEI) (holotype) (Döbler 1973), 1 (DEI) (paratype) (Döbler 1973).


Neochila glabrilabris Mandl

Neochila hassoni sp. n.

Figs 12, 14

Figs 2d, 13, 14

Neochila glabrilabris: Mandl, 1964: 305 [“Katanga, Mitwaba (Manono)”]

Type material. Holotype , D.R. Congo, Katanga:

Diagnosis A small species (8.5–9 mm, excluding labrum) of the kigonserana group. Sculpture of head and pronotum rather rough, regular, waved. Upperside dominantly greenish-blue, narrowly black on elytra along the suture; no elytral spots present. Labrum (male) longer than wide, narrowed in front, more or less longitudinally carinated in the middle, with 2 fine setae near the anterior edge (lateral of the middle); colour metallic bluish-green on disc, the bluish-green area prolonged up to the front edge, with a wide testaceous border laterally only; anterior edge narrowly dark brown to black, transversally straight or slightly rounded, with at most three blunt teeth barely visible in the middle, the lateral teeth testaceous (a bit rufescent on tip), rather long and sharp. Mandibles shiny black above at the base, yellowish on basal lateral margin, blackish again around the middle, then rufescent on front and inner teeth. Aedeagus bulky, with the usual apical hook. Underside blue-green to violet, coxa with some dense, white pubescence. Female unknown. Remarks Described from a single male specimen, collected by the famous Belgian volcanologist H. Tazieff at Mitwaba (Manono) in Katanga. This specimen was figured by Werner (2000, Fig. 36). This species is remarkable by its rather long, 2 setae labrum, whose sides are widely edged with testaceous-white, while the disc and the front edge are fully bluish-green. The colour pattern of the male labrum of glabrilabris closely resembles that of grandis (see above) and unicolorata (see below), both of which are much larger species. It is curious that only two specimens from more recent material can be ascribed to glabrilabris: one male from Uganda and one male that was found among Mandl’s (1964) type series of congoana. No female specimens are known. Material examined. 3 specimens (including the holotype). Uganda, East: Mbale, xi.1978, B. Watulege, 1 (FCC). D.R. Congo, Katanga: Mufungwa, 1–16.xii.1911, M. Bequaert, 1 (paratype of congoana) (DEI) (Döbler 1973). Mitwaba (Manono), 1947, H. Tazieff, 1 (MRAC) (holotype).

Upemba National Park, Mizi, PNU 066, 25.x5.xi.2002, Mission Hasson & Bouyer (MRAC). – Paratypes: 15 8. D.R. Congo: 5 6, same data as holotype (1 RBINS, 1 NHML, 1 NHMB, 1 KWC, 4 3 FCC); 4, Upemba National Park: Lukobwe, PNU 064, 25.x-5.xi.2002, Mission Hasson & Bouyer (FCC); 1, Upemba National Park, Lusinga, PNU 071, xii.2002, Mission Hasson & Bouyer (FCC); 1, Luena, xii.1984, T. Bouyer leg. (KWC); 2, Zilo, 8.xii.1968, (FCC); 2 2, Lubumbashi, xi.1976, ex V. Allard (FCC). Excluded from type series. 1, Lubumbashi, Mituala, xi.1976 (FCC), because it puzzlingly exhibits a 4 setae labrum. Diagnosis A small to medium-sized species (8.1–10.4 mm, excluding labrum) of the kigonserana group, close to congoana, however, differing in the bluish-green metallic part of male labrum nearly reaching the anterior edge (without any subtriangular indentation anteriorly), with a narrow rufescent anterior edge; 2 setae near anterior edge. Upper base of mandibles shiny black, with the outer margin and the rest of mandibles rufescent. No elytral spots. Description Head glabrous, green to bluish-green with violet reflections, interocular excavation rather deep, rounded; sculpture rough, made up by longitudinal waved striae becoming transversal behind on neck. Labrum with 2 setae near anterior edge, that of male with the bluish-green metallic part nearly reaching the anterior edge, without any subtriangular indentation anteriorly (sometimes with a blackish indentation instead), with a narrow, rufescent, almost straight or slightly undulated anterior edge; labrum of female almost fully bluish-violet, narrowly blackened on lateral margins, rufescent on teeth, with the three central teeth distinctly protruding outwards. Mandibles shiny black on upper base, narrowly lighter on the outer basal margin and then fully rufescent. Palpi testaceous to rufescent, the last segment more or less darkened and with some metallic hue; penultimate segment of the labial palpi distally broadened, rounded below, flattened above, with many long setae all around the upper border. Antennae filiform, shiny black with some violet reflections on scape and segments 2–4, with antennomeres 5–11 dull black, finely and evenly pubescent. Pronotum bluish-green like the head, short, slightly shorter than wide, rounded at sides, a bit constricted

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behind; sculpture rough as on head, with irregularly waved transversal striae. No distinct coupling sulci noticeable in females. Elytra bluish-green with violet reflections, subparallel, elongate, with many small alveoles, rounded to polygonal in shape (sometimes slightly anastomized here and there on disc); apical part of elytra strongly depressed, with particularly strong violet reflections. Apical margin slightly emarginated, sutural spine small to absent. No yellowish elytral markings. Epipleura bluish-green to violet. Underside dark bluish-violet, fully glabrous, except for some white hairs on the side margins of the hind coxae. Trochanters pitchy-black, legs shiny black with some slight violet hue, and a few rows of spiniform setae. Aedeagus bulky, inflated in the middle, with the usual dorsal hook, this being rather thin, a bit straighter and shorter than in the other species (Fig. 2D). Length: 8.1–10.4 mm, excluding labrum. Etymology. – This beautiful new Neochila species is cordially dedicated to Michel Hasson, who was the second author’s good companion during the recent missions to the Upemba National Park (Hasson 2005). Habitat The holotype and some paratype specimens were collected by the second author in three distinct localities of the Upemba National Park (Mizi, Lukobwe and Lusinga), but apparently the species’ distribution is larger than the Park area and also includes other localities in central Katanga. Neochila biotopes in the Upemba NP were found to be open areas or Brachystegia forest understorey situated on the plateau slopes near Lusinga, usually at more than 1000 m above sea level. Remarks The narrow, rufescent rather than yellowish, border of male labrum, easily distinguishes hassoni from the other species of the kigonserana group. From apicenitens (see below), which occurs in the same area and also has a stronger, shiny violet area on the elytral apex, hassoni can be distinguished also because of the rufescent outer margin of basal mandibles.

Neochila grandis Mandl Figs 15, 16 Neochila grandis: Mandl, 1964: 307 [“Ndanda, D.O. Afrika”]

Diagnosis A rather large species ( 12 mm) of the kigonserana

group. Head comparatively small, with fine, regular, longitudinal, waved striae above; interocular excavation rounded, distinct. Sculpture of pronotum rough, transverse, unevenly waved. Upperside predominantly bluish-violet, with slight green reflections on head; no blackish hue on elytra. No elytral spots present. Mandibles narrowly yellowish on base laterally, then mostly rufescent. Female labrum approximately as long as wide, with 4 setae (2 near anterior edge lateral of middle, 2 around the middle of the lateral margins), raised and a bit carinated in the basal middle, metallic bluish-green on disc, shiny black anteriorly and laterally, with three blunt teeth (rufescent to black) prominent anteriorly, the lateral teeth rather blunt and weakly protruding. Pronotum approximately as long as wide, with the middle longitudinal rim slightly marked on disc, the lateral sides slightly rounded, weakly convergent behind. Elytra relatively large, a bit widened behind. Underside violet, coxae with some white pubescence. Remarks Described from a single female specimen from “Ndanda”, Tanzania (Mandl 1964), this species has also been collected in “Mwengwa”, Zambia (four specimens). According the NIMA Geonet (http://gnswww.nga.mil/geonames/GNS/index.jsp), Mwengwa is the name of a stream at approximately 15°17S-25°59E, thus in the Central Province, W of Mumbwa. Three more female specimens from the same province (Kashitu) can also be ascribed to N. grandis. Only two males can be associated with female specimens because of their presence at the same locality (Mwengwa). They are here below described as the species’ male. Shape and colour pattern of male labrum would indicate that this species belongs to the kigonserana group (with wide testaceous lateral borders of labrum). Based on the blue-green discal area extending up to the front margin, N. grandis could be close to glabrilabris (see below), which is a much smaller species. It is interesting to note that, unlike most females, one out of the two examined male specimens has just 2, not 4, labral setae, while the second one has three setae (missing the right one). Therefore, conspecificity with N. unicolorata (see below) is a possibility. The size of the single holotype specimen is remarkable (12 mm), but not as large as stated by Mandl (1964) (“12.5 mm”). Moreover, its evenly bluish-violet body colour is obvious. Werner (2000, Figs 42.1 and 42.2) figured a male specimen from Zambia (Lusaka, Kafue River, KWC) under grandis and a female specimen from Tanzania (Iringa, Madibira, KWC), which we would ascribe to unicolorata (below).


Description of male Labrum approximately as long as wide, slightly narrowed in front, with 2 setae near anterior edge on the sides of middle (one specimen has an additional seta in the middle of the left side margin); colour metallic bluish-green on disc, the bluish-green area prolonged up to the front edge, with a wide testaceous border on the lateral sides; anterior edge transversally flattened or slightly rounded, the lateral teeth testaceous (a bit rufescent on tip) slightly protruding in front, sharp. Aedeagus bulky and tapered, but inflated in the middle, with the usual dorsal hook apically. Material examined. 8 specimens (including the holotype). Zambia, Central: Kashitu, N of Broken Hill, i.1915, H.C.Dollman, 3 (NHML). Mwengwa, 27°40E-13°S, H.C. Dollman, on tree trunk, 1 1 (NHML), 1 (FCC), 1 (NHMW). Tanzania, Mtwara: Ndanda, J.N. Ertl, 1 (ZSM) (holotype).

Neochila unicolorata Mandl Figs 2e, 14, 15, 16 Neochila unicolorata: Mandl, 1981b: 164 [“Kaniama”]

Diagnosis A large species (11.5–13 mm, excluding labrum), apparently of the kigonserana group. Head with fine, regular, waved striae; interocular depression wide, distinct; vertex a bit excavated behind the middle. Pronotum also with fine and transversely waved striae. Upperside unicolorous green with some bluish lustre; no blackish hue near the suture. No elytral spots present. Mandibles blackish at base, briefly yellowish on the lateral margin basally, then blackish-brown, slightly rufescent on teeth. Female labrum approximately as long as wide, raised and convex on disc, witn median carina, widely flattened laterally, with 4 fine setae (2 near the front edge lateral of middle, 2 near the lateral border about the middle or even behind), the lateral setae lacking (or being perhaps broken-off ) in some specimens; colour bluish-green medially, more or less blackened on the wide side margins and on teeth; three blunt teeth protruding in front, lateral teeth not prominent. Pronotum subsquare, with the middle longitudinal rim distinct on disc; convex above, the lateral sides rounded, slightly convergent behind. Underside bluish-green to violet, coxae with some white pubescence. Remarks This species was described based on a single female specimen (figured by Werner 2000, Fig. 41) that was collected in 1931 by R. Massart at Kaniama in

the Upper Lomami (Katanga). However, unicolorata has apparently a much larger geographical range, as several more recent specimens were collected in Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. Contrary to Mandl’s (1981b) statement, unicolorata is the largest known species of this genus, measuring up to 13 mm in length. Closer examination also showed that, contrary to Mandl’s statement (1981b), the type specimen’s palpi are not lacking. N. unicolorata is easily recognizable by its large size and the body coloration which is uniformly green to bluish-green, without any blackish hue on the elytra. The sole available male that could be associated with a female is described below. Shape and colour pattern of this male’s labrum would indicate this species to belongs to the kigonserana group (with wide testaceous lateral borders of labrum). N. unicolorata seems to be close to both glabrilabris (which is much smaller in size) and grandis, because of the blue-green discal area which extends up to the front margin of labrum. Unlike most females, the examined male specimen from Kafue River (Zambia) has 2, not 4, labral setae. As stated above, conspecificity with grandis (a name which would have priority in such a case) is possible, as also the pair specimens from Nampevo, Mozambique (the male being mostly blue in colour, while the female is evenly green), seem to strengthen such an hypothesis. Werner (2000, Figs 42, 42.1) figured two unicolorata specimens, a male from Zambia and a female from Tanzania, as being grandis. Description of male Labrum approximately as long as wide, slightly narrowed in front, with 2 fine setae near anterior edge (placed lateral of middle); colour metallic bluishgreen on disc, the bluish-green area prolonged up to the front edge, with a wide testaceous border on the lateral sides only; anterior edge transversally straight, slightly rounded, the lateral teeth sharp, testaceous (a bit rufescent on tip), slightly protruding anteriorly. Aedeagus bulky and tapered, inflated in the middle, with the usual dorsal hook apically (Fig. 2e). Material examined. 14 specimens (including the holotype). D.R. Congo, Katanga: Kaniama, 1931, R. Massart, 1 (MRAC) (holotype). Zambia, Central: near Kabwe, 25–26.xi.2003, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 1 (FCC). Serenje dist., 16.xii.1907, 4,500 ft., Sh. Neave, 1 (NHML). Lusaka: Mazabuka, 1400m, xii.1986, M. Ferrero, 1 (JWC). Kafue, xii.1989, R. Minetti leg., 1 1 (KWC). Eastern: 30 km W Chama, Chipata, 2.xii.2004, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 1 (KWC). Tanzania, Dodoma: near Mitundo, 10–16.xi.1999, K. Werner & R. Lizler, 1 (KWC). Iringa: Madibira, I.1992, G. Curletti, 1 (KWC). Pwani

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(Coast): Utete (Rufiji R.), 9–14.xii.2003, J. Moravec, 1 (JMC). 160 km S Dar es Salam, 07°51.8S-38°58.6°, 40 m, 22.xii.2005, M. Halada & M. Snizek, 1 (PSC). Mozambique, Zambesia: Nampevo, 16°20S-37°12E, disturbed veld, E-Y: 3745, 8.xii.2006, S. Gussmann & R. Müller, 1 1 (TMSA). 30 km SSE Gurué, rd to Rogone, 15°35S-36°50E, 10.xii.2006, P. Schüle, 1 (PSC).

Intermediate between the kigonserana and katangana groups Neochila nitida sp. n. Fig. 15 Type material. Holotype : Zambia (Northwestern),

“NW Rhodesia/H.C. Dollman [printed] (on reverse side: on path from Lusaka to Kalilele, Solwezi dt., 11.xi.16 [handwritten]); Brit. Mus. 1919–79 [printed]; Neochila/katangana Mandl [handwritten]/ Dr. K. Mandl det. 1978 [printed]” (NHML). Paratypes: 1 9: Zambia (Northwestern), data as holotype, 3 (NHML), 1 2 (NHMW), 1 (ZMAN), 1 (FCC). 1, 27 km E Solwezi, 8.xi.2005, M. Snizek (KWC); 1, 90 km Solwezi E of Chisasa, 9.xi.2005, M. Snizek (KWC). Diagnosis A small Neochila species (7.1–9.8 mm, excluding labrum), somewhat intermediate between the kigonserana and the katangana groups, with the male labrum blue-violet on disc, narrowly rufescent on anterior edge and anteriorly on the lateral borders, shiny black posteriorly on the lateral border from base to about the middle; female labrum with three marked teeth in front middle (which are either rufescent or blackish), bluish-green on disc. Mandibles blackened basally, without any yellowish spot laterally, then almost fully rufescent. Upperside bluishgreen to bluish-violet, with an obvious metallic shiny lustre on elytra. Description Head glabrous, bluish-green with violet reflections on frons, center of vertex, the orbital declivities and genae. Sculpture regular but well marked, made up by parallel, longitudinal, waved striae, becoming transversal behind on neck. Interocular depression rather deep, rounded, distinct. Labrum shiny bluish-violet on disc, narrowly rufescent in front and on the lateral sides, with but 2 fine setae near anterior edge, that of male almost straight and transverse in the middle, slightly surpassing the two sharp lateral teeth, that of the female with the three central teeth clearly protruding outwards (much more than

the lateral teeth), and with the basal half of the lateral sides more or less blackened. Mandibles blackened basally, without any yellowish spot laterally, then almost fully rufescent. Palpi rufescent, the last segment more or less darkened, with some metallic hue; penultimate segment of the labial palpi broadened distally, rounded below, flattened above, with a row of long setae all around the upper border. Antennae filiform, scape and segments 2–4 shiny black with some violet metallic hue, the basal half of 3rd and 4th more or less rufescent, the distal antennomeres (5th to 11th ) dull black, finely and evenly pubescent, a bit thickened distally. Pronotum bluish-green like the head, with some violet reflections on disc and the episternal rim, approximately as long as wide, rounded at sides; sculpture regular, with transversal waved cerebriform striae. Proepisterna violet, smooth. No distinct coupling sulci in females. Elytra subparallel, elongate, a bit rounded laterally, bluish green with some violet reflections and an obvious metallic shiny lustre; punctuation made by many shallow alveoles, rounded to polygonal in shape, sometimes separated on disc by impunctate areoles; apical part of elytra strongly depressed, apical margin slightly emarginated, sutural spine small to absent. No yellowish elytral markings. Epipleura bluish-green to black. Underside bluish-violet, fully glabrous and smooth, with a few recumbent hairs on side margins of hind coxae. Trochanters and legs pitchy-black, with some metallic hue. Aedeagus bulky, inflated in the middle, with the usual dorsal hook. Length: 7.1–9.8 mm (excluding labrum). Etymology. – This small new Neochila species is so named because of its main distinguishing character, the obvious metallic shiny lustre of the elytra. Remarks Because of the partially rufescent male labrum and the colour pattern of mandibles, we regard this species as being somewhat intermediate between the kigonserana and the katangana groups. Its type locality, thanks to a handwritten note found on the reverse of the labels of some type specimens (which were all identified by Mandl in 1978 as being katangana), can be located in the Solwezi district, near Kalilele, in present-day Zambia. It is interesting that nitida was recently collected again in two different localities (27 km E of Solwezi and 90 km from Solwezi E of Chisasa) near the same area.


The N. katangana group Neochila katangana Mandl Figs 2c, 5, 9, 14, 15 Neochila katangana: Mandl, 1964: 307 [“Katanga, Kalehe”]

Diagnosis A small species (8.2–9.8 mm), less elongate and paralled-sided than prototypica, with fully metallic green to bluish-violet colour in both sexes (katangana group). Sculpture of head rough, uneven; interocular depression wide, not very distinct, vertex a bit raised and swollen in the middle. Upperside bluish-green (with some black on the elytral disc), with no elytral markings. Mandibles mostly blackish (from base to apex) in both sexes, inner teeth briefly rufescent. Labrum with 2 fine setae only near anterior edge (lateral of middle), fully metallic green to bluish-violet in both sexes (without testaceous areas even in male), narrowly blackened in front edge and on teeth. Front edge rounded in the middle in male, with three blackish, blunt, weakly protruding teeth in female; side teeth sharp and prominent in both sexes. Male aedeagus bulky, dorsally hooked, similar to that of kigonserana, with the hook thin, rather short and weakly bent (Fig. 2C). Underside greenish-blue to violet, with some white pubescence restricted to the coxae. No female coupling sulcus evident. Remarks This species was described by Mandl (1964) based on thirteen specimens from several localities of Katanga: Kalehe (type locality), Kafakumba, river Sashila, Mukunkoto, Luashi, and ?Elisabethville. Werner (2000: Figs 39 and 39.1) figured the female paratype specimen from Luashi, Katanga (MRAC) and a male specimen from Zilo (KWC). The latter specimen, however, was identified by us as baderlei instead. Werner (2003) also recorded katangana from Zambia (Northeastern [sic!]: 20 km NW Mwinilunga, 1). It is interesting to note that amongst the long series collected by E. Le Moult at River Sashila, one male specimen has also been identified by us as baderlei (see below). Material examined. 73 specimens (including the holotype and eleven paratypes). D.R. Congo, Katanga: River Sashila, x.1925, E. Le Moult, 1 (MRAC) (paratype), 1 (MRAC), 18 6 + 1 ? (RBINS), 1 1 (FCC), 1 (DEI) (paratype) (Döbler 1973); 1926, P. Lassus, 1 (MNHN); 1949, G.F. Overlaet, 1 (MRAC) (paratype). River Kangoa, x.1925, E. Le Moult, 2 (RBINS). Kalehe, xi.1937, 1 (MRAC) (holotype), 1 (MRAC) (allotype), 1 (NHMB) (paratype), 2 6 (RBINS). Mukunkoto,

xi.1937, 1 (FCC) (paratype), 1 (NHMB) (paratype), 2 2 (RBINS). Kafakumba, xii.1932, F.G. Overlaet, 1 (MRAC) (paratype); xi.1933, G.F. Overlaet, 1 (NHMB); xi.1937, 5 4 (RBINS), 1 (MNHN); 1944, P. Basilewsky, 1 (MRAC) (paratype). Luashi, xi.1938, F. Freyne, 1 (MRAC) (paratype). Zambia, Northwestern: Nchila, Ikelenge, 13–16.xi.2003, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 1 (KWC). Mwinilunga-Ikelenge, 5.xi.2002, K. Werner, 1 (FCC), 1 (KWC). 20 km NW Mwinilunga, 8.xi.2002, K. Werner, 2 1 (KWC); 17–18.xi.2003, K. Werner & P. Smrz, 1 (KWC); 25.xi.2005, K. Werner, 1 1 (KWC); 28–29.xi.2005, K. Werner, 2 (KWC).

Neochila baderlei Mandl Figs 7, 8, 14, 15 Neochila baderlei: Mandl, 1981a: 5 [“Lubumi, Zaire”]

Diagnosis A small species (8.1–9.8 mm) of the katangana group, a bit more elongate and paralled-sided than N. katangana, green to bluish-green. Sculpture of head finer and more even than in katangana, a bit waved longitudinally, interocular depression distinct, vertex neither raised nor swollen in the middle. Upperside bluish-green to green (with some black near the suture), with no elytral markings. Mandibles mostly blackish (from base to apex) in both sexes, teeth briefly rufescent. Labrum with 2 fine front setae only near anterior edge, fully metallic green to bluish-green in both sexes (without testaceous areas even in male), narrowly blackened on top of teeth. Anterior edge almost straight, slightly rounded, in male, with three blunt teeth in female; lateral teeth small but rather sharp and prominent in both sexes. Median carina of labrum conspicuous, wide, rounded, raised, smooth and shiny near the base, its surface being otherwise somewhat shagreened. Male aedeagus bulky, dorsally hooked, the hook long, slightly flattened on the ventral side. Underside bluish to black, coxae with some white pubescence. No female coupling sulcus appreciable. Described from Lubumbashi (rectius for “Lubumi”: Mandl 1981a), this species is a close relative of katangana because of the fully metallic bluish-green male labrum and the blackish mandibles of both sexes, however differing from it by the finer sculpture of head and pronotum and the stronger interocular depression. Werner (2000, Figs 38 and 38.1) figured a two male specimens from Lubumbashi, including a paratype, from KWC. It is interesting to note that one male specimen was found amongst the long series of katangana which was collected by E. Le Moult at the River Sashila.

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Fig. 14. Distribution of Neochila species in Katanga (solid circles: prototypica; half-solid circles: horii; open circles: congoana; bold-faced circles: unicolorata; asterisk: hassoni, solid square: katangana; half-solid square: baderlei; bold-faced square: apicenitens, solid triangle: glabrilabris; half-solid triangle: upangwana). Outlined areas: Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks.

Fig. 15. Distribution of the Neochila species in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique (solid stars: kigonserana; solid circles: prototypica; half-solid circles: horii; open circles: congoana; bold-faced circles: unicolorata; open stars: nitida; solid squares: katangana; half-solid squares: baderlei; open triangles: grandis; half-solid triangles: upangwana).

Material examined. 74 specimens (including the holotype and twenty-one paratypes). D.R. Congo, Katanga: Shaba, 1 (FCC) (paratype), 1 (JMC) (paratype). Katanga, xii.1974, W. Heinkel, 1 (KWC); xi.1982, J.S., 1 1 (JMC), 1 (KWC); coll. Kirschenhofer, 1 (NHMB), 1 (NHMW). River Sashila, x.1925, E. Le Moult, 1 (RBINS). Musonoie, 10.xi.1963, 1 (FCC). Kanzenze, x.1980, 1 (FCC); xi.1980, 3 (FCC). Zilo, xi.1988, 1 (KWC). Lubumbashi, x.1973, V. Allard, 1 (CMNH); xi.1973, 1 (RNC), 1 (ZMAN), 1 (NHMW), 1 1 (MRAC); xi.1974, V. Allard, 1 (RNC); xii.1974, V. Allard, 1 (JWC), 1 (FCC); xii.1974, 2 (NHMW) (paratypes), 1 (ZMAN) (paratype), 1 1 (KWC); 7.xii.1974, A. Dostal, 1 (MRAC) (paratype), 3 4 (NHMW) (paratypes), 1 1 (ZMB) (paratypes), 1 (ZMAN) (paratype), 1 (JWC) (paratype), 2 (KWC) (paratypes); 22.xii.74, 1 (NHMW) (holotype), 1 1 (NHMW) (paratypes); 1.iii.1975, W. Beun, 1 (ZMB), 10 7 (MRAC), 1 (DEI), 1 (FCC); ex V. Allard, 1 2 (FCC), 1 (KWC). Lumumbasa [misspelling for ‘Lubumbashi’], 22.xii.1974, 1 (KWC). Lutmibashi [misspelling for ‘Lubumbashi’], xi.1973, 1 (FCC). Zambia, Northwestern: Solwezi, xii.1982, 2 (MHC).

Diagnosis A medium-sized (10–10.1 mm, excluding labrum) species of the katangana group, with fully blueviolet labrum in male too; mandibles blackish basally, rufescent apically. Elytral apex shiny violet, metallic, contrasting with the bluish-green colour of the rest of the elytra. Superficially similar to hassoni (see above) but with the apical part of elytra much more shiny; moreover easily distinguished by the mandibles being fully blackish basally.

Neochila apicenitens sp. n. Figs 11, 14 Type material. Holotype , D.R. Congo (Katanga):

Upemba National Park, River Ntumbwa, PNU 032, viii.2001, Miss. Hasson & Bouyer, deposited in MRAC. Paratypes 1, 2. D.R. Congo (Katanga): 1, 1, Upemba National Park: Lusinga, PNU 070, xii.2002, Miss. Hasson & Bouyer (FCC); 1, environs of Lusinga, PNU 063, 25.x-5.xi.2002, Miss. Hasson & Bouyer (TBC).

Description Head glabrous, green with some bluish reflections; sculpture rougher than in baderlei but less so than in katangana, interocular depression shallow with vertex not raised in the middle. Labrum completely bluish-violet in both sexes, sometimes with green areoles near the front teeth, with just 2 fine setae near the anterior edge; lateral teeth prominent, sharp, the three central teeth more produced outwards, weakly distinct in male. Mandibles black with some metallic hue until over the middle, then more or less rufescent on teeth. Palpi rufescent, the last segment more or less darkened, with some metallic hue; penultimate segment of the labial palpi distally widened, rounded below, flattened above, with many long setae all around the upper border. Antennae filiform, scape and segments 2–4 bluish green, the distal ones dull black, finely and evenly pubescent. Pronotum green like the head, with slight bluish reflections, approximately as long as wide, rounded at sides, globular in shape; sculpture rather rough, with irregularly waved cerebriform striae. No clear


Lusinga, usually at more than 1000 m above sea level.

Fig. 16. Distribution of the Neochila species in Tanzania (solid stars: kigonserana; half-solid circles: horii; bold-faced circles: unicolorata; half-solid triangle, country record only: upangwana; open triangle: grandis).

coupling sulci are discernable in females. Elytra subparallel, elongate, slightly enlarged posteriorly, bluish green with violet reflections; punctuation produced by numerous small alveoles, rounded to polygonal in shape, slightly anastomized here and there on disc; apical part of elytra strongly depressed, shiny metallic violet, much smoother than the rest of elytra and distinctly contrasting with it, almost impunctate. Apical margin slightly emarginate, sutural spine small to absent. No yellowish elytral markings. Epipleura bluish-green. Underside bluish-green, fully glabrous, with just a few decumbent hairs on side margins of the hind coxae. Trochanters dark rufous to pitchy-black; femora and tarsi metallic bluish-green, apex of tibiae and tarsi more or less blackened. Aedeagus bulky, inflated in the middle, apical hook short. Length: 10–10.1 mm (excluding labrum). Etymology This beautiful new Neochila species is named “apicenitens” because of its main distinguishing character, the shiny, metallic, violet elytral apex, strongly contrasting with the bluish-green elytra. Habitat The three known specimens of this species were collected by the second author in two distinct localities of the Upemba National Park (Lusinga and River Ntumbwa). Neochila biotopes in the Upemba NP were found to be open areas or Brachystegia forest understorey situated on the plateau slopes near

Remarks By having a fully metallic blue-violet labrum in both sexes (without any yellowish border in male) and by lacking a yellowish areole in the outer basal margin of mandibles, apicenitens is obviously a member of the katangana group. However, it is easily distinguishable from both katangana and baderlei by the strikingly shiny violet elytral apex. Moreover, the rather globose shape of pronotum is fairly conspicuous. From hassoni, which occurs in the same area and also has strong violet reflections on elytra, apicenitens can be distinguished by the blackish colour of basal mandibles.

Discussion The genus Neochila, as it is presently known, would appear to include at least thirteen species, two of which (N. glabrilabris and apicenitens) are still known from only a few individuals. In one case (N. glabrilabris) the female is still unknown. In three more instances (N. upangwana, grandis and unicolorata) the males are described for the first time in this paper. Several Neochila species occur sympatrically, may be even syntopically, in several localities, such as in D.R. Congo at Lubumbashi (=Elisabethville) (five species: N. prototypica, congoana, upangwana, hassoni, baderlei), the Upemba National Park (4 species: N. horii, congoana, hassoni, apicenitens), Zilo (three species: N. congoana, hassoni, baderlei) and River Sashila (three species: N. prototypica, katangana, baderlei) (Fig. 14), and in Zambia near Solwezi (four species: N. prototypica, congoana, nitida, baderlei) (Fig. 15). We cannot eliminate the possibility that some interbreeding may occasionally occur in these localities. A few specimens, in fact, exhibit somewhat intermediate characters. For instance, a male specimen from “Mituala” (close to Lubumbashi, D.R. Congo) (FCC), which here is ascribed to hassoni because of the general characters (non-type specimen), puzzlingly has a labrum with 4 setae (instead of 2), like prototypica. A male specimen from “Elisabethville” (in NHMB), identified here as congoana, exhibits a puzzling third labral seta on the left side only; two specimens (one pair) from near Solwezi (Zambia) (in KWC), which also are congoana, have slightly blackened margins in the outer middle of mandibles. However, these puzzling or doubtful specimens are few, thus indicating that the reproductive barriers are likely effective in spite of the few distinguishing body characters.

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Ironically, one of the least known species is the type species of the genus, N. kigonserana, which is apparently the only black (instead of bluish-green) species in the genus and which seems to be rather narrowly distributed from south-eastern Tanzania (Kigonsera, Mango) to northern Malawi (Misuku Hills).

Acknowledgements In addition to all those who provided material for study, thanks are to be given to Dr. Dave Brzoska (Naples, Florida) who most kindly revised the English text. Dave Pearson and Erik J. van Nieukerken gave us a number of useful and much improving suggestions.

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